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Startups & Ventures

🤖Figure AI in talks to raise $1.5B at a $39.5B valuation

Silicon Valley robotics startup Figure AI is reportedly raising a massive $1.5 billion round, pushing its valuation to $39.5 billion—15x its last valuation!

🥇What’s driving the hype?
The AI boom is fueling a surge in humanoid robotics. Figure AI, which builds robots for commercial and residential use, has already sold units to BMW and recently secured a second major customer.

🥈Who’s investing?
The funding round is expected to be led by Align Ventures and Parkway Venture Capital.

🥉Big picture
Figure AI isn’t alone—Apptronik recently raised $350M, and Meta is rumored to be exploring robotics as well. With Figure projecting 100,000 robots in production, the humanoid robotics space is heating up fast!

Will humanoid robots be the next AI revolution?🤔

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🏈 Startups taking over the Super Bowl!

While the Super Bowl is famous for football and halftime shows, startups are making a splash this year with big-money ad slots. Here are five startups airing commercials during the game:

🔥 Ramp – Fintech startup featuring Saquon Barkley, who’s not just an investor but also the star of their first-ever Super Bowl ad.

🤖 OpenAI – Debuting its first-ever TV commercial, signaling its commitment to AI dominance.

💊 Hims & Hers – A controversial ad taking shots at big pharma’s weight-loss drugs, despite an FDA investigation into its own products.

🥤Poppi – The prebiotic soda brand returns with an ad tackling the guilt of drinking traditional soda, featuring social media stars.

💰Papaya Global – Workforce payment platform back for a second year, after tripling its web traffic with last year’s ad.

🖥 Super Bowl ads cost millions, but they give startups bragging rights and a shot at major brand recognition.

Would you spend VC cash on a Super Bowl ad? Drop your thoughts below!👇

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🌱 Google’s X Launches Heritable Agriculture to Revolutionize Crop Yields Using AI

This week, Google’s X “moonshot factory” announced the spinout of a groundbreaking startup—Heritable Agriculture. This new company aims to transform agriculture by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve crop yield and make farming more sustainable.

🍀 While plants are naturally efficient, the agricultural industry heavily strains our planet, contributing to 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, excessive groundwater use, and soil erosion. Heritable is tackling these issues by analyzing vast datasets to help farmers optimize plant growth and make agriculture more environmentally friendly.

🤖 Using AI, Heritable studies plant genomes to identify traits that could lead to higher yields, lower water usage, and better carbon storage. The startup is focused on enhancing traditional breeding methods, with future plans to incorporate gene editing techniques like CRISPR for more advanced plant optimization.

With backing from investors including Google, Heritable Agriculture is set to commercialize these innovations and help bring sustainable farming into the future 🌍

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🇺🇸OpenAI's ambitious Stargate Project hits a funding snag

OpenAI's next big leap, the *Stargate project*, is reportedly facing financial hurdles. According to recent reports, the project, which aims to push the boundaries of AI development, doesn’t currently have the funding it needs to move forward.

Stargate is rumored to be a massive initiative focused on creating advanced AI systems, potentially requiring unprecedented computational power and resources. However, securing the necessary investment has proven challenging, raising questions about the timeline and feasibility of the project.

This development highlights the growing costs and complexities of cutting-edge AI research. Will OpenAI find the funding to keep Stargate on track, or will this become a roadblock in the race for AI supremacy?

What are your thoughts? Is the future of AI innovation at risk, or is this just a temporary setback? Let’s discuss! 👇

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🔵 Karmen secures $9.4 million for its revenue-based financing products

Karmen, a French startup, has raised $9.4 million in a funding round to enhance its revenue-based financing products aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing cash flow challenges. The funding includes equity from Seventure Partners and additional debt from Financière Arbevel and Bpifrance. Karmen, which previously secured a €100 million debt vehicle, provides short-term loans ranging from €20,000 to €3 million for various business needs.

