Bezos Returns: $6.2B Project Prometheus Launches as AI Expands Into Home Services and Travel

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Welcome

Jeff Bezos is back in an operational role, launching Project Prometheus with $6.2 billion in funding. While tech's biggest names make massive bets on AI infrastructure, the technology is quietly transforming unexpected sectors like roofing, corporate events, and Dutch documentaries. For the first time, AI Business Weekly is now covering each update in more detail on our website, breaking down why these developments matter to the AI industry. Today's stories show both ends of AI's expansion.

Jeff Bezos Returns as Co-CEO of $6.2B AI Startup Project Prometheus

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is creating an AI startup called Project Prometheus where he will serve as co-chief executive. The company launches with $6.2 billion in funding, partly from Bezos himself, making it one of the most well-financed early-stage startups ever. This marks Bezos's first formal operational role since stepping down as Amazon CEO in July 2021. Bezos's return to active management signals his belief that AI represents a generational opportunity on par with the early internet era, positioning him to compete directly with OpenAI, Anthropic, and other well-funded AI startups. Read more

History Channel Netherlands Launches AI-Powered Historical Travel Series

History Channel Netherlands commissioned Straten van Toen (Streets of the Past), a 10-part series using AI to recreate historical settings. Historian Corjan Mol will travel to Dutch locations that will be digitally transformed to show how they appeared in different historical periods. The production company behind controversial AI "actor" Tilly Norwood is producing the series for Hearst Networks. The series represents mainstream media's growing comfort with AI as a primary production tool, showcasing the technology's potential in educational programming where traditional period recreation would be prohibitively expensive. Read more

Sakana AI Raises $135M Series B at $2.65B Valuation for Japanese AI Models

Tokyo-based Sakana AI raised $135 million in Series B funding, reaching a $2.65 billion valuation. Founded in 2023 by former Google researchers, the startup builds affordable generative AI models optimized for Japanese language and culture. Major Japanese financial institutions including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group invested alongside Khosla Ventures and Lux Capital. Sakana's rapid valuation growth reflects investor confidence that culturally-tuned AI models will capture meaningful market share against English-centric Western alternatives, with Japan's major institutions backing domestic AI development for technological sovereignty. Read more

Netic AI Raises $23M Series B to Bring AI to Plumbers and Roofers

Netic AI raised $23 million in Series B funding led by Founders Fund for its autonomous AI revenue engine targeting home services businesses. The platform automates client outreach, bookings, marketing, and analytics for plumbing, roofing, and electrical companies. Founder Melisa Tokmak previously served as GM and Chief of Staff at Scale AI before launching Netic in late 2024. Founders Fund's investment signals growing investor interest in applying AI to overlooked blue-collar sectors rather than competing on foundational models, targeting fragmented markets where basic automation can deliver immediate ROI. Read more

BoomPop Raises $41M for AI Corporate Travel and Events Platform

San Francisco-based BoomPop raised $41 million led by Wing VC for its AI-native platform handling corporate group travel and events. The round included participation from Atomic, Acme, and individual investors like Alex Rodriguez and Brian O'Malley. The platform automates logistics for group travel, venue booking, and event management for enterprise customers. The significant funding round reflects investor confidence that vertical software solutions targeting specific enterprise workflows can command premium valuations when they deliver clear operational efficiency gains in the rebounding corporate events market. Read more

📢 The Big Picture

Bezos's $6.2 billion bet on Project Prometheus shows continued massive capital deployment in AI infrastructure. But today's other funding rounds reveal where AI is actually generating near-term revenue: overlooked sectors like home services and corporate events. Founders Fund backing a platform for plumbers signals that AI application layers may deliver faster returns than competing on foundational models. Meanwhile, Sakana AI's success in Japan validates demand for culturally-specific AI models, suggesting regional champions will emerge alongside Western giants.