OpenAI Acquires io for $6.4 Billion, AMD Sells ZT Systems for $3B - AI Funding Brief #15

May 27, 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 business investments. This week, we're highlighting significant funding rounds and strategic partnerships that are shaping the future of AI technology. PHASE Scientific has successfully raised $34 million to advance its diagnostic technology, while Factorial Funds has launched a substantial $200 million fund targeting AI and related sectors. Meanwhile, Retro Biosciences is partnering with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to develop therapies for blood disorders, seeking a massive $1 billion in funding.

In other news, Whale has secured $60 million to expand its AI solutions globally, and Beyond Imagination is in talks for a $100 million investment to enhance its humanoid robotics operations. Additionally, Affiniti has raised $17 million to boost its expense-management software, and Quantum Light has closed a $250 million fund to invest in emerging tech sectors. These stories and more highlight the dynamic landscape of AI funding and the continuous drive towards innovation and expansion.
PHASE Scientific Secures $34 Million for Diagnostic Tech
PHASE Scientific has raised US$34 million in a Series A funding round to advance its urine-based diagnostic technology, PHASIFY™, for early disease detection. The funding, led by Value Partners Group, marks the largest investment in Asia's diagnostic sector since 2019. Read more
Factorial Funds Launches Second $200 Million Fund
Factorial Funds has launched its second institutional fund with $200 million in committed capital, featuring anchor investments from Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation. The fund will target AI, cloud infrastructure, robotics, and software sectors. Read more
Coworker.ai Launches AI Agent with $13M Funding
Coworker.ai has introduced an AI agent capable of handling complex tasks by leveraging a deep understanding of a company's internal data, supported by a $13 million seed funding round. Read more
Retro Biosciences Partners with Murdoch Institute for Blood Disorder Therapies
Retro Biosciences has teamed up with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to develop personalized therapies for blood disorders, while also seeking $1 billion in funding. Read more
Whale Raises $60 Million to Expand AI Solutions
Singapore-based AI company Whale has secured over US$60 million in funding to enhance its enterprise AI offerings and expand its presence in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. Read more
Beyond Imagination Seeks $100 Million Investment
Beyond Imagination, co-founded by Ray Kurzweil, is negotiating a $100 million Series B funding round with Gauntlet Ventures to advance its humanoid robotics technology. Read more
Quantum Light Closes $250 Million Fund Led by Revolut Founder
Quantum Light, a venture capital firm founded by Nik Storonsky, has closed a $250 million fund focusing on AI, Web3, Fintech, SaaS, and Healthtech sectors. Read more
OpenAI Texas Data Center Receives $11.6 Billion Funding
A Texas data center project for OpenAI, developed by Crusoe, has secured $11.6 billion in funding to expand its infrastructure, increasing the total investment to $15 billion. Read more
Legora Secures $80 Million in Series B Funding
Legora, a collaborative AI platform for lawyers, has raised $80 million in Series B funding, increasing its valuation to $675 million. The funding round was led by ICONIQ and General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors. Read more
LMArena Raises $100M for AI Evaluation Platform
LMArena has secured $100 million in seed funding to enhance its AI model evaluation platform, with backing from a16z and UC Investments. The funding will aid in relaunching a more rigorous and transparent evaluation system. Read more
CoreWeave Upsizes Senior Notes Offering to $2 Billion
CoreWeave has increased its private offering of senior notes to $2,000 million, with a 9.250% interest rate, due in 2030. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment. Read more
Newmark Group Secures $7.1 Billion Loan for AI Data Center
Newmark Group, Inc. has arranged a $7.1 billion construction loan for a joint venture to develop a 1.2-gigawatt AI data center in Abilene, Texas. The project is part of a $15 billion initiative and involves Blue Owl Capital, Inc., Crusoe, and Primary Digital Infrastructure. Read more
Sweep Secures $22.5M to Enhance AI in Business Systems
Sweep, an Israeli startup, has raised $22.5 million in Series B funding to integrate AI into enterprise systems, with backing from Insight Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners. Read more
Cornerstone Robotics Secures $70M for Global Expansion
Chinese startup Cornerstone Robotics has raised over $70 million in Series C funding to enhance accessibility in robotic surgery. The investment will support R&D, international expansion, and regulatory processes. Read more
CureBay Secures $21M for AI in Rural Clinics
CureBay, an Indian e-clinic startup, has raised $21 million in Series B funding to enhance AI capabilities in its rural clinics, aiming to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. Read more
David AI Raises $25 Million in Series A Funding
David AI has announced securing $25 million in Series A financing, led by Alt Capital and Amplify Partners. The funds will be used to expand their team and further develop AI applications in voice technology. Read more
Abridge Seeks Funding at $5 Billion Valuation
The AI health startup Abridge is in talks to raise funds, aiming for a valuation of $5 billion, highlighting increased investor interest in AI health technologies. Read more
Affiniti Raises $17M Series A Led by SignalFire
Affiniti, a startup offering expense-management software and credit cards for small businesses, has raised $17 million in a Series A funding round led by SignalFire. This follows their $11 million seed round six months ago. Read more
Siro Raises $50M to Boost AI Sales Coaching
Siro has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round to enhance its AI-driven coaching tools for sales teams, focusing on in-person sales representatives. Read more

Mergers & Acquisitions

Addepar has acquired Arcus to enhance its AI capabilities, while Perplexity has acquired Sidekick to develop its own browser, Comet. AMD announced the sale of ZT Systems' server business to Sanmina for $3 billion. Samsung Electronics plans to acquire FläktGroup for data center cooling. Alation acquired Numbers Station to improve AI tools, and PortfolioPilot.com acquired Diversification.com for $1 million. Netrio acquired Agio to boost cybersecurity and AI, while Recovery.com acquired RedFox AI for mental health services. OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's io for $6.4 billion, and Movate acquired Prescience for data science. Salesforce is in talks to acquire Informatica, and Regeneron acquired 23andMe for $256 million. Wix.com Ltd. acquired Hour One for AI media creation, and ITAB Group acquired Signatrix GmbH for retail AI. Peak Technologies acquired Automation Intelligence, LLC, and IgniteTech acquired Khoros for AI integration. Rain AI is seeking a buyer after a failed funding round.

IPO's & Market Moves

Hyra Holdings has approved a $500 million fund and is planning an IPO. Qure. AI aims for an IPO in two years, focusing on AI diagnostics. Omada Health introduces AI agent OmadaSpark alongside its IPO filing. Ant Group's international division reports $3 billion revenue amid reorganization. Nota AI plans a KOSDAQ IPO for global expansion. Caris Life Sciences files for an IPO with the U.S. SEC.

Other Funding News

IRIS Software Group has announced a minority investment in the AI-powered tax platform Instead, which aims to automate tax preparation for accountants. Hyundai Motor Group has introduced ZER01NE Fund III, a 125 billion Korean won fund, to support startups in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, hydrogen, and energy sectors.

Startup Funding

Fynk has secured $3.5 million to enhance its AI-powered legal document management platform, while Barndoor AI raised $13.6 million for its AI workforce platform. Sensmore obtained €6.4 million to develop intelligent robotics, and Persist AI launched its Cloud Lab with $12 million in funding. TrustCloud raised $15 million to boost its AI security assurance platform, and Freshflow secured €6.5 million for AI-driven supply chain optimization.

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