From TechCrunch · 40 stories
Beehiiv introduces community features and AI Copilot for newsletter creators
Beehiiv has launched a Community feature allowing subscribers to chat and connect, enhancing engagement. Additionally, the AI Copilot tool will assist creators in managing and growing their audience, contributing to Beehiiv's evolution beyond newsletters.
Fora achieves unicorn status with $60M Series D funding round
Fora has raised $60 million in a Series D funding round, reaching a valuation of $1 billion. The company aims to enhance its AI assistant, Via, to improve productivity for its travel agents, who have facilitated over $3 billion in travel bookings since its launch.
Former DeepMind researcher raises $55M seed at $300M valuation for visual AI startup
Andrew Dai, ex-Google DeepMind researcher, raised $55 million in a seed round at a $300 million valuation for his startup Elorian. This valuation reflects a growing interest in visual AI as a frontier in artificial intelligence, showcasing a successful fundraising strategy that prioritizes strategic investors over maximum valuation.
Sheryl Sandberg invests $10 million in AI vehicle inspection startup Self Inspection
Sheryl Sandberg has led a $10 million funding round for Self Inspection, a startup modernizing vehicle inspections using smartphone technology. With over 1 million inspections completed, the platform aims to streamline the automotive inspection process by leveraging AI to analyze vehicle damage from user-uploaded photos.
Aina raises $5.5M to develop AI interface devices for user control
Startup Aina has secured $5.5 million in funding to develop AI interface devices that allow users to control AI agents instead of merely recording inputs. The company aims to distinguish itself in a market filled with various human-computer interface startups by prioritizing user control and adaptability.
Applied Computing raises $20M for AI model targeting oil and gas operators
Applied Computing has secured $20 million in a Series A funding round to develop an AI foundation model, Orbital, for the oil and gas sector. The model aims to optimize operations by analyzing sensor data in real time, potentially enabling facilities to make better decisions with the data they currently underutilize.
Lululemon invests $30M in nylon-recycling startup Syntetica
Lululemon has invested $30 million in Syntetica's Series A funding to advance nylon recycling technology. This investment addresses the growing demand for sustainable practices in the fashion industry, particularly amid price volatility affecting nylon materials.
Greylock Ventures raises $1.5B fund, prioritizing restraint over larger sizes
Greylock Ventures announced the closure of its $1.5 billion 18th fund, a 50% increase from its previous fund. The firm deliberately chose to cap its fund size, focusing on maintaining quality over quantity in portfolio investments, which it believes enhances support to its startups.
Microsoft trains sales team to negatively compare AI rivals OpenAI and Anthropic
Microsoft is training its sales team to emphasize the advantages of its in-house AI models over those of competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic. This strategic pivot follows a recent trend of Microsoft shifting from reliance on external AI models to promoting its own, amidst a challenging stock outlook.
Microsoft fixes critical security bug in Age of Empires II
Microsoft patched a significant vulnerability in Age of Empires II that allowed hackers to take over victims' computers via a malicious game invite. This fix is part of a broader effort where AI aided in identifying multiple security flaws across Microsoft's products.
Whatnot acquires Shaped to enhance live shopping recommendations
Whatnot has acquired Shaped to improve its real-time recommendation capabilities in live commerce. This acquisition aims to address challenges in product discovery and personalization as the platform scales across diverse product categories.
Anthropic and Partners Launch Ode, a $1.5B AI Implementation Firm
Anthropic and Blackstone have launched Ode, a $1.5 billion AI implementation company, in partnership with Hellman & Friedman and Goldman Sachs. The venture aims to facilitate effective enterprise adoption of AI by embedding expert engineers within firms, addressing the high failure rate of AI pilot projects. This move highlights the industry's shift towards focusing on practical AI deployment rather than just model development.
