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BREAKING NEWS
SoftBank: 100 billion for America, the Trump effect in the background
Masayoshi Sondirector of SOFTBANK announced a colossal investment plan of 100 billion dollars in the United States over four years. Officially intended to finance projects ofartificial intelligence andtechnological infrastructurethis massive deployment aims to create 100,000 jobs on American soil.
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The return of major industrial investments
This announcement comes in a particular political context: the Trump effect. The former American president made industrial investment in the United States a pillar of his economic agenda. SoftBank’s promise is part of this dynamic, where international groups are encouraged to play the game of strategic relocation to benefit from a more favorable environment.
This is not the first time that the boss of SoftBank has marked time in response to a political climate. Already in 2016, he had promised 50 billion in investments in the United States after a meeting with Donald Trump. Today, with AI as its central engine, SoftBank is aligning with American ambitions while strengthening its influence.
An announcement that goes beyond the symbol
The magnitude of the figure – 100 billion dollars – goes beyond a simple declaration of intention. This commitment sends a strong signal to the global technological ecosystem: the United States remains the preferred playing field for the development and financing of disruptive innovations.
🚀 Technologies & AI
Threads hits 100 million daily users milestone
META announces that Threads exceeded the 100 million daily active usersmarking a key milestone for the platform.
Google launches Whisk, an image generator based on Imagen 3
Google reveals Whiska generative AI to produce complex images from other visuals such as prompts. Based on the new version ofImagen 3Whisk targets professional applications
Europe invests 10.6 billion in the Iris² network
The European Union announces the launch of the project Iris²a satellite network of 10.6 billion euros intended to strengthen European technological sovereignty. This network must compete with Starlink and will be operational by 2030.
Generative AI adopted by a quarter of American workers
Next to 25% of American workers are already using toolsGenerative AI every week, rapid adoption that goes beyond internal company regulations.
Temu retains its first place on the US App Store in 2024
The e-commerce application Temu remains the most downloaded on the American App Store in 2024confirming its success with consumers looking for low-price offers.
📉 Crises & regulations
Meta closes Cambridge Analytica deal for AUD 50 million
Meta accepted a settlement of 50 million Australian dollars with the Australian authorities in the case Cambridge Analyticawhere the data of 300,000 users had been compromised.
TikTok goes to Supreme Court against US ban
ByteDanceparent company of TikTok, asks the Supreme Court to block a law threatening to ban the application in the United States as soon as January 2025.
+ MARKET:
Waymo plans to launch its robotaxis in Tokyo in 2025
Waymoa subsidiary of ALPHABET, announced its entry into the Japanese market with robotaxis tests planned in Tokyo in partnership with Nihon Kotsu and the GO app.
JARGONATOR:
💡 TVPI (Total Value to Paid-In) : Ratio representing the total value of a fund, including realized gains and unrealized valuations, in relation to the capital invested by LPs.
💰 DPI (Distributions to Paid-In) : Ratio which indicates how much a fund has returned in cash or liquid assets to its LPs in relation to the capital invested.
🚀 Dry Powder : Amount of uninvested capital available in a fund, ready to be used for new investments or follow-ups.
FUNDRAISING:
Bnewable raises 40 million euros to accelerate the energy transition
The Belgian company BNEWABLEspecializing in battery systems and energy management for businesses, has secured 40 million euros in growth capital. The funding round was led by its existing investors: RGREEN INVEST, WALLONIA BUSINESS And DOVESCO FUND INVESTMENTS.
Vivid Mind raises $200,000 for voice test to detect early dementia
Polish medtech VIVID MIND lifted $200,000 in pre-seed with business angels. Founded in 2021, the startup leverages algorithmsAI and patented audio processing technologies to develop a voice test capable of detecting early signs of dementia in less than a minute.
Freya Cultivation Systems obtains 500,000 euros for a greenhouse prototype in Lithuania
The agtech startup FREYA CULTIVATION SYSTEMS lifted 500,000 euros to develop its technology 3D Aeroframeintended to optimize greenhouse cultivation. This innovation allows better use of space and agricultural resources.
Concinnity raises £3m to secure gene therapy
Scottish biotech CONCINNITY lifted 3 million pounds during a seed round. The company develops solutions to make gene therapy safer and more effective.
Pagent.ai raises $900,000 to perfect its generative AI
The German startup PAGENT.AIbased in Bonn, obtained $900,000 in pre-seed thanks to HTGF.
Askel.ai secures 380,000 euros for workflow automation
The Estonian startup ASKEL.AI lifted 380,000 euros in pre-seed in a tour led by SUPERANGEL. She is working on an artificial intelligence system designed to automate business processes and improve productivity.
