#Funding

Amazon is investing $13 billion in AI infrastructure in India, aiming to enhance its cloud services and compete with other tech giants. This investment comes as part of a broader trend among global companies to expand their AI capabilities in the region, potentially impacting local businesses and startups reliant on advanced technologies.

Amazon's $13 billion investment in AI infrastructure in India signals a significant enhancement of cloud services, which could provide builders and PMs with improved tools and resources for developing AI applications. For investors, this move highlights the growing competition in the AI space and the potential for lucrative opportunities in the Indian tech ecosystem.

Agility Robotics is set to go public via a $2.5 billion merger with Churchill Capital Corp XI, marking the first U.S. publicly listed pure-play humanoid robotics company. This merger aims to enhance Agility's commercial deployments, leveraging their advanced humanoid models in active markets.

Agility Robotics' merger with Churchill Capital Corp XI to go public at a $2.5 billion valuation highlights the growing market for humanoid robotics, signaling potential investment opportunities and commercial applications. Builders and PMs should consider how this advancement could influence their product development strategies and market positioning in robotics.

At TechCrunch's StrictlyVC event, investors discussed strategies for navigating the fast-paced AI investment landscape, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and informed decision-making. They highlighted the need for investors to stay updated on emerging technologies and market trends to effectively capitalize on opportunities.

The discussion at TechCrunch's StrictlyVC event underscores the necessity for investors to remain agile and informed in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Builders and PMs should recognize that staying updated on emerging technologies is crucial for aligning product development with market needs, while investors must adapt strategies to effectively seize new opportunities.

Leading tech firms are directly purchasing thousands of B300 units, signaling a shift in procurement strategies. A storage giant's valuation may rise to a trillion yuan, impacting existing semiconductor companies. Meanwhile, a Shanghai AI chip firm has secured Pro-IPO financing, and the market faces rising storage costs affecting AI chip strategies.

The direct purchase of thousands of B300 units by leading tech firms indicates a strategic shift in hardware procurement, which could influence AI infrastructure costs and availability. This, coupled with the rising valuation of a storage giant and the securing of Pro-IPO financing by an AI chip firm, suggests a tightening market that builders and investors need to navigate carefully.

Menlo Ventures has successfully raised a $3 billion fund after a bold $750 million investment in Anthropic in 2024, solidifying its reputation as a leading AI investor. This strategic move positions Menlo to capitalize on the growing AI market and support innovative startups in the field.

Menlo Ventures' successful $3 billion fundraise, following a $750 million investment in Anthropic, indicates strong investor confidence in AI technologies. This signals to builders and PMs that there is substantial funding available for innovative AI projects, while investors can identify promising startups that may emerge from this capital influx.

Fika Jobs, a Stockholm-based startup, has secured $4 million in funding to develop a video-first hiring platform that integrates AI interview agents with short-form video profiles. This innovative approach aims to enhance the recruitment process by blending elements of LinkedIn and TikTok, making it more engaging for both candidates and employers.

Fika Jobs has raised $4 million to create a video-first hiring platform that uses AI agents for candidate interviews. This development signals a shift towards more engaging and efficient recruitment processes, highlighting opportunities for builders and PMs to innovate in HR tech and for investors to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-driven solutions in hiring.

Oversonic Robotics has secured investment from STMicroelectronics, Fondazione ENEA Tech Biomedical, and SpotInvest to advance the RoBee cognitive humanoid robot. This funding will enhance RoBee's applications in manufacturing and healthcare while expanding its market presence in the United States.

Oversonic Robotics has secured investment from key players like STMicroelectronics to advance its RoBee cognitive humanoid robot, which will enhance its applications in manufacturing and healthcare. This development signals a growing market for humanoid robotics in the U.S., presenting opportunities for builders and PMs to innovate and investors to capitalize on emerging technologies in these sectors.

AI chipmaker Groq has successfully raised $650 million to bolster its neocloud business and is actively hiring new executives following Nvidia's $20 billion not-acqui-hire deal. This funding aims to enhance Groq's competitive edge in the AI sector amidst ongoing market shifts.

Groq's $650 million funding round is significant as it signals strong investor confidence in AI chipmakers, especially in the face of competition from giants like Nvidia. This capital will enhance Groq's capabilities, potentially leading to more innovative AI solutions and impacting the competitive landscape for builders and PMs in AI development.

Google DeepMind has invested $75 million in a partnership with A24 to develop AI filmmaking tools. This collaboration aims to enhance the creative process in Hollywood, leveraging AI technology to streamline production and storytelling.

Google DeepMind's $75 million investment in A24 to develop AI filmmaking tools signals a growing trend of AI integration in creative industries. Builders and PMs should consider how AI can enhance production efficiency and storytelling, while investors may see new opportunities in the evolving landscape of entertainment technology.

SpaceX has secured a $150 million monthly deal with Reflection AI, starting July 1, 2026, for access to Nvidia's GB300 AI chips at its Colossus 2 data center. This partnership will span until 2029, enhancing Reflection AI's capabilities with cutting-edge hardware.

SpaceX's $150 million monthly deal with Reflection AI for access to Nvidia's GB300 AI chips is significant because it ensures a steady supply of advanced computing resources for AI development, which could accelerate innovation in AI applications. Builders and PMs should consider how this partnership may influence competition and capabilities in the AI landscape, while investors might see this as a signal of growing demand for high-performance AI infrastructure.

Microsoft's Copilot Cowork now incorporates a usage-based billing model and evaluates integrating DeepSeek V4, a low-cost AI model, marking a shift in enterprise AI cost management. This change reflects the increasing complexity of AI tasks and the need for cost-effective solutions as traditional subscription models become unsustainable.

Microsoft's shift to a usage-based billing model for Copilot Cowork and potential integration of the low-cost DeepSeek V4 AI model signals a critical move towards cost-effective enterprise AI solutions. This development highlights the need for builders and PMs to adapt to changing pricing structures while presenting investors with opportunities in emerging, efficient AI technologies.

Shinkei's Poseidon is a refrigerator-sized robot designed to humanely kill fish quickly, addressing ethical concerns in aquaculture. This innovative technology aims to enhance fish welfare while improving operational efficiency for fish farms. Founders Fund's investment highlights the growing interest in humane practices within the industry.

Founders Fund's investment in Shinkei's Poseidon robot, designed for the humane killing of fish, signals a shift towards ethical practices in aquaculture. This development presents opportunities for builders and PMs to innovate in animal welfare technologies, while investors can capitalize on the growing demand for humane solutions in the food industry.