Ant International vs Antler

Ant International Launches Industry's First Full-Stack AI-Native Solutions for Payment, Account, FX, Treasury and Growth Operations for Global Businesses

In an industry first, Ant International launched a full stack of AI-native solutions for payment, account, FX, treasury and growth operations for global businesses.

Visa, Mastercard, Ant International announce Know Your Agent framework for AI commerce

Visa, Mastercard and Ant International (Alipay) have announced a joint 'Know Your Agent' (KYA) framework to standardize the identification and verification of AI agents in agentic commerce. The framework aims to make AI agents identifiable and verifiable across different card, wallet and platform networks, enabling merchants and customers to assess payment plausibility. The three companies will contribute their existing protocols: Visa Trusted Agent Protocol, Mastercard's Verifiable Intent and Ant International's Agentic Mobile Protocol. The collaboration focuses on three areas: linking agents to verified operators or users, defining joint security and behavioral requirements, and continuous monitoring of agents based on identity and transaction data. No concrete standard or launch date has been announced yet.

• Visa, Mastercard and Ant International announced a joint 'Know Your Agent' (KYA) framework.
• The framework aims to make AI agents identifiable and verifiable across card, wallet and platform networks.
• Visa's Trusted Agent Protocol, Mastercard's Verifiable Intent, and Ant's Agentic Mobile Protocol are part of the initiative.

TerraPay Connects Xend Network to Alipay+ for Global QR Payments

TerraPay and Alipay+ have announced a strategic partnership to enable cross-border QR payments for digital wallets, significantly enhancing global payments interoperability. In the initial phase, 15 digital wallets across Africa connected to TerraPay's Xend network will be able to pay at over 150 million merchants within Alipay+'s global ecosystem. This partnership expands TerraPay's cross-border payment capabilities from account-to-account to global in-store acceptance. The collaboration aims to allow wallet users to scan a QR code and pay using their trusted home wallet while traveling abroad, eliminating the need for cash or foreign exchange. Alipay+ connects over 50 international payment partners to more than 150 million merchants across 220 destination markets. The partnership underscores a commitment to a more connected and inclusive global commerce ecosystem.

• TerraPay and Alipay+ announced a strategic partnership for cross-border QR payments.
• 15 digital wallets across Africa connected to Xend will be able to pay at Alipay+'s 150 million+ merchants.
• The partnership expands TerraPay's cross-border payment capabilities to global in-store acceptance.

Berlin VC Investors Flock to Gipsdreieck for Informal Networking

This article explores why the Gipsdreieck (Gips Triangle) in Berlin-Mitte has become a popular hangout for venture capital investors and startup founders. It describes the area's relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere, with cafes, restaurants, and bars like Contadino, Milch Halle, and Hackbarth's, where informal networking and deal-making happen naturally. The article features quotes from investors like Christoph Klink (Antler), Franziska Oschmann (Speedinvest), and Elisabeth Ziv (Hightech-Gründerfonds), who appreciate the mix of work and leisure, the low-key vibe, and the sense of community. It highlights that despite its growing popularity, the area retains a bohemian charm, attracting both wealthy professionals and those seeking alternative culture. The piece also notes the high rents and the shift towards a more affluent crowd, but maintains that the Gipsdreieck still offers a unique blend of business and counterculture, making it a prime spot for venture capital networking in Berlin.

• The Gipsdreieck is a popular networking spot for Berlin's VC community.
• VC firms like Antler, Hightech-Gründerfonds, and Cherry Ventures have offices near the Gipsdreieck.
• Investors appreciate the informal, relaxed atmosphere for mixing business and leisure.

Europe's unicorn boom masks early-stage funding crisis

A new report by global VC Antler, released at its European Founder Conference in London, reveals a stark contrast in Europe's startup ecosystem: while post-2020 unicorns ('rocketships') raise record funding, the early-stage pipeline is collapsing. Key findings include a drop in Series A conversion rates (from 23.3% pre-2020 to 9.3% in 2023), significant declines in pre-seed, seed, and Series A deals since 2021, and a 42-45% reduction in active early-stage investors. The report identifies two types of rocketship unicorns—'Jets' (capital-efficient, e.g., Lovable, Legora) and 'Juggernauts' (capital-intensive deep tech, e.g., AMI Labs, Ineffable Intelligence, Fuse Energy)—and estimates that $2.74B could restore pre-2020 conversion rates, potentially yielding three additional unicorns annually.

• Antler's report analyzed 760 unicorn founders, 4,129 Series A founders, and 81,055 funding rounds in Europe since 2000.
• Only 33 rocketship unicorns (founded post-2020) exist in Europe; they reach unicorn status in 2 years on average vs. 7.2 years pre-2020.
• Series A conversion rate from Seed fell to 9.3% in 2023, down from 23.3% pre-2020.

Souk Raises $1.6M for AI Partner Management

Souk, a UK-based B2B software startup, has raised $1.6 million in pre-seed funding to develop its AI-powered partner management platform. The round was led by Sure Valley Ventures with participation from Antler, Fuel Ventures, and strategic angel investors. Founded in July 2025, Souk is building Coco, an autonomous AI agent that manages tasks across the partnership lifecycle, including sourcing partners, maintaining engagement, monitoring performance, and managing payouts. The platform aims to reduce manual work and keep dormant partner networks active. Early deployments have identified partnerships with potential seven-figure sales pipelines and led to contracts with several unicorn companies. The funding will be used entirely for product development.

• Souk raised $1.6 million in pre-seed funding.
• Sure Valley Ventures led the round, with participation from Antler and Fuel Ventures.
• Souk was founded in July 2025.