SEQUOIA
Rippling steps up AI hiring in India, looks to expand enterprise push
The firm is hiring principal engineers, senior staff engineers and senior directors among others as the lab focuses on developing core components of Rippling’s global AI platform, Parandekar told ET in an exclusive interaction.
Prominent finance and technology figures comment on Nvidia's probe into CEO Jensen Huang
Nvidia's board is looking into CEO Jensen Huang due to concerns regarding his relationship with a Chinese businesswoman. Analysts express uncertainty about Huang's future as CEO and its impact on Nvidia's stock. The investigation could lead to delayed decisions on investments and product launches in the semiconductor industry. Prominent figures in finance and technology are reacting to this ongoing situation.
Jensen Huang-Alice Huang relationship under scrutiny: Who is defending the Nvidia CEO and who is raising questions?
Nvidia Corporation's board announced an independent investigation into CEO Jensen Huang after infidelity allegations surfaced. Huang admitted his unfaithfulness while maintaining the allegations about connections to espionage are unverified. Several business leaders supported Huang, emphasizing the need to separate personal issues from potential national security concerns.
Trump, Elon Musk and Bill Ackman back Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang after affair admission amid Chinese spy probe
Donald Trump, Bill Ackman and Elon Musk have backed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang after he admitted to being unfaithful to his wife. Their reactions come as the company's board investigates reports that Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation involving a Chinese businesswoman.
Explained: Why Nvidia shares dropped 4% in overnight trade and what analysts warn can trigger a bloodbath?
Nvidia shares dropped over 4% after CEO Jensen Huang acknowledged an affair with Alice Huang. Jensen Huang's relationship with Alice, a Chinese national, raised security concerns following intelligence reports. Nvidia has initiated an investigation into these allegations, although the board believes no secrets were compromised. Analysts suggest the company's upcoming earnings report will be crucial for market sentiment. Concerns linger over Huang's position if further evidence of wrongdoing emerges.
Nvidia shares drop 5.75% after reports of probe into Jensen Huang's alleged link to Chinese spy
Nvidia's stock plunged by more than 5 percent amid an inquiry into CEO Jensen Huang's connections to a businesswoman linked to intelligence work. Chris Weston emphasized that this growing uncertainty is detrimental for Nvidia's shares, particularly as the data center sector thrives. The inquiry also disrupted corporate interactions among Nvidia leaders. Analysts cautioned that the ongoing probe could have ripple effects on semiconductor investments across multiple regions.
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Amagi, Shiprocket post profits; US polls’ impact on IT
Amagi’s Q2 profit surged nearly 30x while Shiprocket swung into the black for the first time. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Sequoia Capital restructures operations after raising $10 billion, shuts London office
In a bold move, Sequoia Capital is undergoing a major restructuring by shutting down its London office and disbanding the Arc accelerator and Scouts programs. These changes come amid a leadership shift and a focus on selective investing. With approximately $10 billion raised in new funds, Sequoia is committed to backing European founders, albeit from its Bay Area hub.
Coders out, VCs in: Investors bet billions on AI-first services
The AI-native services firms’ promise of high margins and rapid growth with fewer people has attracted the interest of VC firms. If Distyl AI raised $175 million at a $1.8 billion valuation a year ago, Wonderful raised $550 million at a $5 billion valuation in September.
Robinhood CEO's AI startup Harmonic expands into software, chip design verification
Backed by Nvidia's venture capital arm, Sequoia and Ribbit Capital, Harmonic raised $120 million in a funding round last November that valued it at $1.45 billion.
Who are the biggest investors backing Anthropic? A look at key stakeholders
Anthropic’s planned IPO is set to test public-market appetite for artificial intelligence companies. Backed by Amazon, Google, leading venture capital firms, global institutions and prominent individual investors, the Claude maker has seen its valuation surge through successive funding rounds.
Anthropic's top investors include Amazon, Google, Fidelity Management
Anthropic is preparing for its initial public offering, supported by significant investments from Amazon and Google. The company's valuation has increased significantly through numerous funding rounds over recent periods. Key investors like ICONIQ Capital and Coatue Management have also expressed confidence in its potential. Anthropic's partnerships with technology leaders enhance its resources for advancing AI development.
360 ONE, TR Capital among buyers eyeing Paper Boat early backers stake
Private equity firms, including 360 ONE and TR Capital, are negotiating to acquire a stake in Hector Beverages. Existing investors, such as A91 Partners and Sofina, explore partial exits from their investments. Other early backers intend to sell their entire stakes ahead of the planned IPO in 2027. Hector Beverages expects significant revenue growth, forecasting Rs 1,000-1,200 crore in FY27.
Orthodontist Jim Woods invested $65,000 in Nvidia in 2000; by 2024, his stake had reached $15 million
In 2000, Jim Woods was working full-time as an orthodontist. That same year, he placed $65,000 into Nvidia, then a relatively young tech company known mostly for PC graphics hardware. Twenty-four years later, that single trade reached a value of $15 million.
