Humanoid robots to build iPhones in China & Apple blocks TikTok and 11 ByteDance apps in U.S.

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STARTUPS RAISING MILLIONS

💰 Startup funding updates

Nilus, a NYC-based provider of a proactive AI-powered treasury management platform, raised $10M in funding. The round, which brought the total amount to $18.6M, was led by Felicis and Vesey Ventures with participation from existing investor Bessemer Venture Partners.

Core Sound Imaging, a Raleigh, NC-based provider of medical imaging platform, received a $80M Growth investment from PSG.

Teammates.ai, a Dubai, UAE-based company developing artificial intelligence (AI) agents, raised an undisclosed amount in funding. Backers included Hustle Fund, Access Bridge Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Beyond Capital, as well as angel investors.

Netradyne, a San Diego, CA-based SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing solutions, raised $90M Series D funding. The round was led by Point72 Private Investments with participation from Qualcomm Ventures and Pavilion Capital.

Stoke Space, a Seattle, WA-based company building a reusable medium-lift rocket, raised $260M in Funding. The round was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Glade Brook Capital Partners, Industrious Ventures, Leitmotif, Point72 Ventures, Seven Seven Six, the University of Michigan, Woven Capital, and Y Combinator, among others.

Coram AI, a Sunnyvale, CA-based LLM-powered video security company, raised $13.8M in Series A funding. The round was led by Battery Ventures. Existing investors 8VC and Mosaic Ventures also participated.

SwiftComply, a Pleasanton, CA-based provider of water and wastewater compliance software, received an undisclosed investment from M33 Growth.

Pipe17, a Seattle, WA-based provider of AI-powered composable order operations, raised $15.5M in funding. Backers were not disclosed.

Teal Health, a San Francisco, CA-based women’s health company, raised $10M in Seed funding. The round, which brought the total amount to $23M, was led by Emerson Collective and Forerunner with participation from existing investors, such as Serena Ventures, Metrodora, and Labcorp.

Quantifind, a Palo Alto, CA-based AI-powered financial crime intelligence company, raised $22M in funding. Backers included Deloitte Ventures and Stephens Group as well as existing investors, Citi Ventures, S&P Global, DNS Capital, and USVP.

W Capital Markets Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based corporate finance firm, has completed its Series B fundraising round, at a post-money valuation of S$42M. Backers were not disclosed.

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NEW VCs IN THE MARKET

🏦 Venture Capital updates

Insight Partners, a New York-based VC firm, raised $12.5B across its Fund XIII, a second Opportunity fund, and a dedicated buyout co-invest fund. The new capital brings total assets under management to $90B and will support buyout software investments, reinvestments in existing portfolio companies, and high-value deals. Notable exits in 2024 included Recorded Future’s $2.65B acquisition by Mastercard and Own’s $1.9B sale to Salesforce.

KEY STORIES IN TECH

📜 Latest in tech

Perplexity AI submits bid to merge with TikTok:

• With a U.S. TikTok ban looming, Perplexity AI proposes a merger allowing most ByteDance investors to retain shares. It plans to integrate TikTok’s video features into Perplexity’s AI search engine.

• Although President-elect Trump hinted at a 90-day extension, TikTok warns it may go dark on Sunday if no enforcement relief is provided. ByteDance continues to resist any outright sale, casting doubt on a quick resolution.

• Perplexity hopes merging, rather than selling, will address ByteDance’s concerns, while rumors of Elon Musk’s involvement remain “pure fiction.” The uncertain future leaves TikTok users bracing for what comes next.

Apple blocks TikTok and 11 ByteDance apps in U.S:

• Apple published a rare statement and support document listing ByteDance apps, including TikTok, CapCut, and Lemon8, now blocked in the U.S. under legal compliance.

• The ban, effective January 19, stems from a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face restrictions, with the Supreme Court upholding the decision last week.

• Apple noted users visiting the U.S. with non-U.S. App Store settings cannot update or purchase items in these apps, further limiting access.

Humanoid robots to build iPhones in China:

• UBTech, a humanoid robot maker from Shenzhen, has partnered with Foxconn to use its Walker S1 robots in iPhone assembly, performing complex and precise production tasks.

• The collaboration aims to boost AI development in manufacturing, with the Walker S1 robot designed for tasks like quality inspections, carrying parcels, and assembling components.

• UBTech has completed training for logistics operations at Foxconn's factories and plans to deploy robots at Foxconn's EV factory, prioritizing tasks that impact workers' health and enhancing robot capabilities.

Meta launches edits app after CapCut ban:

• Meta unveiled Edits, a video editing app launching next month on iOS, positioned as a creator-focused alternative to ByteDance’s CapCut, which was recently removed from U.S. app stores.

• Instagram’s Adam Mosseri highlighted features like creative tools, idea tracking, and video insights, emphasizing its focus on professional creators rather than casual users.

• Meta has a track record of filling market gaps, previously launching Instagram Reels after TikTok’s India ban, and now aims to capitalize on CapCut’s absence in the U.S. market.

Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd returns as CEO amid sluggish growth:

• Whitney Wolfe Herd is returning as Bumble’s CEO, replacing Lidiane Jones, who is stepping down for personal reasons. The transition will take effect in mid-March.

• Wolfe Herd’s return comes as Bumble faces challenges, including declining revenue despite an increase in paying users. ARPPU dropped to $21.17 from $23.42 in Q3 2024.

• As Bumble prepares to announce Q4 results, it expects revenue to exceed midpoints of its projected range, signaling optimism amidst leadership changes.

LAST COFFEE SIP

☕Other news

Trump says he will delay TikTok ban, suggests a joint venture with US ownership:

• TikTok went dark Saturday night in the U.S., but may return soon. President-elect Trump plans an executive order Monday to extend the ban’s grace period.

• A law forcing ByteDance to sell or be banned was upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday. Trump, who opposed this ban, now suggests a U.S. 50% ownership deal for TikTok.

• With the White House deferring enforcement to the new administration, TikTok sought clarity for its service providers. Trump’s order aims to protect them from liability and reopen TikTok before Inauguration.

Amazon pauses drone deliveries after two crashes:

• Amazon has paused all commercial drone deliveries in Texas and Arizona following two crashes of its MK30 drones at a testing site in Pendleton, Oregon.

• The crashes, attributed to a software issue connected to light rain, prompted Amazon to voluntarily halt operations and implement software updates before seeking Federal Aviation Administration approval to resume.

• Despite the incidents, Amazon continues to pay employees at the drone sites and views such testing mishaps as part of improving the safety of its drone delivery service.

HIRING ALERT: STARTUPS & VC ROLES

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