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- 'It's not Theranos 2.0'
Good morning, tech enthusiasts. Billy Evans, partner of incarcerated Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, has reportedly raised millions for a new blood-testing health startup called Haemanthus.
While Evans says that Holmes has no involvement, the stealth startup claims to have developed a cutting-edge device that uses lasers and AI to analyze blood, saliva, and urine samples for early cancer detection. Déjà vu, anyone?
In today’s tech rundown:
Elizabeth Holmes’ partner launches health startup
Perplexity eyes $14B valuation with fresh funding
United flights get high-speed Starlink WiFi
Scientists find electricity-conducting bacteria
Quick hits on other major news
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
HAEMANTHUS
Image source: Photo by Glenn Fawcett/Wikimedia Commons
The Rundown: Billy Evans—the partner of incarcerated Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes—has stepped into the health tech arena with his own blood-testing startup named “Haemanthus.”
The details:
Haemanthus has reportedly raised millions from investors and is pitching itself as a departure from the ill-fated Theranos model.
Evans claims the company is leveraging AI-powered photonics to analyze blood, saliva, and urine for early disease detection, including cancer.
The startup has also secured a patent for its Raman spectroscopy system, which guides AI sensors to interpret molecular patterns in biological fluids.
Its prototype is a small, rectangular box with a door and digital display, bearing a notable resemblance to the infamous Theranos machine.
Why it matters: The startup’s pitch—promising a new era of health optimization—has already drawn both investor interest and skepticism, as the specter of Theranos looms large over any attempt to revolutionize blood testing. Still, Evans emphasizes that Holmes, serving 11 years for fraud, has "zero involvement" in the company.
PERPLEXITY
Image source: Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch/Wikimedia Commons
The Rundown: Perplexity AI, the fast-growing startup taking on industry giants with AI search, is reportedly in advanced talks to raise $500M in a funding round that would value the company at a staggering $14B.
The details:
The round, expected to be led by venture capital firm Accel, marks a big jump from Perplexity’s $9B valuation in December 2024.
The startup initially aimed for a higher raise, going up to $1B at an $18B valuation, but settled for a lower amount and valuation after negotiations.
Notably, the surge in Perplexity’s value comes on the heels of extraordinary growth, with its annual recurring revenue approaching $100M in March 2025.
The company’s AI platform has been competing directly with Google and OpenAI, offering conversational, citation-rich answers to users’ search queries.
Why it matters: AI chatbots are radically changing the search landscape, and Perplexity is positioning itself as a major player in the category. Backed by Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and SoftBank, the startup’s new funding is expected to fuel new products, user growth, and potential integration with platforms like Apple’s Safari.
STARLINK
Image source: United Airlines
The Rundown: United Airlines is all set to roll out Starlink WiFi across its regional fleet, marking the largest airline deal of its kind for Starlink and revolutionizing the in-flight experience for passengers.
The details:
Passengers can expect WiFi speeds up to 250 Mbps, 50x faster than previous connections, and low-latency streaming, gaming, and calls at high altitudes.
The service is available gate-to-gate, meaning passengers can connect as soon as they board and stay online until they disembark.
It officially launches on May 15, beginning with Embraer E175 aircraft, and is free for all MileagePlus loyalty members.
Forecasts predict Starlink could claim a 39% share of the commercial aviation in-flight connectivity market by 2034, going ahead of rival Viasat.
Why it matters: While Air France and Qatar Airways have already begun adopting Starlink, United is the first U.S. airline to roll it out— potentially setting a new standard for in-flight connectivity. Starlink’s lightweight hardware also enables faster installation across fleets, helping eliminate the slow connections passengers have long endured.
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Image source: Oregon State University
The Rundown: Oregon State University scientists just discovered a new species of bacteria with a remarkable ability: it can conduct electricity, functioning much like natural electrical wiring, opening up new possibilities in tech.
The details:
Wired reports that the bacteria weave themselves into microscopic filaments capable of conducting electricity across surprisingly long distances.
Unlike most microbes, which shuffle electrons internally, these newly discovered bacteria form living chains that act as natural electrical wiring.
Researchers, using advanced electron microscopy and electrochemical analysis, observed these bacterial “cables” bridging gaps in sediment.
Their conductive properties have potential applications in bioelectronics, such as developing microbial fuel cells that generate electricity from waste.
Why it matters: Scientists envision new bioelectronic devices that could revolutionize renewable energy and environmental cleanup, like living wires that detoxify polluted soils by channeling electrons to break down contaminants. While these are still early days, this research hints at a future where biology and tech are seamlessly intertwined.
QUICK HITS
📰 Everything else in tech today
Apple is reportedly considering price increases for its new iPhone lineup, but wants to attribute the increase to new features rather than Chinese tariffs.
Mexico filed a lawsuit against Google over the company’s decision to label the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" on its mapping services for U.S. users.
Google agreed to pay $1.4B to Texas to settle two lawsuits alleging that the company violated residents’ privacy by tracking personal data without consent.
EV startup Slate Auto reportedly tallied up more than 100K reservations in two weeks for its customizable low-cost electric pickup truck.
Polish startup Volonaut released a buzzy new video of its Airbike, a jet-powered hoverbike designed to carry one person at speeds up to 124mph.
France is pushing for a Europe-wide ban on social media for kids under the age of 15, with its minister for digital affairs leading the initiative.
Carnegie Mellon researchers published a study on LegoGPT, an AI system that can create stable, buildable LEGO structures from text prompts.
Rippling, an HR software company, secured $450M in Series G funding, raising its valuation to $16.8B amid ongoing legal disputes with rival firm Deel.
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See you soon,
Rowan, Jennifer, and Joey—The Rundown’s editorial team
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