Observed Signal · Sep 12, 2026 · News Roundup · Source: Ed Sim (IT/VC) · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
AI/Infra/VC News Roundup: AI Investments, Funding, Security
This newsletter from 'What's Hot in Enterprise IT/VC' compiles recent AI, infrastructure, and venture capital news. It highlights trends in AI funding, including Gimlet Labs' $300M Series B at a $3B valuation with multiple tranches, and Clay's $115M Series D at $7.1B. It also covers the decline in AI spending among top enterprises, the increasing demand for AI compute, and the emergence of cybersecurity threats using AI, such as Anthropic's report on Iran's misuse of Claude. The roundup includes commentary on the AI infrastructure buildout, the acquisition of Miro for $1.355B, and the rise of physical AI deployments like Skild AI's $100M ARR. Overall, it reflects the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology, infrastructure, and investment.
The newsletter highlights significant AI funding rounds, AI spending trends, and cybersecurity implications, indicating a dynamic shift in investment and technology adoption.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Gimlet Labs raised $300M Series B at $3B valuation, led by a16z, with money in at $2.5B, $3B and higher tranches.
- Clay raised $115M Series D at $7.1B valuation, with clients including Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, Stripe, Visa, and UPS.
- AI spend among top 1% of businesses declined 10% in August to $7.2K per employee per month.
- Anthropic published a report on Iran using Claude for cyberattacks, influence operations, and surveillance.
- Skild AI reported $100M ARR within 10 months of deployments in factories, construction, and kitchens.
Connected Companies & Entities
7 Entities mappedAnthropic
Foundation model company selling AI assistants and model APIs.
“Anthropic caught Iran using Claude to target Navy bases and run influence campaigns....”
Clay
B2B GTM orchestration software for data, enrichment and automation.
“Clay raised a $115M Series D at a $7.1B valuation....”
NVIDIA
Accelerated computing company spanning AI software, cloud and gaming.
“Nvidia CEO says AI infrastructure buildout is 'tens of trillions'....”
Miro
Visual collaboration SaaS for enterprise teamwork and planning.
“Federico Simionato announced a deal to acquire Miro for $1.355B....”
HashiCorp
Infrastructure automation software for multi-cloud provisioning, security and service networking.
“Mitchell is an OG, the co-founder of HashiCorp, and now building a new company....”
OpenAI
Foundation model company selling AI software, APIs and subscriptions.
“OpenAI announced ChatGPT for Financial Services....”
Ramp
Finance automation platform for cards, spend, payments and procurement.
“Ramp AI Index reports AI spend declined among the top 1%....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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