Startups · Top stories
New EU Packaging Regulations Pose Challenges for Small Tabletop RPG Businesses
Small tabletop RPG designers and publishers are expressing concerns over the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which came into effect on August 12, replacing the 1994 directive. The regulation, particularly its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) component, requires compliance with both EU-wide and individual country-specific rules and fees, leading some businesses to temporarily halt shipping to EU countries due to complexity and cost.
Affirm Reports Strong Q4 Earnings and Positive Outlook Amidst High Gas Prices
Affirm Holdings reported strong fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, exceeding revenue and gross merchandise volume expectations, leading to a 7% stock increase. CEO Max Levchin noted that high gas prices are driving increased demand for buy now, pay later services as consumers seek budgeting tools.
Belgian Startup Any Launches LUV1 Modular Electric Motorcycle with Cargo Capacity
Belgian startup Any has launched the LUV1, a modular electric motorcycle designed to combine the cargo capacity of a bike with the speed of a motorcycle. The LUV1 aims to address urban mobility needs by offering significant storage and versatility, positioning itself as a "life utility vehicle."
Fashion startup Atorie raises $9.5M seed round for luxury goods without markup
Fashion startup Atorie secured $9.5 million in seed funding from investors including a16z speedrun, Night Capital, and Lightspeed Ventures. Atorie offers luxury goods made from the same materials and factories as high-end brands but at lower prices, addressing consumer demand for affordable luxury and changes in manufacturing capabilities.
Hoomanely launches AI platform and smart feeding bowl to monitor dog health
Hoomanely, a Palo Alto startup, introduced an AI platform and a smart feeding bowl called EverBowl designed to detect early signs of illness in dogs by monitoring their eating and drinking habits. The system analyzes data from sensors in the bowl to establish a health baseline and alerts owners to significant deviations, providing data that can be shared with veterinarians.
Salem Robotics (YC S26) launches software for industrial inspection robots
Salem Robotics, a Y Combinator S26 startup, has launched software that provides task-specific intelligence for existing mobile robots to perform surveys and physical inspections in hazardous industrial facilities. This software addresses the gap in making robots reliably execute complex manipulation tasks required for industrial procedures, such as taking smears or leak detection.
Indie Hacker Funds MacBook Purchase by Selling Ad Space on Laptop Lid
An indie hacker, Vincent, has successfully pre-sold advertising sticker space on his MacBook lid, raising 111% of the laptop's retail price. This project, named Brand My Mac, allows advertisers to place their logos on his device, gaining visibility both online and offline.
Capital F, an all-female-led VC firm, closes $17M debut fund for the 'female economy'
Capital F, a venture capital firm led by women, announced the close of its first fund at $17 million. The firm will invest in companies focused on the "female economy," specifically in women's health, digital commerce, and AI tools.
Seattle Company Interlune Explores Lunar Helium-3 Mining Feasibility
A Seattle-based company, Interlune, is investigating the practicalities of mining helium-3 from the Moon's surface. This initiative explores the potential for lunar resources to provide helium-3 for fusion energy and other applications, which could establish a new extraterrestrial resource industry.
Businessman convicted of $24 million crypto mining Ponzi scheme involving 'AI supercomputer'
A Las Vegas businessman was found guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering for operating a $24 million cryptocurrency mining Ponzi scheme. The scheme, named Profit Connect, falsely promised high returns and a money-back guarantee using an "AI supercomputer" for mining, but paid early investors with funds from new investors. This conviction highlights ongoing risks in unregulated crypto investment schemes, particularly those leveraging buzzwords like AI.
QueryStory Emerges from Stealth with $6M Seed Round for AI-Powered Data Analysis Platform
QueryStory, a startup co-founded by former Google engineer Shapor Naghibzadeh, emerged from stealth today after raising a $6 million seed round. The company develops an AI-powered platform designed to help large enterprises analyze proprietary databases and generate actionable narratives from data, bridging a trust gap for AI in business analytics.
Runable Raises $21M Series A to Expand AI Agent for Business Growth
Indian startup Runable secured $21 million in Series A funding to expand its AI agent capabilities beyond software creation to focus on customer acquisition and business growth for small businesses. The funding round, co-led by Susquehanna Venture Capital and Nexus Venture Partners, values Runable at $65 million post-investment. This development signifies a shift in focus for AI agents from building digital assets to actively managing and promoting businesses.
Dreame shuts down automotive project after government funding withdrawal
Chinese vacuum manufacturer Dreame has reportedly closed its automotive division, "Project Starry Sky," due to a halt in government funding. This closure follows increased scrutiny by the Chinese government on the private fund industry, impacting Dreame's expansion into various new ventures.
