OCTOBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9 LILA SCIENCES RAISES $115M LED BY NVIDIA VENTURESNEWSROOMLila Sciences, an AI-powered scientific research startup, has raised $115 million in new funding from investors including Nvidia's venture arm, lifting its valuation to over $1.3 billion.Founded in 2023, the company builds AI models and automated labs designed to accelerate scientific discovery through data-driven experimentation.This latest round brings Lila's total Series A funding to $350 million and overall capital raised to $550 million, reflecting strong investor confidence in its vision to reshape how science is conducted. The new funds will fuel the development of "AI Science Factories", including a state-of-the-art automated laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and support the company's plans to open its platform to commercial customers.Unlike traditional AI firms that rely heavily on internet-sourced data, Lila's approach centers on generating proprietary scientific data through controlled experiments.This model has already attracted interest from major players across energy, semiconductors, and drug development, sectors where accurate and high-quality experimental data can unlock major efficiency gains.By combining automation, robotics, and advanced AI, Lila aims to make the scientific process faster, more reproducible, and scalable, positioning itself as a next-generation innovation engine for global R&D. Apple Inc. is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Vietnam, planning to produce new smart home devices such as a display hub and indoor security cameras as part of its continued shift away from China.The move underscores Apple's strategy to diversify its supply chain amid geopolitical and regulatory pressures.The upcoming smart home display hub, expected to launch in spring 2026, will feature a 7-inch LCD screen and serve as a central control center for connected appliances, video calls, and smart home functions. The product is being assembled, tested, and packaged by BYD, one of Apple's key manufacturing partners, which will also handle expanded iPad production in Vietnam.Apple is also developing a tabletop home robot equipped with a motorized arm, targeted for release in 2027, though its progress has slowed due to delays in the company's AI software development. Both the display hub and the robot will incorporate LCD panels supplied by Tianma Microelectronics.This expansion reinforces Vietnam's growing role in Apple's global supply network, joining India as a key alternative manufacturing base. As Apple ramps up its investment in smart home technology and AI-driven devices, the company aims to deepen its presence in emerging markets while reducing reliance on Chinese assembly operations. APPLE TO MAKE SMART HOME DEVICES IN VIETNAM BY 2026· Lila Sciences raises $115M, valuing the AI startup at $1.3B· Backed by Nvidia's venture arm and other top investors· Funds to build AI-driven automated labs in Cambridge, MA· Apple to manufacture smart home devices and cameras in Vietnam by 2026· BYD to handle assembly and iPad expansion as Apple reduces reliance on China· Future plans include a tabletop home robot with a motorized arm for 2027
< Page 8 | Page 10 >