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Good morning ☀️, leader of the next generation.
Sometimes we give technology too much credit or too much blame.
The truth is, it’s a tool. How we use it is what matters.
Used with purpose, it helps us see more clearly, build faster, and express ourselves in new ways.
It’s not about chasing trends. It’s about creating something real.
WHAT'S AT STAKE TODAY ⚡
- 🔐🚀 MCP AI agent security startup Runlayer launches with 8 unicorns, $11M from Khosla's Keith Rabois and Felicis
- 🚀🤖 Jeff Bezos reportedly returns to the trenches as co-CEO of new AI startup, Project Prometheus
- ⚡💰 PowerLattice attracts investment from ex-Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger for its power-saving chiplet
- ✈️🔍 Google rolls out its AI 'Flight Deals' tool globally, adds new travel features in Search
- 🏛️⚔️ a16z-backed super PAC is targeting Alex Bores, sponsor of New York's AI safety bill — he says bring it on
- ⚠️🤖 Don't blindly trust what AI tells you, says Google's Sundar Pichai
Databricks seeks new funding round at $130B valuation, up 30%
Databricks reportedly in talks to raise funding at a $130B+ valuation
Data intelligence giant Databricks is reportedly pursuing another significant funding round just months after securing $1 billion in August, according to recent industry reports. The company is exploring opportunities to raise capital at a valuation exceeding $130 billion, marking a substantial increase from its previous funding milestone.
The Information first reported that Databricks is engaged in early-stage discussions with potential investors, though no formal agreements have been finalized. If successful, this fundraising effort would represent a remarkable 30% valuation increase from the company's $100 billion price tag achieved during its Series J round in August 2024.
The timing of these funding discussions highlights Databricks' aggressive expansion strategy and the intense investor interest in AI-powered data platforms. The company's previous $1 billion Series J round was specifically earmarked for two strategic initiatives that CEO and co-founder Ali Ghodsi identified as critical growth areas.
During an August interview, Ghodsi outlined the company's vision for transforming the database landscape through artificial intelligence. He emphasized two primary investment targets: developing a specialized database designed for AI agents and building a comprehensive AI agent platform to serve enterprise customers.
"The database market represents $105 billion in total addressable market revenue that has remained largely unchanged for four decades," Ghodsi explained. His comments revealed a striking industry transformation that many observers have overlooked.
The CEO shared compelling statistics demonstrating AI's growing influence on database creation. According to Databricks' internal data analysis, AI agents were responsible for creating 30% of new databases just one year ago. This percentage has dramatically accelerated, with AI agents now generating approximately 80% of new databases in 2024.
This shift represents a fundamental change in how databases are conceived, designed, and implemented across various industries. The transition from human-driven to AI-driven database creation suggests a broader technological evolution that Databricks is positioning itself to capitalize on.
Databricks has been actively consolidating the database sector through strategic acquisitions. The company's $1 billion purchase of open-source database startup Neon in May 2024 exemplified this approach. This transaction was widely regarded as a catalyst for increased merger and acquisition activity throughout the database industry.
The Neon acquisition demonstrated Databricks' commitment to expanding its technological capabilities while eliminating potential competitors. By incorporating open-source technologies, the company strengthens its platform offerings and attracts developers who prefer flexible, community-driven solutions.
Industry consolidation continues as established players seek to maintain competitive advantages in an increasingly AI-driven market. Databricks' acquisition strategy reflects broader trends where large technology companies are absorbing innovative startups to accelerate product development and market expansion.
The potential $130 billion valuation would solidify Databricks' position among the world's most valuable private technology companies. This milestone would place the company in an elite category of unicorns that have achieved exceptional growth through strategic focus on emerging technologies.
Databricks has not officially confirmed these funding discussions or provided additional details about timeline and investor participation. The company's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the reported valuation target or fundraising activities.
The data intelligence market continues attracting significant investor attention as organizations increasingly rely on AI-powered analytics and automated decision-making systems. Databricks' success reflects growing demand for platforms that can seamlessly integrate traditional data management with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
84% Deploy Gen AI Use Cases in Under Six Months – Real-Time Web Access Makes the Difference
Your product is only as good as the data it’s built on. Outdated, blocked, or missing web sources force your team to fix infrastructure instead of delivering new features.
Bright Data connects your AI agents to public web data in real time with reliable APIs. That means you spend less time on maintenance and more time building. No more chasing after unexpected failures or mismatches your agents get the data they need, when they need it.
Teams using Bright Data consistently deliver stable and predictable products, accelerate feature development, and unlock new opportunities with continuous, unblocked web access.
Berlin startup raises $21M for AI search optimization tools
As consumers ditch Google for ChatGPT, Peec AI raises $21M to help brands adapt
As consumers shift from Google to ChatGPT for search, Berlin-based Peec AI has raised $21 million in Series A funding to help brands adapt. The startup, valued above $100 million, offers Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) tools that help companies monitor and improve their visibility in AI-powered search results.
With over $4 million in annual recurring revenue and 1,300 customers including Chanel and Axel Springer, Peec AI plans to hire 40 employees and expand to New York City in 2025.
