🎰 The Bulletin #68: AI's Reshaping of Industries, Apple's Bold Move, NBA Robots, & Genetic Engineering Gone Wild
In this week's bulletin - AI power plays, robotic basketball players, and maybe even woolly mammoths.
Hey! Happy March and welcome back to the VWV Bulletin! 🍀 We hope midterms are going well and you had a restful weekend! This week, we’re covering the latest news and moves in VC and tech—let’s get into it!
☄️ For this semester, keep up with our content if you’re interested in:
Demystifying & breaking into VC
Finding opportunities in the start-up world
Keeping up with VC investment news at Brown & beyond (pro tip: this is essential to breaking in and finding opportunities)
Enjoy the Bulletin! ⚡️
🦾 The Year of AI Public Debuts
AI startup dominate IPO pipeline as public markets reopen
The AI IPO Gold Rush Begins. With Databricks poised for a record $62B public debut at the beginning of the year and 13+ AI startups lining up for IPOs, 2025 appeared to be the year where venture capital liquidity would finally meet public market reality. After a prolonged IPO winter, artificial intelligence companies have now spearheaded a market thaw that promises substantial liquidity events for early investors. Global VC funding for AI companies surged to over $100 billion in 2024 – an increase of more than 80% from $55.6 billion in 2023 – while January alone saw AI-related companies secure $5.7 billion, representing 22% of overall global venture funding.
Why now? Market conditions have finally aligned. 🙏 Stable interest rates, record-high markets, and decreasing economic uncertainty have created the ideal environment for high-valuation tech exits. Venture capital and LPs are now eagerly anticipating liquidity after years of extended holding periods, and founders are pivoting from a singular focus on growth to emphasizing sustainable unit economics and clear profitability paths.
Key Developments
AI IPO Pipeline Expansion: Alongside a flurry of startups preparing for 2025 IPOs, companies like CoreWeave are also in the spotlight.
Record-Setting Fundraising: In January 2025, public offerings raised over $3B – the strongest IPO month since 2022.
Market Projections: Renaissance Capital forecasts between 155 and 195 total US IPOs in 2025, up 35% year-over-year.
Databricks Shifts Strategy 🃏
Originally expected to make its public debut at a staggering $62B valuation, Databricks recently made headlines with a significant strategic pivot. Citing the unpredictable nature of an election year—with heightened volatility impacting market sentiment—the company decided to postpone its IPO. Instead, it secured an unprecedented $10 billion in fresh private funding, marking the largest raise in its history and one of the biggest private capital injections in the tech sector to date. This move not only provides immense liquidity for employees and early investors but also affords Databricks the flexibility to focus on long-term growth and innovation without the immediate pressures of public market scrutiny.
What This Means
For VCs and LPs, this reopening IPO window means potential liquidity after years of extending holding periods. For founders, it signals a market shift from pure growth metrics to sustainable unit economics and clear profitability paths. The success or failure of Databricks' public debut will likely set market expectations for the dozen-plus AI companies in the IPO pipeline, potentially unlocking billions in returns for early investors or resetting valuation expectations across the sector.
👩💻 Apple’s Bold Move
Apple Commits $500 Billion to Boost U.S. AI and Manufacturing
Apple has announced plans to invest over $500 billion in the United States over the next four years. This substantial investment aims to bolster Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, expand manufacturing operations, and create thousands of jobs across the country.
What Are The Primary Reasons?
1) Strategic Investments in AI and Manufacturing ♟️: Central to Apple’s strategy is the development of a state-of-the-art server manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. This 250,000-square-foot plant, scheduled to commence operations in 2026, will focus on producing servers for Apple's AI initiatives, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The facility is expected to generate thousands of jobs, reinforcing Apple's dedication to bolstering domestic manufacturing and technological infrastructure.
Complementing this, Apple plans to double its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion. This fund aims to support U.S.-based suppliers and manufacturers, fostering innovation and strengthening the domestic supply chain.
2) Job Creation and Economic Impact 💰: Beyond infrastructure, Apple is committed to creating approximately 20,000 research and development jobs across the country. These positions will focus on areas such as AI, semiconductor engineering, and software development.
3) Educational Initiatives and Workforce Development 📚: Apple’s investment also extends to education and workforce development. The company will establish a manufacturing academy in Detroit, aimed at assisting businesses in implementing AI and providing training for workers in advanced manufacturing techniques. This initiative underscores Apple's commitment to enhancing the skills of the American workforce in line with evolving technological demands.
