Rumor Watch: Apple Wants a Piece of the Perplexity Pie? 🥧

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!

Sorry for the no show last weeks folks. There’s been a LOT going on behind the scenes. Today’s News issue covers the news from the past 2 weeks, so bear with me!

In this Issue:

• Your Weekly Industry News Recap

• The Raise Recap

Headliner: Apple considers acquiring AI startup Perplexity

Here’s one more for the industry M&A rumor mill — Apple is reportedly exploring a deal to buy Perplexity, the buzzy AI search startup. The move could supercharge Siri and Apple’s broader AI strategy, while squarely positioning Apple in the AI leaders. If true, it’s a major play in the race to own next-gen search, and next-gen tooling for many.
🤖 Even if it’s speculative, this is Big Tech chess in action. ♟️ Read More

Your Weekly Industry News Recap

• IDS: shaping AI’s future using non‑binding agreements
  IDS argues for soft‑law pacts guiding AI ethics and use—practical approach to global AI norms. 📜 Read more

• A novel AI models detect Type‑1 diabetes before onset
  AI breakthrough can predict Type‑1 diabetes risk early—huge health impact without raising capital. ❤️ Read more

• Survey of 408 life‑science researchers shows mixed feelings on AI
  Researchers are split—some excited, others worried—interesting pulse on AI in labs. 🔬 Read more

• Futurism: AI startup Pano fights wildfires
  Pano uses AI for wildfire detection and prevention—environmental innovation, no investor hype here. 🔥 Read more

• Economic Times: The Economist – ad‑tech revolution via AI
  AI is flipping the ad‑business world upside down—makes marketing way smarter. 📣 Read more

• PR News Asia: Cube acquires ACIN for AI risk management
  Cube buys ACIN to beef up operational risk tools in Asia-Pacific—cross-border tech regulation vibes. 🌏 Read more

• Morningstar: The AI Alliance forms open‑source nonprofit lab
  The AI Alliance launches a nonprofit lab advocating open‑source and collaboration. 🧩 Read more

• Lightning.ai unveils multi-agent “Crew” builder
  Lightning.ai introduces a toolkit for building AI agent squads—empowering creative AI experimentation. 🤖 Read more

• Postman releases Agent Mode (AI for testing APIs)
  Postman’s new Agent Mode adds AI power to API testing workflow—super handy for devs. 🛠️ Read more

• Economist: AI transforming ad business models
  (Recontextualizing) The Economist highlights how AI tools are reshaping agency-client dynamics and campaign creativity across industries. 🎨 Read More

This Week’s Raise Recap 📈💰 

• German SaaS startup raises $775K to grow its AI tax platform
  German SaaS platform secures €700K early round to scale its AI-driven tax compliance tool—pretty niche but promising! 😊 Read more

• Harvey AI jumps from $3B to $5B valuation in just 4 months
  Rapid-fire growth: Harvey AI skyrockets its valuation by $2B in months—investors are definitely eyeing this one. 🚀 Read more

• Customer‑service AI startup Decagon scores $131M
  Decagon pulls in $131M to build AI-powered customer support—it’s the kind of capital signal that says “big play ahead.” 💬 Read more

• Payabli raises USD 28M to expand AI‑powered embedded payments
  Payabli secures $28M to boost its embedded payments + AI tools—fintech meets smart automation. 💵 Read more

• Kitchener’s Fairly AI acquires Stockholm’s Anch.ai
  Canada‑based Fairly AI snaps up Anch.ai to help firms build regulation-ready AI — savvy move on compliance tech. 🇨🇦 Read more

• Chinese AI startup Minimax raises big funding (reported)
  Minimax reportedly scores a huge raise (~$146M) for its AI efforts—China’s investment scene is buzzing. 🇨🇳 Read more

• BSE launches AI IPO tool for SME document checks
  India’s BSE rolls out an AI tool to fast-track SME IPO docs—that’s innovation in financial markets. 🇮🇳 Read more

• Hoppr secures $32M in Series A
  Medical imaging AI co. Hoppr bags $32M to scale its clinical platform—huge win for specialized health tech. 🏥 Read more

• Tennr raises $101M to automate patient referral workflows
  Tennr lands $101M to streamline healthcare referrals via AI—big funding for health workflow automation. 🏥 Read more

Stay well, and see you next week!

-✌🏽 Sam

Cue the legal stuff: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely my own and do not reflect the views, positions, or policies of my employer or any organizations I am affiliated with. All content is for informational purposes only and to express opinion.