DOJ confirms plan to break up Google’s ad business & Warren Buffett step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO.
Tariffs cost Apple $900M last quarter, Apple and Anthropic to build an AI coding platform.
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📬 What’s in store:
Today’s Picks: Pitch method, Reddit growth, lean startup dead, legal docs, social AI, valuation guide, AI Q1’25, VC interview tips, financial model, 2029 outlook, 400+ French VCs, MVP fit, data room guide.
Apple and Anthropic reportedly partner to build an AI coding platform.
Google starts showing ads inside third-party AI chatbot conversations.
Trump says he may delay TikTok ban for a third time.
DOJ confirms plan to break up Google’s ad business.
Google confirms training AI models using opted out web content.
Tariffs cost Apple $900M last quarter, but no price hikes (yet).
Warren Buffett will step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO.
Apple updates App Store rules to allow external purchase links.
VC & Startup Jobs: VC & investors backed startup hiring for remote roles.
⏱️ Read Time: 3 minutes
DAILY PICKS
🗞️ What else is brewing
The 5-question method to build a winning startup elevator pitch.
How to use Reddit to grow your startup — a lesson from a $1M SaaS founder.
The lean startup is dead.
Startup legal document pack – essential legal docs for founders.
Why the future of AI is social by Every.
The only startup valuation guide you need as a founder.
State of AI Q1’25 report by CBInsights.
All-In-One Guide To Venture Capital Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)
Excel Template: Early Stage Startup Financial Model For Fundraising.
2029 private market horizons report.
400+ French angel investors & venture capital firms contact database (Email + LinkedIn Link)
How to find the right customers for your MVP ?
Investor data room guide & templates for founders.
For retail investors: Build lasting wealth with our newsletter! Simplifying investing for beginners and retail investors, we provide actionable insights to help you grow your wealth with confidence.
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STARTUPS RAISING MILLIONS
💰 Startup funding updates
Chaos Industries, a Los Angeles, CA-based technology company building the next generation of defense and national security systems, raised $275M in Series C funding. The round, which brought total funding raised to date to $490M, was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and co-led by Accel, with participation from StepStone Group, Overmatch Ventures, Tru Arrow Partners, and Valor Equity Partners.
Doppel, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of AI-powered social engineering defense platform, raised $35M in Series B funding. Th round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from 9Yards Capital and Sozo Ventures, a16z, South Park Commons, Strategic Cyber Ventures, Script Capital, and Sabrina Hahn.
Mach Industries, a Huntington Beach, CA-based defense tech startup developing vertical liftoff vehicles and precision cruise missiles, is reportedly closing a $100M funding round co-led by Khosla Ventures and Bedrock Capital.
Tow4Tech, a Coral Spring, FL-based provider of a SaaS-based platform that connects fleet managers with tow operators, raised $1.5M in Pre-Seed funding. The round was led by BrightCap Ventures.
Solda.AI, a Berlin, Germany-based provider of AI sales reps for the enterprise, raised €4m in Seed funding. The round was led by Accel, with participation from AltaIR Capital.
Replenysh, a Los Angeles, CA-based recycling logistics startup, raised $8m in Series A funding. The round was led by M13, with participation from Incite, Kindred Ventures and Floodgate Fund.
Telgea, a Stockholm, Sweden-based telcom provider serving industrial field teams, raised $2.7m in funding. Backers included Amigo Ventures, Antler, Motivate Ventures, and the Stockholm School of Economics.
Materials Market, a London, UK-based online marketplace for heavy side building materials, raised £2M in funding. The round was led by Fuel Ventures, with participation from Active Partners and angel investors.
Gruve.ai, a Redwood City, CA-based company providing AI solutions for businesses that streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and sustainable growth, raised $20M in Series A funding. The round was led by Mayfield, with participation from Cisco Investments and other investors.
Trek Health, a San Mateo, CA based payment and insurance workflow automation platform for mental health provider groups, raised $11m in Series A funding. The round was led by Madrona with participation from Correlation Ventures, LifeX Ventures, Accrete Health Partners, SNR Ventures, and Founder Collective.
Kintsugi, a San Francisco, CA-based sales tax compliance startup, raised $18m in funding. Vertex made the minority investment representing a 10 percent ownership interest, as well as IP sharing and a commercial arrangement.
Hoofprint Biome, a Raleigh, NC-based agtech startup, raised $15m in Series A funding. The round was led by SOSV, with participation from Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Breakthrough Energy Fellows, Alexandria Venture Investments, AgriZeroNZ, Twynam, Good Growth Capital, and Ponderosa Ventures.
Acoru, a Madrid, Spain-based cybersecurity firm in the fraud and scam detection space, emerged from stealth mode with €4M in Seed funding (raised in 2023). The round was led by Adara Ventures and Athos Capital.
