Are AI companies just defense tech now?

AI is everywhere. And increasingly it’s being described as defense tech. This week, the Equity pod gang — which included newcomer Max Zeff, Margaux MacColl, and Kirsten Korosec — noticed an emerging trend: The worlds of AI and defense tech are colliding. And that matters, for a few reasons. For one, venture money is flowing… Continua a leggere Are AI companies just defense tech now?

Backed by a16z and NEA, Backflip raises $30M Series A to turn text into AI-generated designs

Led by Markforged veterans and backed by a16z, Backlip has raised $30M to democratize product design thanks to AI. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

$25 billion valuation Chime takes another step toward an IPO

Digital bank Chime has reportedly filed its confidential IPO paperwork with the SEC, with an eye toward a 2025 debut. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Decart nabs $32M at $500M+ valuation to build AI tech and ‘open world’ apps

A young startup that emerged from stealth less than two months ago with big-name backers and bigger ambitions is returning to the spotlight.  Decart is building what its CEO and co-founder Dean Leitersdorf (pictured above, right) describes as “a fully vertically integrated AI research lab,” alongside enterprise and consumer products based on the lab’s work.… Continua a leggere Decart nabs $32M at $500M+ valuation to build AI tech and ‘open world’ apps

With Neverless, former Revolut execs want to make meme coins easy to buy

There’s an ocean of meme coins beyond Dogecoin, and a new startup called Neverless wants to make it easier to get started with trading crypto, with a particular focus on providing access to small-cap tokens. This is an interesting new crypto startup, founded by three former executives at Revolut, the London-based fintech juggernaut. Phuc To… Continua a leggere With Neverless, former Revolut execs want to make meme coins easy to buy

Sustainable Ocean Alliance marks 10 years with ocean-friendly startup label and a new batch of ‘ecopreneurs’

Over the last decade, the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) has graduated from dorm room activism to a thousands-strong global network of experts, investors, and “ecopreneurs” — all of whom believe the best way to save the ailing oceans is to embrace innovation. Founder Daniela Fernandez has steered the ship the whole time, and the SOA… Continua a leggere Sustainable Ocean Alliance marks 10 years with ocean-friendly startup label and a new batch of ‘ecopreneurs’

Hauler Hero wants to bring waste-management software into the 21st century

After nearly four years of working in sales at tradesperson software company ServiceTitan, Mark Hoadley (pictured above) was looking for a change and to potentially start something of his own in a similar industry. Hoadley’s brother-in-law and now co-founder, Ben Sikma, was working on M&A in the waste-management space at the time. Sikma discovered how… Continua a leggere Hauler Hero wants to bring waste-management software into the 21st century

Building physical tech is back in fashion thanks to AI, robotics, and defense

When it comes to frontier technology, the interests of government and Silicon Valley are increasingly aligned. We’ve been watching a trend emerge where dual-use startups cut their teeth by solving defense, infrastructure, or intelligence problems for the government and then scale up by taking those products to the public. “The advantage the government has is… Continua a leggere Building physical tech is back in fashion thanks to AI, robotics, and defense

Sam Altman-backed nuclear startup Oklo lands massive data center power deal, with caveats

Among the hurdles, Oklo still hasn’t received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after having its previous application denied. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

Access bets people will pay thousands of dollars a year for guaranteed restaurant reservations

Once, not long ago, booking a table at a hot new restaurant didn’t entail a midnight dash to Resy. Truly, we didn’t know how good we had it then. Hours-long lines out the door are now the norm, not the exception, in major cities from New York to Los Angeles. One reason is that restaurants… Continua a leggere Access bets people will pay thousands of dollars a year for guaranteed restaurant reservations