Zhipu AI's 500M Yuan Investment & OpusClip's $20M SoftBank Deal - AI Funding Brief #5
March 18, 2025 -
AI Funding Brief
Hi there,
Welcome to the latest edition of the AI Funding Brief, where we bring you the most recent developments in the world of AI investments and funding. This week, we highlight significant funding rounds and strategic moves by AI companies across the globe. Zhipu AI, a Chinese AI startup, has secured a substantial 500 million yuan investment from the state-owned Huafa Group, despite facing challenges due to its blacklisting by the US government. Meanwhile, Israeli startup CaPow has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Toyota Ventures to advance its innovative wireless charging technology for robots.
In other news, OpusClip, a generative AI startup, has received a $20 million investment from SoftBank, valuing the company at $215 million. This funding will support the expansion of its AI video editing platform and team. Additionally, Applied Intuition is in discussions to raise funds at a $15 billion valuation, with Kleiner Perkins expected to lead the round. These stories, among others, reflect the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of AI funding and investment.
Welcome to the latest edition of the AI Funding Brief, where we bring you the most recent developments in the world of AI investments and funding. This week, we highlight significant funding rounds and strategic moves by AI companies across the globe. Zhipu AI, a Chinese AI startup, has secured a substantial 500 million yuan investment from the state-owned Huafa Group, despite facing challenges due to its blacklisting by the US government. Meanwhile, Israeli startup CaPow has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Toyota Ventures to advance its innovative wireless charging technology for robots.
In other news, OpusClip, a generative AI startup, has received a $20 million investment from SoftBank, valuing the company at $215 million. This funding will support the expansion of its AI video editing platform and team. Additionally, Applied Intuition is in discussions to raise funds at a $15 billion valuation, with Kleiner Perkins expected to lead the round. These stories, among others, reflect the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of AI funding and investment.
OpusClip Secures $20 Million from SoftBank
OpusClip, a generative AI startup, has raised $20 million from SoftBank, valuing the company at $215 million. The platform, which simplifies video editing using AI, plans to expand its capabilities and team. Read more
Vnet to Raise $400 Million for Data Center Expansion
Vnet plans to issue $400 million in bonds to expand its data center network in China and manage corporate expenses. The bonds are set to mature in April 2030. Read more
Applied Intuition Seeks $15 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round
Applied Intuition, a startup specializing in simulation software for autonomous vehicles, is in discussions to raise funds at a $15 billion valuation, more than doubling its previous valuation. Kleiner Perkins is anticipated to lead the funding round. Read more
Lila Sciences Secures $200 Million for AI Platform
Lila Sciences, supported by Flagship Pioneering, has raised $200 million to develop an AI platform to advance life sciences research using autonomous laboratories. Read more
Antler Elevate Launches $285 Million Fund for AI Startups
The Antler Elevate Series A+ fund, totaling $285 million, is set to invest in AI-native startups focusing on full automation in application-layer software, with a significant impact expected in sectors like fintech. Read more
OpenOcean Secures €100 Million for AI and Data Startups
OpenOcean, a Helsinki-based deeptech firm, has raised €100 million for its fourth flagship fund, targeting AI and data startups with private equity rollup strategies. Read more
Flock Safety Secures $275 Million for Expansion
Flock Safety, a U.S. startup in surveillance technology, has raised $275 million to expand its manufacturing and R&D efforts. The funding will aid in building a facility in Georgia and developing drone products. Read more
Accenture Invests in OPAQUE for Confidential AI
Accenture has invested in OPAQUE, a company focused on confidential AI platforms. This move aims to enhance data security and compliance in AI workloads using encrypted data. Read more
