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Desktop Metal raises $160 million, led by Koch

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata

Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Image

Desktop Metal, a maker of 3D metal printing systems for commercial and industrial use, has raised $160 million in new funding led by a subsidiary of Koch Industries, at a valuation of around $1.5 billion.

Why it matters: The Massachusetts startup has now raised more venture capital ($438m total) than any other 3D printing company in history, and expects to roll out its mass production printer later this quarter, after several months of delays. It already has a desktop prototyping printer on the market.

Go deeper

Hans Nichols, Kadia Goba
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Dems race to address, preempt stimulus fraud claims

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Biden officials are working to root out the systematic fraud in unemployment and Paycheck Protection Program claims that plagued the Trump administration’s efforts to boost the economy with coronavirus relief money, Gene Sperling told House committee chairmen privately this week.

Why it matters: President Biden just signed another $1.9 trillion of aid into law, with Sperling tapped to oversee its implementation. And the administration is asking Congress to approve another $2.2 trillion for the first phase of an infrastructure package.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Hans Nichols, author of Sneak Peek
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Biden close to picking Nick Burns as China ambassador

Nicholas Burns. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Nicholas Burns, a career diplomat, is in the final stages of vetting to serve as President Biden’s ambassador to China, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.

Why it matters: Across the administration, there's a consensus the U.S. relationship with China will be the most critical — and consequential — of Biden's presidency. From trade to Taiwan, the stakes are high. Burns could be among the first batch of diplomatic nominees announced in the coming weeks.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Zachary Basu, Jonathan Swan
2 hours ago - World

Biden's Russian sanctions likely to achieve little

President Biden announces new sanctions against Russia. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Despite bold talk from top administration officials, there's little reason to think the Russia sanctions package President Biden announced Thursday will do anything to alter Russian President Vladimir Putin's behavior or calculus.

Why it matters: While it's true some elements of the package — namely, the targeting of Russia's sovereign debt — represent significant punitive measures against Moscow, it leaves plenty of wiggle room for the Russian president.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow