From major funding rounds and small business wins to market rallies and breakthrough tech, here’s your essential roundup of the week’s top business and economic news from the US and Canada.
1. US and China Slash Tariffs, Fueling Market Rally
The US and China agreed to temporarily reduce tariff rates, sparking a strong rally in US stock markets. The S&P 500 climbed for a fourth straight session, with the Nasdaq Composite up 6.8% and the S&P 500 rising 4.11% this week. Technology giants like Nvidia and Tesla surged over 16%, while Meta gained 11.3%. This move is expected to ease supply chain pressures and benefit both large corporations and small manufacturers who rely on imported components.
2. Inflation Slows, Boosting Economic Optimism
April’s consumer inflation data showed prices rising at a slower-than-expected pace, with core inflation (excluding food and energy) up just 0.2%. This positive surprise has improved investor sentiment and suggests that the Federal Reserve may hold off on further interest rate hikes. Stable inflation is especially good news for small businesses and startups struggling with rising costs.
3. Rippling Secures $450 Million at $16.8 Billion Valuation
HR and IT automation leader Rippling closed a massive $450 million Series G funding round, pushing its valuation to $16.8 billion. This funding will help Rippling expand its suite of automation tools for businesses of all sizes, further cementing its role as a key player in the future of workplace technology.
4. Quantum Leap: Classiq Raises $110 Million
Quantum software startup Classiq raised $110 million in a mid-stage round, bringing its total funding to $173 million. The company is building essential software for real-world quantum applications and is partnering with giants like Microsoft and Nvidia. This investment signals growing confidence in quantum computing’s commercial potential.
5. Stash Bags $146 Million to Expand AI-Powered Finance
Personal finance platform Stash raised $146 million in Series H funding to accelerate innovation and growth. Stash, which serves over 1 million users, recently launched an AI-driven “Money Coach” to offer personalized financial advice, aiming to make investing and saving more accessible for everyday Americans.
6. Small Businesses Eye Opportunity Amid Tariffs
While tariffs typically raise costs, some US small businesses-especially those producing goods domestically-are seeing new opportunities. Companies like Faribault Mill, which manufactures wool blankets entirely in the US, are experiencing increased demand as buyers look for “Made in America” alternatives.
7. Dinari Raises $12.7 Million for Tokenized Equity Platform
Dinari, a Palo Alto-based startup, secured $12.7 million in Series A funding to expand its platform for trading tokenized shares of real-world assets. Dinari’s API lets fintechs and neobanks offer fractional shares of US equities on-chain, bridging traditional stocks with digital finance.
8. StackAI Secures $16 Million for No-Code AI Agents
StackAI, a San Francisco startup, raised $16 million in Series A funding to democratize AI automation. Its no-code platform allows businesses to build custom AI workflows without technical expertise, making advanced automation accessible to small companies and startups.
9. Theom Raises $20 Million for AI-Native Data Security
San Jose-based Theom closed a $20 million Series A round for its AI-powered data security platform. Theom’s technology helps enterprises automate data governance and protect sensitive information across cloud and SaaS environments, addressing rising cybersecurity concerns.
10. Amilia Raises $35 Million to Digitize Community Services
Montreal’s Amilia, which provides digital solutions for community organizations, raised $35 million in growth funding. The investment will help Amilia expand its platform for managing memberships, classes, and payments, supporting local businesses and nonprofits across North America.
11. mPower Technology Secures $21 Million for Space Solar
Albuquerque-based mPower Technology raised over $21 million in Series B funding for its flexible solar panels designed for space applications. Its DragonSCALES technology is attracting major aerospace clients, and the funding will boost production capacity for next-generation solar solutions.
12. Koala Health Raises $20 Million for Digital Pet Care
Boston’s Koala Health closed a $20 million Series B round to expand its mobile-first pharmacy and veterinary care platform. The service enables veterinarians and pet owners in all 50 states to manage prescriptions and chronic pet medications digitally, reflecting the growing pet health market.
13. Fastino Raises $17.5 Million for Enterprise AI Models
Fastino, a Palo Alto startup, raised $17.5 million in seed funding for its task-optimized language models (TLMs). The company’s technology delivers fast, efficient AI inference for enterprise applications, aiming to make advanced AI more accessible and cost-effective.
14. RockSolidProtocol Raises $16 Million for Asset Tokenization
Zurich-based RockSolidProtocol raised $16 million in a presale ahead of its blockchain testnet launch. The platform enables fractional ownership and staking rewards for real-world assets, preparing to bring tokenized physical assets into the crypto ecosystem.
15. CueZen Raises $5 Million for Personalized Health AI
Seattle’s CueZen raised $5 million in seed funding to expand its AI-driven health engagement platform. CueZen helps healthcare providers personalize digital experiences and boost patient adherence through tailored coaching, leveraging AI for better health outcomes.
16. Kind Designs Raises $5 Million for Climate Tech
Miami’s Kind Designs secured $5 million in a seed round at a $30 million valuation. The startup creates sustainable, 3D-printed seawalls and tiles to protect coastal areas from flooding, addressing the urgent need for climate resilience in vulnerable communities.
17. Una Software Raises $4.4 Million for AI Financial Planning
Toronto-based Una Software raised $4.4 million in seed funding to develop its AI-powered financial planning and analysis tools. Una’s platform helps businesses shift from reactive reporting to proactive decision-making, supporting better outcomes for small and medium-sized enterprises.
18. Operand Raises $3.1 Million for AI Consulting in Retail
San Francisco’s Operand raised $3.1 million in seed funding for its AI-enabled consulting platform. Operand is building AI “agents” to automate and scale management consulting tasks for retail brands, starting with pricing strategy, making high-level insights more accessible to smaller players.
19. Sonic Labs Secures $10 Million for DeFi Expansion
Cayman Islands-based Sonic Labs announced a $10 million strategic investment from Galaxy Digital to expand its DeFi infrastructure in the US. The partnership will help Sonic Labs grow its high-performance blockchain ecosystem and bridge traditional finance with decentralized finance.
20. Upscale AI Raises $5.5 Million for AI-Driven Video Ads
San Francisco’s Upscale AI raised $5.5 million across pre-seed and seed rounds to develop an AI-driven video ad platform. The startup uses artificial intelligence to create and optimize video ads, helping businesses of all sizes improve their digital marketing effectiveness.
Key Trends and Insights
- Tech Funding Remains Robust: Despite economic uncertainties, investors are pouring billions into AI, quantum computing, and fintech startups, signaling strong confidence in North America’s innovation ecosystem.
- Small Business Resilience: Tariff changes and inflation trends are creating both challenges and opportunities for small businesses, with many adapting quickly to shifting market conditions.
- AI and Automation Dominate: From financial planning to pet care and retail consulting, AI-driven startups are transforming traditional industries and making advanced technologies more accessible.
- Sustainability and Climate Tech: Startups like Kind Designs are attracting significant investment to tackle climate change, reflecting growing demand for sustainable solutions.
For more insights and updates on global business trends, visit www.nextbusiness24.com
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