Facts
- HQ
- Silicon Valley
- Sectors
- Venture capital, Technology, Defense
- Founded
- 2009
- Founders
- Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz
Starcloud Raises $170M, Pioneers AI GPU Satellite in Race for Space-Based Data Centers
Starcloud, a startup valued at $1.1 billion, has launched a GPU-powered satellite into orbit and raised $170 million in Series A funding, aiming to build an 88,000-satellite constellation for AI data centers in space. The company leads a competitive race against giants like Google, SpaceX, and Blue Origin to establish orbital AI infrastructure before launch costs decrease.
Elon Musk’s Twitter Investors Including Ellison and Ackman Poised for 200% Returns via SpaceX Stake Amid $44B Deal
Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, supported by investors like Larry Ellison and Bill Ackman, initially appeared risky but has yielded nearly 200% returns through strategic ownership stakes in Musk's SpaceX, anticipated to go public with a $1.75 to $2 trillion valuation. Despite Twitter's declining user base, this M&A move ensures significant gains for Musk’s backers.
SpaceX to Buy Cursor for $60 Billion; Four 20-Something Cofounders to Each Be Worth $2.7 Billion
SpaceX is acquiring Cursor for $60 billion, a deal that will make Cursor’s four young cofounders each worth an estimated $2.7 billion, per Forbes.
Investors Prioritize Clear Problem Understanding Over Polished Solutions in Pitch Decks, Says Startup Fortune
Most pitch decks fail before the third slide because founders focus on the wrong elements, while investors quickly assess the founder's market understanding through the problem slide. Successful decks like Airbnb's seed deck emphasize clear, specific problems rather than overly polished solutions.
EliseAI, a $2.2 Billion AI Startup, Cuts Millions in Labor Costs for Largest Landlords and Healthcare Providers
EliseAI, a $2.2 billion AI startup, is automating administrative tasks to reduce millions in labor costs for large landlords and healthcare organizations.
Congress Expands QSBS Tax Loophole, Enabling Wealthy Investors to Shield $140 Billion in Capital Gains
Since 2012, the QSBS tax provision has shielded $140 billion in capital gains for investors, and Congress expanded this benefit in July 2025 by increasing qualifying company size and exclusion caps. This change makes the tax break more accessible to mainstream business owners, significantly increasing its cost to taxpayers.
Zach Dell’s Base Power in Talks to Raise Funding at $12 Billion Valuation
Zach Dell’s startup Base Power, led by the son of billionaire Michael Dell, builds home batteries to supply backup electricity in areas with unreliable grids and is in talks to raise funding valuing the company at $12 billion.
Australian Fintech Airwallex Relocates 100+ Staff from China Amid Scrutiny Over China Links
Australian fintech Airwallex, valued at $12 billion and founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Australia, faced scrutiny over its China connections as it relocates over 100 staff from Chinese offices amid concerns. The company is increasing its public relations efforts following leaks and criticism linking it to the Chinese government.
Moment raises $78M led by Index Ventures to build AI operating system for Edward Jones, LPL and Hightower
Moment, founded by former Citadel quants, raised $78 million led by Index Ventures (with a16z and Avra participating) to build an AI operating system that lets wealth managers like Edward Jones, LPL Financial, and Hightower deploy regulated AI agents for trading.
Cowboy Space Raises $275M at $2B Valuation, Plans 40-60 Hires for Seattle Satellite and Rocket Hub
Cowboy Space Corp., founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, raised $275 million in a Series B round valuing the company at $2 billion and is hiring 40-60 employees for its new Seattle satellite and rocket engineering hub. The company develops solar-powered satellites that function as data centers and builds integrated rockets to launch them, competing for talent in Seattle's aerospace sector.
Anduril Raises $5 Billion in Series H Funding to Expand Autonomous Naval Vessel Operations in Seattle
Anduril Industries secured $5 billion in a Series H funding round valuing the company at $61 billion to expand manufacturing and R&D of autonomous defense systems, including a maritime operation in Seattle. This investment highlights Seattle and the Pacific Northwest as emerging hubs for advanced defense technology development.
OpenAI's $1.1B Statsig Acquisition and Other Billion-Dollar Deals Finalists for 2026 GeekWire Deal of the Year
The 2026 GeekWire Awards feature finalists including billion-dollar deals by OpenAI and others, a rare Seattle-area IPO, and a $5 billion mega-round, all recognized for their significant impact on Northwest tech. Voting for the Deal of the Year, which highlights key transactions in innovation, runs through April 16.
Aetherflux, Founded by Robinhood's Baiju Bhatt, Expands to Seattle for Solar-Powered Orbital Data Center Satellite Development
Aetherflux, a space startup founded in 2024 by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, is expanding to Seattle to develop solar-powered orbital data center satellites aimed at supporting AI energy needs, with a commercial launch planned for 2027. The company joins a growing aerospace community in Seattle, focusing on leveraging space-based infrastructure to overcome limitations of ground-based AI computing resources.
