Apple Eyes French AI Startups; OpenAI Plans $8B Stock Sale - AI Funding Brief #29
September 02, 2025 -
AI Funding Brief
Hi there,
In this edition of the AI Funding Brief, we're diving into a series of significant funding and investment developments within the AI business landscape. Attio, a London-based AI-native CRM company, has secured €44 million in Series B funding from GV (Google Ventures) to enhance its platform for go-to-market teams. Meanwhile, Blue Water Autonomy has raised $50 million to develop autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy, with GV leading the Series A funding round.
Additionally, Assort Health has raised $50 million to enhance its AI-driven patient communication services, aiming to automate tasks in specialty healthcare practices. In a notable market move, OpenAI plans an $8 billion employee stock sale, with SoftBank committing at least $1 billion. These stories, among others, highlight the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of AI investments and their potential impact across various industries.
In this edition of the AI Funding Brief, we're diving into a series of significant funding and investment developments within the AI business landscape. Attio, a London-based AI-native CRM company, has secured €44 million in Series B funding from GV (Google Ventures) to enhance its platform for go-to-market teams. Meanwhile, Blue Water Autonomy has raised $50 million to develop autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy, with GV leading the Series A funding round.
Additionally, Assort Health has raised $50 million to enhance its AI-driven patient communication services, aiming to automate tasks in specialty healthcare practices. In a notable market move, OpenAI plans an $8 billion employee stock sale, with SoftBank committing at least $1 billion. These stories, among others, highlight the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of AI investments and their potential impact across various industries.
Attio Secures €44 Million for AI CRM Development
Attio, a London-based AI-native CRM company, has raised €44 million in Series B funding led by GV (Google Ventures) to enhance its platform for go-to-market teams. Read more
Blue Water Autonomy Secures $50M for Navy Ships
Boston-based startup Blue Water Autonomy has raised $50 million in Series A funding, led by GV, to develop autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy. Read more
Splight Secures $12.4M for Grid Tech Expansion
Splight, a grid technology company, has raised $12.4 million to enhance its machine-learning solutions for increasing transmission capacity in data centers and utilities. Read more
Assort Health Secures $50M for AI in Healthcare
Assort Health has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round to enhance its AI-driven patient communication services. The company aims to automate tasks like scheduling and cancellations in specialty healthcare practices. Read more
OpenAI Plans $8 Billion Employee Stock Sale
OpenAI is set to allow current and former employees to sell up to $8 billion in private stock, marking a significant event in Silicon Valley. This move aims to reward employees and attract talent in the competitive AI industry, with SoftBank committing at least $1 billion to the sale. Read more
Meeza Secures $219 Million for Data Center Expansion
Meeza has received $219 million from Dukhan Bank to expand its data center capacity in Qatar by 44MW, including 6MW for AI services. Read more
MedaSync Secures Investment from Omega Healthcare
MedaSync has received a strategic investment from Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. to enhance its AI-powered reimbursement software for skilled nursing facilities. This move aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced tools in the sector. Read more
InstaLILY Secures $25 Million for AI Platform
InstaLILY has raised $25 million in Series A funding to enhance its AI platform for distribution industries. The funding will support the deployment of domain-trained agents, InstaWorkers™, to automate sales, service, and operations. Read more
Lovable Receives Investment Offers Valuing It Over $4 Billion
Swedish AI start-up Lovable has received unsolicited investment offers valuing the company at over $4 billion, following a recent funding round. The company reports significant growth in revenue and user engagement. Read more
MongoDB Shares Surge Due to AI Demand
Shares of MongoDB increased by 31% as the company reported a rise in usage of its Atlas cloud service, fueled by AI application development. The company also raised its annual profit and revenue forecasts, exceeding Wall Street expectations. Read more
Vercel Valuation Hits $9 Billion After Accel Investment
