Startups Weekly: The Week That Shook the Tech World

Welcome to Startups Weekly — your ultimate guide to the startup universe. Want this delivered straight to your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. This week was anything but ordinary. From billion-dollar deals to legal battles, the startup ecosystem was on fire. Let’s dive in.

Deals That Made Headlines

This week reminded us that not all sales are created equal. Sometimes, the story behind the numbers is what truly matters. Here’s what went down:

• Divvy Homes: The rent-to-own startup, backed by a16z, is selling to Brookfield Properties for $1 billion. But here’s the kicker — some shareholders might not see a dime from the deal. Ouch.
• Minimalist: Hindustan Unilever is acquiring this Peak XV-backed Indian skincare startup for $342 million. That’s $42 million more than its last valuation. Talk about a glow-up!
• Metropolis: The AI-powered parking platform acquired computer vision company Oosto for a fraction of its total funding. Formerly known as AnyVision, Oosto lost backers due to its controversial surveillance tech. Tough break.

Legal Drama: Scale AI Under Fire

Scale AI, valued at $13.8 billion, is facing its third worker lawsuit this year. Contractors claim they suffered psychological harm from writing prompts about disturbing content. A spokesperson for Scale AI said they have “numerous safeguards in place.” But is that enough?

Series B Rounds That Broke the Mold

This week’s Series B rounds were anything but ordinary. Some were so massive, they put Series C rounds to shame. Here’s the breakdown:

• Neko Health: The Swedish body-scanning startup, co-founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek, raised a jaw-dropping $260 million Series B at a $1.8 billion valuation. Fun fact: “Neko” means “cat” in Japanese. Meow!
• Lindus Health: Backed by Peter Thiel and Creandum, this startup secured $55 million to “fix the broken clinical trial industry.” They’re also moving their HQ from the U.K. to the U.S. Big moves!
• Ati Motors: This Indian-based robotics startup raised $20 million to expand internationally. With the U.S. already dominating its revenues, Ati Motors is poised to capitalize on the demand for robotics made outside China.

AI and Crypto: The Hotspots of 2025

AI is still red hot, but not all subsectors are created equal. According to a TechCrunch survey of 20 enterprise VCs, the focus is on companies, not features. Meanwhile, crypto is making a comeback. AngelList and CoinList teamed up to launch crypto SPVs and roll-up vehicles, allowing founders to raise capital using crypto coins. The future is here, folks.

“In the world of startups, the only constant is change. This week proved that big deals, legal battles, and groundbreaking innovations are what keep the ecosystem alive.”

— Startups Weekly

Final Thoughts

This week was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, proving once again that the startup world is never boring. From unicorn-sized Series B rounds to legal clashes, the stakes are higher than ever. Stay tuned for next week’s recap — it’s bound to be just as explosive.