Trump Jr.’s 1789 Capital in Talks to Raise $3 Billion in New Funds
THE SO WHAT
A $3 billion target for a second growth fund is another data point that late-stage private capital is back for larger startup bets. Founders at Series C and beyond should expect more term sheet competition — but also more scrutiny on real unit economics, not just AI narrative.
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MORE FROM THE WIRE
Startups & VentureVC firm Bessemer now has another $5.75B to invest in (what else?) AI
Another $5.75B earmarked for AI from a top-tier VC means capital is still over-supplied relative to proven business models. Founders should expect aggressive term sheets but harsher scrutiny on defensibility — infra, data moats, and real unit economics — as funds try not to be the last money into me-too plays.
Startups & VentureEnveda secures $311M to bring more nature-derived AI drugs into clinical trials
A $311 million round at a $2 billion valuation for AI-guided, nature-derived drugs shows investors are backing full-stack biotech, not just model vendors. Pharma and health systems should treat these players as future pipeline partners and start mapping overlap in indications now.
Startups & VentureBessemer: Anthropic Has Been Consistent on AI Safety
A $5.75 billion raise with $4 billion earmarked for growth says late-stage AI capital is consolidating into a few funds that can keep companies private longer. If you’re building in the AI stack, assume more time competing with well-funded private peers before public-market discipline kicks in.
Startups & VenturePalantir’s stock is heading for its highest close of the year, in a dramatic comeback
Palantir’s rally on the back of ‘real-world AI boom’ narratives shows public markets are rewarding concrete deployment stories over abstract model talk. If you’re an enterprise AI vendor, tighten your messaging around specific wins, verticals, and unit economics—not just capabilities.