Startups/page/2 news and trends

Sam Altman’s World ID Wins Major Brand Partners
Startups // February 26, 2026

Tools for Humanity, the iris-scanning company co-founded by Sam Altman, is partnering with well-known brands to promote its World ID, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday (Feb. 26). Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Wayve Raises $1.2 Billion and Preps London Robotaxi Launch
Investments // February 25, 2026

Wayve, a United Kingdom-based self-driving vehicle startup, is now valued at $8.6 billion, according to a Wednesday (Feb. 25) press release. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins...

Badge Raises $17 Million to Make Digital Wallets the New Brand Interface
Mobile Wallets // February 19, 2026

Badge raised $17.1 million to expand its wallet platform that enables businesses to interact with their customers through Apple and Google digital wallets. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no...

Shield AI Seeks $1 Billion to Lead Global Defense Tech Surge
Startups // February 13, 2026

Defense technology startup Shield AI is in talks to raise up to $1 billion in a funding round that would value the company at $11 billion, Bloomberg reported Friday (Feb. 13), citing unnamed sources. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article...

Interviews & Exclusives
Y Combinator Offers Startups $500K in Stablecoins Instead of Cash

February 04, 2026
Adding crypto into the finance stack has traditionally had the flair of a younger business. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive […]

Kamran Ansari on the FinTech Reset: Execution, Endurance, and the End of Easy Money

November 10, 2025
Kamran Ansari has lived through nearly every major turn in FinTech, from the first digital wallets and mobile payments to the rise (and recalibration) of billion-dollar disruptors. With nearly 100...

Fundamentals Beat Frenzy for FinTech IPOs in 2025

October 08, 2025
The FinTech initial public offering (IPO) market has roared back to life in 2025 after several quiet years. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and...

SemperVirens Launches Accelerator as FinTechs Scramble for Post-Seed Growth

June 02, 2025
For fledgling FinTechs chasing their first paying customer, the toughest stretch often begins after the seed check clears. Because building a company is a long journey. From concept to funding and finally...

Quick Reads
Dots Raises $8.9 Million to Scale Global Payout Platform

February 27, 2026
Dots raised $8.9 million in a Series A funding round to continue expanding the capabilities of its global payouts platform for marketplaces and service-based businesses. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, […]

Sam Altman’s World ID Wins Major Brand Partners

February 26, 2026
Tools for Humanity, the iris-scanning company co-founded by Sam Altman, is partnering with well-known brands to promote its World ID, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday (Feb. 26). Get the...

Wayve Raises $1.2 Billion and Preps London Robotaxi Launch

February 25, 2026
Wayve, a United Kingdom-based self-driving vehicle startup, is now valued at $8.6 billion, according to a Wednesday (Feb. 25) press release. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock...

Badge Raises $17 Million to Make Digital Wallets the New Brand Interface

February 19, 2026
Badge raised $17.1 million to expand its wallet platform that enables businesses to interact with their customers through Apple and Google digital wallets. Get the Full Story Complete the form...