Currently serving around 600 clients, Karmen emphasizes a data-driven approach to assess loan applications, utilizing about 60 financial metrics in real time. The company's strategy includes embedded financing through partnerships with fintech firms and platforms like Qonto, aiming to increase this distribution method to 75% of new clients by the end of 2025. Karmen's co-founder highlighted the importance of risk assessment technology and AI in managing loan repayments effectively.

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🔸 Bench customers are now being forced to hand over their data or risk losing it, they say

Customers of the accounting startup Bench, which shut down on December 27, 2024, and was subsequently acquired by Employer .com, are facing challenges in accessing their financial data. To retrieve their data, customers are required to consent to terms that allow Employer .com to access it. Many customers are unhappy with this process, feeling coerced into agreeing to terms that may not be in their best interest.

Concerns have been raised about Employer .com’s lack of experience in accounting and tax services, and customers are frustrated by the perceived unfairness of the consent requirements and the company’s inadequate privacy policy. Some customers report difficulties in obtaining refunds for pre-paid services, further complicating the situation.

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🔻 Toyota’s Woven City is open for business and looking for startups

Toyota's Woven City, a 175-acre prototype city near Mount Fuji, is officially open for startups and innovation. Chairman Akio Toyoda announced at CES 2025 that the city aims to create a living laboratory for new technologies and is inviting inventors to join the initiative.

Woven City will launch a pitch competition and offer scholarships to support startups and individuals in developing their ideas. The city will feature projects like autonomous vehicles, electric air taxis, and even rockets, highlighting Toyota's commitment to investing in diverse technologies.

The first phase of Woven City, which began in 2021, includes facilities designed for collaboration among employees, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Toyoda emphasized that while the project may not be immediately profitable, it reflects Toyota's responsibility to invest in the future and support innovation.

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Timekettle’s new earbuds offer real-time translation on calls

Timekettle has introduced its W4 Pro earbuds at CES 2025, featuring real-time two-way translation for phone and video calls. The earbuds automatically translate conversations in 40 languages, with a latency of about three to five seconds. Users can enjoy bidirectional translations without losing voice quality, although translated audio is louder than the original.

The W4 Pro also offers conversation summaries using onboard AI. Additionally, the earbuds maintain the functionality of previous models, allowing users to share earbuds for face-to-face translations. They operate on a new Babel OS, which enhances translation speed and emotional tone. The W4 Pro is priced at $449 and will be available for purchase starting Sunday.

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FTC orders AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1M for misleading advertising

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered the AI accessibility startup accessiBe to pay $1 million for misleading advertising practices. The FTC found that accessiBe falsely advertised its ability to make websites compatible with screen readers for visually impaired users and concealed its compensation of reviewers without proper disclosure.

The proposed order will require accessiBe to refund customers and prohibits the company from overstating its product's capabilities. Advocacy groups have criticized accessiBe's products as ineffective, claiming they can hinder the functionality of screen readers and fail to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The order is open for public comment for 30 days before becoming final.

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Inside the wild fall and last-minute revival of Bench, the VC-backed accounting startup that imploded over the holidays

Bench, a Canadian accounting startup backed by $113 million in venture capital, abruptly shut down on December 27, 2024, leaving thousands of small business owners unable to access their accounts during tax season. The shutdown followed multiple rounds of layoffs and issues with their AI and automation strategies, which failed to deliver promised efficiencies.

The sudden closure was caused by a bank calling in their venture debt, leading to immediate layoffs without severance. However, media attention surrounding the shutdown prompted interest from potential buyers. Jesse Tinsley, CEO of Employer .com, quickly negotiated a deal to acquire Bench, saving many jobs and customer accounts.

Despite the acquisition, uncertainties remain about Bench's future, including concerns over service quality and the lack of prior accounting experience at Employer .com. The company plans to rehire former staff and honor existing customer contracts but faces challenges in ensuring a smooth transition.

