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The second week of the year is usually a busy one for startup news, and 2025 is no exception. From CES product launches to M&As and fundraising events; Here's what you need to know.
The most interesting startup stories of the week
Multiple startups New products introduced at CES 2025.: Fully organic farms and their Agricultural irrigation systemSoliddd and its Smart glasses for people with macular degenerationMay Mobility and its Electric autonomous minibusand more. There's also other news this week:
Green light: Announced by Dutch semiconductor giant NXP. Plans to buy TTTech Auto.The VC-backed Austrian spinoff, which specializes in safety software for autonomous vehicles, is in a $625 million cash transaction.
A healthy feast– Healthcare Analytics Platform H1 Received ribbons.A Y Combinator alum funded by a16z and General Catalyst to help patients find doctors supported by their insurance.
A group of lawsuits: Flock Safety in a new series on its recent legal issues He was sued. The mayor accused the public safety technology company of wrongful termination.
Room for partners: Secure 3D design app rooms. Partnership with GoogleIt will invest $1 million in the startup and provide early access to Gemini AI.
Wild ride.: Defense tech headhunter Peterson Conway is in character and creates his profile. Very good read..
This week's most interesting fundraisers
This year almost had its first pentacorn – but not quite. And we've also announced several other funding rounds of various sizes.
– Near the pentacorn– Streaming shopping app Whatnot Raised $265 million in Series E funding.To be precise, its value is almost $5 billion ($4.97 billion). The company also reported that its annual merchandise volume (GMV) exceeded US$3 billion.
Blue sea: Xocean, An Irish marine robotics startup collects ocean data with vessels (USVs); It earned $119 million. to expand beyond the energy and hydro sectors;
Cross the borderNomuPay, an Irish startup that emerged from some of the regional payments licenses of collapsed German fintech Wirecard; Raised a $37 million Series B round at a $200 million valuation. To expand its payment channels in remaining markets across Asia.
Paying.: OnPay is an Atlanta-based startup that develops payroll and HR solutions. Guaranteed over $100 million in new debt and funding; Series B is $63 million Led by Carrick Capital Partners with participation from AB Private Credit Investors.
In the game: Behind Magic Sort and Car Match, Turkey started promoting Grand Games. Series A funding of $30 million Led by London-based Balderton, it also recently backed Find the Cat maker Agave Games.
This week's most interesting VC and funding news
A new face.– Defiant, European early-stage VC firm; Came out of stealth. It announced its intention to raise up to $70 million for its initial funding focused on B2B SaaS and fintech, of which it has already raised $30 million.
Getting into the car: Transportation-focused Trucks Venture Capital plans to make about 30 seed investments among its own. $70 million in new funding. The new fund is its third to date; car dealer tire manufacturer It is backed by strategic limited partners including an insurance company and an airline carrier.
Fund focused on India: Silicon Valley-based South Park Commons Establishment of a dedicated fund for India.. While some VC firms have found the market challenging, Accel is taking a measured approach, while others have doubled down. Partner Shekhar Kirani told the firm in an interview with TechCrunch. “Billions of dollars” could be raised For its latest Indian fund; But don't choose.
last but not least
VC investment in some emerging markets has declined. More than 40% More than half of global VC funding by 2024 I went to Silicon Valley.. The data comes from different sources, but the picture is the same, and there's no sign of that changing in 2025 as the AI boom continues.