1KOMMA5°, BlinkOps, and Dropzone AI Raise Over $250M to Boost AI-Powered Innovation

Three cutting-edge startups just secured major funding, signaling big trends in AI-powered tech. German company 1KOMMA5° raised €150 million pre-IPO to scale its AI-driven home energy platform—aiming to make sustainable, CO₂-neutral power management affordable and widespread across Europe and Australia. In cybersecurity, BlinkOps brought in $50 million to expand its “security micro-agents,” which automate repetitive security duties for enterprises without code, improving focus on real threats. Meanwhile, Dropzone AI landed $37 million to grow its AI-driven autonomous SOC analysts, which leverage large language models to investigate and triage security incidents at scale. Collectively, these investments highlight the rapid integration of AI into energy and cybersecurity, boosting efficiency and automation across critical industries.

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Microsoft Servers Hit in Global Cyber Espionage Campaign, 100 Orgs Affected

A massive cyber espionage attack just exposed a serious flaw in Microsoft’s SharePoint servers, hitting around 100 organizations, mostly in the U.S. and Germany. Dubbed a “zero-day” exploit, the hackers slipped in undetected using a vulnerability Microsoft hadn’t patched yet. Security experts say this could be just the tip of the iceberg, with thousands more servers still at risk. While Microsoft rushed out a fix, experts warn patching alone might not be enough. Google linked the attack to a China-based group, but the full scope remains unclear.

Credit: Reuters

Paytm Turns Profitable with Strong Q1 Boost from AI and Merchant Growth

Paytm surprised many by clocking a ₹122.5 crore profit in Q1, a sharp rebound from its hefty ₹838.9 crore loss during the same time last year. Backed by strong merchant growth and trimmed employee costs, the company clocked ₹1,917 crore in revenue and ₹72 crore in EBITDA. What’s really driving this? Smart use of AI, disciplined spending, and deeper monetisation through device subscriptions. Financial services doubled too, hinting Paytm’s lending game is maturing. It’s early days, but this feels like more than just a lucky quarter — the full-stack strategy might finally be clicking.

Credit: YourStory

Blinkit Bets on Owning Inventory for Better Margins

Blinkit, Eternal’s quick commerce arm, is shifting from a marketplace model to full inventory ownership. Instead of just listing sellers, Blinkit will now stock products itself—aiming for better margins, smoother operations, and more control. This bold move could improve availability and fill rates, but it also means higher working capital. With over 1,500 dark stores and aggressive expansion plans, Blinkit’s eyeing profitability. Margins improved slightly this quarter, and leadership seems confident. It’s a risky play in a cutthroat space, but owning the supply chain might just give Blinkit the edge it needs.

Credit: YourStory

Anduril Alums Raise $24M to Fix Military Logistics Mess

In a fresh twist to Silicon Valley’s defense-tech play, Anduril alums David Tuttle and Peter Goldsborough have raised $24 million to drag military logistics out of the spreadsheet era. Their startup, Rune Technologies, is building TyrOS — a deep tech logistics platform that works even on a jungle laptop, predicting supply needs and optimizing military resources. Unlike flashy weapons firms, Rune focuses on the boring (but vital) backend of war. With backing from a16z and Palantir execs, this AI-powered tool might just be the invisible backbone of future warfare.

Credit: TechCrunch

Figma’s Big IPO Move: What’s Cooking Behind the Scenes?

Figma’s finally hitting the public markets and aiming to bag nearly $1 billion through its IPO. They’re putting up 36 million shares, with a price range of $25 to $28 each. If things land around the middle, the company could be valued at about $15.9 billion — not quite Adobe’s failed $20B buyout price, but still a strong comeback from its earlier $12.5B private tag. With this IPO, it’s not just cashing out — it’s sending a message: real utility in design tech is here to stay.

Credit: TechCrunch

Google DeepMind’s Gemini AI Wins Gold at IMO 2025

In a major AI milestone, Google DeepMind’s Gemini Deep Think model achieved gold medal performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, solving 5 out of 6 problems — scoring 35/42 points. Unlike last year’s models, Gemini worked entirely in natural language, solving problems within the same 4.5-hour limit as human participants. This shows how close AI is getting to elite human reasoning. With advanced reasoning tools like “parallel thinking,” Gemini is now seen as a breakthrough in mathematical AI.

Credit: Deepmind

Tesla’s Retro-Futuristic Supercharger Diner Launches in LA

On July 21, Tesla opened its first-ever Supercharger Diner in Los Angeles — a 1950s-style retro spot blended with futuristic Tesla tech. Elon Musk confirmed it’s not just a one-off; similar experiences are coming to major cities worldwide and key long-distance Supercharger stops. Even non-Tesla drivers can swing by for a burger or shake, but features like in-car ordering and synced movie screens are exclusive to Tesla vehicles. While it may not shift Tesla’s revenue needle, the unique vibe could nudge some visitors into becoming Tesla fans.

Credit: Teslarati

YC-Backed Greptile Eyes $30M Series A Amid Intense AI Code Review Rivalry

AI startup Greptile is reportedly raising a $30 million Series A at a $180M valuation, with Benchmark leading the round. Founded by 22-year-old Dasksh Gupta post-Georgia Tech and fresh out of Y Combinator’s 2024 batch, the startup is betting big on AI-driven code reviews. Its bot reviews code like a senior engineer, spotting bugs humans may miss. But Greptile isn’t just pushing boundaries in tech—it’s also under fire for its intense work culture. Gupta himself admits there’s “no work-life balance,” with employees grinding 9 am to 11 pm. The ambition is undeniable, but the pressure? That’s the price some startups pay chasing top spot.

Credit: TechCrunch

Viral Concert Clip Forces Astronomer CEO to Resign After Public Backlash

Andy Byron, CEO of data startup Astronomer, has stepped down after a Coldplay concert “kiss cam” caught him in a viral moment with his chief people officer, Kristin Cabot. The clip, which triggered over 22,000 news mentions in 24 hours, sparked massive social media debate. The company placed both execs on leave before confirming Byron’s resignation. Astronomer admitted their leadership failed to meet standards and emphasized that despite the buzz, their core work in DataOps remains unchanged. Honestly, it’s a strange case of personal moments spiraling into corporate chaos — and a reminder of how brutal viral fame can be in the startup world.

Credit: TechCrunch

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