Startups
Startup funding, founders, venture capital, and emerging-company coverage.
Photon Secures $4.5M to Pivot From Mobile Apps to Messaging-Based AI Agents
Startup Photon has raised $4.5 million to back its vision of replacing traditional mobile applications with AI agents operating across messaging platforms like iMessage and SMS.
Valor, Atreides, and Sequoia Back AI Hardware Startup Flow Engineering at $750M Valuation
Flow Engineering closes a $50 million Series B round at a $750 million valuation, deploying AI agents to solve complex hardware design bottlenecks for major tech and defense firms.
Factory CEO Accuses Ex-VC Board Advisor of Spying After Defection to Rival Cognition
Factory AI CEO Matan Grinberg publicly terminated and accused former board advisor Chris Degnan of spying and violating confidentiality ties to join rival startup Cognition.
Neko Health Arrives in America as Preventative Healthcare Attracts Massive VC Backing
Spotify founder Daniel Ek's Neko Health expands to the US market amid a surge of venture capital interest in preventative health platforms and body scanners.
The Rise of AI Clones: What Creating a Digital Avatar Reveals About the Future of Venture Fraud and Personal Tech
Exploring the implications of interactive digital avatars, a tech creator shares mixed feelings after training an AI clone to discuss venture fraud.
Mark Wahlberg at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Shifting Focus from Hollywood to Startup Investing
Mark Wahlberg is heading to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 alongside Bruce K. Lee to focus on entrepreneurship, healthcare, wellness, and scaling early-stage businesses.
Ricursive Intelligence Founders Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini to Keynote TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 on AI-Driven Hardware Design
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Ricursive Intelligence co-founders Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini will discuss how AI is closing the loop on chip development.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Launches $75 Expo+ Pass Initiative for Laid-Off Tech Professionals
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 introduces a heavily discounted $75 Expo+ Pass specifically tailored for tech professionals impacted by recent industry layoffs.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Final 24 Hours Offered Last Chance for Startup Savings
Investors and entrepreneurs faced a final 24-hour deadline to save up to $200 on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 passes, emphasizing startup momentum and growth trajectory.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Ticket Deadline Nears as Founders Chase Growth
Startups and investors face a final 24-hour window to secure up to $200 in savings on passes for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, targeting accelerated growth trajectories.
Lightspeed Targets $250M for New India Fund With Strategic Focus on Early-Stage AI
Venture capital firm Lightspeed is targeting $250 million for its newest India fund, aligning its local fundraising cycle globally while prioritizing early-stage artificial intelligence startups.
Startup Nexterity Introduces Portable Pipefitting Automation Robot
Startup Nexterity has unveiled a specialized robot designed to automate dangerous pipefitting tasks by tightening or loosening four bolts simultaneously.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Announces 50% Off Second Pass Promotion for Startup Teams
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 has launched a special team registration promotion offering a 50% discount on a second pass for co-founders, partners, and colleagues.
PrismML Brings Tiny Open-Weight LLMs to Qualcomm Smart Glasses
PrismML is integrating its compact, open-weight language models into Qualcomm-powered smart glasses, aiming to maximize on-device compute efficiency.
Databricks Acquires Cloud Spreadsheet Startup Row Zero in 2026 M&A Push
Databricks continues its active 2026 acquisition streak by purchasing cloud spreadsheet startup Row Zero, signaling an aggressive push for more startup buyouts.
TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 Set for Boston: What Investors and Startups Need to Know
TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 arrives in Boston on November 4, offering founders and investors a premier platform to connect, scale, and gain tactical insights.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Unveils New Wave of VCs for Startup Battlefield 200
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 reveals its latest wave of venture capital judges for the Startup Battlefield 200 pitch competition as registration deadlines approach.
Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors to Discuss High-Stakes AI Deployment at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Industry leaders from Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors are set to share critical insights on developing high-stakes artificial intelligence at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
Ando Secures $20M Funding to Build AI-Human Workplace Messaging Platform
Startup Ando raises $20 million in pre-seed and seed financing from top-tier investors like Accel, Index Ventures, and Emergence to challenge Slack with AI agents.
Cal AI Founder Zach Yadegari to Reveal Viral Growth Playbook at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Cal AI founder Zach Yadegari is set to share his playbook on creating and capitalizing on viral tech growth at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026's Builders Stage.