TechCrunch Startup News

Harness has raised $240M, achieving a remarkable $5.5B valuation, primarily led by Goldman Sachs. The discussion highlights the urgent need to address post-code challenges that consume 70% of engineers' time. Their innovative AI agents utilize a Knowledge Graph for better context-aware automation. With 1,200+ employees and expansion in Bengaluru, the company is poised for global growth. Plans for an IPO are also on the table, reflecting strong growth metrics and a unified approach to security and DevOps.

Explore groundbreaking technology that helps monitor bird populations near wind farms. Spoor's AI-driven software boasts a stunning accuracy of around 96%, thanks to innovative detection and species identification techniques. Hear how the founders identified a regulatory gap in bird tracking and are expanding their reach across continents. From airports to aquaculture, their mission focuses on harmonizing industrial progress with nature. Join the conversation on how stricter regulations are driving a surge in demand for this vital tool.

A new digital gift card platform, On Me, has secured $6 million in funding, allowing users to shop by interests instead of retailers. Meanwhile, Port raises $100 million at an $800 million valuation, positioning itself as a competitor to Spotify’s Backstage with innovative features for managing AI agents. The discussion touches on personalized gifting, the environmental impact of plastic waste, and the challenges of maintaining order in the chaos of automated agents, making for an engaging exploration of these emerging tech startups.

Discover the magic behind Tavus's AI Santa, where users can engage in personalized chats that remember their interests and feelings. With kids spending hours interacting with this virtual Santa, exciting discussions arise about the impacts of AI on young minds. Meanwhile, Oboe secures $16 million from a16z to enhance its platform, enabling users to create unlimited personalized courses effortlessly. The potential for adaptive learning is skyrocketing as they plan more features for educators and students alike.

Boom Supersonic has secured a massive $1.25 billion deal to supply Crusoe with turbines, starting delivery in 2027. They recently raised $300 million to bring these natural gas turbines to market. Interestingly, profits from this venture will be funneled into developing the Overture supersonic aircraft. With ambitious production targets of up to 4 GW by 2030, the company is navigating the complexities of scaling hardware startups while maintaining impressive efficiency levels.

Discover how Empromptu empowers non-technical founders to effortlessly create AI applications just by describing what they need. Learn about the startup's innovative $2M pre-seed funding and plans for building proprietary tech. Meanwhile, Pebble's founder unveils the Index 01, a clever AI smart ring that captures quick voice notes without always listening. This multifunctional wearable promises impressive features like water resistance and programmable gestures, keeping privacy intact while streamlining daily tasks!

Tiger Global is pivoting with a cautious $2.2B fund, reflecting on its past successes with AI investments in giants like OpenAI and Databricks. They express concerns about inflated AI valuations. Meanwhile, SoftBank and NVIDIA are in discussions to invest over $1B in Skild AI, which aims to create a versatile foundation model for robots, enhancing customization across various applications. The rising interest in AI robotics showcases growing trends in the funding landscape.

A startup secures a hefty $20M to boost sales and expand into new markets in North America. Quilt's innovative software-first approach is enhancing their products' performance. Meanwhile, OpenAI faces backlash over promotional messages in ChatGPT, as executives clarify that there are currently no ads. After acknowledging past missteps, OpenAI has decided to turn off these suggestions, focusing instead on improving the platform's quality. A notable shift in company priorities is also under discussion.

Meta's acquisition of Limitless highlights a shift towards personal superintelligence, as they discontinue hardware sales. The discussion reveals insights on the evolving landscape of AI and hardware funding. There's also a deep dive into the concept of 'refounding' startups, emphasizing the relevance of AI integration in refreshing company visions. Notably, Airtable treats its AI efforts as a rebirth, while Handshake pushes to rejuvenate startup culture and pace in the workplace.

Hamlet TV aims to illuminate local government proceedings for citizens. It was inspired by Sunil Rajaraman's journey into city council, highlighting the need for transparency. The platform utilizes AI to transform meeting videos into searchable content. With around $10M in funding, Rajaraman envisions Hamlet as the Bloomberg of local intelligence. Engaging viewers through humorous snippets from meetings, it encourages civic interest. Serious decisions often unfold unnoticed, emphasizing the importance of accessible government insights.