Top Startup and Tech Funding News – February 12, 2025

It’s Thursday, February 12, 2026, and we’re back with today’s top startup and tech funding news. Today’s deals reflect surging investor demand for enterprise-grade AI, foundational security infrastructure, and intelligent automation across physical and digital systems. As AI scales from the cloud to the edge, funding is flowing into startups that tackle trust, observability, and autonomy at every layer of the stack.

Mid-stage and early-stage rounds highlighted rapid investment in AI-native platforms for behavior prediction, procurement automation, real-world robotics, and biotech design. Simile raised $100 million to simulate human decision-making for enterprise applications, while Didero and Keychain secured $30 million each to streamline supply chain operations. Newo landed $25 million to bring AI receptionists to small businesses, and Galux closed $29 million to scale de novo protein drug design using generative models.

Late-stage and strategic funding was dominated by Anthropic’s record-shattering $30 billion Series G round, propelling its Claude AI systems to a $380 billion valuation. The raise cements Anthropic’s role in the escalating race for foundation model dominance and signals deep-pocketed conviction from tech giants and global investors backing core AI infrastructure at scale.

Tech Funding News

Funding Highlights

• Anthropic raises $30B Series G to scale Claude AI at $380B valuation
• Simile raises $100M Series A for predictive behavior modeling
• WitnessAI raises $58M Series A for enterprise AI security governance
• Ever raises $31M Series A for AI-powered EV marketplace
• Keychain raises $30M Series B for CPG supply chain orchestration
• Didero lands $30M Series A to automate manufacturing procurement
• Galux closes $29M Series B for AI-driven protein drug design
• Newo announces $25M Series A for AI voice receptionists
• Sapiom raises $15M seed to power AI agents with financial infrastructure
• Stanhope AI raises $8M seed to bring brain-inspired AI to real-world systems

Investor Activity

Today’s rounds attracted top-tier venture firms, strategic investors, and deep-tech specialists across continents. Notable participants included Microsoft, Nvidia, Accel, Index Ventures, GIC, Coatue, and Sound Ventures, reflecting global interest in platforms driving operational intelligence, autonomy, and agentic finance. From frontier models to domain-specific orchestration, these startups are building the infrastructure to support AI at a planetary scale.

Anthropic Raises $30B Series G Funding to Scale Claude AI at $380B Valuation

Generative AI leader Anthropic has secured a massive $30 billion Series G funding round to accelerate the development of its Claude AI systems. The raise sets a $380 billion post-money valuation for the San Francisco-based startup, making it one of the highest-valued AI companies globally. Anthropic’s revenue run-rate now exceeds $14 billion, and the company plans to channel the new capital into frontier AI research, expanded infrastructure, and enterprise product development. This outsized round – the largest venture deal of 2026 so far – underscores investors’ confidence in Anthropic’s approach as it races against rival OpenAI in the generative AI space.

The financing was led by Singapore’s GIC and Coatue, with substantial co-investment from D.E. Shaw, Dragoneer, Founders Fund, Iconiq Capital, and MGX. Tech giants Microsoft and Nvidia also participated, following earlier strategic investments. With this round, Anthropic has raised nearly $64 billion since its 2021 inception. The funding positions Anthropic to scale Claude’s capabilities and reliability for its growing base of enterprise customers, and it comes amid reports that both Anthropic and OpenAI are weighing IPO timelines after achieving unprecedented private-market valuations.

• Startup: Anthropic

• Investors: GIC, Coatue (leads); D.E. Shaw, Dragoneer, Founders Fund, Iconiq, MGX; plus existing strategic backers Microsoft and Nvidia

• Amount Raised: $30 B

• Total Raised: ~$64 B

• Funding Stage: Series G

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Simile Raises $100M in Series A Funding for AI That Predicts Human Behavior

Simile, an AI startup emerging from stealth, has raised $100 million in new funding to develop technology that can predict human behavior. The company’s AI model is trained on extensive interviews and real-world data to simulate how people make decisions, from which products a consumer might buy next to which questions an analyst might ask on an earnings call. Simile’s approach aims to give businesses a new window into consumer preferences and decision-making, potentially offering an alternative to traditional focus groups. The fresh capital will help the San Francisco-based startup accelerate product development and scale its “behavioral simulation” platform for enterprise clients.

