Startup Aquisitions

Wedbush is calling for Apple to acquire Perplexity AI to enhance its AI capabilities. An analyst speculates Apple may acquire AI video platform Runway by the end of 2025.

Apple is now reportedly in serious consideration to acquire Mistral, a French AI startup valued at $6.2 billion. Perplexity AI's CEO, however, has announced plans to remain independent despite acquisition rumors. Google hired Windsurf executives for $2.4 billion after OpenAI's $3 billion deal to acquire the AI coding startup fell through.

Apple is facing increased pressure to acquire AI talent and technology, with Wedbush Securities suggesting Perplexity AI, valued at $14 billion, as a key acquisition target. Apple is internally discussing a bid for Perplexity AI. Mistral AI is valued at EUR 5.8 billion.

Apple is reportedly in serious consideration to acquire the French AI startup Mistral, valued at $6.2 billion, to bolster its AI capabilities. Perplexity AI's CEO has announced plans to remain independent, despite rumored acquisition interests.

Apple is reportedly facing investor pressure to make a significant acquisition due to concerns about its AI capabilities and a drop in share prices. Apple is in talks to acquire Perplexity AI. Google hired Windsurf executives for $2.4 billion after OpenAI's $3 billion deal to acquire the AI coding startup fell through.

Apple is reportedly considering acquiring the French AI startup Mistral. Apple is partnering with external firms like OpenAI and Anthropic due to lagging behind Google and Samsung in AI tools.

Google hires Windsurf executives for $2.4 billion after OpenAI's $3 billion deal to acquire the AI coding startup fell through due to tensions with Microsoft. Apple is in early talks to acquire Perplexity AI for an estimated $14 billion.

Apple is reportedly considering acquiring Perplexity and Thinking Machine labs. Scale AI has secured a $14.3B investment, with Alexandr Wang joining Meta's superintelligence lab, and is investing nearly $100M in 23 new AI projects in Canada. Meta has also recruited Ruoming Pang, a top AI researcher from Apple. Scale AI has secured new contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense for AI annotation, data management, and model development.

Meta integrates Atlas AI into its platforms, focusing on on-device processing. Scale AI expands partnerships with Microsoft Azure and NVIDIA, targeting industrial AI. Apple enhances Siri with LLM technology for phased rollout, while also delaying some AI features due to technical challenges.

Apple is considering acquiring Perplexity and Thinking Machine labs to enhance its AI capabilities. Wedbush Securities suggests Apple should acquire Perplexity. Scale AI confirms a $14.3B investment and Alexandr Wang joining Meta's superintelligence lab. SCALE AI is investing nearly $100M in 23 new AI projects in Canada.

Meta continues its AI recruitment efforts by adding Ruoming Pang, a top AI researcher from Apple. Scale AI has secured new contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense for AI annotation, data management, and model development. Apple has delayed some AI-powered Siri features, now expected to arrive later.

Meta is now integrating Atlas AI into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, focusing on on-device processing and replacing older models. Scale AI is expanding its partnerships with Microsoft Azure by integrating its platform with Azure Marketplace and NVIDIA by supporting NVIDIA's Blackwell platform to accelerate LLM training, with a new pilot program targeting industrial AI use cases. Apple's AI translation capabilities are reportedly on par with other platforms, but voice translation lags and some AI features are delayed due to technical challenges. Apple is enhancing Siri with LLM technology, similar to ChatGPT, for phased rollout on iPhones, iPads, and macOS, emphasizing on-device processing.

Meta is integrating Zoom directly into Horizon Workrooms, enabling VR meetings. Meta has reportedly recruited Apple’s head of AI models, and the companies are in talks about integrating Meta’s generative AI model into Apple Intelligence. Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI. Apple has begun rolling out its revamped Siri experience to developers and select users as part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia betas, with a full public release expected in the Fall.

Meta is not currently integrating Atlas AI and no updates are available. Apple's AI translation capabilities are on par with other platforms, but voice translation lags and some AI features are delayed due to technical challenges. Scale AI has expanded its partnerships with Microsoft Azure and Nvidia, securing new contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense, focusing on AI annotation, data management, and model development for defense applications.

Meta is integrating Atlas AI into its core products like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, replacing older models and focusing on privacy through on-device processing. Apple is enhancing Siri with LLM technology, similar to ChatGPT, for phased rollout on iPhones, iPads, and macOS, emphasizing on-device processing. Scale AI expands its partnerships with Microsoft Azure by integrating its platform with Azure Marketplace and NVIDIA by supporting NVIDIA's Blackwell platform to accelerate LLM training, with a new pilot program targeting industrial AI use cases.

Meta denies acquiring any company called 'Superintelligence Labs,' and its recent AI activities focus on internal research and acquisitions like Prescient AI in late 2024. Apple's upgraded Siri, integrated with Apple Intelligence, is in beta, offering more context-aware and accurate responses with ChatGPT integration available to US English speaking users on devices with M1 chips or later. Scale AI expands its partnerships with Microsoft Azure and NVIDIA, focusing on AI model development and evaluation tools, and maintains its defense sector collaborations.

