TechCrunch: Latest Startup News and Hopeful Developments
Welcome to Startups Weekly, your go-to source for all the latest updates and exciting developments in the world of startups. From groundbreaking funding rounds to innovative new companies, we’ve got you covered. Sign up here to get all the highlights delivered straight to your inbox every Friday.
## A Week of Exciting Announcements
The week following Thanksgiving is always buzzing with new developments, and this year was no different. From heartwarming funding round announcements to exciting new startups, the startup ecosystem was alive and thriving.
### New Startup Stars
Three members of Google’s NotebookLM team made headlines by leaving the tech giant to launch their own startup. Drawing inspiration from AI pioneer François Chollet, these individuals are set to make waves in the industry with their innovative ideas and fresh perspective.
### Revealing Salary Insights
Kruze Consulting, a leading CPA firm specializing in venture-backed startups, shed light on the average salaries of early employees in the tech world. Not surprisingly, the Bay Area continues to lead the pack with high figures for senior engineers entering seed startups, highlighting the competitive nature of the industry.
### Fitness Frenzy
Fitness startup Ladder made waves this week after securing an impressive $105 million in Series B funding. Drawing comparisons between its strength-training app and Peloton’s new offering, Ladder turned this opportunity into a unique marketing and advertising strategy, cementing its position as a key player in the fitness tech space.
### Back to Business
Y Combinator’s latest Demo Day for its Fall 2024 class of startups took place in person, marking a return to normalcy in the startup world. This event brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry, showcasing the innovative ideas and groundbreaking technologies that are shaping the future.
## Funding the Future
This week saw a flurry of funding news from startups tackling big problems and pushing the boundaries of innovation. From carbon-capture technology to cardiovascular imaging, these companies are making a real impact on the world around them.
### Carbon Capture Crusade
Heirloom Carbon secured an impressive $150 million in Series B funding to scale up its carbon-capture technology, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. This significant investment highlights the growing interest in sustainable solutions and the fight against climate change.
### Heart Health Matters
Cleerly, a cardiovascular imaging startup leveraging AI to detect coronary artery disease early, raised $106 million in a Series C extension round. This funding will enable the company to continue its mission of revolutionizing heart health and saving lives through cutting-edge technology.
### Innovative Solutions
Orakl Oncology, a French lab spinoff focused on developing new cancer treatments, raised nearly €15 million to date, with support from leading investors in the healthcare space. This funding will fuel the company’s efforts to bring life-saving drugs to patients in need, driving innovation and progress in the fight against cancer.
### Fighting Fire with Fire
FireDome, a startup using innovative fire retardant technology to combat wildfires, raised $3 million in a pre-seed round led by prominent investors in the climate tech space. This funding will enable FireDome to continue its mission of protecting communities and safeguarding the environment from the devastating effects of wildfires.
### Celebrity Ventures
In a surprising turn of events, Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner are reportedly looking to raise $10 million for Khloud, a consumer startup rumored to be a protein popcorn brand. This unexpected foray into the startup world by two well-known celebrities adds a new layer of excitement and intrigue to the entrepreneurial landscape.
## Venture Capital and Fund Updates
From new investment funds to potential IPOs, the world of venture capital is buzzing with activity as investors seek out the next big opportunities and groundbreaking technologies.
### Swish Ventures
Former NBA athlete Omri Casspi made headlines this week after raising $60 million for his new venture fund, Swish Ventures. With a focus on cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and AI startups, Casspi is set to make a splash in the tech investment world with his unique perspective and strategic approach.
### Indian IPOs
Dutch investment group Prosus is gearing up for a series of potential IPOs from its Indian portfolio over the next 18 months, signaling a significant shift in the global investment landscape. These upcoming IPOs are expected to draw attention from investors worldwide as Indian startups continue to capture the imagination of the tech world.
### Time4 Fund
French VC firm Daphni recently launched the Time4 Fund, with a target of €100 million and a mission to invest in entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds with impactful projects. This fund represents a new chapter in the venture capital space, highlighting the importance of diversity and innovation in driving positive change and meaningful progress.
## In Closing
Voyager Ventures investment director Leonardo Banchik and other climate tech investors are cautiously optimistic about potential policy changes under the second Trump administration. Despite uncertainties, there is a sense of hope and possibility in the air, as the climate tech sector continues to push for positive change and sustainable solutions in the face of global challenges.
This week’s startup news is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the entrepreneurial community, showcasing the innovative ideas and groundbreaking technologies that are shaping the future of the industry. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting developments as we continue to follow the journey of startups making a real impact on the world around us.