The startup will leave the tech giant’s Moonshot Factory division—which makes bold bets on developing innovative technologies—after raising an undisclosed round led by Series X Capital. (The Logic)

Talking point: Taara plans to beam connectivity through the air using light, transmitting data for kilometres between tall towers using mirrors and sensors. The startup claims it can achieve speeds that rival fibre optic networks, while avoiding the messy licensing negotiations and construction that cable requires. Taara works with internet service providers, which roll out the connections to users. Alphabet has recently spun out an increasing number of projects developed at its skunkworks into independent firms, as it invests its own capital in developing AI products and building infrastructure for them. Waymo, the most famous moonshot, has raised billions in outside financing from backers including Magna and CPP Investments.