Bria Raises $40 Million for AI Platform Expansion
Bria, a visual generative AI platform, has secured $40 million in Series B funding to enhance its AI-driven visual products. The funding will support platform expansion and compliance with privacy and copyright laws. Read more
Blackwall Secures €45M Series B for Cybersecurity Expansion
AI security startup Blackwall has raised €45 million in Series B funding to expand into new markets and enhance its cybersecurity solutions for hosting and managed service providers. Read more
OpenAI and CoreWeave Sign $11.9 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal
OpenAI has signed a five-year agreement with CoreWeave valued at $11.9 billion for AI infrastructure services. The deal includes OpenAI receiving $350 million in CoreWeave equity and marks a shift in CoreWeave's reliance on Microsoft. Read more
DeepSeek Founder Declines VC Funding
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is not pursuing venture capital funding despite interest. Founder Liang Wenfeng cites control, self-funding through High-Flyer, and privacy concerns as reasons. Read more
Dexterity Inc. Valued at $1.65 Billion After $95M Funding
Dexterity Inc., an AI robotics startup, has raised $95 million, increasing its valuation to $1.65 billion. The funding round saw participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sumitomo Corp, indicating rising interest in AI-driven industrial machinery. Read more
Norm Ai Secures $48 Million in Funding
Norm Ai, a regulatory AI company, has raised $48 million to enhance enterprise compliance through AI technology. The funding round includes investors like Coatue and Vanguard, and former SEC Commissioner Troy Paredes joins as Senior Policy Advisor. Read more
Celestial AI Secures $250 Million for Photonic Fabric Tech
Celestial AI has raised $250 million in Series C1 funding to advance its Photonic Fabric technology. The funding, led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, aims to enhance AI infrastructure with high-bandwidth, low-latency connections. Read more
Porter Receives Investment from Eir Partners
Porter, a healthcare IT platform, has secured a growth investment from Eir Partners to enhance its AI-driven care coordination services. The funding aims to support innovation in care-at-home services and technology. Read more
Metric Raises €8 Million in Series A Funding
Metric, a Norwegian AI startup, has raised €8 million in Series A funding led by chess champion Magnus Carlsen and other investors to enhance its marketing technology and expand globally. Read more
Cartesia AI Secures $64 Million for Voice AI
Cartesia AI has raised $64 million in Series A funding led by Kleiner Perkins to advance its voice AI technology. The funds will aid in launching Sonic 2.0, a new voice generation model. Read more
Lila Sciences Secures $200 Million for AI Labs
Lila Sciences, a biotech firm, has launched with $200 million in seed financing to develop AI-driven autonomous laboratories for scientific research. Read more
Bessemer Venture Partners Launches $350M India Fund
Bessemer Venture Partners has introduced a $350 million fund targeting early-stage startups in India, focusing on sectors like AI and fintech. Read more
Pentera Raises $60 Million at $1 Billion Valuation
Pentera, a startup specializing in network attack simulations, has secured $60 million in Series D funding, elevating its valuation to over $1 billion. The funds will support mergers, acquisitions, and product development. Read more
National Grid Partners Invests $100 Million in AI Startups
National Grid Partners, the venture capital arm of National Grid plc, has announced a $100 million investment in AI startups to enhance energy efficiency and grid resilience. This follows previous investments of $150 million in 18 AI companies. Read more
Mergers & Acquisitions
Cleary Gottlieb has acquired Springbok AI to integrate AI and data analytics into its legal services. Clio has acquired ShareDo to expand its reach into large law firms. GlobalData has acquired AI Palette to enhance consumer insights in the CPG sector. UiPath has acquired Peak.ai to boost its AI services in retail and manufacturing. Shopify has acquired Vantage Discovery to enhance AI-powered search for retailers. Wysa has merged with April Health to integrate AI and in-person mental healthcare services.
