Startup Flash Report

STARTUP FLASH - February 12, 2026

Naboo Secures $70M Series B, Signaling Strong Investor Appetite for High-Growth Tech Amid Early 2026 Surge

TOP 3 STORIES:
1. Naboo raises $70M Series B to fuel expansion in its core tech vertical, highlighting sustained VC interest in scalable platforms during February's active funding climate 1. Founders can leverage this as a benchmark for Series B pitches, emphasizing traction metrics to attract similar oversized rounds; entrepreneurs in adjacent sectors should prioritize investor networks proven in recent deals like this [1].
2. Talos extends Series B to $150M total, boosting its institutional digital asset infrastructure with a $45M strategic add-on that values the firm at $1.5B post-money 3. This underscores FinTech's hot streak with over $1B raised in February alone, advising founders to target strategic investors for valuation uplifts; VCs should note the role of repeat backers like Blockchain Capital in scaling crypto-adjacent plays [3].
3. R3 Robotics lands $23.6M Series A amid a wave of hardware and AI robotics investments, positioning it for rapid prototyping and market entry 1. Entrepreneurs in robotics should use this to validate AI integration pitches for Series A scalability; founders can apply lessons by showcasing defensible IP to secure funding in competitive hardware spaces [1]2.

Flash Insight: February 2026 funding has exploded with over $1B in FinTech alone and multiple $20M+ rounds across AI, robotics, and blockchain, reflecting VC confidence in resilient high-growth bets despite macro uncertainties [3][1]. Seed and early-stage activity remains robust, with 30+ pre-seed rounds totaling nearly $50M, favoring founders who demonstrate quick traction in B2B software and hardware [5][2]. This momentum means entrepreneurs should accelerate pitches now to capitalize on investor dry powder, while VCs prioritize differentiated AI plays for outsized returns in a crowded ecosystem [4][6].