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Starcloud adds $250M to Series A, now valued at $2.3B, to build orbital data centers and secure launches
Starcloud raised a $250 million extension to its March $170 million Series A, valuing the company at $2.3 billion, to expand manufacturing and develop its Starcloud-3 orbital data center amid tightening launch availability. The startup plans rideshare launches of two 8 kW Starcloud-2 satellites in 2027 and is securing capital and launch contracts as major rockets like Falcon 9 phase out.
Simular Raises $21.5M Series A Led by Felicis to Launch AI PC Agents on Mac and Windows
Simular, a startup creating AI agents for Mac OS and Windows that can control PCs by mimicking human actions, has raised $21.5 million in Series A funding led by Felicis. The company recently released its Mac OS agent and is collaborating with Microsoft on a Windows version as part of the Windows 365 for Agents program.
Outreach founder Manny Medina launches Paid to help AI agents get paid, raises €10M pre-seed from EQT, Sequoia, GTMFund
Manny Medina, founder of Outreach, launched Paid, a platform that helps AI agent startups price and collect payments for agent-delivered outcomes; Paid raised €10 million (~$11M) in a pre-seed round from EQT Ventures, Sequoia, and GTMFund.
Fuse closes $250M second fund to back 30–35 Pacific Northwest software and AI startups
Seattle-area VC firm Fuse has closed a $250 million second fund to invest in 30–35 Pacific Northwest software and AI-enabled startups, writing $1M–$10M checks and co-leading rounds. Backers include state-affiliated accounts, foundations, universities and prominent Seattle software executives, and Fuse aims to back companies that automate business processes or augment workers.
Ascend’s Kirby Winfield closes $25M second fund to back pre-seed AI/ML startups in Pacific Northwest
Seattle-based VC Ascend, led by founder and solo GP Kirby Winfield, closed a $25 million second fund to invest in pre-seed AI and ML startups primarily in the Pacific Northwest, shifting focus away from brands and marketplaces.
Madrona’s Matt McIlwain: In-person interaction vital as firm raises $690M and opens Palo Alto office
Madrona Venture Group managing director Matt McIlwain says hybrid work hasn’t been solved and emphasizes that in-person interaction is essential for trust-based VC–founder relationships, prompting regular partner office days and a new Palo Alto office. Madrona recently closed a record $690 million across two funds, driven in part by prior wins like its 2020 Snowflake investment.
Remitly Raises $115M Led by Naspers’ PayU to Expand Digital Remittance Services, Hits $4B Annual Send Volume
Remitly is raising $115 million in a Series D round led by Naspers' PayU to expand its digital remittance services amid significant growth, increasing its annual send volume to nearly $4 billion. The company has expanded into seven new South American markets and the UK to better compete with traditional remittance providers.
