As the year draws to a close, the startup world remains abuzz with activity. This week, we saw a flurry of news, from IPOs to fundraises, and even new faces in tech policy. Let's dive into the most interesting stories from the past week.

One of the most notable developments was the IPO of ServiceTitan, a software company that was reportedly "on the clock" to go public. According to sources, the company's IPO timing may not have been entirely due to market conditions, suggesting that there may be more IPOs on the horizon. This news comes as a welcome development for the startup ecosystem, which has seen a slowdown in IPO activity in recent months.

In other news, a U.S. government contracting database revealed the total compensation that defense tech startup Anduril pays its top employees. While there are some technicalities to breaking it down by year, the gist is that Anduril pays extremely well. This news is likely to spark interest in the defense tech sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years.

In the European Union, a new top team has been announced, with three lawmakers in charge of key tech policy areas. One of the notable appointments is Ekaterina Zaharieva, who will serve as the EU's commissioner for startups, research, and innovation. This development is significant, as it highlights the EU's commitment to supporting startups and driving innovation in the region.

In the world of venture capital, data analysis startup Deckmatch found that Y Combinator often backs startups that are building similar products. This research provides valuable insights into the kinds of startups that YC tends to accept, and may influence the strategies of entrepreneurs and investors alike.

On the fundraising front, several notable deals were announced this week. Eyewa, a direct-to-consumer eyewear company, secured a $100 million Series C round led by General Atlantic. Cradle, a startup that applies AI to protein design, raised $73 million to build out its labs and team. Other notable fundraises included Appcharge, a "Shopify for gaming" startup, and PlayAI, a Y Combinator alum that clones voices on command.

In the world of venture capital, basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo launched a VC firm called Build Your Legacy Ventures, which will focus on sports and entertainment investing. Early-stage fund Cleo Capital also announced the launch of a cybersecurity accelerator that will back up to 10 pre-seed and seed startups.

Finally, Latin America's fintech sector is expected to be worth watching in 2025, with 2024 figures showing that the market is starting to turn around. According to QED Investors partner Mike Packer, the region is underfunded coming out of the post-2021 correction, making it an attractive opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs alike.

That's all for this week's startup news roundup. With so much activity in the industry, it's clear that the startup ecosystem remains vibrant and dynamic, even as the year draws to a close.