The Pulse by Augment
Posts
SpaceX to Infinity and Beyond

SpaceX to Infinity and Beyond

Noel Moldvai
October 17, 2024

TL;DR

SpaceX catches giant Starship booster with 'chopsticks'
Lightmatter nearly quadruples valuation to $4.4B as it builds a new kind of AI chip
20VC closes new $400M fund to ‘make Europe great again,’ says Harry Stebbings
Amazon, Databricks strike five-year deal around AI chips
Don’t miss out on The Power 20

SpaceX catches giant Starship booster with 'chopsticks'

SpaceX successfully launched and landed its Starship rocket for the fifth time on October 13, 2024. The historic mission saw the Super Heavy booster return to the launch tower, where it was caught by "Chopstick" arms in a groundbreaking maneuver. The upper stage splashed down in the Indian Ocean after a successful flight.

Read the full article on Space.com

Lightmatter nearly quadruples valuation to $4.4B as it builds a new kind of AI chip

Lightmatter, a company developing photonic computer chips, raised $400 million in a Series D round, boosting its valuation to $4.4 billion. The chips use light, not electricity, for data processing, offering faster and more energy-efficient solutions for AI. T. Rowe Price Associates led the round, with previous investors GV and Fidelity participating.

Read the full article on PitchBook

20VC closes new $400M fund to ‘make Europe great again,’ says Harry Stebbings

Harry Stebbings, founder of the 20VC podcast, has closed a $400 million fund to invest in European startups, with $125 million for seed rounds and $275 million for Series A. Stebbings leverages his media influence and U.S. connections to back founders, aiming to elevate Europe’s tech scene amid growing global competition.

Read the full article on TechCrunch

Amazon, Databricks Strike Five-Year Deal Around AI Chips

Amazon and Databricks struck a five-year deal to use Amazon's Trainium AI chips, reducing costs for businesses developing AI models. This partnership aims to provide faster, cheaper AI solutions, enhancing Databricks' AI services. Amazon emphasizes the cost advantage of its custom chips, while Databricks continues to expand its AI presence, competing with industry giants like Microsoft and Nvidia.

Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal

Don’t miss out on The Power 20

Our Power 20 report, created in collaboration with Sacra, is continuing to gain traction! If you haven't already, now's the perfect time to explore this data-driven ranking of the most active private companies in the secondary market. Whether you're looking for fresh insights or potential opportunities, this comprehensive list is the perfect guide.

Check out The Power 20 here