Newsom signs bill giving Uber and Lyft drivers in California the right to unionize

Drivers for ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft will soon have the right to unionize in California as independent contractors, thanks to a bill signed Friday by Governor Gavin Newsom.

If you’re not an AI startup, good luck raising money from VCs

PitchBook reports that VCs have poured $192.7 billion into the industry so far this year, out of a total $366.8 billion. In the most recent quarter, AI accounted for 62.7% of the money invested by U.S. VCs, and for 53.2% of money invested by global firms.

The clock is ticking: Savings of up to 20% on group passes end tonight for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The Founder Bundle Sale ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. Save 15% on 4–9 Founder Passes and 20% off investor bundles to unlock sessions with leaders like Vinod Khosla, Aaron Levie, Tekedra Mawakana, and Karandeep Anand at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.

Flai is the latest startup bringing AI to car dealerships

The YC-backed startup has raised a $4.5 million seed round as it looks to win over more businesses by replacing cumbersome phone trees with AI-powered software.

Leaked doc reveals the chaotic politics behind Trump Energy Department cuts

Harris-voting states were hit hardest by Department of Energy award cancellations, but not every blue-state project was cut. Politics might play a role.

Can AI companies turn brainrot into revenue?

The U.S. government shutdown that began this week is the first in seven years. While it might not feel immediately disruptive, for startups waiting on permits, visas, or regulatory approvals, even a few weeks can become an existential problem.  On this episode of Equity, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Max Zeff talk through how uncertainty… Continua a leggere Can AI companies turn brainrot into revenue?

Supabase nabs $5B valuation, four months after hitting $2B

It’s been a wild year of growth and fundraising for vibe-coding database of choice, Supabase.

Can you think like a YC partner? This game will help you find out

The YC Partner Simulator game, created by an undergrad in Berlin, lets you see if you can predict which startups get into Y Combinator.

Google’s Gemini AI app could soon be getting a big makeover

The company is seemingly experimenting with a new user interface that would shift the app from having a chatbot-style look and feel to one offering a scrollable feed with suggested prompts accompanied by eye-catching photos.

Rivian is redesigning the R2 SUV’s door handles for better safety

The change comes after employees and customers reportedly voiced concerns.