First Pass

9 stories from 7 sources

AI funding surged, but public markets and execution set the test

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

British AI-chip startup Fractile has raised $720 million, making it one of the best-funded companies developing purpose-built chips for artificial intelligence. The financing gives the company greater resources to compete in a crowded and capital-intensive market.

2:34 PMTechCrunch

Anthropic’s IPO roadshow is drawing strong demand from investors despite persistent concerns about the broader AI trade. The early interest suggests substantial appetite for exposure to a leading AI company.

11:03 AMMarketWatch

Polymarket has laid off employees and ended relationships with several contractors as it reorganizes after a series of setbacks. The changes come as the prediction-market company falls behind its main rival.

1:50 PMBloomberg Markets

Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

Alta has raised $47.5 million in a Series A round led with participation from Google Ventures to develop blockchain infrastructure for global financial institutions. The company is targeting institutional-grade financial applications rather than consumer crypto products.

10:06 AMFinextra

Amazon plans to launch the Sustainability Deep Tech Accelerator for companies developing low-carbon technologies. Applications are scheduled to open in January 2027.

10:00 AMWWD

Chicago-based venture firm 81 Collection has raised $82 million for its second fund. The firm is an investor in Colossal Biosciences, the biotech company pursuing de-extinction and other genetic engineering projects.

9:00 AMBloomberg Markets

AI sales startup Rox has raised $100 million in Series B funding at a $1.3 billion valuation. The company is positioning itself as a challenger to Salesforce in sales technology.

7:56 AMFortune

Luxury watch-trading platform Subdial is raising $20 million to accelerate its expansion in the United States, targeting rising demand in the world's largest secondary market for timepieces.

1:00 AMBloomberg Markets

Make it yours

Build Your First Pass.

Pick your topics, set your cadence, and receive your personalized First Pass in your inbox. It’s that simple!