Startup Flash Report

STARTUP FLASH - February 13, 2026

Naboo Secures $70M Series B Amid Surging Investor Appetite for High-Growth Tech Innovators

TOP 3 STORIES:
1. Naboo raises $70M Series B, signaling strong VC confidence in scalable tech platforms as the largest February round announced.1 Founders can leverage this momentum to pitch similar breakthrough models, while entrepreneurs in adjacent sectors should note the focus on industry-reshaping potential for faster due diligence in competitive markets.[1]
2. Ever lands $31M Series A led by Eclipse for its AI-powered all-EV marketplace, targeting the booming used electric vehicle sector.4 6 This validates cleantech marketplaces for founders building in sustainable mobility, enabling VCs to prioritize AI-driven consumer platforms amid EV adoption trends.[4][6]
3. Anthropic closes massive $20-30B round at $350-380B valuation, co-led by Founders Fund and others, shattering AI funding records.3 7 Entrepreneurs in AI should target hyperscale narratives for outsized rounds, as this shifts VC allocation toward frontier models and pressures non-AI startups to demonstrate clear moats.[3][7]

Flash Insight: February funding data shows robust early-stage activity with Naboo's $70M leading verified rounds, alongside rising pre-seed volumes from prior trends indicating sustained capital flow into tech and cleantech.[1][2] Anthropic's blockbuster AI raise underscores mega-valuations in frontier tech, drawing scrutiny from figures like Elon Musk while boosting ecosystem liquidity.[3][5][7] Founders should double down on AI-EV intersections for competitive edges, as VCs favor verified traction in high-velocity markets like California hubs.[1][2][4][6]