Alignment with Trump’s National Economic Goals
This announcement follows discussions between Apple CEO Tim Cook and President Trump, aligning with Trump’s national objectives to revitalize domestic manufacturing and technological leadership. The investment is branded as a move to mitigate potential tariff impacts and reinforce Apple’s dedication to the U.S. economy (Read More).
🌱 Climate-Tech and Industrial AI Attract Mega-Rounds
AI Innovations are reshaping the climate investment landscape
While overall climate tech funding continues to decline, AI-driven climate solutions are bucking the trend and attracting significant investment. This shift reflects growing investor confidence in artificial intelligence applications that address tangible physical-world challenges, particularly in emissions-heavy industries.
Traditional climate tech faces headwinds from rising interest rates and longer commercialization timelines, with overall climate tech VC investment declining globally for the third consecutive year—dropping from $25.9 billion in 2022 to $17 billion in 2024, a 34% decrease. However, AI-centered climate ventures have demonstrated faster ROI cycles and more capital-efficient scaling models, raising $1 billion more in the first three quarters of 2024 than they did in all of 2023.
Where’s The Money Flowing 💸
Energy and building technologies, particularly those tied to AI data centers, bucked the downward trend with energy sector funding increasing 12% to $9.4 billion and building technologies growing by 10% to $2.7 billion. Technology for climate adaptation and resilience has emerged as a particularly attractive investment theme, featuring in more than one-quarter (28%) of climate tech deals.
Key Developments
TITAN Group invested undisclosed millions in AI concrete startups Concrete.ai and OptimitiveVenture
Latent Labs secured $50M (Radical Ventures/Sofinnova) for AI-driven protein design
EnCharge AI raised $100M Series B (Tiger Global) for energy-efficient AI chips
What This Means
This trend signals a fundamental shift in climate tech investment thesis—from backing pure hardware plays to supporting software-enabled solutions that optimize existing infrastructure. For founders, the message is clear: integrating AI capabilities into climate solutions dramatically improves fundraising prospects. For investors, this convergence offers potentially shorter paths to returns while maintaining exposure to the massive climate transition opportunity. Large corporate investors, now participating in about a quarter of climate tech deals, further validate the strategic importance of this sector.
🦕 The Wild World of Genetic Engineering
CRISPR pets, glow-in-the-dark plants, and a real-life Jurassic Park?
Biotech is getting wild—literally. From hypoallergenic cats to woolly mammoths, genetic engineering is reshaping the natural world in ways that sound straight out of science fiction. If that sounds like the setup for a Michael Crichton novel, you’re not wrong. But unlike Jurassic Park, this isn’t fiction—it’s happening right now.
Recent Developments:
🐈⬛ Hypoallergenic Cats: Virginia-based biotech firm InBio is using CRISPR to create cats that won’t make you sneeze. By targeting the Fel d 1 protein (the main culprit behind cat allergies), they’re working to make allergy-friendly felines a reality. If successful, this could open the floodgates for designer pets tailored to your preferences.
🧟♀️ Bringing Back The Dead: Colossal Biosciences is playing genetic Lazarus, using CRISPR to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger. Their plan? Edit the genes of modern elephants and marsupials to recreate lost species and reintroduce them into their former habitats. This raises some serious questions—what happens when an extinct species returns to an ecosystem that has evolved without it? 🫣
What This Means
These advancements highlight the insane potential of CRISPR and genetic engineering to solve problems, create new markets, and even bring back lost species—I mean, just imagine the demand for a “real-life Pokémon.” However, ethical dilemmas also arise about whether we should be editing animals for convenience or aesthetics. For now, one thing’s clear: biotech is rewriting the rules of nature in fascinating ways 🪐
🪣 The NBA’s AI Revolution
Meet the Robots Changing the Game
The NBA is no stranger to innovation, but the 2025 All-Star Tech Summit took things to another level—introducing AI-powered robots designed to support, train, and even challenge players. From physical AI teammates to real-time coaching assistants, basketball is stepping into a future where cutting-edge technology meets elite performance. 🤝
Teams like the Golden State Warriors are already integrating these robotic assistants into their daily training. 🌁 “These robots can replicate any of us,” said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, treating them like any other player on his roster. Draymond Green compared his AI training partner to a sci-fi companion: “This guy makes me feel like Luke Skywalker. He’s like my R2.” And for Steph Curry, the biggest benefit is endurance: “They don’t need breaks, they don’t need water. It makes you want to go harder.”
