SOUS Raises €4M to Revolutionize Restaurant Growth with AI

Restaurants navigate a complex digital world today. Customers discover eateries through search engines, maps, social media, and AI tools. However, many businesses use scattered platforms. These tools often charge fees and hold customer data hostage. SOUS changes this dynamic. This Amsterdam-based AI platform unifies the customer journey for independent food businesses. It spans discovery, transactions, and retention. Now, SOUS secures €4 million in seed funding.

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futurepresent Emerges from Stealth with $300M AI Fund

futurepresent, a German-US venture firm, steps out of stealth mode. It announces a $300 million debut fund. The firm has already invested in 14 companies. These investments blend early-stage opportunities with targeted growth plays. For over a year, the team operated discreetly. Now, they reveal their strategy to the world. This launch marks a significant moment in transatlantic venture capital. Founders across Europe and the US gain access to fresh capital.

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EIF’s €15B Fund Powers Europe’s Startup Scaling Revolution

The European Investment Fund (EIF) launches one of Europe's boldest initiatives. It deploys a €15 billion fund of funds. This programme targets growth-stage ventures directly. EIF aims to strengthen the capital layer that helps startups scale. It does not just focus on starting businesses. Instead, it builds pathways for expansion. EIF plans to support around 100 funds. These include mid-sized vehicles.

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Periodic Labs Pursues $7B Valuation in Major AI Funding Push

Periodic Labs, an innovative AI startup, engages in early discussions to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Investors value the company at around $7 billion, according to Bloomberg. This marks a significant increase from its $1.3 billion valuation during the September seed round. Previously, Periodic Labs secured $300 million from prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Felicis, and Accel. However, current talks remain fluid, and terms may change as negotiations progress.

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Stock Futures Fall on Meta Trials and Global Tensions

Stock futures decline this morning. This drop follows a positive trading day. Investors face several key developments. These events shape the market outlook. First, Meta Platforms grapples with major legal challenges. Second, geopolitical tensions rise in the Middle East. Third, space sector stocks rally on IPO news. Fourth, analysts warn about energy prices. Finally, new laws target prediction markets. These factors influence trading strategies today.

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Harvey AI Secures $200M Funding, Valued at $11B in Legal Tech Surge

Harvey AI, a pioneering US-based legal tech company, recently announced a major funding round. The firm raised $200 million, co-led by GIC and Sequoia Capital. This latest investment values Harvey at an impressive $11 billion. Moreover, existing investors participated actively. They include Andreessen Horowitz, Coatue, Conviction Partners, Elad Gil, Evantic, and Kleiner Perkins. This round highlights strong confidence in Harvey's growth potential.

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Dexory Raises $100M to Transform Global Warehouses

Dexory, a London-based logistics intelligence company, has secured significant new funding. The British Business Bank invested in this Series C round. The round already closed at $100 million in October 2025. Eurazeo led the investment. LTS Growth and Endeavor Catalyst also participated. Existing investors doubled down. These backers include Atomico, DTCP, Latitude Ventures, Lakestar, Elaia, and Wave-X. This influx of capital strengthens Dexory's position in the logistics sector.

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Arkadia Space Lands €14.5M EIC Boost for Green Space Propulsion

Arkadia Space has achieved a major milestone. The Spanish startup secured €14.5 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. Out of 923 applicants, only 61 companies succeeded. This reflects a tough success rate of just 6.6%. Moreover, Arkadia became the first Spanish space company to receive this backing. The funding package includes a €2.5 million grant. It also features €6 million in equity from the EIC Fund.

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Shield AI Raises $1.5B to Revolutionize Autonomous Defense

Modern defense increasingly relies on software, simulations, and autonomous systems. These technologies operate in environments where humans cannot venture safely. Traditional aircraft depend on human pilots. However, pilots often face dangers or communication blackouts. In areas without GPS or reliable links, vulnerabilities arise. Shield AI addresses these challenges head-on. The Founders' Vision Takes Flight Brothers Brandon Tseng and Ryan Tseng, alongside Andrew Reiter, launched Shield AI in 2015.

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Blossom Health Secures $20M to Transform Telepsychiatry

Blossom Health emerges as a key player in addressing the mental health crisis. The company raised $20 million in combined seed and Series A funding. This investment tackles the growing imbalance between demand and available specialists in mental healthcare. Headline led the round. Co-founder and managing partner Mathias Schilling joined the board. Returning investors Village Global and TA Ventures participated actively.

