Solo GP Ashley Smith announces second $25M fund to back startups in AI, security and more

Vermilion Cliffs Ventures announced Wednesday the close of a $25 million Fund II.

Chemistry Ventures is raising $500M for its second fund

Chemistry Ventures, the VC firm launched by Bessemer, Index Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz alums, is raising $500M for its second fund.

AI law startup Norm raises $120M, hits unicorn valuation

AI law startup Norm has raised a $120 million Series C round led by Kholsa Ventures, valuing the startup at $1.2 billion. 

Thiel Capital’s Jack Selby nabs stakes in hot startups like Etched through Arizona connections

Selby’s VC firm, Copper Sky Capital, is currently raising a $300 million second fund, according to a regulatory filing.

Melinda Gates’ venture firm backs Magnify Ventures’ $46.6M Fund II

Early-stage firm Magnify Ventures has raised a $46.6 million Fund II from LPs, including Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures.

Bending Spoons defies SaaS slump, surges 40% on first day of trading

The company has grown rapidly by acquiring and revamping last-generation tech brands like AOL, Eventbrite, Evernote, Meetup, and Vimeo.

After $18B IPO, Bending Spoons founder says success comes from minimizing luck

The co-founders of Bending Spoons, the Italian company quietly buying beloved, ailing Internet brands, learned big lessons from their own startup’s failure.

Ashton Kutcher leaving Sound Ventures to launch new VC firm with Morgan Beller

Sound built its reputation on concentrated, high-conviction bets in category-leading AI labs, while Kutcher’s new fund appears to be chasing the layer underneath those companies — the infrastructure and energy that power them.

The DeepMind trio who built a poker AI are now making money for quant hedge funds

EquiLibre Technologies, a Prague-based AI lab founded by three ex-DeepMind researchers, is now valued at more than $500 million.

Novak Djokovic has a new job — advisor to private equity firm General Atlantic

General Atlantic has tapped tennis legend Novak Djokovic to serve as a global strategic advisor.