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🔵 KoBold Metals, which uses AI to help find critical minerals for the energy transition, raises $491M

KoBold Metals, an AI-powered startup focused on discovering critical minerals for the energy transition, has raised $491 million out of a targeted $527 million funding round. The company aims to develop a significant copper deposit it recently discovered in Zambia, with plans for about 60 other exploration projects.

KoBold uses artificial intelligence to analyze large datasets to improve the success rate of mineral prospecting, which historically has been quite low. The funding will support the development of this copper resource, estimated to cost around $2.3 billion. Previous investors include high-profile figures such as Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.

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🔄 OpenAI failed to deliver the opt-out tool it promised by 2025

OpenAI has not delivered the promised "Media Manager" tool, which was intended to allow creators to control how their works are used in AI training data. Initially announced in May, the tool aimed to identify and manage copyrighted content but has reportedly not been prioritized internally. OpenAI has faced criticism over its current ad hoc opt-out methods, which many creators find inadequate.

The company is also dealing with multiple lawsuits from artists and creators claiming unauthorized use of their works. Despite missing its self-imposed deadline, OpenAI has not provided updates on the Media Manager's status or potential launch date. Experts express skepticism about whether such a tool could effectively address creators' concerns or resolve ongoing legal issues surrounding AI and intellectual property.

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📣 After ups and downs, food delivery startup Epicery closes shop

French food delivery startup Epicery is shutting down after nine years of operations, citing ongoing economic challenges and a negative EBITDA of -€4.69 million in 2023 on sales of €2.57 million. The company, which focused on premium groceries and local deliveries, struggled as inflation altered consumer spending habits.

Epicery had previously thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic and received a majority investment from Geopost in late 2021. However, recent developments in the food delivery market and increased competition led to its decline. Despite having around 25,000 recurring customers and 1,100 local shops, it couldn't achieve the scale needed as part of a larger corporate group.

Co-founder Édouard Morhange expressed pride in connecting local retailers with e-commerce, while Geopost has offered support to Epicery's employees in finding new roles. Although Epicery's model faced challenges, there is optimism among some stakeholders that similar ventures could succeed in the future.

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⚙️ Cleantech Funding Weakened In 2024

In 2024, cleantech funding has experienced a notable decline, reaching its lowest level in four years. While overall investment is down and deal counts have decreased, certain sectors like carbon capture and hydrogen are still seeing growth. Notably, major funding rounds occurred for companies such as Pacific Fusion, which raised $900 million for its fusion technology, and Intersect Power, which secured over $800 million for clean energy projects.

Despite the downturn in equity funding, there has been a shift towards debt financing, with several large debt deals collectively bringing in over $14 billion. This trend indicates a maturing market where infrastructure-heavy companies are opting for project finance.

Looking ahead, investors are cautiously optimistic, particularly regarding growth in energy efficiency and grid optimization, while anticipating potential policy changes under a new U.S. administration. The second half of 2024 showed stronger investor support, particularly for large funding rounds, suggesting a hopeful outlook for the future of cleantech investments.

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🍎 Apple pulls remaining Lightning-based devices from European stores

Apple has removed its last Lightning-based devices, including the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 series, from its online stores in Europe to comply with the EU's new common charging solution, which mandates USB-C ports. This directive, effective December 28, 2024, aims to reduce electronic waste and address market fragmentation.

The Lightning-based Magic Keyboard was also pulled from sale. While these devices are no longer available in the EU, they remain for sale in other regions. A new iPhone SE with USB-C and upgraded features is expected to be released in 2025. The directive also includes requirements for fast charging and improved labeling for consumer clarity.

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🖥 Softr Expands Beyond Airtable: No-Code App Building Just Got More Powerful!

If you’ve ever wanted to build a client portal, internal tool, or dashboard without hiring a developer, Softr just made that even easier. The popular no-code app builder has announced a major update for 2025: users are no longer limited to Airtable as a data source!

🆕 What’s new?