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Scalvy Secures $13.9M to Modernize Power Delivery Systems

Scalvy, an Austin-based innovator, has raised $13.9 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. This investment aims to modernize power delivery for the world's most demanding systems. A strategic investor led the round, alongside Silicon Badia. Azolla Ventures, Climate Capital, and Skyriver Ventures also provided backing. Additionally, other supporters joined the effort. The funding boosts Scalvy's total capital to about $17 million.

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Conntour Secures $7M for Ethical AI Video Surveillance

The surveillance technology industry faces intense scrutiny today. Controversies surround U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's use of Flock's camera network. Additionally, Ring's home cameras draw criticism for enabling law enforcement to request neighborhood footage. These issues spark broad debates on safety, privacy, and surveillance power dynamics. However, market growth persists. Advancements in vision-language models propel companies to innovate monitoring solutions for businesses.

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Malware Scandal Rocks LiteLLM Open-Source AI Project

Researchers recently uncovered serious malware in LiteLLM, a popular open-source project. LiteLLM simplifies access to hundreds of AI models for developers. It also offers features like spend management. This tool has gained massive traction. Snyk reports show downloads reach 3.4 million times per day. The project boasts 40,000 stars on GitHub. Thousands of developers fork it to customize their versions.

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Family Offices Snap Up Real Estate Bargains in Stalled Market

Ultra-wealthy family offices aggressively pursue domestic real estate investments. The market's recovery stalls amid high interest rates and geopolitical tensions. However, these investors seize opportunities for long-term gains. They shared insights with Inside Wealth. Family offices sit on the sidelines less than others. Their deep pockets allow opportunistic bets. They focus on the long haul. Realm's Bold Moves in Northern California…

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Henkel Buys Olaplex for $1.4B in Premium Haircare Move

Henkel, a leading German consumer brand, announced a major acquisition on Thursday. The company agreed to purchase Olaplex, a prestige haircare brand, for $1.4 billion. This deal strengthens Henkel's position in the beauty industry. Investors reacted positively, as shares surged immediately after the news. Deal Details and Approval Henkel offered $2.06 per share for Olaplex. Olaplex's board unanimously approved the transaction.

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Fannie Mae Embraces Crypto-Backed Mortgages with Better and Coinbase

Fannie Mae now accepts crypto-backed mortgages through a new product from Better Home and Finance and Coinbase. This move marks a significant milestone in real estate finance. Previously, crypto-backed options existed, but none gained Fannie Mae's approval. As a government-conservatorship entity, Fannie Mae sets high standards for conforming loans. The new offering lets homebuyers pledge crypto assets as collateral. Fannie Mae buys these loans just like traditional ones.

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Tom Brady Probes NFL Return While Owning Raiders Stake

Tom Brady, the iconic quarterback of the New England Patriots, recently sparked intrigue about his NFL future. He inquired about returning as a player while keeping his minority ownership in the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Brady quickly clarified his contentment with retirement. This exploration highlights ongoing rumors about his potential un-retirement. Fans and analysts alike watch his moves closely. Brady's Inquiry into League Policies…

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MLB Braces for Labor Storm and Media Shifts Post-Opening Day

Major League Baseball launches its season with excitement. Yet, Thursday's Opening Day signals the calm before a brewing storm. The league faces critical changes ahead. Owners prepare for tough negotiations. Players anticipate disruptions. This article explores the key challenges and opportunities shaping MLB's future. CBA Expiration Looms Large The collective bargaining agreement between MLB and its players expires at season's end.

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United Airlines Secures Tentative Flight Attendant Deal After Six Years

United Airlines recently announced a tentative labor agreement with its flight attendant union. This deal marks the first significant raises for crew members in approximately six years. Negotiations have proven challenging, yet both sides achieved progress. Breaking Down the Tentative Agreement United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA crafted this agreement carefully. If flight attendants ratify it, United becomes the final major U.S.

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Teachers’ Union Urges Target Boycott Over Immigration Stance

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) urges its 1.8 million members to avoid Target for back-to-school shopping. This call stems from Target's inadequate response to federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. The union passed a resolution on Thursday to push for local shopping instead. This move adds to ongoing boycotts targeting the retailer. Target shows signs of recovery, yet faces fresh challenges.

