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Several companies in artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and defense technology secured major funding commitments last week, highlighting investor interest in emerging technologies.
OpenAI reportedly raised USD 15 billion at a pre-money valuation of USD 1.25 trillion, while UK-based AI chip startup Fractile secured USD 720 million at a USD 7 billion valuation.
Other notable deals included a USD 700 million Series A for UFORCE, a USD 500 million funding round for Agile Robots and a USD 290 million Series C for Q-CTRL.
OpenAI reportedly raised USD 15 billion in its latest private funding round, valuing the company at USD 1.25 trillion before the new capital. The funding is expected to support AI model development, computing infrastructure and data-center investment, while providing additional capital ahead of a potential 2027 IPO. The funding stage and participating investors were not disclosed.
UK-backed AI chip startup Fractile raised USD 720 million in a Series C round at a USD 7 billion valuation. Thrive Capital, Founders Fund, Lightspeed and Redpoint co-led the investment. Other investors included CapitalG, BlackRock, DST Global, Elad Gil, Balderton, SV Angel, Sovereign AI Fund and British Business Bank.
The company plans to develop and commercialize AI inference chips designed to improve processing speed while reducing energy consumption and costs. The funding will also support the launch of its first commercial chip, planned for 2027.
Defense technology company UFORCE raised USD 700 million in a Series A round at a USD 6 billion valuation. Valor Equity Partners and the UK's National Wealth Fund co-led the investment.
The company plans to expand manufacturing of autonomous aerial, maritime, and land-based defense systems in Ukraine and allied markets, including the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
Agile Robots raised USD 500 million at a USD 8.5 billion valuation, with SoftBank leading the round alongside Nvidia and Hitachi. The company will use the capital to expand its US operations, increase manufacturing capacity in Germany and enter new markets, supporting its international growth and industrial AI robotics production.
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Quantum technology company Q-CTRL secured USD 290 million (AUSD 415 million) in a Series C round led by Salesforce Ventures. The investment gives the company unicorn status.
It will strengthen its AI-powered quantum infrastructure software, expand globally, and scale customer programs across finance and energy, while advancing applications in quantum computing, GPS-independent navigation, autonomy, and aerospace.
The five deals underline investor interest in technologies spanning AI infrastructure, robotics, defense, and quantum computing, with companies targeting global expansion and commercial development.