M13 vs Salesforce Ventures

What Is Agentic Identity? Meet Baselayer, the Identity Infrastructure for AI Agents

M13 announces fundraising for Baselayer, an identity infrastructure for AI agents, with a dedicated article published on September 22, 2026.

Investors Are Betting on AI Agents That Shop for You

Venture capitalists are increasingly funding startups building AI agents that can shop on behalf of consumers and handle payments. The article maps the emerging market for "agentic commerce," covering personal assistants like Instinct and Town, shopping search tools like Daydream, payment infrastructure startups like Catena Labs and Basis Theory, and marketing tech such as Profound. Major platforms are also moving: OpenAI and Stripe launched the Agentic Commerce Protocol, Google operates the Agent Payments Protocol, and Visa and Mastercard introduced Trusted Agent Protocol and Agent Pay. However, the space faces trust and fraud challenges, illustrated by Phia's cookie-stuffing scandal and an Instinct agent error that cost a user around $300. Investor interest remains strong, with millions raised across the sector, even as enterprise adoption lags due to compliance and security concerns.

• Adobe Analytics reported that 41% of respondents used AI for online shopping in June 2026.
• OpenAI and Stripe launched the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), while Google operates the Agent Payments Protocol.
• Profound raised $96 million in Series C funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Cyphlens Named Gartner Cool Vendor in Data Security

Cyphlens, a New York-based data security startup, has been named a 2026 Gartner Cool Vendor in the 'Coolest Vendor Innovations in Data Security' report. The company ships in-document protection that encrypts selected parts of a document, allowing AI to read non-sensitive content while hiding confidential data like prices. This capability is available through a Cyphlens skill for Claude. The company also offers CypherFile, a product for whole-file encryption up to one terabyte, enabling secure sharing and remote revocation. Content never touches Cyphlens servers as encryption/decryption occurs on the sender's device. CEO Rocky Motwani emphasizes that AI can now work with necessary context while sensitive information remains under human control. Salesforce Ventures partner Rob Keith notes the importance of granular access control in AI-driven workflows.

• Cyphlens was named a 2026 Gartner Cool Vendor in Data Security.
• The company's in-document protection allows AI to read documents without seeing confidential parts like prices.
• The capability is generally available through a Cyphlens skill for Claude.

8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Salesforce Ventures (2026-09-17)

On September 16, 2026, Salesforce, Inc. filed a Form 8-K under Item 7.01 (Regulation FD Disclosure) to report the publication of its Investor Day presentation on its corporate website and provide it via Exhibit 99.1. The presentation outlines the company's financial performance, operational guidance, long-term growth targets, total addressable market opportunities, competitive positioning, and economic model. The filing formalizes the dissemination of investor materials presented during the September 16, 2026 event to ensure compliance with fair disclosure regulations.

• Salesforce furnished its September 16, 2026 Investor Day presentation via Item 7.01 (Exhibit 99.1).
• The presentation covers updated financial guidance, growth projections, market opportunity assessments, and the company's operating economic model.
• The filing was executed on September 16, 2026, by Robin Washington, President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

The Backbone of the Emerging Space Economy

Salesforce Ventures highlights its investment in Blend, a company focused on transforming the lending experience. The article notes that the mortgage industry is undergoing rapid change driven by factors originating from the pre-2008 housing boom and the subsequent financial crisis. The text appears to be an introductory excerpt from a longer portfolio spotlight.

• Salesforce Ventures highlights its investment in Blend, a company transforming the lending experience.
• The article states the mortgage industry is undergoing rapid transition and change.
• The drivers of change stem from the housing boom preceding the 2008 financial meltdown.