Meta has acquired Atlas AI, specializing in geospatial AI and data analytics, to enhance its VR and metaverse capabilities. Apple is upgrading Siri with "Apple Intelligence", integrating LLMs for improved contextual understanding and is allowing users to opt-in to use OpenAI's ChatGPT through Siri for certain queries. Scale AI and Meta continue to collaborate on AI model development, focusing on data annotation, AI safety, and open-source model development, but without any acquisition or investment.

Meta's Superintelligence Labs has acquired multiple AI research startups to accelerate AGI development on its "Gemini" project, and is releasing open-source AI models and datasets while partnering with universities for AI safety. Apple will soon integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude into Siri for U.S. users via iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 15, emphasizing user opt-in and privacy; Apple's deal is a licensing partnership, not an acquisition, and Scale AI continues to operate independently despite an expanded collaboration with Meta on generative AI projects.

Meta is scaling up its AI capabilities, opening new AI-focused data centers, and reaffirming its commitment to open-source AI models. Llama 4.2 has been released as open-source and via hosted APIs, featuring improved performance and integration into business tools with enterprise partnerships. Also, Apple is exploring integrating external LLMs from OpenAI and Anthropic into Siri. Scale AI asserts operational independence from Meta despite Meta's acquisition of a 49% stake.

Meta's Superintelligence Labs (MSL) is underway aiming to build human-like AI by 2026. Apple has partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri and is allowing users to opt-in and access ChatGPT’s advanced conversational capabilities via Siri, with Google Gemini being another confirmed option in select regions. Apple is opening Siri to third-party AI models, allowing developers to build custom integrations.

Meta continues its Superintelligence Labs (MSL) initiative with a $64-72 billion investment in 2025 for data centers and AI hardware, targeting models like Llama 4.1 and 4.2. Despite this, Meta faces talent competition, regulatory pressures, and financial losses in its Reality Labs division. Scale AI maintains operational independence from Meta, with unchanged data privacy policies. Apple is partnering with OpenAI and Anthropic to integrate advanced AI models into Siri, aiming to enhance its capabilities and address its lag in the AI voice assistant market.

Meta is consolidating AI efforts under Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), led by Alexandr Wang, who is leaving Scale AI to become Meta’s Chief AI Officer, alongside Nat Friedman. Meta invested $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in Scale AI. Apple confirmed integrating ChatGPT into Siri and iOS 18, emphasizing user privacy; there are no confirmed partnerships with Anthropic.

Rubrik's acquisition of Predibase has no new updates. Meta has launched Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) to build human-like AI by 2026, consolidating its AI efforts under Alexandr Wang, formerly CEO of Scale AI, and Nat Friedman. Meta's AI spending is projected between $64 billion and $72 billion, and there are no new updates regarding Apple's AI partnership for Siri.

Rubrik's integration of Predibase’s AI orchestration is embedding AI into data backup and recovery workflows, with pilot programs showing reduced backup windows and improved data recovery. Meta's $14.3 billion stake in Scale AI signals deepening ties, though Scale AI asserts its autonomy. Apple is partnering with Anthropic and OpenAI to bolster Siri with advanced AI models like Claude and ChatGPT, managing them within its cloud infrastructure.

Rubrik is moving forward with its acquisition of Predibase, estimated between $100 million and $500 million, to integrate small language model generation into its data backup platform, and will operate Predibase as a separate unit. Meta acquired a 49% stake in Scale AI for $14.3 billion and hired Scale's former CEO, Alexandr Wang, to lead Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Meta's capital expenditure guidance is now between $64 billion and $72 billion for AI data centers and plans to house over 1.3 million AI processors by 2026.

Meta completes the acquisition of PlayAI, integrating its AI-driven gaming technologies into Meta's Reality Labs to enhance metaverse and AI gaming experiences. Apple is considering using Anthropic’s Claude or OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Siri, but Perplexity AI denies acquisition talks with Apple as Samsung is reportedly nearing a partnership with Perplexity AI for its Galaxy devices. As of mid-2025, no verified information confirms a planned team integration between OpenAI and Crossing Minds.

Rubrik is acquiring Predibase to scale enterprise AI by deploying open-source AI models. Cyera has acquired Otterize and ShapeAI to enhance identity management. Meta is investing $14 billion in Scale AI for a 49% stake, aiming to build an AI-driven platform. Advent International has acquired a majority stake in LayerZero Power Systems, to bolster AI data center infrastructure. Campfire raised $35 million in Series A funding to develop an AI-first enterprise resource planning platform.

Meta is reportedly in talks to acquire PlayAI, a voice AI platform specializing in voice cloning, to enhance its AI capabilities, particularly for its AI assistant and smartglasses; however, Perplexity AI declined an acquisition offer from Meta. Separately, Apple is considering acquiring Perplexity AI for around $14 billion to enhance Siri and Safari. Additionally, OpenAI has hired the team behind the AI recommendation startup Crossing Minds.

