Etched AI Chip Startup Hits $10.3B Valuation

Prentis AI Lab Seeks $100M Funding at $1B Valuation

Prentis, a new AI lab co-founded by Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus, is making waves with its ambitious plans to raise $100 million at a $1 billion valuation. The lab, launched in April, focuses on developing AI agents to automate routine office tasks, claiming its Hive-32B model outperforms competitors like OpenAI's GPT-5.4. With contracts worth up to $50 million already signed, Prentis is positioning itself as a cost-effective solution in a crowded market. The startup's approach of using smaller, cheaper models could redefine how AI is deployed in everyday workflows.

Atoms Raises $1.7B in Largest Funding Round

Atoms, the physical AI startup founded by Uber's Travis Kalanick, has attracted a significant $1.7 billion investment led by Andreessen Horowitz. This funding round is a testament to the growing interest in the digitization of industrial sectors, which Atoms aims to revolutionize. The week's funding landscape also saw substantial investments in AI for 3D models, battery technology, and cybersecurity, indicating a diverse interest in AI and technology sectors. Atoms' ability to secure such a large investment highlights the potential impact of physical AI on the industrial landscape, marking a pivotal moment in the sector's evolution.