AMD’s AI Startup Acquisitions & Key Moves to Scale
▼ Summary
– AI dominated startup activity this week, including AMD’s acquisition of Enosemi to boost silicon photonics for AI systems.
– Anthropic added Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings to its board, leveraging his experience from major tech companies.
– Life360 finally integrated Tile’s lost item tracking features, over three years after acquiring the company for $205 million.
– Neuralink reportedly raised $600 million at a $9 billion valuation, while Samsung may invest $100 million in medical startup Exo.
– Thinkst Canary achieved $20 million in annual recurring revenue without VC funding, highlighting bootstrapping success.
The AI startup landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with major players making strategic moves to strengthen their positions. This week saw significant developments across acquisitions, board appointments, and funding rounds—highlighting how innovation and investment remain tightly intertwined in the tech sector.
AMD made waves with its acquisition of Enosemi, a startup specializing in custom materials for silicon photonics. The deal, though undisclosed in value, aims to fast-track AMD’s advancements in co-packaged optics for AI systems, reinforcing its competitive edge in high-performance computing.
In another high-profile move, Anthropic added Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings to its board. Hastings, known for his roles at Meta, Microsoft, and Bloomberg, brings deep industry expertise to the AI startup as it scales its operations. Meanwhile, Life360 finally integrated Tile’s lost-item tracking features—a long-awaited update following its $205 million acquisition of the Bluetooth tracker company in 2021.
Funding activity remained robust, with both confirmed deals and intriguing rumors. Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface venture, reportedly secured $600 million at a $9 billion valuation, though official confirmation is pending. Samsung’s investment arm is also said to be eyeing a $100 million stake in medical device startup Exo, signaling growing interest in health tech.
Cybersecurity firm Thinkst Canary reached $20 million in annual recurring revenue without VC backing, proving that bootstrapping can still yield impressive results. On the venture-backed side, Buildots raised $45 million to expand its AI-powered construction tracking platform, while Rillet landed $25 million to automate accounting workflows using generative AI.
Emerging markets also saw action, with India’s Snabbit securing $19 million for its home services platform and Saudi AI firm Humain planning a $10 billion global venture fund. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Outset Ventures closed a $25 million fund to support deep tech startups in the region.
The energy sector wasn’t left out—Gridcare emerged from stealth with $13.5 million to optimize power distribution between data centers and utilities. And in a nod to alternative energy solutions, Big Tech’s interest in nuclear fission startups underscores the growing demand for reliable, scalable power to fuel AI and cloud infrastructure.
From acquisitions to funding rounds, this week’s developments underscore how AI continues to drive innovation across industries, with both established players and upstarts vying for leadership in an increasingly competitive space.
(Source: TechCrunch)
