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- 1Gen Z founder builds $3.7 billion defense tech startup with Sequoia backing▼How a Gen Zer built a $3.7 billion defense tech startup backed by Sequoia
A young entrepreneur has built a defense technology startup now valued at $3.7 billion, with venture capital firm Sequoia among its backers. The story highlights the founder's rapid rise in a sector traditionally dominated by established contractors, and reflects growing investor interest in defense tech amid rising global security concerns.
- 2Peak XV raises Surge seed funding cap to $5M with new 18-startup cohort▼Peak XV ups Surge seed investment ceiling to $5M, unveils 18-startup cohort https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/28/peak-xv-go
Venture capital firm Peak XV Partners has increased the maximum seed investment through its Surge accelerator program to $5 million and introduced a new cohort of 18 startups. The move comes as the firm reportedly raises the bar for Series A funding, with the new cohort reportedly focused on AI startups.
- 3Seligman Ventures doubles capital to $1 billion on AI hardware bets▼Seligman Ventures doubles capital to $1 billion as AI boom revives hardware bets
Seligman Ventures has doubled its capital to $1 billion, betting that the artificial intelligence boom will revive investor interest in hardware startups. The move signals renewed venture appetite for chips and other physical computing infrastructure powering AI development. Observers see it as a sign that capital is flowing back into hardware after years of focus on software, as AI demand reshapes investment priorities.
- 4AI agent Instinct raises $1B at $10B valuation▼Viral AI agent Instinct raises $1B Series C at a $10B valuation
AI agent startup Instinct has raised a $1 billion Series C funding round at a $10 billion valuation, according to a TechCrunch report. The company, described as a viral AI agent, joins a wave of heavily funded AI firms attracting large venture rounds. The report gives no details yet on the investors or how the capital will be used.
- 5AI and arms sectors push Germany's unicorn startups to record level●AI boom and arms industry set €1bn startups at record level in Germany
Germany has reached a record number of startups valued at €1 billion or more, driven largely by investment in artificial intelligence companies and a resurgent defence industry. Growth in the arms sector reflects rising European defence spending, while AI firms have attracted strong venture capital. The trend marks a notable shift for Germany's startup landscape.
- 6Eureka! Venture launches €20 million fund for Italian DeepTech startups●Eureka! Venture launches €20 million fund to back DeepTech startups in Italy
Italian venture firm Eureka! Venture has launched a new €20 million fund dedicated to backing DeepTech startups in Italy. The fund will provide early-stage capital to companies working on advanced technology, aiming to strengthen Italy's position in the European DeepTech ecosystem and address the funding gap for science-based ventures in the country.
- 7Noa Argamani joins Vine Ventures to help Israeli startups enter US●Noa Argamani joins Vine Ventures to help Israeli startups break into the U.S.
Noa Argamani has joined Vine Ventures, according to Calcalist, taking on a role focused on helping Israeli startups expand into the United States market. The move links a widely known Israeli figure with an early-stage venture firm at a time when Israel's startup ecosystem is seeking fresh routes to American investors and customers.
- 8Sofinnova closes oversubscribed €82 million MedTech startup fund●Sofinnova Partners closes oversubscribed €82 million MD Start IV fund to build new MedTech startups
Sofinnova Partners, the Paris-based venture capital firm, has closed its MD Start IV fund at €82 million, exceeding its original target. The fund will be used to found and back new MedTech startups, following Sofinnova's model of building companies from scratch alongside inventors and clinicians. The oversubscribed close signals continued investor appetite for early-stage medical technology despite a tougher funding climate.
- 9Sensori raises $1M pre-seed from creators and athletes●Sensori raises $1M pre-seed backed entirely by creators and athletes
Sensori has raised a $1 million pre-seed funding round, with the entire round backed by creators and athletes rather than traditional venture investors. The startup is positioning itself with backers drawn from online talent and sports, a model that is drawing attention as an alternative route to early-stage capital. Details on the company's product and use of funds were not immediately disclosed.
- 10Golden Gate Ventures to Run Two-Year Startup Program in Uzbekistan▼Golden Gate Ventures Plans Two-Year Program for Central Asian Startups in Uzbekistan
Venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures is planning a two-year program for startups from Central Asia, based in Uzbekistan. The initiative is aimed at supporting early-stage companies across the region, with Uzbekistan positioning itself as a hub for entrepreneurship and foreign investment in Central Asia.