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Reuters reports that Democrats are preparing to investigate lucrative business deals involving Donald Trump and his family if they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. The move signals that oversight of the former president's financial dealings would become a priority should the party take committee power, with potential subpoenas and hearings into the family's commercial ventures.

New York City has issued subpoenas to Elon Musk and his company SpaceXAI as part of an investigation into artificial intelligence safety practices. The move signals growing scrutiny by city authorities of how prominent AI developers handle safety obligations. Details of what the investigation specifically targets have not yet been disclosed.

Climate tech venture capitalists are redirecting their investments toward companies that supply power for artificial intelligence, a shift away from their original mission of cutting carbon emissions, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The move reflects how surging electricity demand from AI data centers has made energy supply a more immediate investment opportunity than emissions reduction technologies.

The secondary market for venture capital has grown sharply this year, with annual transaction volume reaching roughly $152 billion, according to estimates from Jefferies and Evercore. Reports from William Blair and Preqin project the market could grow to as much as $250 billion. The surge reflects investors seeking liquidity in an environment where traditional exits through IPOs remain limited, making share sales a bigger part of the venture ecosystem.

Dr M G Suresh Kumar discussed ISRO's move to open India's space sector to private companies in a Malayalam-language interview with Bijumohan. The conversation covers what greater private participation means for India's space programme, from satellite launches to commercial space ventures, as ISRO shifts from a purely state-run agency toward enabling private players in space activities.

Venture investors Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen are funding a new academy positioned as an alternative to traditional college, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The project reflects growing skepticism in Silicon Valley about the value and cost of a four-year degree, with backers arguing young people can learn technical skills outside established universities.

A company owned by Donald Trump filed trademark applications on Friday for "MAGA" and "45-47", covering streaming apps, television broadcasting, and news and commentary on politics and current events, according to US Patent and Trademark Office records. The filing fuels speculation that Trump is preparing to launch his own media operation, following his earlier ventures into digital platforms.

TechCrunch has announced the next five venture capitalists who will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at Disrupt 2026. The judges will evaluate pitches from 200 selected startups competing at the event. More judge announcements are expected as the conference lineup is rolled out ahead of next year's gathering.

Idan Nurik, co-founder of the Israeli company Paragon, is leaving the firm to launch a new startup focused on AI infrastructure. The news, reported by Calcalist, marks the latest move by a founder stepping away from an existing venture to build in the fast-growing artificial intelligence sector. Details about the new company's products, funding or team have not yet been disclosed.

A member of Congress has warned that donations from intelligence contractors toward a ballroom project linked to Donald Trump could face scrutiny, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest between firms seeking government business and the president's private ventures. The warning suggests such contributions may be examined for improper influence or ethics violations.

European Greens are calling for mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be removed from the EU's list of strategic projects, according to Euractiv. The move reflects concerns over the environmental impact of mining ventures seeking EU backing. The dispute touches on tensions between Europe's push for secure critical raw materials and environmental safeguards, and it comes as the EU finalises which projects deserve strategic status and support.

A businessman who built his fortune selling stickers has won Donald Trump's endorsement and is now positioned to win a seat in Congress. Reporting has focused on his unconventional path to politics, with coverage highlighting the strange twists in his career and how a niche novelty-products venture became a springboard toward national office.

A chip fabrication plant run as a joint venture between Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) and NXP Semiconductors has entered its initial production stage. The facility marks a key milestone for the partnership, which focuses on expanding chip manufacturing capacity, and is being followed closely by industry watchers tracking global semiconductor supply.

Former Stripe employees are founding a series of new payments companies, continuing a pattern in which alumni of the payments giant go on to build their own ventures in the sector. The trend highlights how Stripe's workforce has become a breeding ground for fintech entrepreneurship, with ex-employees applying what they learned there to new payments plays.

New entertainment company Peanuts Entertainment has launched, announcing a feature project centered on the Mirabel Sisters as its debut offering. The launch was reported by Variety, positioning the venture as one to watch in the international film and entertainment space, though further details on the project's cast, budget or release timeline have not yet been disclosed.

TechCrunch has announced the next five venture capitalists who will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The judges will evaluate pitches from 200 selected early-stage startups competing at the event, where founders battle for funding and visibility. The announcement adds to the growing lineup of investors taking part in this year's conference.

Israeli businessman Ofer Yannay is seeking $200 million for the legacy solar energy business of Nofar Energy, according to Calcalist. The reported fundraising effort centers on the company's original solar assets, distinct from its newer ventures. The move comes as Nofar has been reshaping its portfolio amid pressure in the renewable energy sector, and market watchers are assessing what a sale or investment round would mean for its valuation.

Modulate has raised $25 million to expand its voice modelling technology and voice analysis suite. The company builds tools around synthetic and analysed voice, and the fresh funding will support growth of its platform. The announcement was reported by TechCrunch, drawing attention from the startup and tech community.

Helmut Marko, the long-time Red Bull Formula 1 adviser from Graz, has invested in a Graz-based startup that uses artificial intelligence to generate funeral eulogies. The company crafts personalised tribute speeches, reportedly drawing on memories and details about the deceased. The unusual pairing of a tough-minded motorsport figure with a grief-tech venture has drawn attention, raising curiosity about how AI is moving into even the most personal and sensitive corners of life.

The Institute for Justice, a US public interest law firm, has launched a new Education Entrepreneurship Project aimed at supporting people starting educational businesses as schools reopen and workers return for the fall. The initiative reportedly combines the group's litigation and advocacy work with efforts to help education entrepreneurs overcome regulatory barriers, tapping into renewed attention on schooling and work at the start of the academic year.

Noa Argamani has joined Vine Ventures, according to Calcalist, taking on a role focused on helping Israeli startups expand into the United States market. The move links a widely known Israeli figure with an early-stage venture firm at a time when Israel's startup ecosystem is seeking fresh routes to American investors and customers.

John Herman, co-founder and CEO of non-alcoholic beer brand Bero, told trade publication Global Drinks Intel that a brand built on a celebrity tie-in lacking credibility, soul or quality is destined to fail. It is the first part of an interview discussing how celebrity-backed drinks ventures can succeed, with Herman arguing that substance and product quality must come before famous names.