This week in startup news, funding flowed to key sectors like defense, cybersecurity, and health. Several notable funding rounds and acquisitions took place.

Acquisitions and Partnerships

  • Cybersecurity firm Wiz acquired Dazz, a security remediation and risk management company, for $450 million.
  • Cloud company Snowflake acquired data pipeline management company Datavolo for an undisclosed amount.

Funding Rounds

  • Indian quick-commerce startup Zepto raised $350 million.
  • Finnish smart ring maker Oura secured $75 million from Dexcom, reaching a valuation of over $5 billion.
  • Hospitality data analytics platform Lighthouse raised $370 million, achieving unicorn status with a $1 billion valuation.
  • U.K.-based nuclear startup Tokamak Energy raised $125 million for its fusion reactor development.
  • Portuguese drone startup Tekever raised €70 million ($74 million) to expand into the U.S. market.
  • Lightning AI secured $50 million to broaden its AI platform's reach.
  • OneCell Diagnostics, focused on cancer recurrence with AI, raised $16 million.

VC and Fund News

  • Blue Bear closed a $160 million fund focused on AI in climate, energy, and industry.
  • Bling Capital secured $270 million for its fourth fund.

Other News

  • Swedish battery unicorn Northvolt filed for bankruptcy in the U.S.
  • German fintech unicorn N26 reported its first profitable quarter.
  • Defense tech startups have raised nearly $3 billion in 2024, surpassing the 2022 record.

For more on AI funding trends, see Sequoia's 2020 Fund Sees 24.6% Growth Driven by AI. Also, consider the implications of OpenAI Funding Research on AI Morality in the context of these advancements. For insights into startup competition, check out Y Combinator's Strategy: Backing Similar Startups and the Resulting Competition.