Temporal Raises $300M Series D Led by Andreessen Horowitz, Valued at $5B Amid AI Infrastructure Surge
Temporal, led by CEO Samar Abbas, raised $300 million in a Series D round at a $5 billion valuation, driven by surging demand for its durable execution infrastructure supporting AI agents. The company’s revenue grew over 380% year-over-year as it positions itself as a core infrastructure provider for the emerging AI agent platform shift.
Temporal Raises $300M at $5B Valuation to Support Reliable AI Agent Workflows in Production
Temporal raised $300 million in a Series D round led by Andreessen Horowitz, doubling its valuation to $5 billion by supporting reliable execution for AI systems. The Bellevue-based company's software powers long-running workflows for clients like OpenAI, with revenue and usage surging significantly as AI agent deployments grow.
AlleyWatch: Octane Leads December 2025 NYC Tech Rounds with $50.0M Series F; full list of eight largest deals
AlleyWatch lists the eight largest NYC tech startup funding rounds for December 2025, highlighting winners like Octane which raised $50.0M in a Series F and noting industry, round type, investors, and total equity raised for each company.
Tim Chen Raises $41 Million for Fourth Fund at Essence VC, Emerging as a Leading Solo Investor Backing Infrastructure Startups
Tim Chen, initially rejected by Seattle venture capital firms for being 'too nerdy,' launched his own firm, Essence VC, which has grown to raise $41 million for its fourth fund and gained a strong reputation backing infrastructure startups. His technical background and experience as a software engineer have made him a sought-after solo investor, with notable portfolio successes including the $2.2 billion acquisition of Tabular by Databricks.
Seattle’s One More Game Ends Spellcraft Project After $22M Funding to Launch Co-op Shooter SWAPMEAT
Seattle-based game developer One More Game scrapped its initial hybrid real-time strategy game Spellcraft after a $22 million funding round and rebooted with a new cooperative shooter called SWAPMEAT. The new game shifts to an upfront purchase model, features humor inspired by Adult Swim shows, and introduces unique gameplay mechanics involving swapping body parts.
Leaked Andreessen Horowitz LP Decks Reveal Significant Profits and Management Fees Amid Venture Capital Shifts
Leaked internal Andreessen Horowitz LP decks offer a rare glimpse into the firm's profitability, revealing significant earnings from both investor returns and management fees. Leslie Feinzaig reflects on her earlier headline about venture capital disruption and analyzes the firm's financial evolution.
Flyhomes Exits Brokerage Business to Focus on 'Buy Before You Sell' Financing with $15M Series D Funding
Seattle-based Flyhomes is exiting its real estate brokerage business to concentrate on its 'Buy Before You Sell' financing product, supported by a $15 million Series D round. The company is transitioning its agents to The Real Brokerage and expanding its financing offerings nationwide through a large network of loan officers.
Andreessen Horowitz and Major Funds Rebrand as Registered Investment Advisors, Moving Beyond Traditional Venture Capital
Andreessen Horowitz and other major funds previously known as venture capital firms are now Registered Investment Advisors that invest beyond early-stage companies in various asset classes, no longer fitting the traditional venture capital model. This shift challenges the conventional understanding of the VC industry.
Leslie Beinzeig Interviews Peter Walker on Venture Capital Data from 50,000 Companies and 3,000 Funds via Substack Live
Leslie Beinzeig hosts a Substack Live conversation with Peter Walker, Carta's head of insights, discussing granular venture capital data from over 50,000 companies and 3,000 funds. The dialogue explores the evolving nature of venture capital and the role of data in understanding the ecosystem.
Flyhomes Raises $15M to Pivot from Consumer Platform to Wholesale 'Buy Before You Sell' Lending Across 40 States
Seattle-area real estate startup Flyhomes raised $15 million to pivot from a consumer real estate platform to a wholesale lending model focused on its 'Buy Before You Sell' product, partnering with loan officers and agents to offer services in 40 states. The shift follows Flyhomes' previous consumer-facing brokerage and financing model, aiming to expand its reach while having raised $208 million to date.
Governments and Cloud Giants Ramp Up Quantum Spending as VCs Stay on Sidelines Ahead of Hypothetical ‘Q‑Day’
The article argues that while governments and cloud giants are rapidly funding and preparing for a potential ‘Q‑Day’ when quantum computers could break current encryption, most venture capitalists view quantum as a long‑horizon, noninvestable science play lacking near‑term commercial buyers; corporate VCs, defense primes, and hyperscalers are the primary active investors today.
Exia Labs Raises $2.5M to Develop AI Copilot ‘Blue’ for U.S. Military, Launches Political Game 'Mr. President'
Exia Labs, co-founded by veteran Jonathan Pan, raised $2.5 million to develop Blue, an AI-powered copilot for military operations that automates the U.S. Army's decision-making process and is currently being tested by military units. The startup also plans to launch the political simulation game 'Mr. President' in July to generate revenue and support its defense-focused AI development.
