Weekly TOP Startup / VC news of September 4, 2025

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}

Framer, the innovative Amsterdam-based no-code website platform, closed a $100 million Series D funding round. This elevated its valuation to $2 billion. Meritech and Atomico led the investment. Framer empowers designers and marketers. They craft professional, high-performance marketing websites. It eliminates traditional coding barriers. This new capital will accelerate Framer's US market expansion. It will intensify investment in cutting-edge AI features. Framer is redefining web development for businesses. It provides a unified solution for design, publishing, and analytics. The platform targets enterprise clients. It capitalizes on the growing demand for efficient, scalable web presence solutions.

Tessolve, a leading semiconductor engineering firm, secured a substantial $150 million investment from TPG Growth. This critical funding will fuel strategic acquisitions, drive the aggressive expansion of advanced global test labs, and reinforce delivery centers worldwide. As a Hero Electronix venture, Tessolve has demonstrated explosive growth, escalating revenues from $25 million in FY16 to over $150 million by FY25. This pivotal investment firmly establishes Tessolve's global market leadership, solidifies its position as a key enabler across the semiconductor value chain, and significantly contributes to the robust development of the Indian semiconductor ecosystem, ensuring sustained innovation and market impact.

Elev8 Venture Partners concluded its landmark $160 million maiden fund for India's surging tech landscape. The growth-stage vehicle targets high-potential startups in fintech, SaaS, B2B platforms, and consumer brands. Anchor investors include South Korea's KB Investment, alongside major institutions from Hong Kong and India. The fund has already committed substantial capital to five profitable, rapidly scaling companies such as Astrotalk. Future investments, each between $8-15 million, will fuel 12-14 more startups over the next 18 months. This success underscores India's robust market potential, drawing significant international capital, particularly from South Korea, to cultivate the region's future market leaders and unicorn pipeline. The strategy prioritizes resilience and profitability for long-term growth.

BlockDAG dominates the crypto presale scene. It raised over $387 million, delivering 2,900% ROI for early investors. Its hybrid Layer 1 tech offers unparalleled speed and security. A Platinum Partner at Token2049, BlockDAG features a vast mining ecosystem, including the X1 app and X-series miners. Strategic sports deals and 20 exchange listings ensure broad visibility. While peers like Wall Street Pepe, Snorter, and TOKEN6900 generate buzz, BlockDAG’s utility, adoption, and strategic growth make it a clear frontrunner. It overshadows meme coins and even established altcoins with its pre-launch momentum.

Quantum algorithms leader Phasecraft secured $34 million in Series B funding on September 2, 2025. This significant investment rapidly advances quantum computing from theoretical concepts to practical, real-world applications. Phasecraft excels with ultra-efficient, hardware-agnostic algorithms. These innovative solutions enable current noisy quantum devices to tackle complex challenges today. The company focuses on critical areas like material science, accelerating drug development, and optimizing global energy networks. Co-led by Plural, Playground Global, and Novo Holdings’ Quantum Fund, the capital fuels intensive R&D and expands industrial partnerships. Phasecraft is actively delivering tangible quantum advantage, cementing its role in the quantum revolution. Total funding, including grants, now surpasses $50 million, driving crucial scientific and commercial breakthroughs. This propels a new era of innovation.

German digital asset custodian Tangany just closed a €10 million Series A. This significant investment propels its EU-wide expansion under forthcoming MiCA regulations. Major financial institutions like Baader Bank and Raiffeisen's Elevator Ventures spearheaded the round. Tangany, already BaFin-regulated, protects over €3 billion in digital assets for 60+ institutional clients, including eToro. The funding underscores growing institutional trust in secure, compliant blockchain infrastructure, signaling digital assets' undeniable move into the financial mainstream. This solidifies Tangany's role as a critical enabler in Europe's evolving digital finance landscape.

Klarna targets a $1.27 billion US IPO on the NYSE, aiming for a $14 billion valuation. The BNPL giant, a European fintech success, offers 34.3 million shares. This move marks a significant step in its global expansion, particularly in the US. Klarna extends its reach beyond "Buy Now, Pay Later" into broader banking services and digital payments. This offering follows a previous pause, signaling renewed market confidence. The Swedish-born firm, now a global commerce network, seeks to solidify its position and fuel future growth.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a leader in fusion energy, raised $863 million in new funding. This major capital injection advances commercial fusion power. Prominent investors include Nvidia, Google, and Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The funds target completion of the SPARC demonstration reactor. They also propel development of the grid-scale ARC power plant. This critical progress promises abundant, clean, carbon-free electricity. Fusion addresses rising global energy demand, especially from AI and data centers. CFS has now amassed nearly $3 billion, cementing its industry-leading position. This investment marks a pivotal moment for sustainable energy independence and global progress. The future of energy shifts.

Offgrid Energy Labs recently secured $15 million in a Series A funding round. This vital investment accelerates the deployment of its groundbreaking ZincGel battery technology. The startup focuses on stationary energy storage, offering a superior, safer, and greener alternative to lithium-ion solutions. Capital will establish a crucial pilot manufacturing facility in the UK and significantly expand research and development capabilities. ZincGel excels in demanding long-duration, deep-cycle applications. It relies on globally abundant zinc, effectively bypassing the supply chain volatility associated with lithium. This strategic funding positions Offgrid to profoundly impact the global clean energy transition, enhancing grid stability and enabling robust off-grid power systems. While India remains a core market, global expansion is firmly on the horizon.

Vox AI, an Amsterdam startup, secured $8.7 million in Seed funding. Headline led the round. This capital accelerates deployment of its autonomous voice AI platform. The technology targets quick-service restaurants (QSRs). It addresses critical industry challenges. Persistent labor shortages, high employee turnover, and rising wage costs remain hurdles. Vox AI delivers AI-driven voice interaction. It covers drive-thru, mobile ordering, and in-restaurant operations. The system functions 24/7 in over 90 languages. It is purpose-built for fast-paced QSR environments. It improves efficiency, boosts satisfaction, and empowers staff. The funding fuels global expansion, including a new San Francisco office. This marks a profound platform shift for QSRs, setting a new industry standard.

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