India Approves Vivo-Dixon Joint Venture Amid Push for Local Smartphone Manufacturing
India has approved a manufacturing joint venture between Vivo and Dixon Technologies, marking further growth in its smartphone production. This follows Apple's successful manufacturing expansion in India and a new $6.5 billion incentive program to attract global supply chains.
Reelful AI App Transforms Camera Roll into Short-Form Videos for Social Media
Reelful is an iOS app that uses AI to automatically create social media videos from users' photos and clips. The app simplifies video creation, appealing to users who find traditional editing tools cumbersome.
Rime raises $24M Series A to enhance voice AI for enterprise calls
Rime, a voice AI startup, has raised $24 million in Series A funding to improve its voice models for enterprises. By creating its own conversational data instead of relying on web-sourced audio, Rime aims to streamline customer interactions in industries like food service and healthcare.
Realta Fusion to build fusion reactor in former Oscar Meyer factory
Realta Fusion will establish its R&D facility at the vacant Oscar Meyer factory in Madison, Wisconsin, planning to create its first plasma by 2029. This decision, supported by bipartisan state incentives totaling approximately $55 million, highlights Wisconsin's commitment to advancing fusion energy amidst increasing electricity demands.
Emergent AI coding startup becomes unicorn with $130M Series C funding
Emergent has raised $130 million in Series C funding, reaching a valuation of $1.5 billion. This significant investment underscores the rising interest in AI coding platforms that cater to small and medium businesses.
Senra raises $65M to modernize wire harness manufacturing
Senra, a startup co-founded by former SpaceX engineer Jordan Black, announced a $65 million Series B funding round. The company aims to modernize wire harness production for various industries using software tools and automation, responding to outdated manual manufacturing processes.
OpenAI researcher Miles Wang to launch AI drug discovery startup valued at $2B
Miles Wang, an OpenAI researcher, is leaving to start an AI drug discovery company aiming for a $2 billion valuation with a $200 million funding round. This move reflects growing investor interest in AI applications within life sciences, following recent significant funding in the sector.
Anthropic's latest ad uses unsettling imagery, triggers backlash
Anthropic's new advertisement, titled "There’s hope in hard questions," features disturbing visuals and has drawn criticism. The ad aims to position the company as a responsible AI contender by addressing industry concerns, but many in the tech community find its approach unsettling.
Hinge founder raises $18M for new AI dating service Overtone
Justin McLeod, founder of Hinge, announced an $18 million fundraising round for his new dating service, Overtone. The app aims to redefine dating experiences by avoiding traditional algorithmic feeds and focuses on personalized introductions using AI.
Meta explores AI token spend caps per engineer, says Adam Mosseri
Meta's Adam Mosseri suggested potential future caps on AI token budgets for employees to manage rising costs. This comes as Meta aims to control expenses amid forecasts of billions spent by 2026.
Superhuman launches improved auto-draft feature for email replies
Superhuman has enhanced its auto-draft feature to create more personalized email responses using AI. The updated system drafts replies based on user tone and generates alternative versions, improving user efficiency in managing high email volumes.
IM8 secures $1B funding from General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund
David Beckham’s startup IM8 has secured $1 billion in funding from General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund, which offers loans rather than equity investments. This funding is intended to help IM8 finance customer acquisition costs for its health drinks without diluting ownership or equity stake.
Pinwheel launches landline phone for kids to reduce screen time
Pinwheel has released the Pinwheel Home, a Wi-Fi-enabled landline phone for children ages 5 to 10. The device aims to provide a screen-free way for kids to communicate while allowing parents control over contacts and usage.
Tech entrepreneurs return to hands-on roles in AI startups
Successful tech founders are joining AI-focused teams and startups, motivated by the industry's growth. High-profile figures, including Tom Blomfield and Chamath Palihapitiya, are indicating a renewed commitment to shaping AI technologies as they see transformative potential ahead.
