$900M Raised: AI Dev Tools Just Got Real

PLUS: Claude app adds voice and file support; Reddit adds AI-curated search answers.

May 06, 2025

Leader, welcome back. Today’s updates:

  • Build full-stack apps instantly in your browser with Bolt - your AI-powered coding agent.

  • Cursor’s $9B valuation puts AI coding tools in the spotlight.

  • Claude app adds voice, files, and smarter mobile search.

  • Reddit integrates AI answers directly into its main search bar.

  • Practical tools and must-read resources. Dive in ⬇️

In Partnership

Bolt is the AI-powered dev agent that brings full-stack coding right to your browser. Built on StackBlitz’s WebContainers, Bolt lets you build, edit, & test web applications in real time with simple, chat-based prompts.

Tell the agent what you want to build or change & watch your code update instantly.

NEWS UPDATES

$900M Bet on AI Coding Tools

Anysphere, maker of the AI coding tool Cursor, just raised $900M at a $9B valuation. Thrive Capital led the round, joined by a16z and Accel. This follows a $105M round in December at a $2.5B valuation. Rivals like Windsurf are also seeing investor interest. Big money is moving fast in AI developer tools - this shift signals code is the next battleground in AI.

Claude Adds Voice and File Support

Claude’s mobile app is rolling out voice mode with web search and file upload. Users can now speak to Claude, send images or documents, and get replies with source links and bullet points. This mirrors ChatGPT’s features. As rivals expand voice tools, this move helps Claude stay in the race for everyday AI use on mobile.

Reddit Search Adds AI Answers

Reddit is moving its AI-powered “Reddit Answers” tool into the main search bar. This update lets users get community-based answers directly, without switching tabs. Each answer includes source links and extra tips. Reddit says this change will help new and returning users find useful content faster - signaling AI’s growing role in reshaping platform search and user intent journeys.

BEST LINKS

Productivity Tools

🤖 Dash - Your all-in-one AI agent that runs your entire workflow without switching tools.

🧠 Ithy AI - Combine the world's best AIs to answer your hardest questions.

🎧 Listen Labs - An autonomous AI researcher that uncovers what people want and why, delivering insights in hours, not weeks.

💬 Ravenna - AI-powered, Slack-first helpdesk built to supercharge internal IT and operations support.

Get featured tomorrow: how do you use AI for business / personally? Interesting stories will be shared with 100K curious readers.

Useful Resources

  • A survey of AI agent protocols (link)

  • Best AI blogs & experts to follow in 2025 (link)

  • How to use and prompt Veo 2 in the Gemini app (link)

  • Want better AI images? I tried Midjourney 7 and it blew me away - here's why (link)

  • Data vs. algorithms : how hidden forces powered Bletchley park, Google and GPT (link)

  • LinkedIn shares insights into AI adoption, and tips on how to integrate AI tools (link)

  • Fraud detection in financial transactions using scala collections  -  a practical guide (link)

  • Why most startups fail  -  and how AI can change that: the David Hirschfeld interview (link)

  • Builderx AI valuator & fraud detection agent: a technological leap in jamaican real estate (link)

  • Morgan Stanley and Bank of America are focusing AI power on tools to make employees more efficient (link)

P.S. You can still get the Prompting Playbook (free for you)

STRATEGIC AI DECISION

Which of the following is the most effective way for a large enterprise to ensure its AI models stay accurate and useful over time?

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MARKET

💰 Funding

💼 Who’s Hiring in AI

  • Business development manager, AI apps at Apple (US)

  • Founding ML engineer - AI at Gather (Remote)

🐦 AI. Deals. Decoded:

PROMPT TUTORIAL

Creating an E-commerce Platform

Guide me through creating an E-commerce Platform. Assume I'm a complete beginner. Start by explaining how to identify and analyze the target market for [Product Category]. Then, walk me through choosing and registering a domain name for [Platform Name], and selecting a web hosting provider. Next, explain how to design the website layout and structure, including selecting and setting up an E-commerce CMS. Provide detailed instructions on integrating payment gateways, setting up product pages, and managing inventory. Finally, explain how to implement marketing strategies and publish the website online, including configuring domain settings and ensuring website security.

Product Category - [Insert here]

Platform Name - [Insert here]

Stay curious, leaders!

PS. If you missed yesterday’s issue, you can find it here.

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