Author: Samuel Alejandro

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking information from companies regarding “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech” products. These tools are intended to support investigative activities, as detailed in a recent Federal Register filing. This move highlights the government’s increasing interest in leveraging commercially developed technologies for law enforcement and surveillance purposes.

The traditional office environment is undergoing a significant transformation as companies adapt to new work models and employee expectations. Flexible workspaces are emerging as a strategic solution, balancing collaboration, creativity, and wellness with efficient real estate utilization. This shift is redefining the purpose of offices and becoming a permanent fixture in commercial real estate.

Paris-based fintech Pennylane has secured €175 million in a strategic funding round, led by TCV and Blackstone Growth. This capital will fuel the company’s artificial intelligence development and European expansion, positioning it for market consolidation in financial software. Pennylane offers a unified financial operating system for SMEs and accountants, integrating invoicing, payments, and bookkeeping. The investment highlights AI’s growing role in business infrastructure and Europe’s fintech innovation.

Justin Wenig’s Starbridge, a govtech platform designed to help businesses identify and pursue public sector opportunities, has successfully closed a $42 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by David Sacks’ firm, Craft Ventures, with additional participation from Owl Ventures, Commonweal Ventures, and Autotech Ventures. Starbridge aims to streamline access to fragmented government data using AI workflows, making it easier for sales teams to engage with public sector clients.