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Cursor Reaches $29.3 Billion Valuation With $2.3 Billion Investment Round

Artificial intelligence coding startup Cursor announced on Thursday that it successfully closed a $2.3 billion funding round, catapulting its post-money valuation to $29.3 billion. This marks a near tripling in valuation since its last financing round in June, underscoring the surging investor confidence in its innovative AI coding tool that streamlines code generation, editing, and review for software developers.

An Engine Of Innovation In AI Coding

Cursor’s success is built on its flagship tool, which has revolutionized the way developers write and manage code. Developed under the aegis of its parent research lab, Anysphere, founded in 2022, the tool has already surpassed $1 billion in annualized revenue and grown to over 300 employees. This rapid expansion positions Cursor among the elite tier of AI startups, alongside industry giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, all valued at over $10 billion.

Robust Investor Interest And Strategic Endorsements

Among the investors backing Cursor are industry heavyweights including Accel, Thrive Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global, Coatue, Nvidia, and Google. Their confidence in Cursor is heightened by the company’s assertion that its proprietary in-house models generate more code than nearly any other large language models currently available. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, recently described Cursor as his “favorite enterprise AI service,” lending significant credibility to its technological capabilities.

Competitive Landscape And Market Dynamics

The AI coding tool market is swiftly evolving, with increasing competition from high-profile rivals such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cognition. In a notable strategic move, Cognition recently acquired AI coding startup Windsurf, while OpenAI, after exploring acquisition opportunities with Anysphere earlier this year, ultimately launched its own tool, Codex, in May. Meanwhile, Anthropic’s Claude Code has similarly reported impressive market traction, generating over $500 million in run-rate revenue since its full launch in May.

Looking Ahead

Cursor’s leadership remains highly optimistic about its future prospects. The company emphasized that the recent funding will enable deeper investments into research and development, positioning it to unlock further advancements in its AI technology. As the firm continues to refine its technology, the market anticipates that Cursor will set new benchmarks in the coding tool segment.

Watch live commentary as Cursor CEO Michael Truell discusses the funding round on CNBC’s “Closing Bell: Overtime.”

LinkedIn Introduces Advanced AI-Powered People Search

Over the past two years, LinkedIn has steadily integrated artificial intelligence into its platform, enhancing everything from ad copies and personalized content to hiring assistance and job-hunting strategies. The latest innovation focuses on improving one of its most critical features: search. Following the successful rollout of a job search tool for U.S. members earlier this year, LinkedIn is now extending natural language search capabilities to people search.

Streamlined Queries For Targeted Connections

Utilizing natural language queries, users can perform searches such as, “Find me investors in the healthcare sector with FDA experience,” or, “People who co-founded a productivity company and are based in NYC.” This new system simplifies the process that once required precise titles or cumbersome filtering, ensuring a more intuitive and effective way to locate key professional contacts.

Enhancing Professional Networking

During early testing, LinkedIn observed that professionals leveraged the AI-powered tool not only to explore new job opportunities but also to foster business growth and career advancement. As Rohan Rajiv, Senior Director of Product Management at LinkedIn, explained, this upgrade transforms conventional search methodologies by delivering rapid, contextually relevant results that traditional keyword searches often missed.

Industry Trends And Competitive Dynamics

The move comes at a time when AI-enhanced search functionalities are becoming ubiquitous across the digital landscape. Platforms ranging from Google and Bing to startups like Happenstance AI and Clado are racing to deliver more intelligent and responsive search solutions. LinkedIn’s innovation not only reinforces its position as a leader in professional networking but also highlights the transformative impact of AI on everyday digital interactions.

Looking Ahead

Currently available to premium users in the U.S., the AI-powered people search tool will soon expand globally. Future updates are anticipated to refine the tool’s query understanding, ensuring even greater accuracy and relevance. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, LinkedIn’s commitment to integrating advanced AI capabilities underlines its dedication to providing professionals with the tools they need to connect, collaborate, and thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

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