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  • Goldman Signals Data Center Boom May Lead to Long‑Term Glut Risk

    Goldman Signals Data Center Boom May Lead to Long‑Term Glut Risk

    Goldman’s GPU‑Fueled Data‑Center Boom — & Irony

    Starter Pack: Who’s Paying to Keep the Internet Running?

    Vinay Viswanathan, your friendly neighborhood analyst at Goldman, just dropped a note to the scouts of the capital markets: the U.S. data‑center securitization market—yes, that stuff that turns servers into investment vehicles—is on a snack‑fast track to a record this year. Not because the world is being greedy, but because these facilities are getting a serious GPU makeover to feed the beast known as large‑language models.

    Why GPUs Matter

    • Processing power to train the next generation of AI that can tweet, write essays, and potentially taste coffee.
    • Feel the heat? Those data centers are literally burning… GPUs… for reasons.
    • Investor enthusiasm is at an all‑time high: more funding lines are being drawn up than Bitcoin’s‑mining‑mill years.

    The Caveat: “Hold On, We Still Aren’t Sure.”

    Despite the cold‑blooded excitement, Vinay isn’t going to let you jump in with one finger. He’s honest: the long‑term supply‑and‑demand picture remains a mystery to the seasoned pro. “Near‑term green shoots do not guarantee a forest,” he said (yes, that is a phrase he used). Investors, beware. It’s a happy market for now, but the oceans might not be as clear in the months to come.

    Bottom Line

    Data centers are getting big, GPUs are getting bigger, and this market is charging toward a record. The analysts are optimistic yet cautious. So buckle up, investors. Your portfolio might just get a GPU‑powered boost, but keep your eyes peeled for the hidden variables.

    Data Center Asset Securitization: A Hot Ticket for the Near‑Future

    When Viswanathan puts his finger on the trends, he spotlights a solid “near‑term market momentum” around the securitization of data center assets. Why? Three key forces are driving enthusiasm:

    • 1⃣ Growing Demand for Cloud Infrastructure – As more businesses move to the cloud, the need for reliable data centers explodes. Investors see this as a sign of steady cash flow.
    • 2⃣ Favorable Financing Terms – Low interest rates and flexible debt structures make it easier to package and sell these assets.
    • 3⃣ Strong Asset Quality & Performance – Modern, energy‑efficient data centers with solid tenant agreements provide the kind of stability that investors crave.

    In short, it’s a perfect storm of supply, demand, and favorable finance. The outlook? Bright enough that even the most cautious investor can’t help but take a look.

  • Eyebot gets M Series A to expand eye care access

    Eyebot gets $20M Series A to expand eye care access

    Eyebot, a startup offering a 90-second vision test kiosk that delivers doctor-verified glasses prescriptions, has secured $20 million in Series A funding.

    The Boston-based startup, founded in 2021, streamlines how people access vision care by eliminating traditional obstacles, such as appointment delays, limited accessibility, complex insurance requirements, and cost.

    Its kiosks, already found in malls, universities, retail stores, pharmacies, grocery chains, schools, and airports, deliver a free, 90-second vision test. According to the company, each test generates a prescription that is then reviewed and approved by licensed eye doctors, ensuring fast, convenient, and reliable prescriptions.

    The new funding, which brings Eyebot’s total funding to more than $30 million, comes roughly a year after the startup raised its seed round in June 2024. Since then, the startup has conducted more than 45,000 free vision tests and is on track to deliver over half a million annually, it says.

    “Since our seed round, the shift has been dramatic. We’ve gone from piloting to partnering with some of the largest companies in the U.S., launching kiosks all over the country, and delivering tens of thousands of vision tests,” Matthias Hofmann, co-founder and CEO of Eyebot, told TechCrunch. “Revenue is scaling and our team has doubled in size. Most importantly, we’ve proven the model works: People are using Eyebot, doctors are validating the results, and retailers are excited about the traffic it drives.”

    What sets Eyebot apart, Hofmann said, is its combination of convenience and medical assurance. Every test is reviewed by a doctor, and all prescriptions are issued under clinical supervision. If test results indicate anything unusual, patients are referred for in-person, comprehensive exams. That balance of speed plus clinical oversight earns trust, he says.

    “At our mall locations, we’ve seen surprising uptake from parents with kids,” Hofmann said. “They’ll stop between stores, try Eyebot — sometimes even while holding their kids’ hands — and leave with a prescription in just a couple of minutes.”

    Techcrunch event

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    REGISTER NOW

    Convincing traditional eye care providers to embrace a tech-first approach has proven difficult. Early skepticism ran deep: Doctors worried about accuracy, while patients questioned whether a process so fast could be reliable, according to Hofmann. He says that hesitancy eased once providers learned that experienced doctors review every result, many with more than a decade of experience.

    Eyebot is in the early phases of commercialization. Its vision test is offered free to consumers, and if a prescription is needed, one of the company’s doctors verifies it for a fee. Additionally, the company leases its kiosks to optical retailers, eyewear brands, and independent practices.

    With the Series A, the company plans to scale kiosk deployment and expand its team across product, clinical operations, and commercial growth, the CEO said.

    The latest round was led by General Catalyst and included participation from returning investors AlleyCorp, Baukunst, Village Global, Humba Venture, Ravelin, and Ubiquity Ventures.