Major & Minor Technology Companies Making News
Major Technology Companies Making News
Google/Alphabet
Google unveiled its "AI Mode" for search and introduced Google AI Ultra, a $249.99/month subscription plan with the highest usage limits and access to their most capable AI models. At Google I/O 2025, the company announced 100 new features including Veo 3 video generation, Imagen 4, and Android XR glasses partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
Apple
Apple unveiled a $500 billion investment plan in the United States over the next four years, including building an AI server factory in Texas and creating 20,000 research and development jobs. The company launched the M4 MacBook Air on March 5 and is expected to introduce high-end M4 chips in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro later in 2025.
Microsoft
Microsoft announced plans to host Elon Musk's Grok AI model on its Azure cloud platform, enhancing the AI model's capabilities and accessibility. The company successfully created and entangled 24 logical qubits in collaboration with Atom Computing, marking a significant quantum computing breakthrough.
IBM
IBM closed its $6.4 billion acquisition of HashiCorp, strengthening its position in hybrid cloud and AI services with HashiCorp's Terraform infrastructure automation tool. The company continues to lead enterprise quantum computing with over 60 quantum systems deployed globally through its comprehensive Qiskit software platform.
Meta
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to invest up to $65 billion in artificial intelligence throughout 2025, with a significant portion allocated for completing a major AI data center in Louisiana. The company is replacing human reviewers with AI systems to assess privacy and societal risks for new features across Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
Nvidia
Nvidia unveiled its GeForce RTX 50 Series desktop and laptop GPUs powered by its new Blackwell artificial intelligence chip at CES 2025, sending stock prices rising ahead of the event. CEO Jensen Huang stated that practical quantum computing is still 15 to 30 years away, causing significant volatility in quantum computing stocks.
Tesla
Tesla will start using its humanoid Optimus robots from 2025, representing a significant step in the company's robotics ambitions. The company continues to advance its autonomous vehicle technology with new self-driving capabilities expected throughout 2025.
Amazon
Amazon leverages its dominant AWS cloud infrastructure to democratize quantum computing through Braket, offering developers access to multiple quantum hardware providers in one unified platform. The company's approach mirrors its successful cloud strategy, positioning it to become the essential infrastructure layer for quantum resources.
SAP
SAP closed its $1.5 billion acquisition of WalkMe, paying a 45% premium for the Israeli digital adoption software company. The acquisition highlights SAP's focus on helping customers get value from their enterprise applications through improved user experience.
Charter Communications
Charter announced it is acquiring Cox Communications for $34.5 billion in one of the largest cable industry mergers, significantly reshaking the MSO market. The deal focuses on Cox's fiber assets and represents a major consolidation in the telecommunications sector.
JumpCloud
JumpCloud acquired VaultOne to provide advanced privileged access management solutions for protecting critical assets like SaaS applications and cloud infrastructure. The acquisition enables partners to offer comprehensive cloud-native identity, access, and device security solutions including PAM capabilities.
Rigetti Computing
Rigetti introduced its Novera QPU, a $900,000, 9-qubit commercial quantum computer, with early buyers including Horizon Quantum Computing and the Air Force. The company completed a $100 million at-the-market equity offering in November, significantly boosting its financial position.
IonQ
IonQ develops trapped ion quantum computers offering superior qubit connectivity and fidelity, with systems available through major cloud providers. The company's stock has been volatile in 2025, down 1.2% year-to-date following Nvidia CEO's comments about quantum computing timelines.
D-Wave Quantum
D-Wave focuses on quantum annealing systems solving optimization problems for real customers today, generating actual revenue while competitors chase universal quantum computing. The company's 5,000-plus qubit Advantage systems tackle complex challenges for organizations including Volkswagen and Lockheed Martin.
Humane
Humane announced it is discontinuing its AI Pin device and selling parts of its business to HP for $116 million after the product failed to gain market traction. Existing AI Pins will function until February 28, 2025, after which cloud-dependent features will cease operation.
Minor Companies Making News - Early Stage Investment Deals in Technology
Apptronik
Austin-based robotics startup raised $350 million in funding led by B Capital and Capital Factory, with participation from Alphabet. The company develops AI-powered humanoid robots, particularly the "Apollo," designed for tasks in warehouses and manufacturing plants with CEO Jeff Cardenas anticipating significant robotics advancements throughout 2025.
Abridge
Pittsburgh-based healthcare startup raised $250 million in a funding round led by Elad Gil and IVP. The company leverages AI to analyze medical conversations and generate clinical documentation to improve healthcare workflow efficiency.
SintonAI
Spanish startup founded by Manuel Jurado Gras and Ricardo Michel Reyes offers an AI platform that assists companies in managing time and reducing costs. The company competes with third-party technologies using proprietary AI to deliver tailored solutions, contributing to the Spanish software market projected to reach nearly €5 billion by 2025.
Justpoint
Boulder, Colorado-based startup founded by CEO Victor Bornstein raised $45 million in Series A financing and secured a $50 million line of credit. The company leverages AI to analyze medical records and identify harmful drugs and chemicals, aiming to improve health outcomes by proactively detecting dangerous substances.
Felix
Chat-based platform that aids Latino immigrants in the U.S. to send money abroad raised $75 million in a Series B round. QED Investors led the round, which included participation from Monashees, Switch Ventures, Castle Island, HTwenty, General Catalyst Customer Value Fund, and Endeavor Catalyst.
Rain
Los Angeles-based startup offering an employer-integrated earned wage access (EWA) app coupled with financial wellness features raised $75 million in a Series B round. The round was led by Prosus at a post-money valuation of $340 million, focusing on overdraft alerts and spending trends.
Highnote
San Francisco-based card issuing and embedded payments company raised $90 million in a Series B round led by Adams Street Partners. The round took the company's valuation to over $750 million, according to Forbes, with participation from Oak HC/FT, Costanoa, WestCap, and Pinegrove Venture Partners.
Pacific Fusion
Silicon Valley fusion power startup secured $900 million in a Series A financing in October, representing the largest Series A round of Q4 2024. The company focuses on developing clean fusion energy technology for commercial applications.
Poolside
AI platform for writing code raised a $500 million Series B round, representing one of the largest AI coding assistant funding rounds. The company develops AI tools to assist developers in code generation and software development processes.
Physical Intelligence
Developer of foundational models with robotics applications landed a $400 million Series A round. The company focuses on creating AI systems that can understand and interact with the physical world through robotics applications.
n8n
Berlin-based workflow automation startup raised $60 million in funding led by Highland Europe, with HV Capital and previous investors Sequoia, Felicis, and Harpoon participating. Sources indicated the valuation was close to $270 million, making it one of Europe's fastest-growing automation platforms.
Mendel
Mexico City-based YC alum raised a $35 million Series B and expects to reach profitability by late 2025. The company provides financial services and payment solutions for Latin American markets, representing the growing fintech sector in the region.
Arcade
Generative AI marketplace for designing jewelry raised $25 million in Series A funding while simultaneously announcing expansion to home goods, starting with rugs. The company uses AI to enable custom design creation across multiple product categories.
Paid
New startup launched by former Outreach CEO Manny Medina has already raised $11 million in pre-seed funding. The company focuses on ensuring AI agents receive appropriate compensation for their work, addressing the emerging AI labor market.
Braintrust
Portfolio company of Greylock Partners that helps developers build and evaluate the performance of their AI apps secured a $5 million seed deal. The company landed early customers including Zapier, Coda, Airtable, and Instacart, positioning itself as a key player in AI development tools.