Financiación, unicornios y venture capital.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems has closed a $1 billion round that brings it closer to its first commercial reactor and a possible IPO in the next two to three years. The operation reinforces investor confidence in nuclear fusion as a clean and scalable energy source.
Mexico consolidates as the leader in startup funding in Latin America during the second quarter of 2024, raising $944 million, far surpassing Brazil. Major investors like Founders Fund and a16z led the most important rounds, marking a shift in the regional venture capital map.
Zipline has multiplied its drone delivery marketplace by 13 in 2026 and added Cleveland Clinic as a healthcare client. Hiring veterans from Tesla and Waymo suggests an ambitious bet on scaling the fleet and operations.
Neko Health, co-founded by the creator of Spotify, has closed a $700 million Series C round. With 100,000 members and profitability at the clinic level, the company demonstrates that preventive healthcare can be a sustainable business.
Funding rounds in Europe are reaching record sizes, but fewer startups are closing them. This phenomenon reflects a maturing ecosystem and a more selective investment approach, with implications for innovation and employment.
CriteriaCaixa has announced the reactivation of its startup investment unit with €300 million, earmarked for biotech and deeptech. Through Criteria Bio Ventures and Criteria Venture Tech, the holding aims to fund early-stage startups, prioritizing Iberia and high social impact sectors.
Phia, the startup co-founded by Bill Gates' daughter, has been accused of 'cookie stuffing,' a fraudulent practice that allowed it to claim sales commissions it didn't generate. Following a Bloomberg investigation, affiliate platform Impact.com suspended the company, sparking a debate on ethics in affiliate marketing.
Castelion, a California startup founded by former SpaceX employees, has sold its first 50 Blackbeard hypersonic missiles to the U.S. Navy for $23.4 million, bringing the per-unit cost to under $300,000 in mass production. The key lies in using components from the automotive, oil, and audio industries, drastically cutting prices compared to traditional hypersonic missiles.
Amid record heat in Europe, ClimateTech startups are turning decarbonization into a lucrative business. Companies like Aira (heat pumps) and cylib (battery recycling) have raised hundreds of millions, showing that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
The UK startup ecosystem recorded its best first half since 2022, with €14.8 billion in investment, doubling the previous year's figure. Artificial intelligence was the main driver, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the capital.
QuantumDiamonds has raised €91 million to scale its semiconductor inspection technology based on synthetic diamonds and quantum defects. The round combines €15 million in equity with €76 million in non-dilutive funding from the EU and Germany.
Klarna has applied for a banking license in the United States, according to Tech.eu. The move represents its boldest bet in the US market, where it aims to offer savings accounts, loans, and credit cards. The decision comes amid a potentially more favorable regulatory environment and marks a strategic shift toward traditional banking.