Anthropic's $60 Billion Valuation and Corporate AI Push

Lightspeed Venture Partners is set to lead a $2 billion funding round for Anthropic, valuing the company at $60 billion. Anthropic is aggressively marketing its AI model, Claude, as a superior option for corporate clients looking to build custom AI solutions.

Anduril Doubles Revenue and Plans $100 Million Employee Tender

Defense tech company Anduril doubled its revenue to approximately $1 billion in 2024, according to The Information. The company is also preparing a $100 million employee tender offer.
With the incoming Trump administration and potential shifts in Defense Department leadership, Anduril could see further sales growth in the coming years.

Elon Musk’s Grok Joins the Chatbot Race

Elon Musk’s conversational AI, Grok, is now available on iPhones, entering the competitive landscape alongside OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude. Additionally, Musk announced that xAI's Grok chatbot will be integrated into Tesla vehicles "soon," signaling a push to expand its applications beyond traditional devices.Sacra reports that xAI closed 2024 with an estimated $100 million in annualized recurring revenue. The company has raised over $12 billion at a $50 billion valuation, reflecting an impressive 500x revenue multiple.

Klarna Expands with Stripe Deal and Prepares for IPO

Klarna has secured a significant distribution deal with Stripe, expanding its reach to thousands of potential customers across 26 countries.
In preparation for its anticipated IPO, the BNPL giant is also exploring the sale of some of its U.S. "pay in four" loans to free up capital. According to the Financial Times, Citigroup and Nordea are among the potential buyers.

Infinite Reality Achieves $12.25 Billion Valuation

Augmented reality startup Infinite Reality raised $3 billion in funding. This round pushes the company’s valuation to $12.25 billion.

Addepar’s $3.25 Billion Pre-Money Valuation

Addepar, a leading provider of wealth management software, is in discussions to raise $250 million at a pre-money valuation of $3.25 billion. This marks a leap from its $2 billion valuation in 2020. With projections of cash-flow positivity and significant revenue growth by 2025, Addepar is solidifying its position in the financial tech landscape.

Wiz Aims High with IPO Plans and $1 Billion ARR Target

Cybersecurity leader Wiz has brought on Fazal Merchant as CFO after an extensive search, signaling its readiness for an IPO within the next year. The company is targeting $1 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR), a significant jump from the $600 million it expects to close this fiscal year.
Merchant acknowledged the $1 billion target as “ambitious” but achievable, given the company’s strong client base, which includes 45% of the Fortune 100. However, the company’s cash burn remains a concern for potential investors. Wiz’s rapid growth and high-profile customer retention highlight its potential, but the road to profitability and IPO readiness will be closely watched.

TikTok Faces a Ban and a Battle for Survival

The U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to uphold a law that could ban TikTok unless ByteDance sells the app. However, ByteDance remains firm in its refusal to sell, citing Chinese restrictions on transferring the app’s proprietary algorithm.
This decision leaves potential suitors, including former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, in a precarious position. Adding to the uncertainty are rumors of Elon Musk potentially negotiating a deal with Chinese authorities to acquire TikTok, though details remain speculative.
Further complicating matters, President Donald Trump’s return to office on January 20 introduces a wildcard. While Trump previously attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, his recent statements suggest a more favorable view of the platform, leaving its future in the U.S. clouded by geopolitical and political unpredictability.

Plaid Sees Strong Growth and Expands Offerings Ahead of 2025

Plaid saw its revenue growth rebound to over 25% last year, according to Bloomberg. The company has expanded beyond its core financial data services, now offering identity verification and credit products powered by its extensive data network.
Usage of Plaid's ID verification tool surged over 400% in 2024, while its core payment product usage more than tripled, highlighting strong demand for its expanded offerings.
“There’s just this truly renewed sense of optimism going into 2025,” said CEO Zach Perret. “It’s way more fun to operate in fintech spring than it was to operate in fintech winter.”

Island Explores $5 Billion Valuation Amid Rapid Growth

Sequoia Capital-backed Island, known for its secure internet browser for businesses, is reportedly seeking new funding at a $5 billion valuation, according to The Information. The company has experienced rapid growth and is on track to achieve $150 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by year-end.
If Island secures funding at this valuation, it would command a higher ARR multiple than Wiz, which boasts over $600 million in ARR and was valued at $16 billion during a secondary share sale last year.

Cohesity and Veritas Complete $7 Billion Merger

SoftBank-backed Cohesity has begun exploring a secondary share sale to investors following its recent merger with enterprise data backup and security firm Veritas. The deal valued the combined company at approximately $7 billion.
The newly merged entity has seen its ARR grow by 14%, reaching $1.5 billion, as it continues to compete with publicly traded rival Rubrik in the enterprise data market.

Loft Orbital Reaches $1 Billion Valuation After €170 Million Funding Round

French space tech company Loft Orbital has achieved a billion-dollar valuation following a €170 million funding round.
Operating under a "space-as-a-service" model, Loft Orbital simplifies access to space by providing satellite infrastructure for customers to deploy missions with ease. Its clients include public institutions like NASA, ESA, and CNES, as well as private companies such as Microsoft and Helsing.
While exact revenue figures remain undisclosed, the company has reportedly doubled its revenue for two consecutive years.

LaunchBay25 Index Surges 17% in December

The LaunchBay25 Index rose 17% last month, led by valuation gains from:
SpaceX: +51%
xAI: +42%
Databricks: +25%
Kraken: +24%

2025 is off to an eventful start—stay informed with the latest updates!