More database options – Now, you can connect Google Sheets, Notion, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and more

Drag-and-drop simplicity – Build apps with predefined blocks like lists, charts, forms, and tables

New AI-powered features to speed up app creation

Built-in permission controls – Set user roles so clients, employees, and admins see only what they need

Coming soon: Workflows & native tables, so you won’t even need an external database!

💡Softr is known as one of the easiest no-code platforms for beginners, helping 600,000+ users build apps without writing code. The company’s freemium model and strong word-of-mouth growth have led to 5,000+ paying customers – all without a dedicated sales team!

Would you build an app without coding? What features would you love to see next? Let’s discuss! 💬

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🎉 Fizz brings on TikTok alum to supercharge Growth!

College social app Fizz is leveling up! The company has hired David Vasquez, former Head of Creator Monetization and TikTok Shop Product Lead, as its new Head of Product.

What’s coming next for Fizz?

🟣Smarter Recommendations – Vasquez aims to build a TikTok-style recommendation engine to serve users the most relevant content.

🟣Marketplace Expansion – In-app payments, peer-to-peer transactions, and even brand integrations are on the way.

🟣More Video Content – Video length increased from 15 to 30 seconds, leading to a 350% spike in video creation!

🟣Advertising & Brand Partnerships – AI companies are already showing major interest.

🔥 Fizz is on fire:

📈 +245% daily posts since the start of the year
📈 +61% daily active users
📍 Available at 300+ colleges
💵 Raised $41M in funding

The future of student social media is here. Are you ready?👍

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🇮🇳India pledges $1.15 Billion for Startups and unveils ambitious reforms!

India is solidifying its position as a key player in the global economy. As part of the new 2025-26 budget, the government announced the creation of a $1.15 billion Fund of Funds for Startups to boost tech innovation and clean energy development.

📢What else was announced:

🟠A High-Level Committee for Regulatory Reforms to simplify bureaucratic processes and reduce compliance burdens for startups.

🟠Plans to launch a Deep Tech Fund of Funds to support startups working on advanced technologies.

🟠Extension of tax benefits for startups until 2030.

🟠A new scheme to support 500,000 first-time entrepreneurs, including women and underrepresented groups.

📌 Nuclear Energy Mission:
India also unveiled a $2.3 billion Nuclear Energy Mission, aiming to develop at least five indigenous small modular reactors by 2033 and achieve 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.

Why does this matter
Startups have already created millions of jobs and attracted over $100 billion in investments in the past decade. India is targeting 8% economic growth to generate enough jobs for its young population and strengthen its global standing.

💡Quote:
“We are determined to ensure that our regulations keep up with technological innovations and global trends,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

India continues to inspire with its ambition and reforms!

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🔵 Some shareholders of a16z-backed Divvy Homes may not see a dime from $1B sale

Divvy Homes, a rent-to-own startup backed by a16z, is set to be acquired by Brookfield Properties for $1 billion. However, some shareholders may not receive any payouts from the sale. Divvy has raised over $700 million from investors but is selling at half its peak valuation of $2.3 billion. Following the sale, the company plans to repay debts and preferred shareholders, potentially leaving common shareholders with nothing.

Divvy's CEO, Adena Hefets, indicated that the decision to sell was difficult and came after extensive reviews of the company's options amid challenging market conditions, including rising mortgage rates. Despite this disappointing financial outcome for some, Hefets expressed pride in the impact the company had on its customers.

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🔵 The first AI chip startup to go public in 2025 will be Blaize

Blaize, an AI chip startup founded by former Intel engineers, is set to go public on the Nasdaq through a SPAC deal on January 16, 2025. Established in 2011 and headquartered in El Dorado Hills, California, Blaize focuses on manufacturing AI chips for edge applications, such as security cameras and drones, rather than for large data centers like its competitor Nvidia.

Despite being unprofitable—with a reported loss of $87.5 million on $3.8 million in revenue in 2023—Blaize has secured $400 million in potential deals, including a significant contract with a defense entity in the EMEA region. CEO Dinakar Munagala anticipates the company will be valued at $1.2 billion after the merger. Blaize aims to capitalize on the growing demand for AI technology integrated into physical products, emphasizing practical real-world applications.