Pie App Launches Community Homes Feature, Shifting Focus from Events to Social Networking
Pie, a social app founded by Bonobos' Andy Dunn, launched a new "Community Homes" feature that allows users to create permanent groups within the app. This update shifts Pie's focus from being primarily an events app to a social network emphasizing ongoing community connections.
Fiat Ventures rebrands as FGV Capital, combines divisions, and launches $35M Fund II
Fiat Ventures has rebranded as FGV Capital, integrating its growth consultancy and venture divisions, and simultaneously launched its second fund, a $35 million vehicle. This consolidation aims to provide founders with enhanced go-to-market strategies and advisory support, potentially influencing investment decisions and attracting LPs in a competitive venture environment.
US nutrition startup Berry Street merges with India’s Healthify amid GLP-1 trend
US nutrition startup Berry Street merged with Indian startup Healthify to capitalize on the increasing use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. This merger combines Healthify's AI-powered and human coaching with Berry Street's clinical network, aiming to expand their metabolic care offerings, particularly in the US market.
Shein targets $27 billion Hong Kong IPO, a significant drop from 2022 valuation
Shein plans to raise up to $1.77 billion in its Hong Kong IPO, valuing the company at approximately $27 billion. This valuation is substantially lower than its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022, reflecting slowed growth, profitability pressures, and waning investor interest.
Meteoric Develops Drones to Dissipate Clouds Over Solar Farms for Increased Power Output
Meteoric, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is developing autonomous drones to mechanically alter water droplets in low- and mid-altitude clouds near solar farms, aiming to reduce cloud reflectivity and increase sunlight on solar panels. This technology could boost annual generation from existing solar assets by 10-30% and offers a cheaper alternative to current cloud dissipation methods.
Michael Polansky's Outer Biosciences trains AI on living human tissue kept alive for over a month
Michael Polansky, founder of Outer Biosciences, is developing an AI model using living human tissue that the company has kept alive outside the body for over a month. This work focuses on combining AI and biology to advance research in maintaining biological systems ex vivo.
Letara secures $16M to expand hybrid propulsion from satellite thrusters to large rocket systems
Japanese startup Letara raised ¥2.6 billion (~$16 million) in funding to expand its hybrid propulsion technology beyond small satellite thrusters to include large rocket systems for space, defense, and security markets. This expansion aims to capitalize on Japan's investment in its aerospace industry and address limitations in hybrid propulsion technology.
Greyparrot Raises $27M Series B for AI-Powered Recycling Plant Systems
London-based startup Greyparrot secured a 20.3 million ($27 million) Series B funding round to expand its AI-powered camera systems for recycling plants. The technology uses computer vision to identify materials on conveyor belts, aiming to improve sorting efficiency and material recovery.
Orbital Construction Pioneers Develops Patent-Pending In-Orbit Fabrication Process
Orbital Construction Pioneers (OCP) is developing a patent-pending process for fabricating large space structures in orbit using non-traditional methods and materials. This approach aims to create flexible, adjustable structures for various missions, including storage, habitats, and vessels.
Enhanced Group reports $62 million net loss after hosting Enhanced Games event
Enhanced Group, the company behind the Enhanced Games, reported a net loss of nearly $62 million in its second-quarter earnings, largely due to costs associated with hosting the sports competition. This financial outcome casts doubt on the future of the event and highlights the commercial challenges faced by the company despite its recent IPO.
Adit Singh, early Cerebras investor, joins Mayfield as infrastructure partner
Adit Singh, who co-led the initial funding round for Cerebras, has joined Mayfield as an infrastructure partner. He will focus on investments in hardware, infrastructure software, cybersecurity, and physical AI, bringing his expertise in semiconductors to the firm.
Vendo Launches Open-Source Customization Layer for B2B SaaS Products
Vendo, a Y Combinator S26 startup, has launched an open-source customization layer that allows users to build features and micro-applications directly on top of existing B2B SaaS products. This tool aims to help SaaS teams address requests for bespoke features by providing an embedded agent that interacts with a product's API and renders custom UI in a sandboxed environment.
Travis Kalanick Criticizes Venture Capitalists, Citing Low Helpfulness Rate
Travis Kalanick, founder of Uber and Atoms, stated that only 1% of venture capitalists are truly helpful to founders, based on his career experiences. He advises founders to create bidding wars among VCs for funding, despite his critical view of the industry.
Deus Ex and Dishonored Designer Harvey Smith Launches Black Pony Immersive Studio
Harvey Smith, known for his work on Deus Ex and Dishonored, has co-founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive with Ben Horne, focusing on narrative-rich first-person action RPGs, also known as immersive sims. The studio, based in Austin, Texas, includes veterans from various game development companies and aims to create original worlds and emergent gameplay.