- Clio Acquires AI Platform ShareDo
- GlobalData Acquires AI Palette for CPG Insights
- UiPath Acquires Peak.ai to Boost AI Services
- Shopify Acquires Vantage Discovery for AI Search
- Wysa and April Health Merge for Enhanced Mental Healthcare
- Inside Real Estate Acquires ListAssist
- Partners Group Acquires GreenSquareDC for AU$1.2 Billion
- Perfios Acquires Credit Nirvana for AI Debt Management
- Beroe Inc. Acquires nnamu GmbH for AI Negotiation Tech
- Carv Acquires Recrubo to Enhance AI Recruitment
- Junee Limited Acquires Majority Stake in MindEnergy
- WNS Acquires Kipi.ai for AI and Data Modernization
- Eaton to Acquire Fibrebond for $1.4 Billion
- xAI Acquires AI Video Startup Hotshot
- Cleary Gottlieb Acquires Springbok AI
- Gleamer Expands into MRI Market with Acquisitions
IPO's & Market Moves
Micropolis Holding Company, a Dubai-based robotics manufacturer, raised $15.5 million through its IPO on the NYSE American to support various business expansions. Baidu, Inc. has finalized its issuance of CNY10 billion in CNY-denominated senior unsecured notes, with proceeds aimed at general corporate purposes and debt repayment.
- Micropolis Raises $15.5M in NYSE IPO
- Baidu Completes CNY10 Billion Senior Notes Offering
- Insilico Medicine Eyes Hong Kong IPO After $110M Funding
Startup Funding
Causal Labs has raised $6 million to advance AI-driven weather prediction models, while Nimblemind.ai secured $2.5 million to improve clinical data structuring. MoirAI Cloud received $1 million in pre-seed funding to enhance AI cloud software, and Seadronix raised $11.3 million for autonomous ship navigation technologies. ReFiBuy, launched by Scot Wingo, secured $1.5 million to tackle retail challenges with AI, and Noxus raised £1.2 million for its AI workforce platform.
- Causal Labs Secures $6M for AI Weather Tech
- Nimblemind.ai Secures $2.5 Million for AI-Ready Clinical Data
- MoirAI Cloud Secures $1 Million Pre-Seed Funding
- Seadronix Raises $11.3M for AI Navigation Expansion
- Scot Wingo Launches AI Startup ReFiBuy with $1.5M Funding
- Noxus Secures £1.2M for AI Workforce Platform
- Contend Secures Pre-Seed Funding for AI Legal Support
- OptimHire Secures $5 Million for AI Hiring Platform
- FLUIX Raises $2.1 Million for AI Energy Efficiency Platform
- Accrete Receives $15M from AFWERX to Enhance Argus Platform
- CompScience Secures $27.6 Million for AI Insurtech
- Onyx Raises $10M for AI-Powered Enterprise Search
- AI Startup Merx Secures €1.1 Million for WhatsApp Commerce
- CornerBox Raises $1M for AI Retail Platform
- Elevarm Secures $4.25M for AI in Indonesian Agriculture
- Synergist Technology Addresses AI Compliance
- Neural Defend Secures $600,000 for AI Deepfake Detection
- Podqi Secures $3.2M for AI IP Protection
- Sola Security Launches with $30 Million Funding
- Disputed.ai Raises $1.12 Million for AI Chargeback Management
- Change Engine to Invest $5 Million in AI Startups
- Lexroom.ai Secures €2 Million for AI Legal Research
- Breaker Secures $2 Million Pre-Seed Funding
- Adara Ventures Closes First Round of €100M AV4 Fund
- Ambitio Raises $2 Million in Seed Funding
- Unikon.ai to Launch D2C Brand After $2 Million Funding
- Gradial Secures $13M for AI Marketing Automation
- CaPow Secures $15 Million for Wireless Charging Tech
- Aura Raises $5.5 Million for AI Model Marketplace
- Darwin Secures $5 Million for AI in Public Sector
- Zhipu AI Secures 500 Million Yuan from Huafa Group
- Terabase Energy Raises $200 Million for Solar Robotics
- DRUID AI Secures €46M Funding
- ICBC Launches $11 Billion Fund for AI and Tech Startups
- Valor Ventures Closes $27M Fund for AI and SaaS Startups
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