OpenAI explores building its own AI chips, Microsoft plans to close Activision Blizzard acquisition on 10/13
Reuters sources: OpenAI is considering building its own AI chips and has evaluated an acquisition target, in a bid to solve its AI chip shortage - Link
The Verge sources: Microsoft plans on closing its ~$69B Activision Blizzard acquisition on 10/13, as a final decision from the UK’s CMA is expected next week - Link
WSJ sources: Flexport plans to cut up to 30% of its workforce in a few weeks following a substantial revenue decline; the company last cut ~20% of staff in January - Link
The Information sources: Meta is paying millions of dollars in multiyear deals for the likeness of multiple stars for its AI chatbot personas; some notable personas include Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, MrBeast, and Charli D’Amelio - Link
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Jason breaks down Amazon’s Anthropic deal and the state of AI mega-rounds (5:29), Flexport’s growing pains through the lens of founding CEO vs. hired gun (24:58), and DoorDash’s new stealthy “Dine Out” feature (44:52). - Link
Metropolis, an LA-based startup building AI-powered parking services, raised a $1.05B Series C alongside $650M in debt to acquire SP Plus, a parking facility company - Link
Machina Labs, an LA-based AI-powered manufacturing startup, raised a $32M Series B co-led by Nvidia’s NVentures and Innovation Endeavors - Link
WSJ sources: FTX.US staffers found and reported Alameda’s backdoor internally months before the trading firm’s collapse - Link
The SEC is suing Elon Musk in an attempt to force him to testify in its investigation over his Twitter acquisition in 2022 - Link
This Week in Startups
E1823: NEWS: Anthropic targets $20B+ valuation, Flexport chaos & more!
E1822: Kayak CEO Steve Hafner of the state of travel, AI's place, hospitality trends, and more!
E1821: Microsoft’s Windows Copilot, ChatGPT multimodal, Meta’s AI chatbots
E1820: OpenAI taps Jony Ive for “iPhone for AI," FTC/Amazon + Roam Around CEO Shie Gabbai
E1819: Startup pitch competition: Jason invests $25K
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