Emmi AI, a Linz, Austria based industrialtech startup, raised $17.1m in seed funding. Backers included Speedinvest, 3VC, and Serena.
Chipiron, a Paris, France-based diagnostic imaging startup, raised $17m in Series A funding. The round was led by Blast, with participation from France2030, iXcore, EIC Fund, EIC Accelerator, and Bpifrance.
NEW VCs IN THE MARKET
🏦 Venture Capital updates
Sarah Tavel, a general partner at Benchmark since 2017, has transitioned to a venture partner role. She will continue investing and serving on boards while exploring “AI tools at the edge” and reflecting on AI’s broader direction. Tavel joined Benchmark after roles at Greylock, Pinterest, and Bessemer, and has led investments in Hipcamp, Chainalysis, and Supergreat.
KEY STORIES IN TECH
📜 Latest in tech
Apple and Anthropic reportedly partner to build an AI coding platform:'
Apple is collaborating with Anthropic to develop an AI-powered version of Xcode that can write, edit, and test code using Claude Sonnet, Bloomberg reports.
The tool is reportedly intended for internal use at Apple, with no public launch confirmed yet.
The partnership adds to Apple’s growing AI strategy, which includes OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence and potential integration of Google’s Gemini.
Apple updates App Store rules to allow external purchase links:
Apple will now let U.S. apps link to their own websites for subscription and digital goods purchases, following a court order in favor of Epic Games.
The company has removed prior “scare screen” requirements and loosened language restrictions for these external links.
While Apple must comply, it says it strongly disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal; it’s unclear if the 27% external payment commission will also be dropped.
Google starts showing ads inside third-party AI chatbot conversations:
Google has begun placing AdSense ads in user chats with third-party AI chatbots like iAsk and Liner, according to Bloomberg.
The program, called AdSense for Search, targets AI chatbot experiences that function similarly to web search.
This move helps Google monetize the growing shift of search traffic toward AI chatbots while maintaining ad revenue streams.
Trump says he may delay TikTok ban for a third time:
President Trump said he’s open to extending the June 19 TikTok ban deadline if no deal is reached to sell its U.S. operations.
This would mark the third delay since Congress passed a law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban.
Trump noted he has a “warm spot” for TikTok and previously floated a U.S. joint venture as a possible solution.
DOJ confirms plan to break up Google’s ad business:
The DOJ wants Google to divest its ad exchange and publisher ad server businesses after losing the first phase of an antitrust trial; the remedies trial starts September 22.
Google argues the breakup would harm advertisers and publishers and that forced development of new systems for open access bidding is unfeasible.
After recent antitrust losses, Google faces an uphill battle, with other cases like the search and Play Store trials also reaching critical stages later in 2025.
Google confirms training AI models using opted out web content:
A Google executive confirmed the company utilizes publisher content to train its AI search features, even when website owners use controls intending to block this collection.
Testimony revealed the specific "Google-Extended" directive only restricts data access for DeepMind's AI development, not impacting material usage by the separate Google Search organization.
This distinction creates a difficult choice for website administrators, as standard methods to prevent inclusion in AI summaries might also diminish their site's visibility in regular results.
Tariffs cost Apple $900M last quarter, but no price hikes (yet):
Apple paid $900 million in increased tariffs last quarter, mostly impacting AppleCare and accessories, yet still reported record Q1 earnings of $1.65 per share.
CEO Tim Cook said Apple is mitigating tariff impact by shifting iPhone production to India and Mac production to Vietnam.
Cook didn’t announce any product price increases and said Apple continues to engage with policymakers on tariff policy.
LAST COFFEE SIP
☕Other news
Warren Buffett will step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO:
Warren Buffett announced he will step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO at the end of 2025, with Vice Chairman Greg Abel named as his successor.
Buffett, 94, plans to remain involved with the company in some capacity, with further details expected after Sunday’s board meeting.
Abel’s succession confirms Buffett’s earlier hints, as Berkshire continues to hold major tech investments, including a sizable Apple stake.
HIRING ALERT: STARTUPS & VC ROLES
💼 Today’s VC & startup job opportunities
Office Manager - Wind Ventures | USA - Apply Here
Partner - Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | USA - Apply Here
Venture Fellows - Kalea Venture | UK - Apply Here
Investor (AI) - Samsung Next | USA - Apply Here
Venture Scout - First Momentum Venture | Remote - Apply Here
Visiting Investment Analyst - Vorwerk Ventures | Germany - Apply Here
Innovation Program Manager - Caret Capital | India - Apply Here
New Investment Manager - Techstars | USA - Apply Here
Venture Capital Analyst - 137 Venture | USA - Apply Here
Venture Capital Partner - Iron Key | Remote - Apply Here
All-In-One VC Interview Preparation Guide: With a leading investors group, we have created an all-in-one VC interview preparation guide for aspiring VCs. Don’t miss this. (Access Here)
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