Uber expands offerings with hotels, concierge services, and AV Labs initiative
Uber is expanding beyond ride-hailing and delivery services by integrating hotel bookings, concierge features, and boat rentals. The company has also launched AV Labs to develop sensor-equipped vehicles and collect driving data, enhancing its relationships with autonomous vehicle partners.
PixVerse raises $439M in Series C extension, valuation surpasses $2B
PixVerse has raised $439 million in a Series C extension, elevating its valuation to over $2 billion. The funds will support its expansion of video generation offerings and geographic reach.
Nous Research in funding talks, seeking $75M at $1.5B valuation
Nous Research is close to securing $75 million in funding at a $1.5 billion valuation, led by Robot Ventures. This funding will support the expansion of its open-source Hermes AI agent and its business model, further establishing its competitive position in the market.
Sam Altman criticizes viability of SpaceX's space data centers amid Musk's assertions
Sam Altman challenges Elon Musk's claims about the feasibility of space data centers, highlighting skepticism among experts regarding their near-term viability. Industry consensus indicates that without significantly cheaper rockets and mass-produced satellites, the business case for space data centers remains weak.
General Fusion becomes first publicly traded fusion power company on Nasdaq
General Fusion started trading on Nasdaq under the ticker GFUZ, marking its debut as the first publicly listed fusion power company. The company aims to leverage the funds from its reverse merger and existing cash to advance its fusion technology amid recent financial struggles.
George Hotz argues for unrestricted AI development against safety measures
Comma AI founder George Hotz critiques the AI Futures Project's proposal to control AI development. He proposes instead that locally controlled AI models should best serve individual users' interests, despite potential ethical concerns.
Anthropic localizes pricing for Claude in India, its second-largest market
Anthropic has begun localizing pricing for its AI service Claude in India, following demand for rupee-denominated subscriptions. This move addresses user concerns over dollar pricing and aligns with India's significance as a growing market for AI technologies.
Reed Jobs' Yosemite firm focuses on cancer solutions and biotech innovation
Reed Jobs launched the oncology-focused venture firm Yosemite in 2023, aiming to create biotech companies from academic research. The firm is expanding its focus, integrating AI into drug discovery and clinical trial design amidst a wave of new opportunities following patent expirations for existing drugs.
Even Realities G2 smart glasses prioritize productivity over recording features
Even Realities has launched its G2 smart glasses, which lack cameras and speakers to emphasize productivity. The G2 features upgrades such as a 1,200-nit display and improved connectivity, aimed at users in professional settings.
OpenAI hires for family-focused ChatGPT experiences
OpenAI is hiring a product manager to develop family-oriented experiences for ChatGPT, reflecting a shift toward household use of AI. This move targets an increasing demographic of older users and parents, indicating a broader strategy for enhanced family safety in AI applications.
Fizz accuses VC Jerry Lu of leaking confidential info to rival Sidechat
Fizz has filed allegations against VC Jerry Lu of Maveron, claiming he shared its confidential information with rival Sidechat following a meeting meant to explore a potential investment. This incident raises concerns about venture capitalists' trustworthiness in handling sensitive startup information, particularly in competitive markets.
HyperTexting app transforms open web into social media-like scrolling feed
The HyperTexting app, recently launched for iOS, allows users to browse the web similarly to scrolling through a social media feed. Developed by Caleb Hailey, the app aims to simplify web accessibility and user interaction by enabling users to follow websites and content creators effortlessly.
Dumb Co launches flip phone syncing with apps for reduced screen time
Dumb Co has introduced a flip phone that syncs with smartphones, enabling access to popular apps while promoting reduced screen time. Developed by a team seeking a simpler lifestyle, the device aims to bridge the gap between constant connectivity and the desire for minimalism in technology.
Hugging Face CEO discusses shift from AI rentals to open source models
Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue discusses the trend of companies moving from expensive proprietary AI APIs to open source models. This shift is driven by the high costs associated with scaling proprietary solutions, and reflects concerns over control within the AI space.