COGNICURRENT

The Indian Railways has launched a new Rail Tech Portal aimed at enhancing innovation and digital processes in the rail system, allowing startups to apply for funding solutions directly.

Jaan Tallinn has invested in the Estonian startup ZaiNar, which has just surpassed a billion-dollar valuation after raising over 100 million dollars for its technology platform.

Humand, an HR Tech platform founded by Argentinians Nicolás Benenzon and Gerónimo Maspero, raised US$66 million in a Series A funding round to expand its operations and enhance internal communications for businesses.

Fyta, a Berlin-based startup, offers plant sensors that help users care for their plants, transforming those with a 'brown thumb' into green thumbs by providing essential data through an app.

A fertility lab in Mexico City uses artificial intelligence to create human embryos with a robotic assembly line named AURA.

Swedish startup Rivus is developing an organic, water-based flow battery for energy storage that aims to reduce lifecycle costs by up to 77%.

An Estonian startup has secured its first major technology contract worth one million euros in Germany with a company named Mu-ray.tech.

Chinese AI startup DeepThink is set to launch its next-generation large language model (LLM) 'V4', attracting industry speculation on whether its cost-effective design will exceed the performance of U.S. tech giants.

A Shanghai startup has unveiled Moya, the world’s first biometric AI robot, which has raised concerns due to its unsettlingly human-like appearance.

A New York robotics startup, Fauna Robotics, has unveiled a compact humanoid robot named Sprout, designed for safe operation in public spaces like homes, schools, and offices.

A startup named Physical Intelligence aims to create a unified consciousness for robots, moving beyond the confines of traditional programming and repetitive tasks.

Tuomas Rasila, CEO of Sensofusion, explains how he transformed a struggling startup focused on drone threat detection into a rapidly rising company amid increasing security concerns in Europe.

Croatian startup Daytona successfully closed a $24 million Series A funding round, which will be used to expand its business operations.

A Croatian duo has developed a biobased, biodegradable foil that can decompose in days, significantly reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Tapi has raised US$27 million in a Series B funding round to expand its payment and collection network, with plans to achieve profitability by 2025 and having previously acquired a Mastercard business in Mexico.

Annika von Mutius, a former product chief in Silicon Valley, founded a Berlin-based tech startup called 'Empion' that utilizes artificial intelligence to assist HR departments in candidate searches upon her return to Germany in 2022.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has acquired his AI development firm xAI to integrate several of his services, including the AI chatbot Grok, the social network X, and the Starlink satellite internet system.

Fintech startup XchangeBox is providing trade-based financing for small businesses in Nigeria by using transaction and supply-chain data, aiming to improve access to credit in underserved markets.

Money Motion 2026, hosted in Zagreb, is a prominent financial and technology conference featuring a major startup competition attracting participants from over 20 countries and across three continents.

A Swedish start-up is seeking to expand its presence in the U.S. by tapping into the growing market for full-body scans.

Dassault Aviation has invested in Harmattan AI, contributing to a $200 million funding round aimed at integrating controlled autonomy and AI into aerial combat systems.

Beijing has launched an official investigation into Meta's approximately $2 billion acquisition of the AI startup Manus, citing national security concerns amidst rising tensions in the tech cold war with Washington.

Finnish startup Donut Lab claims to have developed the world's first fully solid-state battery ready for actual production, unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, though questions remain about the validity of its claims.

Former Google CEO supports a startup initiative focused on developing large telescopes for space exploration and astronomy.

Utah has launched a pilot program in collaboration with health-tech startup Doctronic that allows AI to handle routine prescription renewals for patients with chronic illnesses, testing whether AI can safely take on sensitive healthcare tasks.

The article discusses a physicist's work at a quantum computing startup, where trapped ions are being taught to compute using advanced technology in a controlled environment.

Elon Musk's AI startup xAI has raised $20 billion in a funding round, surpassing its goal of $15 billion, with investors including Nvidia, Valor Equity Partners, and Fidelity Management.

The CES 2026 highlights a significant shift in the tech industry, as Chinese companies dominate key exhibition spaces, while Europe maintains a presence mainly in the startup sector.

DeepSeek, a Hangzhou-based AI startup, has launched an advanced 'interleaved thinking' feature for its chatbot, resulting in a 90% increase in monthly users to nearly 131.5 million.

A UK startup unveils the 'Clicks Communicator', a smart device aimed at reducing screen time amidst the CES showcasing of larger screens and more immersive virtual reality experiences.

Nicolás de Ory, a 25-year-old Sevillian engineer working in Silicon Valley, emphasizes the culture of embracing failure and the need for more young Andalusians in the tech industry.

Greece is recognized as the fastest growing startup ecosystem in Europe, achieving significant venture capital growth with over €730 million raised through 95 deals in 2025.

Meta has announced the acquisition of Manus, a Singaporean developer of general-purpose AI agents, as part of its ongoing investment in artificial intelligence.

Stellantis has acquired a 21% stake in Chinese startup Leapmotor for 1.5 billion, aiming to form a joint venture and support Leapmotor’s ambitious growth plans to reach 1 million vehicle sales by 2026.

Nvidia is paying $20 billion for the lesser-known startup Groq, which it is not fully acquiring, as Groq's specialized chips could solve a key industry problem and provide Nvidia with a much-needed competitive edge.

The Polish startup 'Tylko' has gained international acclaim by allowing customers to design customizable furniture, disrupting the traditional furniture market dominated by large corporations.

The case of OneTaste reflects a new form of feminism, with Nicole Daedone's California-based startup promoting 'orgasmic meditation' as a means for women to empower and transform themselves.

Nvidia has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with AI startup Groq, founded by former Google engineers, which facilitates collaboration on licensed technology development.

A new generation of AI founders is bringing renewed confidence to Berlin, revitalizing its status as a startup capital after a period of stagnation.