Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:
The startup bubble that no one is talking about
Above is a graph that displays the amount of Form Ds filed, where the entity (read: company/firm) name contains the phrases “fund I”, “fund II”, “fund III”, and “fund IV”. The x-axis is not the prettiest, but it is broken down by quarter. You can see that the line for “fund I” sees by far the greatest peak around quarter 3 of 2022, with a steep drop off immediately after. The other lines have a similar, but less pronounced trend.
Fund for Science and Technology Announces Inaugural Grants, Planning at Least Half a Billion Dollars in the Next Four Years • Fund for Science and Technology
“With this new foundation, we’re bringing Paul’s philanthropic vision to bear,” said Jody Allen, board chair of the Fund for Science and Technology. “For decades, Paul and I worked to leverage the power of science and technology innovation to make the world a better place. Paul asked big questions, invested in big thinkers, and supported pioneering problem-solvers around the world. In the same way, the foundation will work to build a brighter future for people and the planet.”
Typepad is shutting down – Everything Typepad
After September 30, 2025, access to Typepad – including account management, blogs, and all associated content – will no longer be available. Your account and all related services will be permanently deactivated.
Government investment takes a new direction with Trump’s Intel stake – PitchBook
This marks a shift by the US into investing in private industry for strategic goals instead of crisis intervention. It is without precedent and potentially an opportunity for startups and other companies to court government agencies and gain influence in the name of national security.
Scale without size: Linktree | First Round
Going into annual planning for 2025, Linktree’s executive team found itself at a bit of a crossroads. Linktree had started as a simple link-in-bio tool, but over the years, it has quietly evolved into a far more ambitious platform for creators and businesses to run their whole digital presence, supporting 70 million users.
PNW Climate Tech Defies VC Chill, Nabs 3 Biggest Investments
The three biggest investments so far this year in Pacific Northwest companies have gone to businesses working to decarbonize the economy.
The Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps – 5th Edition | Andreessen Horowitz
The biggest takeaway from this edition of the list? The ecosystem is starting to stabilize, with 11 new names on the web list driven by traffic increases.* This compares with 17 newcomers in our March 2025 ranking. The mobile list has significantly more newcomers (14), as the App Stores have cracked down on “ChatGPT copycats”—opening up room for more original mobile apps.
The Rise of Front-Loaded Vesting
This shift isn’t just a simple change in numbers; it’s a philosophical pivot toward a more dynamic, performance-driven compensation strategy. It allows companies to manage their stock more efficiently while giving employees a clearer path to earn more by delivering great work.
More Portland startup stories
