Do Ventures

Elon Musk's SpaceX is preparing its Starship spacecraft for its first orbit around Earth, according to a report from NewsNation. The fully reusable rocket system, designed for missions to the Moon and Mars, has undergone earlier test flights, and reaching orbit would mark a major milestone in its development programme.

A young entrepreneur has built a defense technology startup now valued at $3.7 billion, with backing from prominent venture firm Sequoia. Fortune reports the story of how the Gen Z founder scaled the company, highlighting the growing wave of young founders entering the defense tech sector and investor appetite for startups serving national security markets.

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency ignored the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy when it cleared the venture, and are pressing regulators to reconsider the decision.

The venture capital secondary market has grown beyond expectations, with deal volume reaching about $152 billion this year, according to estimates from Jefferies and Evercore. Analysts at William Blair and Preqin project further growth, forecasting volumes of up to $250 billion in their 2026 reports, pointing to a rapidly expanding segment as investors seek liquidity from existing startup stakes.

Foxconn and Alter have formed a new joint venture, Beijing Futekang, to build a mass production platform for humanoid robots. The move ties Foxconn's large-scale manufacturing capability to the fast-growing humanoid robotics sector, positioning the partners to industrialise robot assembly much as Foxconn did for consumer electronics. Industry watchers see it as a signal that humanoid robots are moving from prototypes toward volume production in China.

Autonomous driving software firm Momenta and Stellantis' Chinese joint venture with Dongfeng have agreed to co-develop intelligent driving technology. The partnership will focus on bringing advanced driver assistance systems to vehicles sold in China, one of the world's largest but most competitive auto markets. The move underscores how global automakers are pairing with local tech suppliers to stay relevant against fast-moving Chinese competitors.

Tech investors including Michael Horowitz and Marc Andreessen are funding a new academy designed as an alternative to traditional college, according to the Wall Street Journal. The initiative reflects growing skepticism in Silicon Valley about the value of a four-year degree, with backers arguing that hands-on technical training can prepare young people for careers without the cost and time of university. The project is drawing attention as part of a broader debate over higher education's worth.

VIS, the Taiwanese chipmaker, says the joint venture fab it runs with Netherlands-based NXP Semiconductors has entered the initial production stage. The milestone marks the start of output at the plant, which is expected to supply chips for automotive and industrial uses. Further details on capacity, yield ramp-up and timing for full-scale production were not given in the initial announcement.

Efforts to pass the Clarity Act, a bill to set clear US rules for crypto markets, have stalled amid political tensions tied to the Trump family's growing crypto ventures. Critics say the family's financial interests in digital assets have complicated negotiations, giving Democrats reason to resist and Republicans reason to defend, leaving the legislation in limbo on Capitol Hill.

Bob Chapek, the former Disney chief executive, is advising startups and says he is open to launching or joining a private equity fund, according to Bloomberg. The move marks a new chapter for Chapek after his high-profile exit from Disney in 2022, and signals continued interest from former media executives in early-stage ventures and investment vehicles.

Elon Musk says SpaceX's AI effort, dubbed SpaceXAI, could reach GPT-6-level capability within three months and take the 'pole position' in artificial intelligence within six, backed by plans for a massive expansion of GPU computing power. The comments land amid fierce competition among AI labs and Musk's own xAI venture, drawing skepticism and attention in equal measure.

A supermarket has opened an on-site pub as a way to work around restrictions on selling alcohol, and the venture has grown busy enough that it now employs bouncers to manage crowds. The unusual arrangement highlights how retailers are finding creative legal routes to sell liquor where rules limit supermarket alcohol sales. The story has drawn attention for its odd mix of grocery retail and nightlife.

SpaceX has reported $7.8 billion in revenue alongside a quarterly loss of $541 million. The figures, disclosed through reporting on the privately held company's finances, offer a rare glimpse into the economics of Elon Musk's space venture, which continues heavy spending on Starship development, Starlink expansion and launch operations while remaining one of the world's most valuable private companies.

IBA and Penn Medicine have announced the creation of Noventra Oncology Alliance, a joint venture focused on oncology. The partnership combines IBA's technology background with Penn Medicine's clinical and research expertise to develop and advance cancer treatment solutions. Details on funding, leadership and the venture's first programs have not yet been made public.

FAW-Volkswagen, the German-Chinese joint venture, has introduced the Jetta M6, a new fully electric sedan. The model extends the Jetta brand, long known for affordable combustion cars in China, into the battery-electric segment. Details on specifications, pricing and launch markets are limited so far, and the announcement is drawing attention from observers tracking how established joint ventures respond to China's fast-moving EV competition.

A startup founder has shut down his artificial intelligence company even though it was showing early signs of success. In an interview with Tech in Asia, he explained the reasoning behind the decision, offering a rare candid account of why a promising AI venture was deliberately wound down rather than scaled.

NFL running back Saquon Barkley is investing up to $500,000 in individual startups, focusing on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin as he builds wealth for life after football. The move highlights a growing trend of professional athletes putting earnings into technology ventures rather than traditional investments, drawing attention to how sports stars prepare financially for retirement.

South Korea's government under President Lee is restructuring its small and medium enterprise support programmes, directing more funding toward technology and startup ventures while cutting back on traditional loans and employment subsidies. The policy shift signals an effort to prioritise innovation-driven growth over broad-based business aid, sparking debate over whether conventional small businesses will be left behind.

Japanese education group Kawaijuku has become an investor in Do Ventures' second fund in Vietnam, with the aim of backing education-focused startups in the country. The tie-up links an established Japanese test-prep and education company with one of Southeast Asia's most active early-stage venture firms, as investors look to Vietnam's growing edtech and education services market for new opportunities.

WOI India has acquired SwiftSeed Ventures and appointed Amar Dixit as chief executive of the business. The deal, reported by The Economic Times, brings the venture firm under WOI India's ownership, with Dixit taking charge of its operations and strategy. Details on the transaction's value and the two firms' plans have not been disclosed.