Crusoe’s $686M AI Power Play

Top News

• Brave launches AI chat: Brave has introduced an AI-powered chat feature to its search engine, letting users ask follow-up questions directly from "Answer with AI" summaries. This new tool creates a conversational, context-aware search experience, setting it apart from competitors like Google while prioritizing user privacy by keeping searches untracked. We had Jean-Paul Schmetz, Board Observer and Chief of Ads at Brave, on today's episode on today’s show for a fantastic interview.

• Tokamak secures $125M for fusion: British startup Tokamak Energy raised $125 million to develop its egg-shaped nuclear fusion reactor, a potential game-changer for clean energy. With its pilot plant a decade away, the company plans to generate interim revenue through superconducting magnet technology. The funding highlights growing venture interest in fusion as AI-driven energy demand rises.

• Crusoe Raises $686M: Crusoe Energy has secured $686M of an $818M funding round to build data centers for Oracle, Microsoft, and OpenAI, including a $3.4B facility in Texas. Originally a crypto startup, Crusoe’s pivot to AI infrastructure has doubled its valuation to over $3B, making it a major player in the booming "neocloud" market.

TWiST500

Today, we have another two updates for you on TWiST500 companies:

Up first, Wiz has acquired Dazz for $450 million. This strategic move boosts Wiz's capabilities in cloud security, particularly for developers, and solidifies their all-in-one platform. With 45% of the Fortune 100 as customers, Wiz is positioning itself for more growth and acquisitions—definitely one to watch in cybersecurity.

Next, we have Zepto. Zepto has raised $350 million, keeping its $5 billion valuation steady as it gears up for an IPO next year. The quick commerce market in India is booming, and Zepto's expansion to over 17 cities, serving 7 million orders daily, keeps it ahead of the competition. Despite regulatory challenges, Zepto is leading the charge in India's evolving retail landscape—one to watch as they prepare to go public.

— Maddie

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This Week in Startups

E2049: Jason and Alex dive into Nvidia’s blockbuster earnings, highlighting the massive demand for Blackwell GPUs and what it means for AI’s future. They break down the DOJ’s antitrust push against Google, including potential divestitures of Chrome and Android, and how it could reshape search and advertising. Jean-Paul Schmetz from Brave joins to talk about privacy-first search and the future of AI, and we wrap up with inspiring Founder Fridays stories from Georges Colbert and Longview’s Kitty and Coco, showcasing how startups are thriving in unexpected places.

E2048: Jason and Alex kick off the show with a deep dive into Nvidia’s expected $33B Q3 revenue and its shift from gaming GPUs to dominating AI workloads. Plus, we had two amazing guests: Steven Simoni, founder of Allen Control Systems, shared how their counter-drone robotic gun systems are revolutionizing defense, and Rami Abi Habib, founder of Querio, gave a great demo of their intuitive data query platform.

E2047: Spenser Skates and James Evans join Alex to discuss Amplitude's acquisition of Command AI, shedding light on recent startup M&A trends and the strategic vision behind this move. The conversation delves into Command AI's user assistance technology and its integration into Amplitude, which aims to enhance user surveys and feedback. They also cover the acquisition deal structure, regulatory concerns, and the decision-making process between raising funds and selling.

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• Digital Ocean: Whether you’re just getting started with AI, or seeing your project take off, DigitalOcean is the cloud platform that lets you focus on what matters: building killer apps. Right now get up to $100k in free credits at https://www.do.co/twist. Terms and conditions apply.

LAUNCH Cloud Kitchens Incubator

Applications are open for Cohort 2 of the LAUNCH CloudKitchens Incubator (LiCK). We're looking for food entrepreneurs who wish to expand into the ghost kitchen space or tech founders with a team and a great idea. The application and more information can be found at https://ck.launch.co/.

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