🎙️ NEW EPISODE DROP:
The Future of Human + AI Collaboration | What are The Smarter Ways to Use AI
I sat down with Dimitriy Wolf — social engineer, psycholinguist, and advisor to presidents, sheikhs, and TEDx speakers — to break down why most people use AI wrong.
We covered how to think *with* AI (not just prompt it), how to build authentic brand voices, and what yachts have to do with artificial intelligence.
If you're still using ChatGPT like a search bar — you're getting left behind.
⚡ Trends for the Future
Luminal raises $5.3 million to build a better GPU code framework
Startup optimizes GPU compilers to maximize compute efficiency for developers.
Three years ago, Luminal co-founder Joe Fioti was designing chips at Intel when he realized that software, not hardware, was the real bottleneck. "You can make the best hardware on earth, but if it's hard for developers to use, they're just not going to use it," he explained. This insight led him to start Luminal, a company focused entirely on solving that problem.
On Monday, Luminal announced $5.3 million in seed funding led by Felicis Ventures, with angel investment from Paul Graham, Guillermo Rauch, and Ben Porterfield. Fioti's co-founders Jake Stevens and Matthew Gunton come from Apple and Amazon respectively, and the company participated in Y Combinator's Summer 2025 batch.
Luminal operates as a compute provider similar to neo-cloud companies like Coreweave or Lambda Labs, but with a crucial difference. Instead of just focusing on GPUs, Luminal specializes in optimization techniques that extract maximum performance from existing infrastructure. The company specifically targets the compiler that bridges written code and GPU hardware—the same developer systems that frustrated Fioti in his previous role.
While Nvidia's CUDA system currently dominates as the industry's leading compiler, many CUDA elements are open-source. Luminal is betting that with the ongoing GPU shortage, significant value exists in building out the remaining technology stack.
The startup joins a growing cohort of inference-optimization companies that have become increasingly valuable as organizations seek faster, cheaper ways to run their models. Established players like Baseten and Together AI have long specialized in optimization, while newer companies like Tensormesh and Clarifai focus on specific technical improvements.
Luminal faces competition from optimization teams at major labs, which benefit from optimizing single model families. However, Fioti remains confident that the market is expanding rapidly enough to accommodate multiple players. "Our big bet is that anything short of six months of hand-tuning, the all-purpose use case is still very economically valuable," he stated.
⚡ You’re Smart. Strategic. Intentional. So Let’s Be Real:
Where Are You Holding Back— On Purpose?
Every smart operator has something they’re intentionally avoiding.
Not because they’re lazy — but because it’s risky, unknown, or just... a bit *uncomfortable*.
So what’s that thing for you?
That one decision, move, or experiment you know would push you forward — but you’ve been choosing not to do it.
Tell us — and we’ll share a tactical POV or tool to help you rethink it.
No fluff. Just momentum.
🎬 How to Use AI Agents to Build High-Converting Video Ads
Build once. Scale everywhere. In just minutes.
What if: Instead of spending weeks scripting, editing, and testing ads… you could build 10 variations of a high-converting video in 15 minutes — with agents handling the voiceover, visuals, call-to-action, and even the hook testing?
That’s exactly what we’ll show you this week — live.
Why This Changes Everything for Founders 🧠
- 🎥 Fast-Track Ad Creation: From idea to launch-ready video in under an hour — no team needed.
- 🔁 Test Like a Pro: Run A/B tests on 10 hooks, CTAs, or visuals — while you sleep.
- 💰 Better ROAS, Less Guessing: Let agents learn what your audience *actually* responds to.
- 📦 Works for Any Product: Digital or physical — agents adapt to your niche & brand voice.
📅 Join the Live Session w code Supercharged
We’ll walk you step-by-step through building your own ad-generating agent — no code needed.
👉 Click here to save your seat for the webinar
You’ll leave with a working prototype, free templates, and 5x more speed in your next ad campaign.
🎁 Bonus for Attendees:
- ✅ AI Agent Template for Ad Generation
- ✅ "Top 10 Hooks That Convert" Prompt Pack
- ✅ Entry to win a Free AI Strategy Audit
Episode 1: AI Education Without Limits
I sat down with Dr. José Fernández from the Miami Dade College AI Center to explore how AI is transforming education.
We discussed how students today can access world-class AI training with almost zero student loan debt — making innovation more accessible than ever.
Episode 2: What if your story were your sales strategy?
I sat down with Maury Rogow, a Hollywood producer and branding mastermind behind $2.5B in brand growth.
We talked about why the brands that feel effortless aren’t the loudest — they’re just the most aligned.
🌡️ Use the Satisfaction Thermometer to show us how much you enjoyed The Supercharged today ;)
The Supercharged is aiming to be the world's #1 AI business magazine and is on a mission to empower 1,000,000 entrepreneurs worldwide by 2025, guiding them through the transition into the AI-driven creative age. We're dedicated to breaking down complex technologies, sharing actionable insights, and fostering a community that thrives on innovation, to become the ultimate resource for businesses navigating the AI revolution.
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