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Infiniti QX65 Debuts to Spark U.S. Luxury SUV Revival

Infiniti launched its new midsize luxury SUV, the QX65, on Thursday. The company aims to revive its presence in the U.S. market. This vehicle marks a key step in Infiniti's strategy. Infiniti, Nissan's premium brand, seeks to recapture lost momentum. The QX65 features a powerful 268-horsepower VC-Turbo engine. It delivers 286 foot-pounds of torque. Drivers enjoy smooth acceleration and responsive handling.

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Google’s AI Efficiency Breakthrough Rattles Memory Chip Stocks

Google's recent research on AI models shakes up the memory chip market. Investors worry about lower demand for chips. Shares in major companies drop sharply. This development highlights tensions in the booming AI sector. On Thursday, SK Hynix shares fell 6% in South Korea. Samsung shares declined nearly 5%. Kioxia, a Japanese flash memory firm, dropped almost 6%. These declines followed U.S.

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Meta Faces Backlash in Landmark Social Media Court Cases

Meta encountered significant setbacks this week in two high-profile court cases. These rulings highlight the company's ongoing struggles to manage safety on Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile, Meta races to catch up with competitors in artificial intelligence. The verdicts underscore broader challenges in the social media landscape. Court Verdicts Expose Safety Failures Jurors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ruled on Tuesday that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms.

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AI Bots Eclipse Human Users on Internet in 2025

Artificial intelligence now dominates the web. Bots and automated systems have surpassed human activity online. Human Security's latest report reveals this shift. The firm, a cybersecurity leader, released the State of AI Traffic report on Thursday. It shows AI traffic eclipses humans for the first time. Stu Solomon, CEO of Human Security, highlighted the change. He told CNBC that the internet's core idea has flipped.

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Apple Expands U.S. Manufacturing with New Partners and $400M Pledge

Apple announced a major expansion of its American Manufacturing Program on Thursday. This move brings four new partners into its domestic supply chain. These partners include Bosch, Cirrus Logic, TDK, and Qnity Electronics. They will produce essential materials and components in the U.S. for Apple products sold worldwide. Moreover, Apple plans to invest $400 million in these new programs through 2030.

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AI Boom Sparks CEO Transitions at Coke and Walmart

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence reshapes corporate landscapes across America. Recently, two prominent CEOs revealed how AI influences their decisions to step down. James Quincey of Coca-Cola and Doug McMillon of Walmart shared these insights with CNBC. Their stories highlight a growing trend among business leaders. They recognize AI's transformative power. Therefore, they seek successors better equipped to navigate this shift.

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Meta Pumps $10B into Texas AI Data Center for 1GW Power

Meta surges ahead with a bold expansion. The company boosts its spending on an upcoming AI data center in West Texas. It increases the commitment more than sixfold to $10 billion. This move targets 1 gigawatt of capacity by 2028. Meta announced these details on Thursday. The facility in El Paso promises significant growth. It will create 300 new jobs. At peak construction, it requires over 4,000 workers.

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David Sacks Transitions from AI Czar to PCAST Co-Chair Role

David Sacks, a key figure in the Trump administration, steps away from his position as artificial intelligence and crypto czar. He announced this move on Thursday to Bloomberg. Sacks explained that he completed his 130-day stint as a special government employee. Now, he joins the President’s Council of Advisers on Science & Technology, or PCAST, as co-chair. Sacks' New Role in PCAST…

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Nashville Rejects Musk’s Tunnel Amid Rising Concerns

Elon Musk's Boring Company unveiled ambitious plans in July. The company aims to construct 20 miles of tunnels in Nashville. These tunnels will transport passengers from downtown to the airport using Tesla cars. Republican Governor Bill Lee hailed the project as transformative. He emphasized its potential to revolutionize urban mobility. However, enthusiasm has faded among residents just eight months later. A recent Vanderbilt University survey reveals growing disapproval.

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OpenAI’s Ads Hit $100M ARR in Under Two Months

OpenAI introduced its ads business in January. The company targeted free users and ChatGPT Go subscribers in the U.S. This pilot aimed to create a new revenue stream. However, rival Anthropic mocked the effort. Anthropic even highlighted it in their first Super Bowl ad. Despite the ridicule, OpenAI moved forward confidently. The ads appear at the bottom of chatbot responses. They do not influence the AI's answers.

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