Beeper vs Bird

Automattic’s Mesh CRM Launches on Android

Mesh, the personal relationship manager acquired by Automattic (formerly Clay), launched its Android app on August 12, 2026. The Android build supports split-screen and pop-up views, keyboard shortcuts for foldables and tablets, in-app search, home screen widgets with Material You styling, and real-time sync across devices. Mesh offers Nexus AI in early access to query network data, is subscription-supported (free up to 1,000 contacts), and says personal data is not used for ad targeting. Mesh already interoperates with Automattic’s Beeper messaging app and may be integrated more tightly over time.

• Automattic acquired Mesh (formerly Clay) in 2025.
• Mesh’s Android app launched and began rolling out on Google Play on 2026-08-12 for phones, tablets, and foldables as a free download with in-app purchases.
• Android-specific features include split-screen and pop-up views, foldable/tablet keyboard shortcuts, in-app search, Material You home screen widgets, and real-time sync.

European Tech Weekly Recap: Over €2B Invested Across 65+ Deals

This weekly recap summarizes European tech funding and M&A activity for the week of September 21-27, 2026. More than 65 funding deals raised over €2 billion, with robotics, AI, and healthtech leading the sectors. Portugal, the Netherlands, and the UK were the top countries by funding amount. Notable deals include TEKEVER's $580M Series D, Bird's $450M debt raise, and Verda's $189M AI cloud funding. In M&A, feld.energy is acquiring AckerKapital, EYSA acquires Joinup, Mistral AI acquires Pimento, and Luno acquires GXTN. The recap also highlights various smaller funding rounds across Europe.

• Over 65 tech funding deals raised more than €2 billion in Europe during the week of September 21-27, 2026.
• Top industries: robotics (€508.3M), AI (€406.6M), and healthtech (€305.8M).
• Leading countries: Portugal (€510.9M), Netherlands (€435.9M), UK (€273.9M).

Bird secures $450M and opens its infrastructure to AI agents

Bird announced securing $450M in financing and opening its infrastructure to AI agents, as featured on the company's blog.

Bird Raises $450M Debt, Cuts Headcount to 120

Bird, the business communications platform formerly known as MessageBird, has raised $450 million in debt financing led by JP Morgan, Capital One, and Citi. The funding includes a $400 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility, with seven banks participating. The proceeds will provide liquidity to existing shareholders, including current and former employees. The company has drastically reduced its headcount from over 1,000 at its peak to 120, driven by automation and a strategic pivot toward AI. Bird is focusing on its AI Agentic Harness platform, which enables AI agents to communicate via SMS, calls, and email. The company reported $165 million in profits last year.

• Bird raised $450 million in debt financing led by JP Morgan, Capital One, and Citi.
• The financing comprises a $400 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility.
• Bird's headcount has been reduced from over 1,000 at its peak to 120 employees.