Vercel, a startup focused on web and AI applications, has tripled its valuation to $9 billion following a major investment led by Accel. The company's growth is fueled by AI adoption among clients like Netflix and Stripe. Read more
Commonwealth Fusion Systems Secures $863 Million Funding
Fusion power startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised $863 million from investors including Nvidia, Google, and Bill Gates to advance its fusion technology and develop a prototype reactor. Read more
Galaxea AI Raises $100 Million, Plans Home Robots by 2035
Galaxea AI, based in Beijing, has secured over $100 million in funding, boosting its valuation to $700 million. The company aims to introduce humanoid robots for home use by 2035, with plans to ship 1,000 units of its R1 robots by December to both Chinese and U.S. markets. Read more
LayerX Secures $100 Million for AI Back-Office Automation
LayerX, a Japanese AI SaaS startup, has raised $100 million in Series B funding led by Technology Cross Ventures. The investment will enhance the company's AI-driven automation of back-office functions in Japan. Read more
UBTech Robotics Secures $1 Billion from Infini Capital
UBTech Robotics, a Chinese humanoid robot manufacturer, has received a US$1 billion credit line from Infini Capital to expand production and establish a joint venture in the Middle East. Read more
Runway Targets Robotics for Growth
Runway is shifting its focus to the robotics industry, aiming to use its visual-generating tools to enhance training simulations. The company has raised over $500 million from investors like Nvidia and Google. Read more
Ben Lamm and George Church Launch Astromech with $30M Funding
Ben Lamm and Harvard researcher George Church have launched Astromech, an AI company that has raised $30 million, focusing on AI and biotechnology. Read more
Mergers & Acquisitions
Apple Inc. is reportedly in discussions to acquire French AI startups Mistral and Perplexity to enhance its AI capabilities. Meanwhile, Thoma Bravo is set to acquire Verint Systems for $2 billion, aiming to integrate Verint's customer experience solutions with its portfolio company, Calabrio.
- Apple Considers Acquiring French AI Startups
- Mynd.ai Acquires AI Voice and Remote-Control Technology
- Vertiv Acquires Waylay for AI Infrastructure Solutions
- Serve Robotics Acquires Vayu Robotics
- Thoma Bravo to Acquire Verint Systems for $2 Billion
- Fullcast Acquires Atrium for AI Sales Management
- MariaDB Acquires SkySQL for AI Cloud Services
- John Deere Acquires GUSS Automation
- CrowdStrike Acquires Onum for $290 Million
- Capgemini to Acquire Cloud4C for Cloud Services Expansion
- Okta to Acquire Axiom Security for Enhanced Identity Security
- OPTEL Group Acquires Vanguard Robotics
- Vector Capital to Merge Showpad and Bigtincan
- Accenture to Acquire NeuraFlash for AI and Salesforce Expansion
- Uniphore Acquires Orby AI, Plans to Acquire Autonom8
- SMAART Acquires Ecom Industries for $1 Million
Startup Funding
Acembee has raised €1.2 million to enhance its AI platform for automating energy monitoring and compliance on construction sites in Denmark. Meanwhile, Aurasell launched the first AI-native CRM platform on August 26, 2025, aiming to streamline operations by integrating multiple tools into one solution.
- Aurasell Unveils AI-Native CRM Platform
- Pageport Secures $3.3M for AI CRM Launch
- Propane Raises €1.2 Million for AI Customer Platform
- Loman AI Raises $3.5 Million for Restaurant Voice AI
- Bench IQ Secures $5.3M to Analyze Judicial Decisions
- Nauta Secures $7 Million for AI Logistics Platform
- Vox AI Secures €7.5M for Drive-Thru Voice AI
- PodUp Secures $5.8 Million for AI Podcast Tools
- Maisa AI Raises $25 Million to Improve AI Deployment Success
- Farang Secures €1.5 Million for AI Model Development
- Welcome Tech Secures $7.5M for AI Platform Expansion
- Matey Secures $7.5M for Legal AI Expansion
- Axenya Secures $12M for AI Health Platform Expansion
- everwave Secures Funding for AI River Cleanups
- Toppi Raises €1 Million for AI in Hospitality
- TurnKey Lender Secures Investment from Sundance Growth
- Central Secures $8.6M for AI-Driven HR and Payroll
- Reframe Systems Secures $20M for AI Construction Microfactories
- Clika Secures Funding to Compress AI Models
- Astrus Raises $11 Million CAD for AI in Circuit Design
- FriendliAI Secures $20 Million in Funding
- Moxso Secures €4.7 Million for AI Security Platform
- Artificial Societies Secures €4.5M for AI Simulations
- UTokyo IPC Invests in Legalscape for AI Legal Research
- San José Awards AI Startup Grants
- Bluente Secures $1.5M in Seed Plus Round
- Acembee Secures €1.2M for AI Construction Compliance
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