Finite vs Infinite Games♟️, AI Eats the World🤖, 1st $2T market cap IPO🚀
Another week, another pulse check on Tech.
From top insights and reports to new funds, VC jobs, resources, and the hottest deals, here’s everything you need to stay ahead 👇
this issue is brought to you by SimpleClosure:
Not every portfolio company will make it, so how it winds down especially matters.
SimpleClosure helps founders handle everything that follows the shutdown decision, from investor communications and compliance to final distributions and documents, so key relationships stay protected and the process does not turn into unnecessary mess.
In-Depth Insights 🔍
The $38 AI Stack Replacing Meeting Admin 🧠
Granola captures conversations locally while Claude turns years of calls into searchable institutional memory.
NEW IN: There’s now a 69% chance SpaceX closes day 1 of trading above a $2T market cap🚀. You can keep track of this market here. This would make Elon Musk a trillionaire. [Polymarket]
Finite vs Infinite Games in Business ♟️
Strong operators optimize for quarterly wins without sacrificing long-term durability and optionality. Short cycles drive momentum while systems, culture, and talent keep the company alive for decades. [Alfred Lin]
Anthropic Locks In $1.25B Monthly SpaceX Compute Deal 🚀
The agreement runs through 2029 and highlights how infrastructure is becoming the main bottleneck in frontier models. Training advantage increasingly comes down to capital access, energy supply, and compute availability. [Polymarket]A Claude Workflow Replicating Institutional Stock Research 🔍
Most analyst frameworks are process-driven systems built on public information and repeatable evaluation steps. The edge shifts from paying for access toward asking better questions and updating views faster than consensus.Sam Altman’s YC Credit Deal Is a Distribution Bet ⚠️
OpenAI is trading compute access for ownership while embedding itself directly into startup infrastructure stacks. The strategy mirrors cloud platform expansion where credits secure long-term dependency before revenue matures.AI Accelerated Shipping but Not Product Learning 🔄
Teams can push features faster than ever, yet most still lack disciplined feedback and iteration loops. Execution speed compounds only when paired with measurement, customer observation, and willingness to adjust direction. [Hiten Shah]What Plaintiff Lawyers Understand About AI Adoption ⚖️
Mass adoption comes from helping people win high-friction real-world problems, not from technical novelty alone.The strongest products reduce stress, save money, or increase leverage in moments where outcomes materially matter. [a16z]
📢 Want to get in front of +500k founders and investors?
For sponsorship opportunities across this newsletter and LinkedIn (300k followers), email: ruben@thevccorner.com
Interesting Reports 📊
Benedict Evans’ AI and Tech Macro Trend Archive 🤖
A decade-long timeline tracking the shift from mobile-first markets to AI-native software, platforms, and infrastructure. Used by operators and investors to frame adoption cycles, platform transitions, and where incumbents lose pricing power. [Benedict Evans]Scottish Deep Tech Report 2026 Maps a $7.9B Ecosystem 💰
Deep tech now pulls the majority of Scotland’s venture funding, led by life sciences, quantum, climate, and space. The report focuses on commercialization gaps, university spinout scaling, and capital formation beyond seed stage. [Dealoom.co]PitchBook Q3 2025 Fund Performance Signals Divergence Across Private Markets 📉
Venture returned to positive momentum on AI-related exits and valuation expansion while most asset classes lagged historical averages. Private debt stayed stable under tighter liquidity conditions, while real estate continued facing weak long-duration performance. [PitchBook]
Recently Launched Funds 💸
Lauxera Capital Partners closed Fund II at €520M to invest in healthcare, medtech, and biotech startups across Europe and North America.
Mouro Capital secured $400M from Banco Santander for its third fintech-focused venture fund.
SkyBeam Venture Partners launched a $250M early-stage fund targeting aerospace, defense, and frontier technology startups.
Veriten held the first close of Fund II at $105M to back energy and industrial technology startups.
N49P held the first close of Fund IV at $25M focused on early-stage technology investments.
VC Jobs 💼
Counterpart Ventures (San Francisco, CA): VC Associate (apply here)
Balderton Capital (London, England): VC Associate (apply here)
Merantix Capital (London, England): VC Investor (apply here)
Oyster Bay (Hamburg, Germany): Senior VC Associate (apply here)
Nova Founders Capital (Lisbon, Portugal): VC Internship (apply here)
Entrepreneurs First (San Francisco, CA): VC Investor (apply here)
Alpaca VC (New York City, NY): VC Associate (apply here)
Mighty Capital (San Francisco, CA): VC Associate (apply here)
SEAX (Remote): VC Fellowship (apply here)
APL Ventures (San Francisco, CA): Senior VC Associate (apply here)
Hottest Deals 💥
Hark raised $700M in Series A funding at a $6B valuation to accelerate growth of its next-generation platform and global expansion efforts. (read more)
Decart raised $300M in funding to expand its AI infrastructure platform and enterprise capabilities. (read more)
Radar raised $170M in Series B funding to scale its enterprise location and operational intelligence platform. (read more)
Farther raised $150M in Series D funding to expand its wealth management and fintech infrastructure platform. (read more)
Primer raised $100M in Series C funding to scale its global payment automation and commerce infrastructure platform. (read more)
VIKTOR raised $75M in Series A funding to accelerate adoption of its engineering automation and infrastructure software platform. (read more)
Commure raised $70M in funding to expand its AI-powered healthcare operating system and clinical workflow tools. (read more)
Multiverse raised $70M in primary funding to scale its AI workforce development and enterprise learning platform. (read more)
Scapia raised $63M in funding to grow its travel-focused fintech ecosystem and consumer rewards platform. (read more)
Accro Bioscience raised $50M in Series C funding to advance development of its oncology and immunotherapy pipeline. (read more)
Relay raised $50M in funding to expand its communications platform for frontline and distributed workforce teams. (read more)
SignalPlus received a $40M investment from HashKey Capital Fund to accelerate growth of its crypto trading and digital asset infrastructure platform. (read more)
Pivot raised $40M in Series B funding to scale its enterprise automation and AI workflow platform. (read more)
Bunch raised $35M in Series B funding to expand its private markets and investment operations platform. (read more)
Brami raised $33M in Series B funding to scale distribution and innovation across its healthy snack and food product lineup. (read more)
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