Fireworks AI has raised $250 million in a Series C round, valuing the firm at $4 billion. Fireworks AI, which facilitates access to advanced AI chips and model optimization, plans to use the funds to hire over 150 employees and acquire GPUs.

The Bot Company, founded by former Cruise leader Kyle Vogt, is raising $250 million in a funding round that could value the company at more than $4 billion. The company, which aims to build affordable robots for household chores, has attracted significant investor interest amid a surge in venture capital for AI-driven robotics.

Vammo, an electric motorcycle rental startup, has raised $45 million in a funding round. Vammo plans to use the capital to expand in Brazil and Latin America.

Securitize plans to go public through a merger with Cantor Equity Partners II, a special-purpose acquisition company sponsored by Cantor Fitzgerald. The deal values Securitize at $1.25 billion and will provide up to $469 million in gross proceeds. Securitize plans to tokenize its own equity after the merger closes, which is expected in the first half of 2026.

tZero Group, the blockchain-based securities marketplace backed by Intercontinental Exchange, plans to go public in 2026, CEO Alan Konevsky said. The firm, which helps companies issue and trade tokenized securities under US regulations, is also exploring a pre-IPO funding round as competition in real-world asset tokenization intensifies.

Seed-stage investing is undergoing significant changes as deal sizes and valuations rise. "The median time to IPO for tech companies now stands at 11.5 years," according to a PitchBook note. "Although small seed investors will continue to make up the majority at this stage, adapting to the evolving market will be more important than ever."

US and South Korea pointed to a breakthrough on trade, with a South Korean presidential aide indicating that the countries would lower reciprocal tariffs to 15%. In addition, South Korea will invest $150 billion in shipbuilding and earmark an additional $200 billion as part of an investment pledge.

Nvidia has surpassed last year's investments by backing 59 AI startups this year, including 10 in the past two months, PitchBook reports. The strategy aims to support the broader AI ecosystem and maintain Nvidia's dominance in AI infrastructure.