Sphere, an AI-native tax engine startup, has successfully raised $21 million in a Series A funding round led by a16z. The round also saw participation from Y Combinator, Felicis, and 20VC. Sphere's platform leverages AI to automate global tax compliance, offering businesses a streamlined solution for cross-border income compliance through over 100 local tax filing channels. This innovative approach has earned Sphere the nickname "the tax version of Deel," as it enables companies to operate globally from the outset.