Rubrik is set to acquire Predibase to enhance enterprise AI scalability, focusing on deploying open-source AI models and improving AI governance. The acquisition is aimed to tackle AI cost, performance, and governance challenges. Apple is reportedly considering acquiring Perplexity AI for $14 billion, while other AI startups like Harvey AI and Abridge have secured substantial funding rounds, reflecting investor confidence in AI's transformative potential across sectors like legal tech and healthcare.

Acquisition activity in the AI space continues to surge, with 2025 shaping up to be a record year for billion-dollar deals led by major tech companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Meta and Apple are reportedly interested in acquiring Perplexity AI. Meta continues to invest heavily in AI, focusing on foundational AI models, generative AI, and AI applications across its platforms. Meta has committed billions in investment and is also collaborating with academic institutions and AI startups.

Major technology companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are engaging in unprecedented spending on AI and security startups. Meta has approached AI startups including Perplexity AI, Runway, and Safe Superintelligence for potential acquisition, but Perplexity AI declined Meta's offer.

Acquisition activity continues with Rubrik's planned acquisition of Predibase, an open-source AI model fine-tuning startup, for a price estimated between $100 million and $500 million. Other acquisitions include Snowflake acquiring Crunchy Data, Collibra acquiring Raito, and Gravyty acquiring Athlete Network. Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire Perplexity AI for $14 billion.

Acquisition activity in AI remains strong, with Meta securing a $14.3 billion deal for a 49% stake in Scale AI and Apple considering acquiring Perplexity for a potential record-breaking deal of $14 billion. This surge is driven by the rapid growth of generative AI, with spending forecasted to increase significantly. Investments are shifting toward AI infrastructure and energy, demonstrated by multi-billion dollar deals and partnerships. Key AI startups in 2025 include Anthropic, Decagon, and Cohere, marking significant investment opportunities.

VC investment in AI startups continues to grow robustly in H1 2025, particularly in generative AI, AI infrastructure, and sector-specific applications within healthcare and financial services; while Silicon Valley remains a dominant hub, VC interest is growing across emerging tech ecosystems in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. Median large-deal multiples in global M&A have declined, but insurance services are experiencing elevated valuation multiples; AI and digital infrastructure sectors are seeing strategic large-scale investments. Top acquirers include Microsoft, Meta, Qualcomm, and private equity firms; Qualcomm acquired Autotalks for $400 million in June 2025, and Turn/River Capital acquired SolarWinds for $4.3 billion.

Acquisition trends in the 2025 startup ecosystem reveal strategic M&A focused on growth and transformation, significantly influenced by AI technologies. While global M&A volumes have decreased, deal values have increased, particularly in the TMT sector, which is driving capital spending. AI startups, especially those specializing in generative AI and automation, are highly sought after, with companies adopting strategic approaches to fundraising and acquisitions. Notable acquisitions include Google's proposed acquisition of Wiz, Blackstone's acquisition of AirTrunk, and ClickUp's acquisition of Ora.pm, with potential acquisitions like Apple's interest in Perplexity AI also emerging.

In the first half of 2025, tech startup acquisitions by major companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Apple are focused on quantum computing, AI cybersecurity, VR, robotics, and health tech, reflecting trends in AI, immersive tech, automation, and health monitoring. Overall, startup acquisition valuations in 2025 show a cautious investment climate that emphasizes sustainable growth, profitability, and strategic value, with normalized multiples compared to previous years and a focus on data-driven valuation models.

Ripple acquired Hidden Road for $1.25 billion in April 2025, marking a significant deal in the crypto industry. Decagon, an AI customer service startup, raised $131 million, valuing it at $1.5 billion, and Neuralink raised nearly $600 million with a $9 billion valuation. Speculation suggests Apple may make a large AI acquisition in 2025.

In 2025, startup acquisitions are heavily focused on AI and software, particularly those enhancing AI capabilities and automation. Wix acquired Base44 to expand into AI-driven coding, while AMD strategically acquired Untether AI, Brium, and Enosemi to strengthen its AI hardware stack and challenge NVIDIA. Meta has invested in AI startups like ScaleAI and is exploring further acquisitions in the AI space, and there are reports of a potential acquisition of Perplexity AI. Investor demand is high for AI-focused companies like OpenAI and Hugging Face, signaling a broader trend towards AI innovation as a critical factor in startup valuations.

The startup acquisition landscape in 2024-2025 is marked by an accelerated investment pace favoring larger, high-potential startups, particularly in AI and technology, with OpenAI as a key example. The U.S. dominates VC funding and startup acquisitions, while corporate investors are increasingly strategically involved. This indicates a focus on quality and innovation, primarily in the U.S. AI and tech sectors, supported by strong capital flows.

Startup acquisitions in 2024-2025 feature robust M&A activity and venture capital funding, particularly in AI, quantum technology, and SaaS sectors. Key acquirers include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Salesforce, and Apple, focusing on integrating innovative technologies like AI, cloud computing, AR/VR, and fintech. The quantum technology sector is also seeing increased investment and strategic acquisitions.