Milan-based startup Bricks.sh has raised €1.6 million in a pre-seed round led by Primo Capital to automate the creation of internal admin panels using AI. Octopus First Cheque Fund, Eden Ventures, Vesper Holding, Vento and several angel investors participated. The company addresses a common problem where engineering teams spend weeks or months building internal tools for refunds, subscriptions and user management—work that consumes development time without generating revenue. Bricks.sh's platform aims to eliminate the trade-off between speed and customisation in internal tool development. The startup, which has launched its public beta alongside the funding announcement, will use the capital to expand its team and grow its global customer base whilst improving its core product.

Octopus Investments has opened a £30 million fundraise for its two Alternative Investment Market VCTs. The investment manager aims to capitalise on the expanded investment limits announced in the recent Budget. AIM currently hosts over 620 companies across more than 40 sectors, with a combined worth exceeding £63 billion. The platform has served as a crucial funding source for UK smaller companies since its 1995 launch. The Octopus AIM VCTs, established in 1997 and 2005 respectively, offer investors exposure to portfolios spanning over 70 AIM-listed businesses at various maturity stages. The VCTs combine potential long-term growth from smaller companies with tax benefits, providing instant diversification across multiple growth-stage firms, many of which pay dividends. Portfolio holdings include Netcall, a software company specialising in digital transformation solutions.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares added about 4.6% to about $480 on Monday after CEO Elon Musk confirmed the company has made progress on testing of its...