Neko Health Raises Massive Series B Funding

Startups Weekly: A Recap of Recent Events

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A Busy Week Despite the Holiday

The week commenced with a national holiday in the United States, initially suggesting a slower pace. However, Inauguration Day proved to be a significant event for many founders, and the subsequent days delivered a substantial volume of startup-related news.

Despite expectations of a quiet start, the startup world remained active and dynamic.

Key Highlights of the Week

• Inauguration Day activities engaged numerous startup leaders.
• A considerable amount of startup news emerged in the days following the holiday.

Startups continued to navigate a complex landscape, demonstrating resilience and innovation.

The week’s events underscore the constant evolution and vibrancy of the startup community.

Notable Startup Developments of the Week

The past week highlighted the importance of evaluating factors beyond mere financial figures in assessing a company’s value. Additionally, a prominent AI firm encountered legal challenges.

Divvy Homes Acquisition: Divvy Homes, a rent-to-own company with backing from a16z, has been acquired by a Brookfield Properties division for approximately $1 billion. Despite the acquisition, some investors may not realize any financial return.

Minimalist Skincare Acquired: Hindustan Unilever, a major consumer goods corporation, has reached an agreement to purchase Minimalist, an Indian skincare startup supported by Peak XV, for around $342 million. This figure exceeds the $300 million valuation the startup was aiming for during a previous funding round last year.

Significant Valuation Adjustment for Metropolis

Metropolis and Oosto Deal: Metropolis, an AI-driven parking solution, has acquired computer vision firm Oosto at a price considerably lower than the total amount Oosto previously raised. Previously operating as AnyVision, the company faced scrutiny and lost investors due to concerns about its technology’s use in contentious surveillance practices.

Scale AI Faces Lawsuit: Scale AI, which was valued at $13.8 billion in the previous year, is currently dealing with its third lawsuit filed by workers in 2025. The contractors allege they experienced psychological distress as a result of creating prompts involving disturbing material. A representative from Scale AI stated that the company maintains “extensive safety measures.”

• Key Takeaway: The week’s events demonstrate that a high valuation does not always guarantee a successful exit or a positive outcome for all stakeholders.

Investor Caution Advised: These stories underscore the need for thorough due diligence and a comprehensive understanding of a company’s operations and potential risks before making investment decisions.

Notable Venture Capital and Funding Developments This Week

Recent Series B funding announcements demonstrated significant variation in investment amounts. In some instances, these exceeded the values seen in Series C rounds.

For companies not yet prepared for an initial public offering, further funding stages beyond traditional letters remain available.

Late-Stage Funding Rounds

Databricks, a data analytics platform, completed a $10 billion Series J equity funding round. This valuation reached $62 billion, accompanied by an additional $5.25 billion in debt financing. Meta participated as a strategic investor in this round.

Neko Health, a Swedish startup specializing in body scanning and co-founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek, secured $260 million in a Series B round. The company, whose name translates to “cat” in Japanese, now boasts a post-money valuation of $1.8 billion.

Expanding Operations and Addressing Industry Challenges

Lindus Health, a startup with backing from Peter Thiel and Creandum, is relocating its headquarters from the U.K. to the U.S. They successfully raised $55 million in a Series B round. This funding will be used to address inefficiencies within the clinical trial industry.

Vertice, an AI-driven SaaS platform for spend management, raised $50 million in a Series C round. Lakestar led the investment, with the company’s valuation approaching $500 million.

Global Expansion and Emerging Markets

Ati Motors, an Indian startup focused on autonomous mobile robots, secured $20 million in a Series B round. The funding will support international growth initiatives. Currently, the U.S. market generates the majority of Ati’s revenue, and the company anticipates increased demand for robotics production outside of China.

Crypto and Alternative Funding Models

Leveraging the resurgence of cryptocurrency, AngelList and CoinList have collaborated to introduce crypto special purpose vehicles. These vehicles, along with crypto roll-up vehicles, will enable crypto founders to raise capital utilizing cryptocurrency coins.

A Significant Funding Round

Artificial intelligence continues to attract substantial investment, yet venture capitalists demonstrate preferences for specific areas within the field. Recent research conducted by TechCrunch, based on a survey of 20 enterprise VCs, reveals key insights into their investment priorities for this year.

Focus on Complete Companies

The survey indicates a shift in focus from individual AI features to companies offering comprehensive solutions. VCs are increasingly interested in backing businesses that represent complete entities, rather than simply technological components.

This suggests a desire for ventures with established business models and clear paths to market leadership. Investors are prioritizing the overall viability and scalability of AI startups.

• VCs are showing a preference for complete AI companies.
• Investment is shifting away from isolated AI features.
• The focus is on businesses with strong market potential.

The findings highlight a strategic move towards supporting AI ventures capable of delivering holistic value, rather than those focused solely on narrow technological advancements.