BC Launches $20M Fund, Kevin Hartz's $450M Fund, Nvidia Bounces | May 12, 2026

Executive Summary

British Columbia has announced a strategic investment fund worth $20 million in collaboration with Simon Fraser University, aimed at supporting local startups and innovation. In the private investment sector, A* Ventures, led by Kevin Hartz, has successfully closed its third fund at a robust $450 million, signaling strong investor confidence despite market volatility. Meanwhile, Nvidia experienced a notable turnaround, promoting a positive sentiment on Wall Street amid ongoing inflation concerns.

Startups — 4 articles

The strategic partnership between British Columbia and SFU marks a significant investment in local startups, reflecting a growing trend of government involvement in fostering innovation.

• Colombie-Britannique investit avec SFU pour créer un fonds d'investissement stratégique de 20 millions de dollars — Business in Vancouver (CA)
• Steve Jobs' $1 coin goes on sale today — Remolacha.net (DO)
• Where Fashion Meets the Vine: Inside St. Supéry’s Rudd Estate Acquisition — JetSet (CO)
• A* de Kevin Hartz vient de clôturer son troisième fonds de 450 millions de dollars — TechCrunch (US)

Markets — 5 articles

Despite modest overall losses, Nvidia's recovery showcases the ongoing resilience and potential rebound of semiconductor stocks amid inflation worries.

• Fidus Investment 2026 Q1 - Résultats - Présentation des résultats — Seeking Alpha (US)
• La hausse de l'inflation n'effraie pas Wall Street concentrée sur les résultats trimestriels. L'informatique quantique s'envole de 15 % — Jornal de Negocios (PT)
• US Stocks Close: Settles for Modest Loss – Nvidia Turns Around, Apple Pulls Up — Borsen. (DK)
• Chip companies weigh on Wall Street – Apple at new record level — di.se (SE)
• Chip Stocks FOMO Rally : pourquoi cela pourrait signaler le coup final pour le marché haussier — Seeking Alpha (US)

Business — 5 articles

Elon Musk's upcoming business trip to China with top executives—including Trump—highlights the importance of collaboration and networking in driving global business partnerships.

• Tinubu hails France-Nigeria business council meeting, says partnership enters execution phase — Punch (NG)
• Trump will travel to China escorted by Elon Musk, Tim Cook and 14 other executives, but without Nvidia CEO — BioBioChile (CL)
• Google races to put Gemini at the center of Android before Apple’s AI reboot — CNBC (US)
• HE Interior Minister meets citizens as part of community partnership — BNA Bahrain News Agency (BH)
• Gulf Development Public Company Limited 1er trimestre 2026 - Résultats - Présentation des résultats — Seeking Alpha (US)