Amazon agrees to acquire DuckLabs, the Amsterdam company behind open-source database DuckDB, for an undisclosed sum; DuckDB will remain open source
THE SO WHAT
Amazon buying DuckLabs while keeping DuckDB open source is a classic move to pull a fast-growing community database closer to its cloud gravity without closing it. If you rely on DuckDB today, expect tighter AWS integrations and think through whether that deepens or diversifies your data infra dependency.
READ THE SOURCE
MORE FROM THE WIRE
Startups & VentureDeep Cogito, which develops open-weight models and helps companies build their own specialized AI models, raised a $43M Series A led by TQ Ventures
A $43M Series A for open-weight, company-specific models is more evidence that "own your weights" is becoming a serious enterprise strategy, not just an open-source talking point. If you’re heavily tied to closed APIs, at least scope what workloads would benefit from controllable, in-house models over the next 12–24 months.
Startups & VentureWhat’s driving Sweden’s startup boom, from Lovable to Legora
Lovable’s $400M raise at a $13.3B valuation in eight months, alongside Legora and Neko Health, shows Stockholm is compounding into a serious late-stage hub, especially in AI and health. If you’re hiring or partnering in Europe, Sweden belongs on your short list for senior talent and co-development, not just early-stage experimentation.
Startups & VentureFrom the Spotify Mafia to the Lovable Mafia: inside Stockholm’s founder network
A $400M round at a $13.3B valuation in eight months for Lovable — alongside Legora and Neko Health — shows Stockholm’s operator network is compounding into a real capital and talent flywheel. If you’re building in Europe, treat Stockholm as a primary hub for senior hires, co-investors, and second offices, not a peripheral scene.
Startups & VentureUK fund managers battling to run £1bn Scale-up Fund, reports say
A £1B state-backed scale-up mandate is effectively a distribution and fee prize for whoever wins it — and a signal that late-stage equity in the UK will have a politically-shaped backstop. If you’re a UK growth-stage founder, this may change which investors you prioritize now, because access to that vehicle will matter in your Series C+ pricing and follow-on certainty.