Virtue AI Raises $30M to Strengthen AI Safety and Compliance

Virtue AI has secured $30M in Seed and Series A funding to scale its AI security platform for enterprises. Backed by Lightspeed and Walden Catalyst, Virtue helps businesses safely deploy AI with tools like automated risk testing, guardrails, and compliance agents — eliminating the trade-off between innovation and security in AI adoption.

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Yale Grads’ Startup Spur Raises $4.5 Million in Seed Funding

Spur, an AI-powered QA testing startup founded by two Yale grads, raised $4.5M from top investors including First Round and Pear VC. Spur uses AI browser agents to mimic real users, helping companies catch bugs and speed up release cycles. Already trusted by Fortune 500s and e-commerce giants, Spur is making quality assurance faster, smarter, and fully automated.

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OpenAI in Talks to Acquire Windsurf for Over $3 Billion

OpenAI is in talks to acquire coding assistant startup Windsurf for over $3 billion, marking its biggest deal yet. The move signals a potential AI app acquisition race as big players look beyond in-house tools. The deal could raise antitrust questions, especially given OpenAI’s complex ties with Microsoft and competition with rivals like Anysphere.

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Isomorphic Labs Secures $600M for AI Drug Innovation

Alphabet’s Isomorphic Labs raised $600 million in its first funding round, led by Thrive Capital and Google Ventures, to advance its AI-driven drug discovery mission: “solving all disease.” Founded by Demis Hassabis, the London-based lab behind the Nobel-winning AlphaFold plans to boost research and expand its team with this investment.

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PsiQuantum Raising $750M to Build Advanced Quantum Computers

Quantum startup PsiQuantum is securing $750M at a $6B valuation, led by BlackRock. The company, using photonics tech for quantum chips, is scaling up production. Partnering with GlobalFoundries, Australia, and the US, it plans to build quantum computers in Brisbane and Chicago, aiming for a functional machine by 2029.

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AI Startups Soar with Anysphere Targeting $10 Billion Valuation

AI startups are grabbing tons of venture capital, with Anysphere, the team behind the AI-powered code editor Cursor, aiming for a $10 billion valuation in its latest funding round. This mirrors a hot trend, as European players like Poolside AI and Lovable also rake in big investments, showing AI coding’s global boom.

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VC Notes a ‘Vibe Shift’ as Y Combinator Founders Opt for Less Funding

Silicon Valley’s AI startups are hitting big revenue with tiny teams, sparking a shift at Y Combinator. Some founders, like one aiming to “summit Everest” with less venture capital, prioritize ownership over hefty funding. While investors charm with cash, others warn that underfunding risks being outpaced by well-financed rivals.

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Synctera Secures $15M Despite BaaS Setbacks

Synctera, a Banking-as-a-Service startup, raised $15 million in a Series A extension, bringing its total funding to $94 million. Despite Synapse’s collapse shaking the industry, Synctera’s revenue soared 80% and gross profit jumped 230% year-over-year. CEO Peter Hazlehurst credits its compliance focus and aims for breakeven by early 2026.

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Darwinbox Secures $140M to Boost HR Tech Globally

Darwinbox, an Indian startup, just raised $140 million to expand its all-in-one HR SaaS platform, taking on big names like Rippling and Deel. Co-led by KKR and Partners Group, with investors like Microsoft and Sequoia, they’re targeting the U.S. market, serving over 1,000 enterprises and 3 million employees with flair!

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