Tobias

Nscale, a UK-based AI infrastructure provider, has rapidly emerged as a key player in the AI market. Fueled by nearly $700 million in funding, including strategic investment from Nvidia, it partners with tech giants like Microsoft and OpenAI to develop hyperscale AI infrastructure in Europe. Nscale plans significant GPU deployments, including a $1 billion investment in Norway. The company focuses on overcoming computing capacity scarcity and market fragmentation in Europe, aiming to become a leader in sovereign AI and support the UK’s AI ambitions.

Cybersecurity firm Netskope is set to IPO on Nasdaq under the ticker “NTSK,” priced at $19 per share, valuing the company at $7.3 billion. The IPO, expected to raise $908.2 million, comes amidst a resurgence in IPO activity despite economic headwinds. While some IPOs face initial volatility, the cybersecurity sector is experiencing a surge in M&A, underscored by significant acquisitions like Google’s Wiz purchase. Netskope, with $707 million in ARR and 33% year-over-year growth, offers cloud-native security solutions, competing with Broadcom, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, and Zscaler.

At Meta Connect, Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses ($799), consumer-ready smart glasses with integrated displays controlled by hand gestures via a neural wristband. This marks Meta’s expansion into augmented reality, bridging the gap between audio-only glasses and experimental AR glasses. Alongside, Meta also unveiled the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses ($499) for athletes, and the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) with improved battery and camera. The event also announced Horizon TV for streaming content on Meta Quest VR headsets.

Workday shares jumped 7% after Elliott Investment Management disclosed a $2 billion stake. This follows Workday’s unveiling of a plan to optimize operations and capital allocation, which Elliott believes will create long-term value. Workday acknowledged Elliott’s support, reaffirming its focus on executing its strategy. Elliott’s investment highlights Workday’s growth and competitive position amid increasing competition and macroeconomic uncertainties. Workday’s recent acquisition of AI recruitment firm Paradox is expected to further enhance its HR technology capabilities.

StubHub began trading on the NYSE (“STUB”) after pricing its IPO at $23.50 per share, valuing the company at $8.6 billion. CEO Eric Baker anticipates a temporary revenue dip due to new federal regulations mandating transparent, all-in ticket pricing. Baker believes this shift will ultimately benefit the industry by creating a level playing field and boosting consumer trust, despite an initial market adjustment period. The IPO follows scrutiny of online ticket platforms and aims to combat deceptive pricing tactics.

Kayvon Beykpour, Periscope’s co-founder, is launching Macroscope, a platform designed to enhance software development workflows. Backed by $40 million in funding, Macroscope aims to address transparency issues in software development by providing tools for developers to proactively resolve coding issues and offering managers greater visibility into their teams’ activities. It integrates with platforms like GitHub and leverages AI models from Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI for intelligent code suggestions. Macroscope is priced at $30 per developer per month and has already attracted clients like A24, Class, and Seed Health.

StubHub (STUB) debuted on the NYSE, raising $800M with an IPO priced at $23.50, but closed down over 5%. Delayed twice due to market volatility, the IPO follows successful tech debuts like Klarna and Gemini. eBay previously owned StubHub before selling it back to its co-founder via Viagogo. While revenue increased 10% YoY to $397.6M in Q1, net losses widened. StubHub, facing competition from Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster, is also under FTC scrutiny regarding “junk fees” and bot prevention. Madrone Partners was the largest pre-IPO shareholder.

Democratic lawmakers are scrutinizing David Sacks’ role as a special advisor to President Trump on crypto and AI, questioning his compliance with Special Government Employee (SGE) regulations, particularly the 130-day time limit. Senators Warren and Stansbury demand transparency regarding Sacks’s time in office, alleging potential conflicts of interest as the administration implements new crypto legislation. Critics worry Sacks’s private sector activities could unduly influence policy decisions, despite his disclosure of selling over $200 million in digital assets before assuming his role. The inquiry reflects broader concerns about ethical standards and potential regulatory capture.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized China as an “adversary” after reports surfaced of Beijing instructing tech firms to stop buying Nvidia’s AI chips, including the RTX Pro 6000D. This move signals China’s growing confidence in its domestic semiconductor industry and its push for self-reliance, substituting Nvidia’s products with alternatives like Huawei’s Ascend 910B. Nvidia’s CEO expressed disappointment, and analysts note potential revenue losses for U.S. chipmakers, highlighting the escalating conflict over AI chip access. China’s strategy may aim to bolster its domestic AI chip development.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang addressed challenges in the Chinese market amid escalating US-China tech tensions. He expressed disappointment over reports of China’s potential ban on Nvidia’s RTX Pro 6000D chip, designed specifically for the Chinese market. Huang highlighted Nvidia’s historical contributions to China but acknowledged broader strategic considerations. He mentioned US export controls, a reported agreement with President Trump, and an anti-monopoly investigation. Nvidia remains committed to both governments while navigating geopolitical complexities and investing in international partnerships, particularly in the UK’s AI infrastructure.