Startups Weekly: Kicking Off 2025 with a Bang
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We’re ushering in 2025 with some remarkable developments. While the first half of the week was relatively calm, things are starting to heat up, especially with CES just around the corner. If your hardware startup plans to make an appearance, drop us a line!
- Surprise Acquisition: In a dramatic turn of events, Canadian accounting startup Bench, which faced a sudden shutdown recently, has been scooped up by HR tech company Employer.com. While the acquisition details remain under wraps, it’s a relief for Bench’s stakeholders.
- 2024’s Final Mega-Deal: St. Louis-based World Wide Technology (WWT) closed the year with a bang by acquiring Canadian IT provider Softchoice in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $1.25 billion.
- The End of an Era: French food delivery startup Epicery has ceased operations after nine years. The company, previously owned by Geopost/DPDgroup, follows the recent sale of Stuart, marking significant exits in last-mile delivery services.
- 2025’s First Major Acquisition: Thomson Reuters has made headlines by acquiring tax automation firm SafeSend for $600 million in cash, setting a high bar for deals this year.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is scrutinizing IBM’s proposed acquisition of cloud software vendor HashiCorp, echoing concerns already raised by the Federal Trade Commission.
“More liquidity in 2025, both for M&As and the public markets,” predicts Index Ventures partner Nina Achadjian regarding enterprise tech trends this year.
– TechCrunch
The new year isn’t slowing everyone down—startups outside the U.S. are hitting the ground running with fresh funding rounds:
- Culinary Expansion: Riyadh-based meal delivery service Calo raised $25 million to spread its wings beyond the Middle East, aiming to meet global demands for personalized food options.
- AI Healthcare Innovation: Brazilian startup Carecode secured a $4.3 million pre-seed round to advance AI agents in healthcare, backed by notable names like a16z and QED.
- Pioneering Federated Computing: Apheris from Germany closed an $8.25 million Series A round led by deep tech VCs eCAPITAL and OTB Ventures, pushing boundaries in AI life sciences applications.
The venture capital landscape is also buzzing with activity:
- Accel’s Ambitious Moves: With its eighth India fund raised at $650 million, Accel is intensifying its focus on rural India and expects several portfolio companies to hit the public markets this year.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Predictions
Tapping into expert foresight, twenty VCs shared their 2025 predictions with TechCrunch. From AI agents revolutionizing industries to reshaped enterprise budgets, there’s plenty of anticipation in the air. Notably, Tim De Chant from TechCrunch forecasts that climate tech will embrace AI more than ever due to escalating computing demands driving innovation for environmental sustainability.
The stage is set for an exciting year ahead as startups continue to innovate and adapt in an ever-evolving landscape. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates and insights every week!