Rivian spinout Also raises $150M Series D for autonomous delivery vehicles
Also, a micromobility startup spun out of Rivian, secured an additional $150 million in Series D funding, bringing its total raised to $455 million. This capital will accelerate the development of its autonomous driving technology and various autonomous vehicle form factors, expanding its business beyond electric bikes and cargo quads.
EarthGrid tests plasma torch tunnel-boring machine for underground infrastructure
EarthGrid successfully tested its rock-melting tunnel-boring machine (TBR) in California, using plasma torches to bore through granite. This technology aims to make placing critical infrastructure underground quicker and more cost-effective, addressing increased demand for secure facilities.
Neko Health, founded by Daniel Ek, opens first US office in New York
Neko Health, a health-scanning startup co-founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, is opening its first U.S. office in SoHo, Manhattan, on September 24. This expansion marks the company's entry into the American market, following its operations in the U.K. and Sweden, and indicates a growing trend of tech founders entering the health scanning sector.
Xpander Secures $7.5 Million Seed Funding for AI Management and Governance Platform
AI enablement platform Xpander raised $7.5 million in seed funding to expand its market penetration. The company provides a platform for organizations to manage and govern AI agents across various environments, addressing challenges in AI adoption and migration.
Indian startup Othisis test-fires 3D-printed fully cryogenic reusable rocket engine
Indian startup Othisis successfully test-fired a 3D-printed, 5 kN fully cryogenic rocket engine prototype. This development demonstrates the potential of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D printing for manufacturing advanced rocket propulsion systems, which could impact the cost and efficiency of space launches.
Grounded Raises $5M Seed Round and Opens New Manufacturing Facility for Van Customization
Detroit startup Grounded secured $5 million in seed funding from investors including Also Capital and The 81 Collection. The company also opened a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Detroit to scale its modular vehicle customization business for both electric and combustion-powered vans.
Sonic Fire Tech Raises $15M for Sound-Powered Fire Suppression System
Sonic Fire Tech secured $15 million in funding to develop its sound-powered fire protection system, which uses infrasonic waves to extinguish fires without water or chemicals. This funding will support hiring and the testing required for National Fire Protection Association approval, potentially offering a cleaner and faster alternative to traditional fire suppression methods.
Former Better Home & Finance CEO Vishal Garg Seeks Reinstatement After Ouster
Vishal Garg, the former CEO of Better Home & Finance, claims he was unjustly fired on August 3 and seeks to regain his position. Garg states he was on the verge of turning the company around, citing increased sales and new partnerships, despite a history of controversies including mass layoffs and a significant drop in company valuation.
Thrive Capital's Joshua Kushner Criticizes Silicon Valley VC Approach to AI Investments
Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner, in his firm's first investor letter, critiqued Silicon Valley venture capitalists for their "spray-and-pray" investment strategy and AI "euphoria." Kushner advocates for a concentrated investment approach, focusing on a few key companies and ideas, contrasting with the traditional outlier-focused model.
Selena Gomez and Mother Sued for Alleged Fraud in Mental Health Startup Wondermind
Investors are suing Selena Gomez and her mother, alleging securities fraud and breach of contract related to their mental health startup, Wondermind. The lawsuit claims investors put nearly $1.2 million into the company, which allegedly failed to deliver on commitments and was not marketed by Gomez as promised. This matters as it highlights potential risks and accountability issues in celebrity-backed ventures, particularly in the startup ecosystem.
Telehealth Startup Amble Health Sells $345 Emergency Kits for Nuclear Disaster Preparedness
Amble Health, a telehealth startup, is selling a $345 "Oh Sh*T Kit" containing prescription medications like iodine tablets and Prussian blue pills, marketed for surviving nuclear disasters. The company states the kit is primarily for workers routinely exposed to radiation, though it addresses broader fears of radiological events.
Fermi, an AI nuclear power firm, appoints Lee McIntire as new CEO
Fermi, a company developing AI-powered nuclear reactors for data centers, has appointed Lee McIntire as its new CEO, over three months after its co-founder was removed. McIntire previously served on Fermi's board and held CEO positions at CH2M Hill and TerraPower, bringing experience in large-scale project delivery to the company's Project Matador.
Sandbar, maker of the Stream voice ring, raises $23 million Series A, totaling $36 million
Sandbar, the company behind the Stream private voice ring, has raised a $23 million Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $36 million. This funding supports Sandbar's development of AI wearables focused on voice capture for stray thoughts and ideas.