Startups Weekly: Why Founders Are Choosing to Raise Less in a Booming Market

Summary:

Optimism among startups is rising, with founders acquiring companies and raising funds.
Hinge Health aims to raise $500 million through its IPO.
Fervo Energy plans to IPO in the next two years.
Ditto raised $82 million to optimize data access for corporate clients.
Northvolt filed for bankruptcy, highlighting challenges in the battery sector.

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This week, optimism is on the rise among startups. Founders are confidently acquiring companies, securing new funding, and even opting to turn down additional investments.

Most Interesting Startup Stories from the Week

Hinge Health: This virtual physical therapy startup is aiming to raise $500 million through its IPO.
Fervo Energy: Partnered with Google, this geothermal energy startup is eyeing an IPO within the next two years.
Peak.ai: Acquired by UiPath, this Manchester-based AI startup raised $121 million prior to its acquisition.
Butterfly Effect: Their AI platform, Manus, is generating buzz, though early users caution it’s not a cure-all.
Northvolt: The Swedish battery manufacturer has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden after previously filing for Chapter 11 in the U.S.

Most Interesting VC and Funding News This Week

Ditto Team
Ditto: This San Francisco startup raised $82 million to help clients access data on edge devices during connectivity issues.
Nirvana: An AI insurance platform for truckers raised $80 million, valuing the company at $830 million.
Omni: This business intelligence platform closed a $69 million Series B round and anticipates tripling its annual recurring revenue.
Pentera: Raised $60 million for simulated network attacks to train security teams, achieving a valuation over $1 billion.
Zolve: A neobank for immigrants raised $51 million in equity and secured $200 million in debt.
Blackwall: Formerly BotGuard, this Estonian startup raised €45 million to protect SMBs from online threats.
Infinite Uptime: An Indian startup focused on predictive maintenance raised $35 million to expand into new markets.
Vento: This Italian VC firm is launching a €75 million fund to support Italian startup founders worldwide.