Yann LeCun confirms his new ‘world model’ startup, reportedly seeks $5B+ valuation

Renowned AI scientist Yann LeCun confirmed on Thursday the worst-kept secret in the tech world: that he had indeed launched a new startup. Although he did say he will not be running the new company as its CEO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ChatGPT maker is aiming to raise the funding by the end of the first quarter in 2026, and the company may ask sovereign wealth funds to invest in the round. Also, called the Unicorn Growth Fund, the investment vehicle is a collaboration between Krafton and South Korean internet conglomerate Naver, and investor Mirae Asset. It aims to deploy around $669.3 million over four years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lovable has seen its valuation more than triple just five months after the company's last funding round in July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The deal valued MoEngage at "well over" $900 million post-money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Radiant Nuclear is developing a small modular reactor to replace diesel generators. The startup previously raised $165 million in May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last Energy will use the funds to build its 5 megawatt pilot reactor in Texas, which it hopes to turn on next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The next consumer tech revolution may require an introduction of a new personal device. Plus, the food waste startup founded by Nest alumnus Matt Rogers also received an investment from Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mirelo, a German startup that is building AI to add synced sound effects to videos, has raised a $41 million seed round led by Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. Also, First Voyage has raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round from a16z speedrun, SignalFire, True Global, and other investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thea Energy says that its planar-coil fusion power plant could be cheaper and easier to build thanks to AI-powered control software. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The biotech startup is betting that owners of abandoned oil wells will use the tech to squeeze energy out of their wells. Also, Spinny is set to be valued at about $1.8 billion post-money in its latest funding round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices