European quantum startups are getting serious funding, but they’re up against US tech giants with 15-year head starts. Public funds like the EIC are trying to de-risk investment, but is it enough to build global champions?
Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have moved a long-held LLC out of California, a preemptive strike against a proposed one-time 5% tax on residents with over $1 billion in assets. The move, which had to be completed by December 31, 2025, to avoid the retroactive tax, highlights the high-
Spangle, founded by former Bolt CEO Maju Kuruvilla, has raised a $15 million Series A, tripling its valuation to $100 million. The startup uses AI to create real-time, personalized shopping pages for brands like Revolve and Steve Madden.
Citi and PYMNTS are teaming up for a new podcast aimed at corporate executives. “From the Block” will focus on the practical use of stablecoins and digital assets in business finance.
Larry Page is shifting business assets and reportedly his own residence out of California. The move comes as organizers push a proposed 1.5% annual tax on billionaire assets for the 2026 ballot.
Fintech giant Revolut is negotiating to acquire Turkish digital bank FUPS, aiming for a debut in the country. In separate news, China has unveiled sweeping new regulations targeting aggressive discounting and subsidies by major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba.
The popular chat platform Discord has taken a major step toward going public by filing confidentially for an initial public offering. The company, which rejected a $12 billion Microsoft buyout in 2021, is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on the potential listing. This move comes as the US IPO
Staar Surgical is terminating its merger agreement with Alcon after failing to secure enough shareholder votes. The deal’s collapse, opposed by the largest shareholder, sends Staar’s stock down over 12% and raises questions about its future as a standalone company.
The tech industry is facing a severe talent shortage in data centers, with 10% of roles sitting empty. The solution isn’t more computer science grads—it’s hiring veterans, tradespeople, and high school graduates in communities that need the jobs most.
Nvidia’s surprise Christmas Eve deal to license Groq’s tech for $20 billion is a massive validation for AI inference chip startups. Companies like Cerebras and D-Matrix are now in a prime position, but one new player is betting on a radical hardware reboot.
