Happy New Year (Here's A Whole Lot Of AI News)

Your AI Product - News Report - January 8th

Author

Samuel Pierre-Gilles
January 08, 2025

For those that are new around here, this is an extension of my weekly newsletter where I highlight new and innovative AI products that are worth exploring.


Hey hey!

Happy Wednesday!

Here’s your news in newsletter!

We’re kicking off a new year for the AI Product Report!

In Today’s News issue we recap a LOT of what’s happened over the past few weeks, so brace yourselves for the your weekly news’ season opener~

In this Issue:

Your End of 2024 Industry News & Raise Recap

Some other notable news, product launches and raises from over the holidays

  • Windfall’s Fundraising SaaS: Windfall launches AI software to help nonprofits maximize fundraising efforts and team performance. 🎯💼

  • DeepMind’s Veo 2: DeepMind introduces Veo 2, an advanced AI tool for predictive modeling and smarter decision-making. 🤔🔍

  • Planetary AI Ethics: Concerns rise over flawed methodologies in planetary-scale AI, urging caution in its application. 🌍🤖

  • AI’s Energy Crisis: AI’s immense energy needs spark debates on sustainability and efficient tech solutions. 🌱⚡

  • Tray.ai’s Merlin Tool: Tray.ai unveils Merlin to help developers escape custom-code bottlenecks and create scalable SaaS agents. 🧩🚀

  • Whisk AI Image Generator: Google unveils Whisk, an AI-powered image generator delivering stunning, creative visuals. 🎨🤖

  • Basis Raises $34M: Basis secures $34M to revolutionize accounting automation with AI-powered agents, making financial workflows seamless. 💰🤖

  • Anatomy’s $19M Series A: Anatomy raises $19M to scale its secure AI healthcare platform, transforming how medical data is managed. 🩺🔐

  • Perplexity Valued at $9B: Perplexity achieves a $9B valuation with new funding, strengthening its position in AI innovation. 🚀🤔

  • Databricks’ $62B Valuation: Databricks raises funds to reach a $62B valuation, continuing its leadership in AI infrastructure. 💻📊

  • Nuon’s $16.5M Raise: Nuon raises $16.5M to revolutionize software deployment with AI-driven, scalable solutions. ⚙️✨

  • Liquid AI’s $250M Round: Liquid AI secures $250M to enhance its general-purpose AI models for smarter, adaptable applications. 💧💡

  • Crusoe’s $600M Investment: Crusoe raises $600M to expand its clean-energy-powered data centers for sustainable tech growth. 🌱🖥️

  • SandboxAQ’s $300M+: SandboxAQ secures over $300M to push the boundaries of quantum and AI technology. 🧪🤖

  • OmniOps Secures $8M: OmniOps raises $8M to enhance AI infrastructure for smarter, faster solutions. 🌐🔧

  • Hostaway Funding: Hostaway secures funding to improve property management technology with smarter AI for short-term rentals. 🏘️💻

TOPIC BYTES - AI AGENTS

The last major topic from 2024 was the popularization of AI agents thanks to big players making moves in the space (Think Salesforce, Hubspot, and OpenAI). For the curious wondering what the big deal is with AI agents, I’ve put together a primer on the topic so you can get some answers fast!

Have a read, and start your own conversations on AI Agents!

Your First 2025 Weekly Industry News Recap

  • XAgent AI Revolutionizes Procurement: XAgent unveils an intelligent bidding platform to streamline procurement with cutting-edge AI. 🛒🤖

  • BrainBox Acquired by Trane: Irish HVAC giant Trane acquires BrainBox AI to integrate sustainable building solutions into its portfolio. 🌍🏢

  • SymphonyAI Unveils CINDE: SymphonyAI debuts its CINDE platform, leveraging predictive and autonomous AI for smarter retail decisions. 🛍️🔮

  • Accenture’s AI Refinery: Accenture introduces its "AI Refinery," designed to streamline industrial processes and accelerate agentic AI journeys. 💻🏭

  • PieX AI’s CES Reveal: PieX AI announces the first personalized on-device AI pendant at CES 2025—wearable tech meets intelligence. 🧠🔗

  • Multi-Sensor AI’s Optimization Plan: Multi-Sensor AI reveals a leadership optimization strategy, aligning goals with its next AI tech innovations. 🎯💡

  • AWS Startups Program: AWS highlights its program helping startups integrate AI and cloud-based solutions into their growth strategies. ☁️📈

  • Future of SaaS with AI Agents: Experts delve into the evolving role of AI agents in shaping the next-gen SaaS landscape. ⚙️🤖

The Raise Recap 📈💰 

  • Decart AI Secures $32M: Decart AI raises $32M Series A to deepen research and push the boundaries of AI innovation. Big ideas, bigger funding! 💡💰

  • Swave Scores $27M: AI platform Swave grabs $27M to revolutionize data-driven decision-making in industries worldwide. 🚀📊

  • Rembrand Secures $23M: AI startup Rembrand raises $23M to bring creativity and advanced generative AI solutions to market. 🎨🤖

  • Kobold Metals Raises $527M: AI-powered mineral exploration company Kobold Metals secures $527M to supercharge its sustainable mining initiatives. 🌍⛏️

  • Klassroom Gets Funding: Backed by actor Suniel Shetty, Klassroom Edutech secures funding to scale its AI-powered learning solutions. 📚✨

  • CareCode Raises $4.3M: AI health tech startup CareCode lands $4.3M to enhance its platform for smarter healthcare solutions. 🏥💡

  • Pixevia Secures €340K: Lithuanian AI startup Pixevia secures €340K to expand its retail-focused AI solutions globally. 🛒🤖

  • Vapi’s $20M Series A: AI voice agent platform Vapi raises $20M to enhance its conversational AI capabilities for enterprises. 🗣️💻

  • ImagoWorks Lands $15.6M: Dental tech startup ImagoWorks secures $15.6M to drive innovation in AI-powered dental imaging. 🦷🖥️

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Stay well, and see you next week!

-✌🏽 Sam

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