DEAL CORNER EP 21
Its Monday…….the day to bring you the latest update from the deal street……a bunch of handpicked stories from the Web3 space, giving you the flavor of markets activity, the fresh deals struck during this week ….. we have decided to accommodate more deals in this show…..so that you…. our viewers are well informed and benefit from the activities taking place in this space….but first a quick look on the trends so far.
Google has doubled down on its artificial intelligence (AI) bets by investing another $2 billion into AI startup Anthropic, according to a new report.
Google has already invested $500 million upfront to Anthropic — a rival to ChatGPT creator OpenAI — and will pay off the remaining $1.5 billion over time, according to an Oct. 27 report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which cited people familiar with the matter. The mega-deal adds to Google’s $550 million investment into Anthropic earlier in 2023.
Google Cloud also struck a multiyear deal with Anthropic a few months ago worth over $3 billion, The WSJ revealed, citing a person familiar with the matter.
The news follows Amazon’s massive $4 billion investment into Anthropic in September.
Anthropic is using much of these investments to train its AI systems, such as AI assistant Claude, in hopes that the firm can achieve the next big breakthrough in the AI industry.
Google, Amazon, and others are pouring billions of dollars in AI technology….
There are lot of interesting things happening in the AI space and we are bringing you the deal up date so far….the first deal on our radar will definitely encourage gaming enthusiasts…..
The strategic investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megaproject has proposed to invest $50 million in crypto gaming investment company Animoca Brands.
The NEOM Investment Fund plans to invest $25 million via the issuance of convertible notes at a conversion cap price of A$4.50 per share. The remaining $25 million will be invested in purchasing Animoca Brands’ shares on the secondary market. The partnership has been proposed in a memorandum of understanding, according to a press release from both parties.
The goal of this partnership is to promote the development of web3 infrastructure in the NEOM region, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan.
For its part in the deal, Animoca Brands plans to provide “web3 enterprise service capabilities” for both the NEOM region and the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Animoca intends to establish a hub within NEOM to foster the growth of the local web3 ecosystem. It also plans to attract companies to invest in the region from their subsidiaries and investment portfolios.
NEOM, a $500 billion futuristic smart city in Saudi Arabia, is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 scheme. It features a floating industrial complex, enterprise hubs, tourist areas, and sports venues. The project aims to attract investment and diversify the Saudi economy from its oil dependence, as part of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s bid.
Next on the list is…an update from the UK’s digital healthcare system……the government is heavily investing in talented people to seize the potential of AI and ultimately solidify the UK’s position in the AI revolution. They have established an AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Healthcare, aggregating a total investment of £28 million.
The AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Healthcare is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with the goal of training more than 120 PhD-level researchers, including clinical PhD fellows and allied healthcare professionals, to develop patient-ready AI systems that address critical challenges in healthcare.
During the training, the researchers will focus on the development of AI solutions that will make healthcare provision more efficient and effective, diagnostics and digital biomarkers that can detect disease earlier and faster, and systems that support clinical decision-making to deliver optimised personal treatments.
The researchers will also work on measures to prevent disease and maximise the healthy life span of citizens, as well as accelerate the discovery of new drugs, disease mechanisms, and treatments using AI.
Moving on…..an interesting deal from the digital technology space…
A project aiming to combine two of the venture world’s most hyped technologies has successfully raised $6.3 million in a seed round, with backing from Variant and 1kx, the firm announced on Wednesday.
The project, known as Modulus Labs, traces its origins, like many startups, to Stanford University’s prestigious halls. Co-founder Daniel Shorr — like many 20-somethings during the pandemic — couldn’t resist the allure of the crypto space, and this led to the inception of Modulus. But unlike many of the punters drawn to trading screens, Shorr and his co-founders were diving through crypto whitepapers, with a specific focus on zero-knowledge cryptography.
The concept behind Modulus was to utilize zero-knowledge proofs, which offer a cryptography technique that enables the validation of something’s integrity without exposing any additional underlying raw information. Co-founder Shorr draws a parallel, likening this approach to a “blue checkmark” for artificial intelligence systems, reminiscent of X (formerly known as Twitter).
Next deal on the list….is a path breaking venture
The digital world just witnessed a game-changing move as Animoca Brands boldly acquired Azarus, the Web3 streaming powerhouse. The terms of the deal remain under wraps, but what’s crystal clear is the seismic shift this move brings to the gaming and blockchain arenas.
Animoca, with its reputation for innovation and forward-thinking strategies, has always had an eye on Azarus, a platform that revolutionized how gameplay is streamed and interacted with.
They had previously invested in the platform, showcasing their belief in its potential. And now, they’ve made their move, bringing Azarus under their wing, promising a future where streaming, interaction, and blockchain rewards collide in epic fashion.
Azarus, since its inception in 2018, has been on a mission to prove that streaming is not just a digital version of television. They turned the streaming world on its head, showing that it could be interactive, engaging, and most importantly, rewarding.
This move is about creating an immersive experience, transforming every viewer from a passive observer to an active participant. It’s about unlocking the full potential of streaming in the metaverse.
By integrating Azarus, Animoca is setting the stage for creators to take their content across digital realms, bringing their audience with them, and opening doors to unprecedented sponsorship opportunities and fan engagement rewards.
And….now, it’s a time for final deal for this evening….
We are talking Quantum Blockchain Technologies, which has raised £2 million before expenses in a placing on Monday to fund its research and development programme.
The AIM-traded firm said the placing involved the issue of 133,333,333 new shares for 1.5pence each.
It said the net proceeds would serve various purposes and primarily be channelled into its research and development.
The board said the investment would encompass expanding the research and development team, acquiring additional hardware resources, and intensifying software development efforts.
Additionally, some funds would address ongoing legal claims related to the company’s legacy investments.
The remaining funds would be allocated for general working capital requirements, ensuring the company’s continued operations and growth.
You need to login in order to Like
