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Google ships more AI, PayZen raises $32M, and all about the WeRide IPO

Author

Alex Wilhelm
August 13, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Top News

  • Google shows off new AI chops: Google’s event today included a host of hardware — fresh phones, smartwatches, and headphones — but we had our eyes fixed on the company’s new AI tooling. What stands out is Google’s intent to bake its Gemini models deeply into its most critical operating system; Microsoft and Apple are making related efforts, but the future is becoming increasingly clear. No matter the device, no matter the context, AI will be on offer.

  • PayZen raises $32M: Paying for healthcare in the United States is so onerous that PayZen has built a business around helping folks finance their care. Or, as TechCrunch puts it, the startup “aims to make healthcare more affordable by enabling patients to pay their bills in interest and fee-free installments over time.” Call it health now, pay later — HNPL? The company’s latest round includes a nine-figure debt facility, for what we trust are obvious reasons.

  • WeRide is going public: An IPO in Q2 2024? Yep, it’s possible, so long as you are a Chinese company and one with lots of self-driving chops. Alex dug into the numbers here, but the gist is that WeRide is gearing up for a robotaxi buildout. Which requires capital that an IPO can provide, right?

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