Meta's $29B AI Data Center Ambition & Tacta's $75M Dextrous Intelligence Boost - AI Funding Brief #20

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 edition highlights significant financial movements across various sectors, showcasing the growing interest and investment in AI technologies. Tacta Systems has secured $75 million to enhance its Dextrous Intelligence technology, aiming to provide robots with human-like tactile skills. Meanwhile, Applied Computing has raised £9 million to improve efficiency in oil refineries through its AI system, Orbital.

In other notable news, Niural has raised $31 million in Series A funding to boost its AI capabilities for global expansion, and Spinwheel has secured $30 million to address challenges in the consumer credit ecosystem. Additionally, Gensmo has attracted $60 million to enhance its AI-driven fashion platform, and Meta Platforms is seeking $29 billion to develop AI data centers in the U.S. These stories reflect the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of AI funding, with companies across the globe striving to innovate and expand their technological capabilities.

Tacta Systems Secures $75 Million for Robotic Dextrous Intelligence

Applied Computing Secures £9 Million for AI in Oil Refineries

DataBahn.ai Secures $17M Series A Funding

Niural Secures $31 Million in Series A Funding

Spinwheel Secures $30 Million for AI in Credit Data

Gensmo Raises $60 Million for AI Fashion Platform

Meta Seeks $29 Billion for AI Data Centers

EFFECT Photonics Secures $24 Million for Optical Solutions

Electra.aero Raises $115 Million for Electric Aircraft

Recognize Closes Second Fund at $1.7 Billion

Levelpath Secures $55 Million in Series B Funding

LanceDB Secures $30 Million for AI Data Infrastructure

Unitree Robotics Valued at $1.3B After Funding

Thinking Machines Lab Valued at $10 Billion After $2 Billion Seed Funding

Abridge Secures $300M to Improve AI for Physicians

Shieldbase Secures Funding to Enhance AI Operating System

Coco Robotics Raises $80 Million for Expansion

GreetEat Corporation has acquired WallStreetStats.io to enhance its AI capabilities, while Movable Ink is set to be acquired by STG. Meta Platforms Inc. is in talks to acquire PlayAI for AI voice technology, and Altimetrik has acquired SLK Software to boost its AI services. Advent International has taken a majority stake in LayerZero Power Systems, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise's $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks has been approved.

Pony.ai has been added to the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index, becoming the only autonomous driving company in the index. Following the announcement, shares of Pony.ai increased by 16.7%.

Novo Nordisk Foundation has allocated DKK 479 million to support nine research projects focusing on biomanufacturing, cardiometabolic diseases, and AI. The NATO Innovation Fund invested in Portal Biotech, co-leading a $35 million round to enhance AI defenses against biological threats. Chang Robotics Fund invested in five companies to boost American manufacturing and automation. Tibo Energy raised €6 million to advance its AI-driven Energy Management System.

CRED has raised $15 million to enhance predictive intelligence, while Waypoint AI secured $3.1 million for its AI Customer Support Engineer. Lux Aeterna raised $4 million for a reusable satellite platform, and Pangram secured $4 million for AI content detection tools. Flowstep raised €2.2 million to enhance its AI design platform, and Audos secured $11.5 million for AI business support.