📮 Tensor Ventures — Decoded Newsletter July 2025 Edition
What’s new at Tensor:
🚀 Portfolio in Action
OpenVibe took the stage in New York City at the Threads API Summit, showcasing how they’re redefining social and content aggregation.
QurieGen was selected among the Top 100 most promising AI startups of 2025 and is competing in the RAISE AI Startup Competition - a strong recognition of their groundbreaking work in AI-driven drug discovery.
Pointee launched a fresh new webinar series diving into product and data insights. Join on 28th August at 4pm CET.
dstack was featured in Nebius’ Q2 report, highlighting its role in shaping the future of AI infrastructure.
More on our LinkedIn follow us there!
👩🏽💻 Deep tech scene
Anthropic Releases Claude for Financial Services
On July 15, Anthropic launched Claude for Financial Services, a specialized AI solution tailored for financial analysts, portfolio managers, and underwriters. It offers advanced tools for market research, due diligence, and data-driven decision-making.
AI Revolution: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Agent
On July 17, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Agent - transforming ChatGPT from a passive chatbot into a proactive assistant that can autonomously browse the web, manage files, and use applications. This marks a key leap toward agentic AI tools.Biotech Boom: MapLight Therapeutics Raises $372M
July’s biggest private biotech round came from MapLight Therapeutics, which secured $372.5 million in Series D funding. The investment supports its lead program for schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, positioning neurological therapeutics as a compelling VC focus.Robotics Milestone: Intel Spins Out RealSense with $50M
Around mid-July, Intel spun out RealSense - its AI and robotics division - into a standalone company with a $50 million Series A raise. RealSense will continue to supply its depth-sensing tech to humanoids and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), highlighting a renewed push in intelligent automation.Microsoft Edge Unveils “Copilot Mode”
On July 29, Microsoft rolled out an experimental “Copilot Mode” in its Edge browser. This AI-driven feature aims to streamline browsing by predicting user intent, summarizing content, reducing tab clutter, and guiding interactions.
💡 What we read
A VC’s Framework for Innovation
Stanford professor Ilya Strebulaev shares a visual framework on how venture capital and innovation cycles evolve. The graphic makes clear where capital flows, where returns concentrate, and why timing matters more than we think. View the graphic ➝Yes, Ads Are Coming to AI
Strange Loop Canon argues that ads in AI products are inevitable - and perhaps even desirable. The piece dissects economic incentives, user expectations, and how monetization may reshape the AI landscape. Read more ➝Levered Beta Is All You Need
Ethan Ding revisits the role of levered beta in modern finance, showing how this simple concept underpins risk-adjusted returns. A sharp and technical dive that bridges academic theory with practical portfolio strategy. Dive in ➝Is Defense Tech Backable?
Nicola Sinclair explores whether defense tech startups can attract venture funding. Beyond ethics, the piece lays out the structural barriers and why some investors are leaning back in. Read the essay ➝Contrary’s Research Rundown
A sweeping roundup covering markets, startups, and technology from Contrary Research. The July digest highlights emerging founders, sector shifts, and under-the-radar insights worth tracking. Browse the rundown ➝AI Market Intelligence
Artificial Analysis digs into the data behind AI funding, adoption, and product launches - mapping where the money flows in 2025 and which categories are rising fastest. See the analysis ➝
📣 Events On Our Radar
TechBBQ – Aug 27–28 | Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰
Scandinavia’s flagship startup summit, where founders, VCs, and global innovators connect.TechVillage – Sept 5–7 | Butuceni, Moldova 🇲🇩
A nature-immersed retreat with 50 curated startups and investors—dealmaking done differently.Bits & Pretzels – Sept 29–Oct 1 | Munich, Germany 🇩🇪
Founders and investors gather during Oktoberfest for Europe’s most vibrant founder festival.How to Web – Oct 1–2 | Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴
Eastern Europe’s premier tech & VC gathering, drawing 3,000+ innovators and investors.Istanbul Slush’D – Oct 3–4 | Istanbul, Türkiye 🇹🇷
Slush goes global—live pitches and cross-continental VC networking at the Bosphorus.Tech Week – Oct 6–12 | San Francisco, USA 🇺🇸
A city-wide spotlight on AI & robotics with 1,000+ decentralized tech events.Web Summit – Nov 10–13 | Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹
The biggest global stage for startups, investors, and thought leaders—70,000+ attendees.Slush – Nov 19–20 | Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮
The ultimate founder-first gathering: 5,000+ startups, global investors, and dealmaking at scale.
Cheers,
The Tensor VC team