The Series A round was led by Index Ventures, with participation from Bain Capital Ventures, A* Capital, and Hanabi Capital. Notably, AI luminaries Fei-Fei Li and Andrej Karpathy also backed the round, signaling strong conviction in Simile’s vision. The company did not disclose its valuation, but this large first round underscores the strategic importance investors place on predictive AI models. Early traction includes a pilot with CVS Health, which is testing Simile’s system to optimize product stocking decisions based on simulated customer behavior. By capturing the nuances of human choice, Simile’s technology could help companies anticipate needs and trends in a way not possible with standard AI analytics.

• Startup: Simile

• Investors: Index Ventures (lead); Bain Capital Ventures; A* Capital; Hanabi Capital; angel investors Fei-Fei Li, Andrej Karpathy

• Amount Raised: $100 M

• Total Raised: $100 M

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

WitnessAI Raises $58M in Funding to Expand Enterprise AI Security and Governance Platform

Mountain View–based WitnessAI has closed $58 million in new funding to scale its enterprise AI security and governance platform. Founded in 2023 by veteran security executives, WitnessAI provides tools that help companies monitor and control how AI agents and large language models interact with sensitive data and systems. Its software offers oversight and “observability” for AI workflows, helping organizations enforce policies and detect anomalies as AI is integrated into business processes. With AI adoption surging, WitnessAI addresses a critical need for trust and safety infrastructure in large enterprises, making this a timely strategic investment.

The funding was led by Sound Ventures, the venture firm co-founded by Ashton Kutcher, with participation from Qualcomm Ventures, Samsung Ventures, Fin Capital, and Forgepoint Capital. WitnessAI will use the capital to expand globally and accelerate product development of its governance platform. Investors highlighted that as AI systems scale in business, tools like WitnessAI’s become essential for managing risk and compliance. The company’s focus on simplifying AI oversight – providing a unified dashboard to track AI agent decisions and data flows – positions it as a key enabler for organizations aiming to deploy AI at scale without compromising on security or control.

• Startup: WitnessAI

• Investors: Sound Ventures (lead); Fin Capital; Qualcomm Ventures; Samsung Ventures; Forgepoint Capital

• Amount Raised: $58 M

• Total Raised: $58 M

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Ever Raises $31M in Series A Funding to Scale AI-Driven EV Marketplace

Ever, an online marketplace for electric vehicles, has raised $31 million in Series A funding to accelerate its growth. The Austin-based startup operates what it calls an “AI-native, full-stack auto retail” platform exclusively for EVs, connecting used EV buyers and sellers through a streamlined digital experience. Ever’s platform handles the complex workflows of EV transactions – from vehicle appraisal and pricing to titling and logistics – with extensive automation and AI. By building its system from the ground up for electric vehicles, Ever aims to modernize the car retail process, much like Carvana did, but with an AI twist tailored to EVs’ unique characteristics.

The round was led by Eclipse, a leading venture firm in industrial and automotive technology. Co-investors include Ibex Investors, Finland’s Lifeline Ventures, and JIMCO – the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s Jameel family (early backers of Rivian). Ever has already facilitated thousands of EV sales on its platform, and the new funding will help it scale operations and expand to new markets. Investors are betting that as EV adoption surges, there will be demand for a specialized marketplace to simplify used EV transactions. Ever’s approach of using AI to orchestrate every step (rather than bolting on simple AI tools) could give it an edge in delivering a smoother, more efficient buying experience in the electric era.

• Startup: Ever

• Investors: Eclipse (lead); Ibex Investors; Lifeline Ventures; JIMCO (Abdul Latif Jameel Investment)

• Amount Raised: $31 M

• Total Raised: $31 M

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Keychain Raises $30M in Series B Funding to Streamline CPG Supply Chain Platform

New York-based Keychain has secured $30 million in Series B funding to advance its AI-powered platform for consumer packaged goods (CPG) supply chains. Keychain connects brands with packaging and raw material suppliers, acting as an operating system to coordinate manufacturing logistics. By digitizing and optimizing procurement and production processes, the platform helps CPG companies and their suppliers reduce friction, prevent delays, and respond more quickly to changes in demand. In an industry often reliant on spreadsheets and emails, Keychain’s end-to-end system brings much-needed efficiency to product manufacturing and delivery.

