Plans for 2026: What’s next for Startup Battlefield 200?
TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 is the leading early-stage startup competition held at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, highlighting the world’s most promising young companies. Each year, thousands of applicants from around the world compete for one of the 200 spots in this cohort. This gives you unparalleled visibility, access to top investors, and growth opportunities. […]
Homeland Security seeks to force tech companies to hand over data on Trump critics
The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly secretly demanding that technology companies hand over information about users who criticize the Trump administration. In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security has used administrative subpoenas to seek identifiable information about individuals operating anonymous Instagram accounts that share posts about ICE immigration raids in their neighborhoods. These […]
Skyryse to spend another $300 million to make flying easier and safer, including by helicopter
El Segundo, California-based aviation automation startup Skyryse has raised more than $300 million in Series C investment, pushing its valuation into unicorn territory at $1.15 billion. The round, announced Tuesday and led by Autopilot Ventures, is a multimillion-dollar boost for the startup as it nears the end of the lengthy Federal Aviation Administration certification process […]
Fitbit founder launches AI platform to help families manage their health
Fitbit founders James Park and Eric Friedman announced the launch of a new AI startup called Luffu that aims to help families proactively monitor their health. The two are developing an “intelligent family care system” starting with an app experience and extending to hardware devices. Two years after leaving Google, Park and Friedman are betting […]
Peak XV says internal disagreements led to partner withdrawal as it doubles down on AI
Peak XV Partners, a leading venture capital firm in India and Southeast Asia, has seen new executive departures. These follow other leadership departures over the past year as the company deepens its focus on AI investments and plans to expand its footprint in the United States, while retaining India as its largest market. The departure […]
Vema predicts cheap hydrogen could change where data centers are built
While the auto industry has struggled to implement hydrogen at scale, industrial users and data centers may be in luck. Vema Hydrogen signed a contract to supply data centers in California in December and has now completed a pilot project in Quebec to power industry with hydrogen produced deep underground. The startup drills wells in […]
Fintech CEO and former Forbes 30 Under 30 indicted on fraud charges
Now, Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30” list is infamous in no small part for the number of participants who have been indicted for fraud. Notable alumni include FTX founder Sam Bankman Fried, Frank CEO Charlie Jarvis, AI startup AllHere Education founder Joanna Smith-Griffin, and “pharma buddy” Martin Shkreli. Another member of the list is currently […]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX officially acquires Elon Musk’s xAI, plans to build data center in space
SpaceX has acquired Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI, creating the world’s most valuable private company, the spaceflight company announced Monday. Musk, who is also SpaceX’s CEO, said in a memo posted on the rocket company’s website that the merger is primarily about creating a space-based data center, an idea he has been fixating on […]
China is taking the lead in measures to hide car door handles
One of the design features that has become synonymous with Tesla has been banned in China. Door handles on cars sold in the country must have mechanical releases under new safety regulations announced by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Monday. The new rules, which go into effect on January 1, 2027, will […]
Adobe Animate to shut down to focus on AI
As Adobe ramps up its investment in AI, the company has decided to retire its 2D animation software Adobe Animate. On Monday, Adobe issued an update to its support site and emailed existing customers announcing that Adobe Animate will be retired on March 1, 2026. Enterprise customers will continue to receive technical support through March […]
