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Just as the AI search engine Perplexity AI seeks to raise a new round (see "Massive Fundings" below), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post are suing the startup for "content kleptocracy." TechCrunch has more here. 

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By Sarah Perez

On TikTok, Daze’s most popular video has been viewed 8 million times. Across TikTok and Instagram, the startup behind a new messaging app aimed at Gen Z has seen around 48 million combined views. Prelaunch, the app’s waitlist is already bursting with roughly 156,000 sign-ups.

Driving the demand for this next-generation alternative to iMessage and WhatsApp isn’t some smooth-talking influencer or paid advertising, but simply product demo videos of the app in action, which have impressed a younger audience.

Founded by New York-based serial entrepreneur Willem Simons, Daze offers a freestyle messaging app that takes its clues from social media. Similar to crafting an Instagram story using a variety of fonts, styles, graphics, and more, users’ chats are no longer limited to blue and green bubbles. Instead, multi-colored messages can float across the screen complemented by photos, graphics, stickers, GIFs, drawings, decorated backgrounds, and more.

In addition, the app is currently leveraging AI to help power some of its creative tools; it plans to deeply integrate more AI-based technology in the future.

“Our goal with Daze has been to make a feature complete messenger that is competitive with iMessage, WhatsApp, etc., while still having a suite of really fun and creative features,” Simons told TechCrunch. “You can quickly type a message and press send, or drag the message anywhere within the chat. It is easy to use and utilitarian, but also very free and unconstrained.”

More here

Agrolend, a four-year-old São Paulo startup that provides credit to people running small- and medium-size farms using tools like WhatsApp, raised a $53 million Series C round co-led by Creation Investments and Syngenta Group Ventures, with Vivo Ventures, L4, and Norinchukin Bank as well as previous investors Valor Capital, Lightrock, and Yara Growth Ventures also taking part. The company has raised a total of approximately $100 million. AgFunderNews has more here.

Carbon Robotics, a six-year-old Seattle startup that develops autonomous robots that use lasers and AI technology to kill weeds in agricultural fields without the need for herbicides, raised a $70 million Series D round led by Bond Capital, with additional participation from previous investors NVentures, Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Revolution, Sozo Ventures, and Voyager Capital. The company has raised a total of $157 million. GeekWire has more here.

One Zero, a five-year-old Tel Aviv startup that aims to use AI to provide retail banking services, is raising a $100+ million round, according to TechCrunch. Previous investors include Tencent, OurCrowd, and SBI Ventures. The company has raised a total of approximately $242 million. TechCrunch has more here. 

Perplexity AI, a two-year-old San Francisco startup that is building an AI-powered search engine, is reportedly in the market to raise a $500+ million round at an $8+ billion valuation, more than double its previous valuation. CNBC has more here.

SchooLinks, a nine-year-old Austin startup that provides a platform to help students plan for college and careers, raised an $80 million Series B round led by Susquehanna Growth Equity, with Stephens Group, Strada, and ASA also contributing. Forbes has more here.

Seaport Therapeutics, a Boston startup founded this year that is focused on developing new oral medications for neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, raised a $225 million Series B round led by General Atlantic, with T. Rowe Price, Foresite Capital, Invus, Goldman Sachs, CPP Investments, with previous investors ARCH Venture Partners, Sofinnova Investments, Third Rock Ventures, and PureTech Health also piling on. The company has raised a total of $325+ million. BioPharma Dive has more here.

Zephyr, a two-year-old New York startup based in McLean, VA, that offers home repair and maintenance services via its website and app, focusing on services like air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical work, raised a $60 million round. Elda River Capital and the Pritzker Organization co-led the transaction.The company has raised a total of approximately $100 million. More here.

ZipHQ, a four-year-old San Francisco startup that is attempting to use AI to  help businesses streamline their processes for purchasing goods and services, raised a $190 million round at a $2.2 billion valuation, an almost 50% increase in valuation over a financing it raised last year. The deal was led by BOND, with DST Global, Y Combinator, and CRV also taking stakes. Bloomberg has more here.