The Series B was led by Wellington Management and BoxGroup, signaling interest from both a large institutional investor and an early-stage tech backer. The company hasn’t publicly detailed other participants, but the round’s size indicates strong support. Keychain plans to use the capital to grow its network of suppliers and brands, enhance its AI-driven forecasting and scheduling tools, and expand into new segments of the CPG market. The investment underscores a broader trend of applying advanced software to “bedrock” supply chain operations. For global brands and manufacturers, even marginal improvements in coordination and lead times can translate to significant cost savings and competitive advantage – and Keychain aims to deliver far more than marginal gains.

• Startup: Keychain

• Investors: Wellington Management (lead); BoxGroup (lead); additional investors undisclosed

• Amount Raised: $30 M

• Total Raised: $30 M+

• Funding Stage: Series B

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Didero Lands $30M in Series A Funding to Automate Manufacturing Procurement

Didero, a startup automating procurement for manufacturers, has landed $30 million in Series A funding to put supply sourcing on “agentic” autopilot. Based in London and New York, Didero’s platform uses generative AI agents to streamline the complex process of finding suppliers, negotiating prices, tracking orders, and managing paperwork for manufacturing and distribution. Global procurement is notoriously labor-intensive – reliant on emails, phone calls, and spreadsheets across time zones. Didero’s AI reads incoming communications (such as purchase orders and shipping updates) and automatically updates systems or takes action, enabling companies to move from placing an order to final payment with minimal human intervention.

The Series A was co-led by Chemistry Ventures and Headline, with participation from Microsoft’s M12 fund. Didero’s founding team includes veterans from McKinsey’s supply chain practice and successful e-commerce ventures, lending deep domain expertise. With the new funding, the company will expand its engineering team and engage in more pilot projects with large manufacturers and distributors. Investors see parallels with other enterprise functions being transformed by AI and view Didero as positioned to modernize how physical goods are sourced and purchased. As supply chain resilience becomes a boardroom priority post-pandemic, Didero’s technology offers a path to more responsive and efficient manufacturing operations.

• Startup: Didero

• Investors: Chemistry Ventures (co-lead); Headline (co-lead); M12 (Microsoft’s venture fund)

• Amount Raised: $30 M

• Total Raised: $30 M

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Galux Closes $29M in Series B Funding for AI-Driven Protein Drug Design

Seoul-based Galux has closed a $29 million Series B round to advance its AI-driven protein design platform for drug discovery. The biotech startup uses deep learning models and lab validation to create new therapeutic proteins, such as antibodies, from scratch (“de novo” design). Galux’s AI platform, GaluxDesign, has already demonstrated the ability to generate antibody candidates that closely match real-world experimental structures, demonstrating its accuracy. The fresh funding will enable Galux to expand its R&D infrastructure, accelerate preclinical testing of its AI-designed drug candidates, and extend its technology to even more challenging targets, such as GPCRs and ion channels.

The Series B brings Galux’s total funding to $47 million to date. Investors in this round include a mix of returning backers and new supporters. InterVest, DAYLI Partners, and PATHWAY Investment – which led the startup’s earlier rounds – joined again, alongside new investors Yuanta Investment, Korea Development Bank, SL Investment, NCORE Ventures, SneakPeek Investments, and major securities firms Korea Investment & Securities and Mirae Asset. Galux has also inked partnerships with industry players: it co-develops drug candidates with Celltrion and LG Chem, and recently partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim to expand its platform globally. The funding signals strong confidence in the convergence of AI and biotechnology, as Galux works to revolutionize how new medicines are discovered by designing proteins that traditional methods cannot readily identify.

• Startup: Galux

• Investors: InterVest, DAYLI Partners, PATHWAY (existing); Yuanta Investment; Korea Development Bank; SL Investment; NCORE Ventures; SneakPeek; Korea Investment & Securities; Mirae Asset Securities

• Amount Raised: $29 M

• Total Raised: $47 M

• Funding Stage: Series B

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Newo Announces $25M in Series A Funding to Scale AI Voice Infrastructure for SMBs

Newo has announced a $25 million Series A led by entrepreneur-investor Ratmir Timashev to expand its AI-powered voice assistant platform for small businesses. The Bay Area startup provides “AI receptionists” – virtual agents that answer phone calls and messages for client businesses around the clock. Newo’s agents can handle customer inquiries, make bookings, route calls, and capture leads via phone, SMS, web chat, or WhatsApp, helping businesses avoid missed calls and lost sales. With over 15,000 of its AI agents already deployed through channel partners, Newo is tackling a major pain point: small businesses often miss 20–40% of calls due to limited staff or after-hours, and each missed connection can mean lost revenue.

