📁 Market

Despite another record-setting quarter, TSMC expresses concern about a potential speculative bubble in the artificial intelligence sector. The company anticipates continuous revenue growth from 2026 onwards, but emphasizes the importance of careful investments, planning capital expenditures between $52 and $56 billion.

The Trump administration has introduced a 25% tariff on the export of chips, including the Nvidia H200 and AMD MI325X models. This protectionist move could have significant repercussions on the global semiconductor market, affecting the supply chain and costs for manufacturers and consumers. The tariff may increase in the future, adding further uncertainty to the sector.

OpenAI is participating in a $250 million seed round into Merge Labs, Sam Altman's brain computer interface startup. The startup is valued at $850 million.

German startup Parloa, which develops AI voice agents for call centers, has raised $350 million in a Series D funding round. The round has tripled its valuation to $3 billion in just seven months. The funds will be used for global expansion, with a focus on the US and Europe. Parloa's customer base includes Allianz, Booking.com and SAP.

Startup Parloa has tripled its valuation in just eight months, reaching $3 billion thanks to a new $350 million funding round. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from other returning backers.

Cyprus-based AINA has raised $1 million in seed funding to expand its AI-driven hiring platform. The platform aims to improve hiring efficiency and reduce recruitment costs. It offers tools for both employers and candidates, automating repetitive tasks and providing actionable insights for more precise candidate screening.

Samsung is focusing on artificial intelligence and connected home solutions to strengthen its position in the Indian market. The South Korean company sees these sectors as a significant opportunity to expand its business and attract new consumers, amid growing demand for innovative and personalized technologies for daily life.

According to Digitimes, TSMC justifies its record investments and long-term risk-taking with the strong demand for artificial intelligence solutions. The Taiwanese company, a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, continues to bet on the expansion of the AI market, despite the challenges and uncertainties of the sector.

In Southeast Asia, hybrid cars are outselling electric vehicles due to infrastructural gaps. Despite ambitious government targets for charging stations, automakers are investing in long-range hybrids. Consumers remain cautious about the reliability of EV infrastructure, preferring hybrid solutions. China, with a more developed charging network, leads the EV market, while Southeast Asia needs to accelerate deployment to meet its goals.

A group of investors has filed a class action lawsuit against Oracle, alleging that it made misleading statements during an $18 billion bond offering. The lawsuit claims that these statements resulted in potential losses of $1.3 billion.

WhatsApp is allowing AI providers to continue offering their chatbots to users in Brazil, days after the country's competition agency ordered the company to suspend its new policy that bars third-party, general-purpose chatbots from the app.

Cloudflare is threatening to leave Italy after being fined $16 million by AGCOM for allegedly failing to comply with anti-piracy regulations. The company is considering ceasing operations in Italy following the sanction, deeming the requirements excessive and disproportionate.

A new report maps South Korea's artificial intelligence sector, identifying key players, top investors, and funding trends. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly expanding Korean AI ecosystem, useful for understanding market dynamics and investment opportunities.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen are establishing a white list for data transfers as part of an overarching effort to forge closer cross-border ties. Policymakers and business leaders see this initiative as essential to unlocking opportunities in artificial intelligence and fintech in the region, facilitating the exchange of sensitive data.

The Philippines will allow Chinese nationals to enter the country without a visa for up to two weeks. The visa-waiver program, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, aims to boost tourism and business. The program applies only to those entering via Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu.

London-based Cyb3r Operations has raised £4 million in a round led by Octopus Ventures. The goal is to provide organizations with continuous visibility into third-party cyber risks, addressing vulnerabilities in supply chains and digital ecosystems. The funding will support platform expansion and further development of threat intelligence capabilities.

Munich-based startup Lytra has completed its pre-seed financing round, led by High-Tech Gründerfonds, to expand its AI-driven platform for manufacturing service automation. Lytra's solution aims to optimize processes such as spare parts ordering, technician scheduling, and technical support, with the goal of transforming after-sales service into a scalable revenue driver for manufacturing companies.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has allocated up to €736 million to the BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Copenhagen. The aim is to expand BII's activities into new strategic areas and support more startups, strengthening innovation in Denmark and Europe in the life science and deep tech sectors. The funding will support projects with up to €3 million and startups with up to €1.8 million.

Ukrainian-born edtech startup Headway Inc has raised Series A extension funding from Endeavor Catalyst. The investment exceeds Endeavor Catalyst's typical allocation, marking a significant moment for the Ukrainian ecosystem and expanding the global network of investors supporting Ukrainian scale-ups. Headway Inc has over 160 million users globally and focuses on personalized learning for adults.

Belgian cybersecurity startup Aikido Security has reached a valuation of $1 billion, becoming a European "unicorn". The company closed a $60 million Series B funding round, led by DST Global, with participation from PSG Equity, Notion Capital, and Singular. Founded in 2022, Aikido Security has reached this milestone in just three years, a record in the cybersecurity sector in Europe. The new capital will be used to accelerate the growth and innovation of the platform.