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🫶 Nvidia is helping humanoid robots learn through Apple Vision Pro instruction

Nvidia is advancing humanoid robotics through its GR00T initiative, which utilizes a new feature called Blueprint for imitation learning. This technique allows robots to learn skills by observing and mimicking human actions. At CES 2025, CEO Jensen Huang explained that users can perform actions using Apple’s Vision Pro, which are then captured as a digital twin for robots to replicate in simulations.

The GR00T system aims to enhance the deployment of humanoid robots in various settings, such as factories and warehouses, by enabling remote teaching through teleoperation. Nvidia's collaboration includes major robotics firms like Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics, positioning the company as a leader in integrating AI with humanoid technologies.

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Circular unveils its next gen Ring 2 with ECG functionality and AFib detection at CES 2025

Circular has introduced its next-generation Ring 2 at CES 2025, featuring ECG (electrocardiogram) functionality and AFib (atrial fibrillation) detection. Set to retail for $380, the Ring 2 allows users to monitor heart health by capturing single-lead ECGs using a PPG (photoplethysmogram) sensor.

Improvements over the previous model include a battery life of up to eight days and enhanced sensors for tracking health metrics like sleep. The companion app has also been redesigned for better user experience. The Ring 2, available in gold, silver, black, and rose gold finishes, will launch in multiple countries, including the U.S., U.K., and France, alongside a new Digital Ring Sizing feature for ordering.

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⚠️ Hydrogen tax credit rules give startups clarity while boosting nuclear and carbon capture

The U.S. Treasury has finalized rules for hydrogen producers to qualify for tax credits under section 45V of the Inflation Reduction Act, providing much-needed clarity for hydrogen startups. These rules, which took over two years to develop, aim to promote cleaner hydrogen production methods and prevent additional greenhouse gas emissions.

Producers can earn tax credits up to $3 per kilogram based on their emissions throughout the hydrogen lifecycle. The new regulations allow existing nuclear power plants to contribute electricity to hydrogen production, and certain fossil fuel plants with carbon capture technology can also qualify. While the rules are welcomed by the industry, some stakeholders seek more flexibility regarding electricity sourcing and requirements. Overall, the legislation is seen as a significant step towards supporting hydrogen as a cleaner alternative in heavy industry and transportation.

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Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi resigns from self-driving truck startup Aurora’s board

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, has resigned from the board of Aurora Innovation, a self-driving truck startup. His decision, effective January 2, 2025, was made to focus on his responsibilities at Uber and to reduce external commitments, with no disagreements reported with Aurora. Khosrowshahi joined Aurora's board after Uber sold its self-driving unit to the company in 2020 as part of a $400 million investment deal.

Shailen Bhatt, COO for AtkinsRéalis, will replace Khosrowshahi on the board. This resignation comes shortly after Aurora's general counsel announced plans to step down. Uber maintains a collaborative relationship with Aurora through its freight platform, although it also partners with other self-driving tech companies.

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⚡️ Apheris rethinks the AI data bottleneck in life science with federated computing

Apheris, a startup focused on addressing data access challenges in life sciences, is leveraging federated computing to enable secure AI model training without transferring sensitive health data. Founded by Robin Röhm, Apheris has secured $8.25 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to $20.8 million. The company's approach allows computations to occur locally where the data resides, enhancing privacy and compliance.

Apheris has pivoted from a federated learning framework to focus on serving data owners in the pharmaceutical sector, achieving significant revenue growth. Its software, the Apheris Compute Gateway, is already utilized by the AI Structural Biology Consortium, which includes major pharmaceutical companies. The startup aims to unlock valuable data while addressing data owners' privacy concerns, which is crucial for the broader impact of AI in the field.

