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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - North America and Israel, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌎️

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📰 Important News

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the company is losing money on its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan due to higher-than-expected usage.

• Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz has appointed Fazal Merchant as Chief Financial Officer to prepare for a potential IPO in the US.

• Scale AI is facing a second employee wage lawsuit in less than a month, with former worker Amber Rogowicz alleging wage violations.

• After Bench was acquired by Employer.com, customers are now forced to consent to terms to access their financial data.

• Deel is facing a money laundering lawsuit for allegedly facilitating a Ponzi scheme and failing in AML and sanctions controls.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• It was a blockbuster week for healthtech and biotech, as Innovaccer, Aviceda Therapeutics, Tenvie Therapeutics, Timberlyne Therapeutics, Hippocratic AI, Evergreen Nephrology, and Ouro Medicines collectively secured over $1.25 billion.

• Data company DDN has received $300 million from Blackstone, valuing it at $5 billion, to expand its business customer base.

• Livestream shopping platform Whatnot raised $265 million in funding, reaching a $4.97 billion valuation, to expand internationally.

• Inari Agriculture secured $144 million in funding to expand operations and advance its AI-powered seed design for a nature-positive food system.

• Israeli quantum computing startup Quantum Machines raised $100 million, the largest investment in Israel's quantum tech sector.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Kaneka Corporation has acquired Israeli medical firm EndoStream Medical for $100 million marking its first major deal in Israel since 2023.

• Employment Hero has acquired Canadian platform Humi for $69.6 million, marking its entry into the Canadian market.

• Healthcare analytics platform H1 has acquired YC alum Ribbon combining their data services for healthcare professionals and patients.

• Lusha acquired Novacy to enhance its sales intelligence platform with AI-driven tools for optimizing sales calls and deal closures.

• Employer.com has made an offer to acquire Level, a fintech startup that shut down recently, following its acquisition of Bench a week earlier.

🏦 About Investors

• Trucks VC has launched a $70 million fund to invest in early-stage transportation startups, with plans to make 30 seed investments.

📋️ Curated Lists

Uncover the dynamic venture capital ecosystem in Kentucky, where innovation meets investment. From healthcare to tech, key players like Chrysalis Ventures and Keyhorse Capital are fueling the growth of diverse industries. These firms are not just providing funding; they’re shaping the state’s entrepreneurial landscape with mentorship and strategic exits. Delve into the full article to discover the most active VC firms driving Kentucky’s startup success and shaping its future.

📊 Investment Highlights

Explore the record-breaking fundraises by American CleanTech startups in 2024, driving innovation in sustainable energy and clean technologies. Delve into the full article to discover how companies like Intersect Power, Sila, and Pacific Fusion are reshaping the energy sector and securing funding to power a greener future. Check out the full list of transformative investments and their impact on accelerating the clean energy transition.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Whatnot

Whatnot, a livestream shopping platform focused on collectibles, raised $265 million in Series E funding, bringing its valuation to $4.97 billion. The round was co-led by DST Global, Greycroft, and Avra, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Durable Capital Partners, and returning investors like Andreessen Horowitz, CapitalG, BOND, and Y Combinator. Founded in 2019 by Grant LaFontaine and Logan Head, Whatnot has now raised $746 million to date. The funding will fuel international expansion into Australia and Europe, alongside the development of new seller tools and categories such as art, vinyl, and golf, further cementing Whatnot’s position in niche e-commerce markets, with GMV exceeding $3 billion.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Trucks VC

Trucks Venture Capital, a San Francisco-based firm founded in 2015, focuses on early-stage investments in innovative transportation startups. The firm recently launched its largest fund to date, the $70 million Trucks Venture Fund 3, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and aerospace sectors. Led by co-founder Reilly Brennan and partners Jeffrey Schox, Kathryn Schox, and Puneeth Meruva, Trucks VC plans to make around 30 seed investments, each ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, with an ownership target of 10%. The firm has already invested in several promising startups, including Treehouse, JetZero, Auriga Space, and Carvis, continuing its strategy of backing visionary founders who are shaping the future of transportation.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: THRIVE Academy program

Apply now to the THRIVE Academy program by January 19, 2025, and accelerate your agrifood tech startup journey. Designed for pre-seed to early seed-stage companies, this 12-week pre-accelerator offers intensive virtual programming, expert mentorship, and valuable resources to help you become market and investor ready. Throughout the program, you’ll build a strong foundation for scalable growth, refine your go-to-market strategy, and prepare to secure investment. Don’t miss the chance to bring your groundbreaking agrifood innovations to life—apply today!