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Tuesday, April 4, 2026 | Private Markets Intelligence
Good morning, crowd!
Happy Saturday.
Google is partnering with a natural gas facility in Texas that would generate nearly 5 million tons of carbon emissions annually to power AI data centers — a departure from the climate commitments that defined the company's brand for over a decade.
That's a sharp pivot for a tech giant that pioneered carbon-free energy goals, especially since the facility appears to operate without carbon capture systems. But Google says AI infrastructure demands are outpacing renewable energy availability.
In today's private markets rundown:
Google backs 933MW gas plant for AI power
Amazon advances robotics-powered retail expansion
NASA launches Artemis II lunar mission
Whoop reaches $10.1B valuation with healthcare backing
Quick hits on tech funding and M&A
Read time: 4 minutes
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RETAIL AUTOMATION
⚡ Google partners on Texas gas facility for AI campus
Image source: Cleanview Research / Founderscrowd
Founderscrowds: Google confirmed a partnership with Crusoe Energy on a data center campus in Armstrong County, Texas, where Crusoe has filed permits for a 933-megawatt natural gas power plant that could emit approximately 4.5 million tons of CO₂ annually.
The details:
The "Goodnight" campus represents nearly $30B in data center investment to support AI computing infrastructure across multiple buildings.
Annual emissions from the gas facility would exceed San Francisco's total carbon footprint, according to permit documentation reviewed by researchers.
Unlike Google's Illinois gas project announced in 2025, the Texas facility reportedly includes no carbon capture or sequestration technology.
Google confirmed the Crusoe partnership but stated no power purchase agreement has been finalized for the gas plant's output.
Why it matters: Tech companies are making infrastructure decisions that will shape private markets investing for the next decade. Google has signed 22+ gigawatts in renewable energy agreements and pioneered 24/7 carbon-free energy commitments. A gas-powered facility at this scale signals that AI computational demands are creating energy constraints faster than clean alternatives can scale — creating opportunities in both traditional energy infrastructure and next-generation power technologies.
ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
🤖 Amazon develops robotics-heavy grocery format
Image source: Business Insider Research / Founderscrowd
Founderscrowds: Amazon is building large-format retail locations under an internal initiative known as Project Kobe, combining traditional grocery shopping with embedded fulfillment infrastructure powered by warehouse robotics and artificial intelligence systems.
The details:
Each location spans approximately 225,000 square feet, with nearly half dedicated to robotics operations and fulfillment systems behind customer-facing areas.
AutoStore robotic platforms manage warehouse operations, with a future in-house system called Orbital planned for deployment across the network.
An AI assistant named Frida is designed to help store managers automate local inventory decision-making and restocking operations.
The first confirmed site in Orland Park, Illinois targets late 2027 opening, with additional locations planned for New Jersey and Oak Brook.
Why it matters: Amazon currently holds 3% of the U.S. grocery market compared to Walmart's 21% market share, according to industry data. Project Kobe represents Amazon's most significant attempt to merge e-commerce fulfillment capabilities with physical retail presence. If early locations demonstrate the model's viability, Amazon has indicated plans to expand the format significantly — creating opportunities in robotics automation, real estate development, and AI-powered inventory management systems.
SPACE EXPLORATION
🌙 NASA sends Artemis II crew on lunar flyby mission
Image source: NASA / Founderscrowd
Founderscrowds: NASA's Space Launch System rocket departed Kennedy Space Center on April 1, sending four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a 10-day mission circling the Moon — the first crewed deep-space flight in over 50 years.
The details:
Commander Reid Wiseman and fellow NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, plus Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen comprise the crew.
A six-minute translunar injection burn on April 2 propelled the spacecraft beyond Earth orbit for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The mission trajectory will carry the crew approximately 252,000 miles from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13's distance record by over 3,300 miles.
Lunar flyby operations are scheduled for April 6, when crew members will photograph far-side lunar terrain never viewed directly by humans.
Why it matters: Data collected during this test flight informs Artemis III lunar technology demonstrations planned for 2027 and crewed surface landing missions targeted for 2028. The mission validates life support systems and deep-space operations that establish technical foundations for extended lunar missions and eventual Mars exploration. Private aerospace companies supporting NASA programs — from SpaceX launch services to specialized component manufacturers — continue seeing valuations expand as government contracts provide reliable revenue streams for technology development.
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
💪 Whoop raises $575M at $10.1B valuation with healthcare investors
Founderscrowds: Whoop closed a $575 million Series G funding round at a $10.1 billion valuation — nearly tripling its previous $3.6 billion valuation — with strategic investments from diagnostic device manufacturer Abbott and healthcare institution Mayo Clinic.
The details:
The round was led by Collaborative Fund and includes participation from sovereign wealth funds Qatar Investment Authority and Mubadala Investment Company.
Individual investors joining the round include athletes Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, Rory McIlroy, and Reggie Miller among others.
Whoop's platform now includes FDA-cleared ECG functionality, blood pressure monitoring, and Advanced Labs blood biomarker analysis capabilities.
The company reports 2.5 million members globally and exited 2025 with $1.1 billion annualized bookings run rate, representing 103% year-over-year growth.
Why it matters: Whoop's investor composition signals a strategic shift from pure venture capital to healthcare industry backing. Abbott manufactures diagnostic devices while Mayo Clinic operates major hospital systems — neither represents typical late-stage growth equity. Abbott's investment mirrors Dexcom's 2024 stake in Oura's smart ring platform, suggesting medical device manufacturers are acquiring strategic positions in consumer biometric platforms. Whether this translates into regulated medical products or primarily enhances brand credibility remains uncertain, particularly given FDA's 2025 warning letter regarding Whoop's blood pressure monitoring claims.
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QUICK HITS
📰 Everything else in tech and private markets today
Microsoft will deploy approximately $10B in Japan from 2026-2029 to expand AI infrastructure, train technology workers, and strengthen cybersecurity partnerships.
Amazon is implementing a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on third-party seller fulfillment fees, citing elevated transportation costs.
SpaceX confirmed a Starlink satellite experienced an anomaly causing orbital debris, highlighting operational challenges as the constellation scales to 7,000+ satellites.
Nothing, the London hardware company, is reportedly planning AI-powered smart glasses for 2027 and AI earbuds for 2026 launch windows.
Beehiiv is launching podcast hosting to allow newsletter creators to produce audio content alongside written distribution, competing with Patreon and Substack.
Gmail is rolling out functionality allowing U.S. users to change their email address without creating new accounts.
China's cyberspace regulator issued draft rules controlling "digital humans," requiring clear labeling and restricting features that could create addictive behavior in children.
Lucid Motors is recalling over 4,000 Gravity SUVs due to improperly welded second-row seat belt anchors identified in supplier quality control.
Chinese researchers developed a lithium battery electrolyte that reportedly doubles energy density and electric vehicle range while maintaining performance in extreme cold conditions.
Renewable energy represented 49.4% of global electricity capacity in 2025, reaching 5,149 gigawatts after solar additions drove expansion.
That's it for today's private markets rundown!
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See you tomorrow for Sunday,
The Founderscrowd Team.