The Series A funding, which brings Newo’s total financing to roughly $32 million, was led by Timashev (co-founder of Veeam Software) and included participation from investors such as Aloniq, Constructor, Acrobator, and S16VC. Newo plans to use the capital to accelerate product development in AI voice tech and grow its go-to-market via reseller partnerships. The startup emphasizes building reliable, human-like voice AI that works in real-world conditions – noisy lines, varied accents, and all – moving beyond demo concepts to a scalable service. As automation becomes accessible to smaller enterprises, Newo is positioning itself as the core infrastructure for how local businesses handle customer interactions and capture demand in an always-on world.

• Startup: Newo

• Investors: Ratmir Timashev (lead); Aloniq; Constructor; Acrobator; s16vc

• Amount Raised: $25 M

• Total Raised: ~$32 M

• Funding Stage: Series A

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Sapiom Raises $15M in Seed Funding to Build Financial Infrastructure for AI Agents

Sapiom, a San Francisco startup, has raised a $15 million seed round to develop a financial infrastructure layer for AI agents. Founded by former Shopify engineering lead Ilan Zerbib, Sapiom is building software that allows autonomous AI systems to securely transact – purchasing APIs, software subscriptions, data access, and even cloud compute on the fly. As AI “agent” applications proliferate, they’ll need ways to pay for services and handle credentials without direct human involvement. Sapiom’s platform tackles this by managing authentication, micro-payments, and compliance in the background, so that agent-driven processes can move at machine speed while remaining secure and within budget controls.

The seed funding was led by Accel, with an impressive roster of strategic investors: Okta Ventures (identity management), Gradient Ventures (Google’s AI fund), Array Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Anthropic, and Coinbase Ventures all joined the round. This breadth of backers underscores the perceived opportunity at the intersection of AI and fintech. Accel partner Amit Kumar noted that Sapiom could fill a critical gap in enterprise AI adoption – enabling trusted autonomous transactions. The new funding will go toward expanding Sapiom’s engineering team and launching pilot integrations with early customers. In a world where software agents may soon perform routine tasks, Sapiom is positioning itself as the trust layer that lets those agents “move fast” securely, by giving them wallets and keys to navigate online services on behalf of their users.

• Startup: Sapiom

• Investors: Accel (lead); Okta Ventures; Gradient Ventures; Array Ventures; Menlo Ventures; Anthropic; Coinbase Ventures

• Amount Raised: $15 M

• Total Raised: $15 M

• Funding Stage: Seed

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Stanhope AI Raises $8M in Seed Funding to Bring Brain-Inspired AI to the Physical World

London-based Stanhope AI has raised an $8 million seed round to develop brain-inspired “Real World AI” systems that can adapt on the fly in physical environments. Co-founded by neuroscientists from University College London, including Professor Karl Friston of “free energy principle” fame, Stanhope is pioneering an AI model that moves beyond large language models to something more akin to a constantly learning brain. The startup’s Active Inference approach allows AI to perceive and act continuously, adjusting to uncertainty and change in real time. This technology is already being tested in autonomous drones and robotics, teaching machines to handle unpredictable real-world conditions with minimal human input.

The seed round was led by Frontline Ventures, with participation from Paladin Capital Group and Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, and followed by follow-on investments from UCL Technology Fund and MMC Ventures. It’s a significant cross-Atlantic show of support for such an early-stage deep tech company. The funding will help Stanhope AI refine its models and expand pilot deployments across sectors such as defense, industrial automation, and edge computing. As the AI field looks to the next frontier – enabling autonomy and intelligence outside of cloud data centers – Stanhope’s approach could be transformative. Its “Real World Model” aims to give machines a form of agency and understanding of context, which investors believe is key to unlocking the next generation of AI applications beyond the chatbot and search use cases.

• Startup: Stanhope AI

• Investors: Frontline Ventures (lead); Paladin Capital Group; Auxxo Female Catalyst; UCL Technology Fund; MMC Ventures

• Amount Raised: $8 M

• Total Raised: $8 M

• Funding Stage: Seed

• Funding Date: Feb 12, 2026

Tech Funding Summary (Feb 12, 2026)