Naveen Rao is launching a new AI hardware startup aiming for a $5 billion valuation, with significant backing from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The startup is positioned to innovate in the rapidly growing AI sector, tapping into the increasing demand for advanced hardware solutions.

Mistral, a prominent French AI company, is reportedly close to achieving a valuation of $1.4 billion, which would further solidify its position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The company has garnered attention for its innovative approaches and significant market potential, raising expectations for its future growth and impact in the sector.

Cohere has achieved a valuation of $6.8 billion, with significant investments from major tech companies like AMD, Nvidia, and Salesforce. This influx of capital underscores the growing interest in AI technologies and Cohere's role in the competitive landscape of machine learning and natural language processing.

OpenAI is exploring a potential employee share sale that could elevate its valuation to approximately $500 billion, significantly up from its current $300 billion. The company has seen substantial growth, doubling its revenue in the past seven months, largely due to the popularity of its ChatGPT product. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to retain AI talent amidst fierce competition in the tech industry.

Perplexity has reportedly secured $200 million in funding, achieving a valuation of $20 billion. This investment is expected to bolster the company's growth and expansion in the competitive landscape of AI and search technology.

Mercor, an AI startup founded in 2023 by college dropouts, has reached a valuation of $10 billion after securing a new funding deal. The company manages a global workforce of 30,000 contractors to assist in training AI models for clients like OpenAI and Anthropic.