The AI gold rush is pulling private wealth into riskier, earlier bets 

On a recent episode of Equity, we talked to Arena Private Wealth to explore a growing trend: family offices bypassing VCs to gain direct exposure to AI startups, turning them from passive investors into active participants.

Why a former AirPods engineer is now building heat pumps

Merino Energy has simplified the heat pump dramatically in a quest to make them cheaper and easier to install.

Why a former AirPods engineer is now building heat pumps

Merino Energy has simplified the heat pump dramatically in a quest to make them cheaper and easier to install.

Hermeus raises $350M to build unmanned hypersonic fighters

The defense aviation startup is coming off two successful flight demonstrations, and with the next one, it’s aiming to go supersonic.

Watch this video of how a job interviewer exposes a North Korean fake IT worker

An apparent North Korean worker was caught visibly stumped during a remote job interview when asked to insult the country’s leader.

North Korea’s hijack of one of the web’s most used open source projects was likely weeks in the making

North Korean hackers pushed out malicious updates to a popular open source project by hacking a top developer’s computer in a long-running campaign.

OpenAI’s vision for the AI economy: public wealth funds, robot taxes, and a four-day workweek

OpenAI proposes taxes on AI profits, public wealth funds, and expanded safety nets to address job loss and inequality, blending redistribution with capitalism as policymakers debate AI’s economic impact.

Startup Battlefield 200 applications open: a chance for VC access, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K

Nominate your startup, or one you know that deserves the spotlight, and finish the process by applying. Selected 200 have a chance at VC access, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K for Startup Battlefield 200. Applications close on May 27.

Startup Battlefield 200 applications open: a chance for VC access, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K

Nominate your startup, or one you know that deserves the spotlight, and finish the process by applying. Selected 200 have a chance at VC access, TechCrunch coverage, and $100K for Startup Battlefield 200. Applications close on May 27.

Ticket savings of up to $500 this week for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Starting today, you have 5 days to save nearly $500 on your ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. This offer disappears Friday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register here to secure these low rates.