This is our last weekly Top 10 of the yr, and we’re featuring some really big rounds – especially in the fintech world. All told, 2024 was filled with high-volume deals, with mega deals skyrocketing, with over 280 rounds valued at $100 million or more.
1. One$300 million, fintech: Fintech startups have had a hard time raising money this yr, but it’s definitely easier when you are the majority owner of the world’s largest retailer. Walmarttogether with an investment company Ribbit Capitalleads a $300 million round for fintech startup One, in response to Bloomberg. The company offers installment loans, debit cards and payment services, marking a significant move by Walmart into financial services. According to the report, the recent round gives the Sacramento, California-based startup a valuation of $2.5 billion.
2. Fluid artificial intelligence$250 million, artificial intelligence: What would a week be without a big generative AI boost? Liquid AI ended the $250 million round in the lead AMD at a valuation of $2.3 billion, in response to Bloomberg. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company has created models based on fluid foundations — lightweight, universal AI models that require less data and computational power. Oddly enough, the company’s models actually use mathematical approaches discovered while studying the worm brain. Founded in 2023, the company has raised over $290 million, on Crunchbase.
3. Zesta AI$200 million, fintech: Yes, the next big fintech round. This one goes to Burbank, California-based Zest AI, which has raised a $200 million development investment Insight partners. The startup uses artificial intelligence to assist underwrite loans, and the technology provides more sophisticated and accurate scoring methods. The recent funds will enable Zest to expand its existing product portfolio and enhance its anti-fraud technology and generative artificial intelligence. Founded in 2009, the company has raised nearly $358 million, via Crunchbase.
4. Setting up the labsUSD 155 million, semiconductors: Ayar Labs closed a $155 million Series D led by him International Advent AND The capital of Light Street at a valuation of greater than $1 billion. The recent round included participation from a variety of strategies, including: AMD ventures, Intel capital, Nvidia AND New 3M ventures. Ayar optical data solutions replace legacy electrical solutions to assist users maximize computing performance and AI infrastructure performance while reducing costs and energy consumption. Ayar is the latest optical interconnect startup trying to resolve AI bottlenecks around processing power and energy consumption. in October Light matter closed a $400 million Series D led by a recent investor T. Rowe Price at a valuation of $4.4 billion. The round almost quadrupled its previous valuation of $1.2 billion last December after a $155 million raise. In the same week Xscape Photonics — a New York startup also using photonics technology to handle the energy, efficiency and scalability challenges of AI data centers — raised $44 million in Series A funding led by: IAG Capital Partners and because of investments from firms akin to Cisco investments AND Nvidia. Founded in 2015, Ayar has raised $370 million for the company.
5. Medical CapstanUSD 110 million, medical device: Capstan Medical, a startup developing minimally invasive technologies using robotics to treat heart valve disease, has raised a $110 million Series C fund led by: Eclipse Ventures. With greater than 7 million people in the US with heart valve disease, it’s no wonder investors were intrigued by this company. Founded in 2020, the Santa Cruz, California-based company has raised over $141 million via Crunchbase.
6. To talk$78 million, edtech: Speak, a startup that desires to assist people learn recent languages using artificial intelligence, has raised a recent $78 million in Series C funding led by Speed up — doubling its valuation in lower than six months and achieving unicorn status at a valuation of $1 billion. It wasn’t until June last yr that the San Francisco-based startup announced $20 million Series B extension at a $500 million valuation. Of course, such valuation spikes are nothing recent for startups that incorporate AI into their products. In the case of Speak, its platform generates audio conversations between the application and the user, and artificial intelligence helps improve users’ fluency. The company says it has created greater than 25 million personalized lessons for its users this yr alone, and has introduced an enterprise offering for employers since its previous funding round. Founded in 2016, Speak has raised $162 million for the company.
7. VeradermicsUSD 75 million, pharmaceuticals: New Haven, Conn.-based Veradermics, a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs for common dermatological conditions, has closed a $75 million Series B led by Suvrett’s Capital Management. The company plans to make use of the recent money to fund ongoing clinical development of its hair loss drug. Founded in 2019, the company has raised nearly $111 million, via Crunchbase.
8. ConcertsUSD 73 million, mobile: San Francisco-based mobile operating system developer Gigs raised $73 million in Series B funding led by Gigs Ribbit Capital. The startup plans to make use of the recent funds to expand its geographic reach and invest in recent products. Gigs enables technology firms to quickly embed connectivity into their products. Founded in 2021, the company raised $97 million, via Crunchbase.
9. (sure) Player health$60 million, health care: Minneapolis-based Players Health, an athlete and sports insurance provider, has closed a $60 million Series C led by Bluestone Capital Partners. Founded in 2012, Players Health has raised over $100 million for the company.
9. (sure) Sublime security$60 million, cybersecurity: Sublime Security, an AI-powered email security platform, announced a $60 million Series B round led by IVP. Founded in 2019, Washington-based Sublime says it has raised $93.8 million.
Great global offers
The largest non-US funds got here from Asia.
- Based in India Rebel food, which operates multiple food brands, raised $210 million for a Series G company.
Methodology
We tracked the largest announced rounds in the Crunchbase database that were reported by U.S.-based firms over a seven-day period from December 7 to December 13. Although most announced rounds are represented in the database, there could also be a slight delay as some rounds are reported late in the week.