E252: Vast Data $30B valuation, +229%; Kalshi $22B valuation, +2x; Mastercard buys BVNK; Canva signals 2027 IPO; + more

The podcast delivers a pre-IPO stock update, spotlighting companies across AI, data services, robotics, and crypto infrastructure. Vast Data's valuation sharply increased after a Series F round, driven by AI infrastructure demand. Kalshi, a prediction market exchange, saw substantial revenue and trading volume growth, though faces regulatory challenges. Fowl, an AI inference platform, is raising significant capital amid rapid revenue growth. Yoda Data Services is seeking funding for AI hardware expansion in India. Mastercard's acquisition of BVNK signals a major move into stablecoin payments. Canva is planning an IPO with strong revenue and user growth. Unitree Robotics, a humanoid robotics company, has filed for a Shanghai IPO. Nvidia is investing in new cloud providers to meet AI demand. Gecko Robotics secured a large contract with the U.S. Navy for ship maintenance.