Consumer Electronics

Google has launched the AI Futures Fund, a strategic initiative designed to empower startups working in artificial intelligence. The fund provides early access to cutting-edge models from Google DeepMind, such as Gemini (for advanced reasoning), Imagen (image generation), and Veo (video generation). These tools give startups a technological edge in developing their AI solutions. In addition to product access, the AI Futures Fund makes direct equity investments in selected startups. Beneficiaries also receive generous Google Cloud credits and hands-on mentorship from Google’s experts in AI research, engineering, and business development. This holistic support model is aimed at helping startups quickly iterate, scale, and go to market. The fund accepts applications on a rolling basis, without fixed deadlines. By offering capital, infrastructure, and deep expertise, Google aims to accelerate the development of transformative AI applications across a broad range of industries.

Matter Venture Partners has raised a $300 million first fund with a focus on ""hard tech"" investments. The fund aims to invest in companies that contribute to foundational technologies and trends that are built on hard tech. With backing from Kleiner Perkins and Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC, Matter Venture Partners invests at the large seed rounds, Series A and Series B. This venture capital fund focuses on six sectors: semiconductors, robotization, generative AI, manufacturing on-shoring and friend-shoring, energy building blocks, and life science automation. Within these sectors, the fund aims to invest in companies that provide the ""picks and shovels"" for these trends, as well as contribute to new innovations and technologies. Matter Venture Partners is looking to invest in between 15 and 20 companies with the new fund, with a goal to support portfolio companies across several rounds. The firm believes that the oversubscription of the fund is due to the increased realization of the importance of foundational hard tech technologies in today's society. The fund also prides itself on having operating partners, including Mel Tang, who provides expertise in operations, supply chain management, and manufacturing unit economics to support hard tech startups.