Startup Scoop: Stay Up-to-date with Global Tech Trends (Issue 118)

A new $25 million blockchain venture capital fund has been launched by Paper Ventures to support early-stage startups in the blockchain space. The fund aims to provide value and fill specific gaps in the startup ecosystem. Aramco Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco, has raised its total capital to $7.5 billion with a new investment. It aims to enable the development of disruptive technologies and innovations, with a particular focus on new energies, chemicals, and digital technologies. Energy storage saw a 59% increase in venture capital funding in 2023, surpassing $9.2 billion. Lithium-ion battery technology received the most funding, followed by battery recycling, nickel-based battery technology, energy storage downstream, and materials and components companies. Digs, a collaboration platform for home builders, has raised $7 million in funding to extend its seed round from 2023. The platform provides a digital twin of a home, allowing stakeholders to collaborate effectively throughout the building process.