So, what exactly are these AI-driven machines doing for athletes?
A.B.E. (Automated Basketball Engine) – Aka the ultimate rebounding machine. A.B.E. retrieves missed shots and fires pinpoint passes back to shooters, ensuring players maximize their reps without chasing down loose balls. Curry has already been spotted working with A.B.E., getting the perfect feed every time.
M.I.M.I.C. (Motion & Intercept Modular-Interface Coordination) – This AI-powered coaching assistant watches player movements in real-time, analyzing footwork, shot mechanics, and defensive positioning. It doesn’t just record data—it actively teaches and refines techniques based on a player’s performance.
K.I.T. (Kinematic Interface Tool) – More than just a robotic drill partner, K.I.T. is designed to interact with players, boost morale, and even provide strategic insights during practice sessions. It’s the closest thing to an AI teammate we’ve seen in sports.
B.E.B.E. (Bot-Enhanced Basics & Equipment) – A training assistant focused on injury prevention and recovery. It monitors player fatigue, offers feedback on conditioning, and ensures athletes stay at peak performance. Your 24/7 personal trainer is here.
Behind The Scenes
These innovations aren’t coming out of nowhere. The NBA is working closely with AI research labs, robotics companies, and tech giants to push the boundaries of sports performance 📈. Companies like Boston Dynamics, AI-driven sports analytics firms, and leading biomechanics researchers are shaping the development of these training bots.
For now, only elite NBA teams have access to this technology. Franchises with deep pockets and forward-thinking leadership—like the Warriors—are at the forefront, using AI to optimize training and scouting. However, as with most advancements, it’s only a matter of time before these innovations trickle down to college programs, international leagues, and even high school basketball. Imagine a future where every aspiring athlete has access to their own AI training partner, tailored to their unique playing style 🥶
What This Means
🔥 Personalized AI training: Every player could have a custom-designed regimen, with real-time adjustments based on their strengths and weaknesses.
🚀 Injury prevention & recovery: AI can monitor fatigue levels and movement patterns to reduce the risk of injuries before they happen.
😶🌫️ Blurring the lines between man and machines: As AI gets smarter, we may see AI-powered referees, robotic assistant coaches, and even training bots that mimic specific players’ styles.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Tech Summit marked a turning point. The next evolution of basketball won’t just be about athleticism and strategy—it will be a fusion of human skill and AI.
♻️ Register Today: FSIcon 2025
Brown to host the 6th annual Future of Sustainable Investing Conference (FSIcon)!
On Friday, March 7th, 2025, Brown University will be hosting the 6th annual Future of Sustainable Investing Conference! 🙌 FSIcon is an entirely student-led annual conference designed to spark conversations on leveraging capital markets to design a sustainable financial future.
Undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, recent alums and all those interested in sustainable investing are invited to join on Friday, March 7th, to drive critical conversations regarding the role of our financial systems in addressing 21st-century sustainability concerns.
This will be an exclusive opportunity to sit side by side and discuss with industry professionals and academics what the future of sustainable investing, and business more broadly, should look like. The conference will feature two renowned keynote speakers, six panel discussions, lunch, workshop sessions, and networking opportunities. There will also be a career fair at the end of the day for students to interact directly with several of their sponsors, such as MN8, McKinsey, and more!
Learn More Here & Register Today! 🤸♀️
🍝 What We’re Consuming In Venture
The Rundown AI, a newsletter to get the latest AI news, understand why it matters, and learn how to apply it in your work—all in just 5 minutes a day
Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman, an entrepreneurship/business podcast brining on iconic leaders to share their lessons and strategies that helped them grow the world’s leading companies
Victoria DeTommaso’s VC Demystified, a newsletter catered to those breaking into the industry with tactical tips & tricks to land your dream job in VC
Hunter Walk’s blog, written by a former Google product manager and venture capitalist, blends practical advice on startup operations with reflections on product-market fit
🆙 We’re Updating Our Website
We love our website, and want to make sure it is accurate and up-to-date. Please let us know through this form if you are a part of the VWV team (Investment Committee, Advisors, Alumni) and have changes you wish to make to your personal profile.
That’s it for this week, feel free to email me serena_saxena@brown.edu with any inquiries! 💌
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