Good Morning!
Final World Cup game tomorrow - which side are you on 🇪🇸 or 🇦🇷?
What You Missed This Week:
1. 📊 Databricks Hits a $188B Valuation
The AI halo keeps lifting Databricks. The data-and-AI company raised a new round at a $188 billion valuation, led by Coatue, up from $134 billion just five months ago, and $62 billion at the end of 2024. The company didn't disclose the raise size and says the round won't close until later this summer. The run caps an 18-month reinvention from big-data SaaS into an AI provider, helped by products like its Lakebase agent database and its public embrace of cheaper open-weight models for cost control. (TechCrunch)
2. 👋 Let me ask you a question...
When a potential buyer asks AI for a solution like yours, does your product/service show up?
If not, you would be silly not to take advantage of a free trial from Ranked. They are the easiest & most affordable way to start showing up in AI searches, as well as Google. With industry-leading AI/SEO ranking software + over 5,000 businesses already trusting them to grow, you would be silly not to:
3. ⌨️ OpenAI Debuted its First Branded Hardware
OpenAI’s first branded device is finally here. The $230 Codex Micro is a specialized, RGB-lit mini-keyboard designed to let users monitor and quickly interact with multiple Codex agents with a glance and a few clicks. The device is a “limited-run collaboration” with Work Louder, which sells a similar Creator Micro line of customizable keyboards for creative professionals. (ArsTechnica)
4. 🏦 Stripe & Advent Submitted a Bid to Buy PayPal for $53.4Bn
Stripe and private equity firm Advent International reportedly submitted a joint bid to acquire PayPal earlier this month. The deal is valued at approximately $53.4 billion with roughly $50 billion backed in committed bank financing. If completed, the acquisition would unite two of the biggest names in digital payments with Stripe and Advent jointly owning PayPal. (TechCrunch)
5. 👀 Not enough time or $ for marketing?
You gotta check out my new favorite, shockingly affordable, full-service marketing agency! One flat month-to-month subscription for unlimited marketing help.
Think of them as your on-demand CMO, designer, copywriter, developer, media buyer, and strategist... all working together for half the cost of one full-time employee.
See if you qualify for an intro to them, here →
6. 👑 Apple Passed Nvidia to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company
Nvidia has been dethroned. Apple reclaimed its position as the world’s most valuable company today, overtaking Nvidia as its market market capitalization climbed to $4.9 trillion against the AI chipmaker's $4.8 trillion. Apple is reclaiming the top spot for the first time since April 2025. Nvidia has been holding the seat since last June when it overtook Microsoft. (Quartz)
😮 The Marketing Channel You've Probably Slept On:
Haven't tried newsletter sponsorships yet? You are missing out on a HUGE ROI+ customer acquisition channel. I know because dozens of advertisers keep coming back for more... Run a test campaign with us and see for yourself 👉 Apply now.
Bonus. 🤖 Level Up Your AI Game
Join hundreds of my readers who have become more proficient in AI with one of HubSpot's easy-to-follow free guides:
⚔️ CEOs’ New Secret Weapons ⚔️
📳 Want more sales calls? We built the trust engine that warms leads up and books calls on autopilot. Get More Quality Leads & Calls Here →
🙏🏼 Learn how Alex Hormozi... stole Martha Stewart's cult-building playbook, and how you can too, on the newest episode of The 10 Minute Marketer, now streaming on Spotify, Apple & YouTube →
📈 Weekly blogs + backlinks for $99/mo — this SEO team is my go-to for every project → 👉🏼 Start your free trial here
🙏🏼 Real-time IMPACTFUL analytics made for eComm — behavior, attribution, heatmaps, and more → Get set up in just a few minutes, here!
Want more leads, clients, customers, or users? Advertise with us here →
😭 Subscribed to too many newsletters? Meco fixed this, now I read all my newsletters in one clean 100% free app! Get to inbox zero here →
(Don’t click here, it’s just a test for our filters, here)
This newsletter may include paid promotions or affiliate links. We may earn compensation if you sign up through them. See our Privacy Policy here.