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This week’s startup funding activity highlighted growing investor interest in artificial intelligence, autonomous mobility, maritime intelligence and consumer brands. Alphabet’s Waymo secured USD 5 billion in debt financing to expand its robotaxi business, while AI startup Manus raised more than USD 500 million after separating from Meta.
In India, lifestyle-tech brand DailyObjects raised Rs. 332 crore, and Guardrail Technologies secured nearly USD 3 million to strengthen AI security. Meanwhile, maritime intelligence startup Quartermaster AI announced a USD 140 million Series B round earlier this month.
Alphabet’s self-driving division Waymo secured a USD 5 billion term loan on October 8, marking its first debt financing. The funding will support the expansion of its autonomous ride-hailing services across the US and international markets.
Major lenders included PIMCO, Blackstone and Sixth Street, alongside several other investment firms. The deal follows Waymo’s USD 16 billion equity funding earlier in 2026, giving the company additional financial flexibility as it scales its commercial operations.
Butterfly Effect, the parent company of AI startup Manus, raised more than USD 500 million in a funding round co-led by Boyu Capital and IDG Capital. Existing investors, including Tencent, Sequoia China and ZhenFund, also participated. Manus develops AI agents that can carry out research and automate tasks with limited human input.
The fundraising follows the unwinding of Meta’s proposed acquisition, after which Manus resumed independent operations. The deal signals continued investor interest in autonomous AI software.
Indian lifestyle-tech brand DailyObjects raised Rs. 332 crore through a mix of primary and secondary transactions, valuing the company at approximately Rs. 1,050 crore. The round was led by Xponentia Capital Partners, Anicut Capital and Axiom Asia Private Capital.
The company plans to use the capital to expand its retail presence, invest in product development and explore overseas markets. Early investor Roots Ventures is partially exiting its investment while remaining a shareholder.
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Guardrail Technologies raised nearly USD 3 million in seed funding, led by Filter Fund Venture Capital, to expand its AI security and governance platform into Asian and European markets. Its software helps businesses monitor AI agents and control their actions.
Meanwhile, Quartermaster AI secured USD 140 million in Series B funding, led by Insight Partners and defense-focused investor Overmatch Ventures, with part of the financing structured as debt. The Arlington-based startup uses ship-mounted sensors to collect real-time maritime intelligence for commercial fleets, insurers and government agencies.
Together, these deals show investors backing both AI software and the infrastructure needed to bring emerging technologies into commercial use.
