Live shopping SaaS platform showing real-time product recommendations during a livestream sale

Whatnot Acquires Shaped: Live Shopping SaaS Gets Smarter

Livestream shopping platform Whatnot has acquired Shaped, an AI startup specializing in real-time recommendations and search. This move highlights how live shopping SaaS is evolving fast, with personalization now seen as a core competitive advantage rather than a nice-to-have feature. For small business owners selling through livestreams, this deal is worth watching closely. Whatnot built […]

Marketer reviewing generative AI advertising concepts on a laptop screen

Generative AI Advertising: Dollar Shave Club’s Playbook

Generative AI advertising is no longer a novelty reserved for tech giants. Dollar Shave Club, the grooming brand known for its irreverent tone, has been experimenting with generative tools to sharpen its creative output and reclaim a distinct brand voice. Chief Brand and Innovation Officer Laura Higgins recently described how the company is rethinking its […]

Illustration representing DeepSeek IPO plans and AI investment growth for small businesses

DeepSeek IPO Plans Signal AI Sector’s Next Big Bet

DeepSeek is reportedly working through the early stages of a fundraising round that could bring in roughly $1.5 billion, with a valuation near $71 billion attached to the deal. According to reports, the Chinese large language model developer is also eyeing a public offering in 2027. Together, the DeepSeek IPO plans point to a company […]

Illustration representing Nous Research funding round and AI agent technology growth

Nous Research Funding Signals a Bigger AI Bet

The latest Nous Research funding round is turning heads across the tech world. The company behind the Hermes agent is reportedly in talks to raise at least $75 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, with Robot Ventures leading the round and USV joining alongside other notable backers. For small business owners tracking where technology dollars […]