OpenAI CEO Investing Into Tech Similar to Theranos? Find Out More!

The KillerStartups weekly newsletter is off to the races! Welcome and thanks for the support as we grow this massive startup community.

As always, please support the newest Featured Startups as many are looking for feedback and just starting out!

Our team packed a lot into this newsletter, so let’s get into it!

The Lineup:

1. 30-Second News Picks

2. Tweet of the Week

3. Meme of the Week

4. Weekly Poll

5. Featured Startups

6. Tips, Insights, and Guides from Editorial Team

7. Notes from The Staff

8. Other Newsletter Recommendations!

News Picks of the Week 🤓 🚀

Pick #1

Our 30-Second Summary:

Amsterdam-based startup Bunq has raised €100 million in funding to expand its financial services catering to remote workers and digital nomads across Europe. The company, with a valuation of €1.65 billion, plans to target European expats in the U.S. and Americans living in Europe.

Bunq has 9 million customers and €4.5 billion in deposits and remains profitable through a subscription-based model. Founded in 2012, the company emphasizes user-friendliness, represented by its name which reads the same upside-down and right-side-up, highlighting accessibility for users regardless of their location.

Pick #2

Our 30-Second Summary:

A survey by Start-Up Nation Central reveals that nearly 70% of Israeli startups are taking active measures to move money and parts of their businesses outside the country due to uncertainty surrounding the proposed judicial overhaul.

The findings show that 68% of startups have already initiated legal and financial steps, such as withdrawing cash reserves, relocating headquarters abroad, laying off employees, and making employee relocations.

The government's plan to weaken the judicial system is negatively impacting 78% of surveyed startup executives and 84% of venture capital investors. As a vital engine of Israel's economy, the tech ecosystem's potential shift away from the country could have significant implications.

Submit Your Startup to Get Featured and More! 🚀 - SUBMIT YOUR STARTUP

Pick #3

Our 30-Second Summary:

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, along with venture capital firm 8VC and Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, has invested $48 million in biotech company Vital Biosciences Inc. The company aims to develop a machine capable of quickly screening blood samples for various medical conditions simultaneously, similar to Theranos' failed endeavor.

Vital Biosciences was founded in 2019 and plans to demonstrate its VitalOne machine's capabilities at a clinical lab expo. The machine is designed to run hematology, chemistry, and immunoassay tests, potentially speeding up diagnosis and treatment by eliminating the need to send samples to a lab. The company aims to gain FDA approval for clinical use of their machine in 2024.

Pick #4

Our 30-Second Summary:

In robotics news, Botinkit, a cooking robot company, has raised $13 million in a Series A funding round to expand its culinary robots to Europe and the Middle East.

SoftBank has invested in Rice Robotics, the maker of adorable delivery robots used in its Tokyo headquarters, contributing to a $7 million pre-Series A funding round.

Beijing-based ForwardX, specializing in warehouse logistics and inventory management robots, has raised $30 million in a recent funding round, bringing its Series C to $61 million and total funding to $140 million.

Tweet of the Week

Meme of the Week

Weekly Poll Question ❓

Featured Startups 📈

KillerStartups Mission: is to help entrepreneurs achieve the next big thing. Our role is to connect you with founders that you can help, and founders that can help you!

When we featured Uber back in 2010, Founder Travis Kalanick might have still been your driver.

Uber went on to raise their first $1.6MM 3 months after we featured them. $4.9B later, we are still proud to have discovered them.

Our question to you is: How can YOU help these companies?

Curated Content from KillerStartups 🤝

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