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🔺 Internal SpaceX documents show the sweet stock deals offered to investors like a16z, Gigafund

Internal SpaceX documents reveal significant stock deals offered to select investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Gigafund, and others, allowing them to purchase shares at a steep discount. For instance, in a May 2022 tender offer, shares were sold to employees at $70 each, a notable drop from the $270 price during primary sales. This disparity arises because employees hold common stock, while investors typically acquire preferred stock with added benefits like dividends and liquidation preferences.

The documents show that preferred shareholders would be owed the first $6.67 billion in the event of a sale, a figure expected to increase with additional funding. Notably, a16z was authorized to buy nearly 4.3 million shares, while Gigafund, associated with SpaceX board members, and other firms also received substantial allocations. Despite the favorable terms for these investors, the documents highlight the complexities and potential risks for common shareholders, especially in a low-sale scenario.

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🫶 Gupshup investor cuts value of its stake again, implying new valuation of $486M

Fidelity has reduced the estimated value of its stake in Gupshup, a business messaging platform, by 7.7% last month, bringing the total decrease to over 65% since its initial investment in mid-2021. The asset management firm now values its holding at $5.62 million, down from $6.09 million the previous month.

Originally, Fidelity invested $16.2 million at a valuation of $1.4 billion. Gupshup's current valuation is now estimated at $486 million. The company, founded in India 17 years ago, raised $340 million in 2021 from various investors, including Tiger Global and Malabar Investments.

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🔻 Bench to be acquired after abruptly shutting down

Bench, a VC-backed accounting startup, abruptly shut down, leaving thousands of customers locked out of their accounts. The company will be acquired by Employer .com, which focuses on HR tech, for an undisclosed amount. Employer .com plans to revive Bench's platform and assist customers in accessing their data. Customers can choose to either port their data or continue their service under the new ownership.

The shutdown caused significant disruption, especially with tax season approaching. Bench had previously claimed over 35,000 clients, but the actual number was around 12,000. Following the acquisition, Employer .com aims to maintain service quality and potentially enhance offerings using its resources. Bench employed over 600 people, some of whom are being called back to ensure a smooth transition.

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🫶 Africa’s newest fintech unicorns are winning by keeping their feet on the ground

Africa's fintech landscape is evolving, with new unicorns like South Africa's TymeBank and Nigeria's Moniepoint recently achieving valuations over $1 billion. These companies have successfully adapted fintech models from mature markets to meet the needs of a largely unbanked population.

Both firms emphasize a hybrid approach, combining digital banking with physical touchpoints to enhance customer engagement. TymeBank offers low-cost banking services through retail partnerships, while Moniepoint uses a network of small business agents to facilitate transactions. This strategy acknowledges the region's reliance on cash and the need for in-person interactions, contrasting with purely digital models seen in developed countries.

As these companies grow, they plan to expand into other markets while continuing to innovate within Africa's informal economy. Their success highlights a broader trend in fintech that could serve as a blueprint for future startups in various industries across the continent.

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🚨 Israeli tech CEO who was severely wounded in Gaza sells startup for about $100 million

Itamar Ben Hemo, a 49-year-old Israeli tech entrepreneur, voluntarily joined the military reserves after the October 7 Hamas attack. During a mission in Gaza, he was shot, suffering severe injuries that required extensive recovery time in the hospital. Despite his challenges, his startup, Rivery, continued to operate, focusing on AI-driven software integration. Recently, Rivery was acquired by Boomi for around $100 million, enhancing Boomi's capabilities in real-time data integration.

Throughout his recovery, Ben Hemo remained actively involved in the company, holding meetings and engaging with investors from his hospital bed. Boomi's CEO, Steve Lucas, praised Ben Hemo’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of quick AI adoption for businesses. The ongoing conflict in Israel has led to significant risks for tech companies, but there are signs of recovery in the industry, with increased startup exits and venture funding.

Tragically, another Rivery employee, Itay Galea, was killed in the conflict, and Ben Hemo ensured his family would benefit from the acquisition. Now fully recovered, Ben Hemo expresses excitement for future opportunities, marking this sale as his second successful exit.

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