AI could give small businesses competitive edge over large firms: Former UK PM Rishi Sunak
Artificial intelligence holds the promise of transforming small businesses by boosting productivity and refining operational processes. Rishi Sunak noted that these companies can adapt to emerging technologies more readily than their larger counterparts. With AI tools in play, businesses can enhance their meeting prep and workflow organization. Moreover, as automation increases, the importance of human interaction in various sectors might become even more pronounced.
Amazon in talks to buy AI startup Decart for around $7 billion: Report
Amazon is reportedly in talks to acquire artificial-intelligence startup Decart for about $7 billion. The acquisition would give Amazon significant access to technology for managing different AI chips effectively. Decart, founded in 2023, was valued at nearly $4 billion in May and has attracted considerable venture capital. This potential deal aligns with Amazon's strategy to enhance its AI infrastructure competing against Nvidia.
Sequoia-backed chip startup Nuvacore raising funds at about a $2.5 billion valuation
Nuvacore is seeking to raise the funds as the appetite for central processors has swollen due to the thirst for data-crunching capacity to power chatbots such as Anthropic's Claude. CPUs perform vital functions as traffic controllers for Nvidia's AI chips and run autonomous AI software known as agents.
YouTube was close to selling to Yahoo. How Google sealed the $1.65 billion deal at 3 A.M. in a Denny’s parking lot
YouTube was close to selling to Yahoo in 2006 before Google agreed to pay $1.65 billion for the video platform. The deal was finalized in an unusual setting: a Denny’s parking lot at 3 a.m., where executives signed the merger documents under BlackBerry phone lights.
Meet Sabba Keynejad, man who was rejected by Y Combinator but kept building VEED, his startup later reached $40M in annual recurring revenue
In 2018, with Timur Mamedov, he built the company. They had only one idea, and it was to make people edit videos easily, and create clips directly in a web browser, without needing complex software or advanced technical skills. The company later expanded its platform to serve content creators, marketers and businesses.
Manus raises more than $500 million after Meta exit
Manus, the AI startup formerly under the umbrella of Meta, has achieved a remarkable funding milestone, securing over $500 million in its latest financing round. This pivotal moment occurred after the company unhinged from Meta due to a recent reversal of acquisition. The round saw support from Boyu Capital and IDG Capital among other existing investors.
No need to slow AI deployment if technology clears safety test: ElevenLabs CEO
"There is increasing collaboration across the industry in the space to make sure that people work together to assess this risk," Staniszewski, 31, said in an interview. "But we need to balance the benefits for society and the risks."
ElevenLabs hears a global tune in Indian voice AI deployments
ElevenLabs, recently valued at $22 billion, is expanding its research, engineering, and deployment teams in the country, which is now its second-largest market, with over 250 enterprise clients. Staniszewski expects voice agents to move beyond customer support into sales and operations, with India potentially leading some of those applications.
Sequoia put $60 million into WhatsApp before its boom. Years later, Facebook agreed to buy the messaging app for $19 billion
Sequoia Capital invested approximately $60 million in WhatsApp through multiple funding rounds. Facebook later acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion, leading to a substantial return for Sequoia. This investment gave Sequoia an estimated 20% stake in WhatsApp, potentially worth $3 billion.
German robot startup RobCo hits $1 billion valuation, CEO moves to US
German robotics maker RobCo on Monday said it had passed a $1 billion valuation and that its CEO Roman Holzl had relocated to the United States to focus on the company's fastest-growing market.
In 1999, Ron Conway backed Google before its IPO. 5 years later, the search giant went public at a $23 billion valuation
Ron Conway heard about Google when it was still a Stanford project. The idea interested him, but getting close to the founders took months. Larry Page and Sergey Brin then gave him another hurdle: bring Sequoia to the table. Conway did. His story also explains why he studies founders closely, looking beyond an early product for focus, leadership and persistence.
Tiger Global, Dragoneer in talks to invest in Kalshi's new $1 billion fundraise
The fresh capital raise is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks and will value Kalshi at about $40 billion, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the discussions are confidential. It comes on the heels of a $1 billion fundraise in May that valued the firm at $22 billion.
Honasa Consumer shares fall 5% after Rs 643 crore block deal; Peak XV, Sequoia likely sellers
Honasa Consumer shares declined up to 5% after 1.4 crore shares worth Rs 643 crore changed hands in a block deal. The transaction comes after the Mamaearth parent reported a 116.5% YoY rise in Q1 FY27 profit to Rs 90 crore. The company has set a Rs 5,500-crore revenue target by FY31, aiming to expand EBITDA margins to 15%.
AI agent firm Instinct raises $1 billion in latest funding round
AI agent firm Instinct said on Monday it has raised $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation in a Series C funding round. The round drew investments from Sequoia Capital, Benchmark Capital and Coatue, Instinct said in a statement.
He spent 50 years protecting Yosemite, then dug his own grave and planted Sequoias around it
Galen Clark arrived in Yosemite seeking health benefits and became its first guardian while promoting conservation efforts. He measured the giant sequoias and wrote articles highlighting the area's natural beauty. The 1864 Yosemite Grant designated the area for public use and required guardianship for preservation. Despite financial struggles, Clark continued to influence Yosemite's protection until his retirement in 1897.
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