Tags: global expansion

South Korean fabless AI chip startup Rebellions announced a $400 million funding round led by Mirae Asset Financial Group and the Korea National Growth Fund. The infusion brings the company’s valuation to roughly $2.34 billion as it prepares for an IPO later this year. Rebellions also unveiled two new AI‑inference infrastructure products, RebelRack and RebelPOD, and highlighted its rapid global expansion into the United States, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. The move positions the firm among a new wave of chip makers challenging established players such as NVIDIA. Read more

Legora, the Stockholm‑born AI platform for legal work (formerly Leya), announced a $550 million Series D round led by Accel that lifts its valuation to $5.55 billion. The round brings a mix of new and existing investors, including Alkeon Capital, Bain Capital, Firstmark Capital, Menlo Ventures, Sands Capital, Starwood Capital, Salesforce Ventures, Benchmark, Bessemer Venture Partners, General Catalyst, ICONIQ, Redpoint Ventures and Y Combinator. Proceeds will fund rapid U.S. expansion, new offices and scaling of its document‑review, research and contract‑drafting tools, which already serve 800 customers across more than 50 markets. Read more

Voice‑AI startup ElevenLabs announced a $500 million financing led by Sequoia Capital, pushing its valuation to $11 billion. Existing backers a16z, Iconiq and several others increased their stakes, while new investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, EvanticCapital and Bond joined the round. The capital will fund research, product development and international expansion into markets like India, Japan, Singapore, Brazil and Mexico. Co‑founder Mati Staniszewski highlighted plans to broaden the company’s offerings beyond voice, including video content and multi‑modal AI agents. The company closed the prior year with $330 million in annual recurring revenue. Read more

China’s top internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), requires every AI tool with public‑opinion or social‑mobilization capabilities to be filed in a public algorithm registry. The resulting database reveals thousands of generative‑AI and deep‑synthesis tools spread across major tech hubs such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hangzhou, as well as emerging centers like Chongqing, Hefei and Guizhou. State‑linked firms account for a significant share of filings, while foreign companies represent a tiny fraction. Competition is diverse, with six “AI tigers” backed by Alibaba or Tencent, and a wave of startups applying AI to education, traditional medicine, carbon accounting, robotics and immersive entertainment. Many of these firms are already eyeing overseas markets, illustrating China’s growing global AI footprint. Read more

Google is broadening its AI‑driven travel tools in Search. The company is rolling out the Flight Deals feature to more than 200 countries and territories, adding support for over 60 languages. In AI Mode, users can now employ the Canvas side panel to organize trip details, view real‑time flight and hotel data, and receive personalized suggestions for accommodations, restaurants, and activities. Agentic booking capabilities that let users request restaurant reservations and other appointments are also being extended to all U.S. users, with future plans to enable complete flight and hotel bookings within AI Mode. Read more

Pop Mart’s Labubu character has surged from a background illustration to a worldwide cultural icon, driving unprecedented sales for the Chinese toy company. Through blind‑box tactics, limited‑edition keychains, and a sprawling retail network that includes flagship stores and a themed park, Labubu has become a status symbol for young consumers and a lucrative target for resellers. The brand’s rapid expansion into markets such as Thailand and its collaborations with global influencers have amplified its reach, while the company scales production to meet soaring demand. Analysts compare the phenomenon to other enduring entertainment franchises, suggesting a lasting impact on global consumer culture. Read more