TechCrunch Startup News

General Fusion is making waves with a $1 billion reverse merger amid previous financial struggles and layoffs. They aim to use the $335 million from this deal to finalize their Lawson Machine 26 reactor. This innovative machine employs magnetized target fusion, contrasting with traditional inertial confinement, to reduce costs significantly. While their scientific breakeven target has shifted to 2028, the growing demand for fusion power, driven by data centers and electrification, raises hopes for commercial viability despite ongoing technological challenges.

Neurophos is tackling energy-hungry AI with an optical chip designed for efficient inferencing. They discuss their origin from Duke University and the metamaterials research that fuels their innovations. With a $110M Series A funding led by Gates Frontier, they aim to enhance parallelism using tiny modulators, claiming significant performance gains over traditional GPUs. The podcast also highlights the challenges of manufacturing and the competitive landscape as Neurophos prepares to deliver its first chips by 2028.

Language learning marketplace Preply has reached a valuation of $1.2 billion after a significant funding round. The company emphasizes the complementary role of AI tools alongside human tutors, enhancing lesson consistency. Despite challenges from the ongoing conflict, Preply maintains its Kyiv office, showcasing remarkable resilience. CEO Kirill BigEye shares how wartime adversity has fostered creativity and strength within the company. Preply joins the ranks of other successful Ukrainian-rooted startups like Grammarly.

PraxisPro is revolutionizing medical sales training with AI. Founded by a former pharma rep, it addresses common training frustrations. The platform simulates real-world interactions to enhance rep performance. With a recent $6M seed round from AlleyCorp, they aim to improve patient outcomes through effective communication. Unlike other tools, they focus on small language models tailored to life sciences. The founders are driven by a mission to empower reps and ensure better therapies reach patients.

A retail startup just secured $2.5 million to tackle excess inventory issues. Another aims to modernize secondary-market sales by centralizing data for faster turnover. With real-time insights, they plan to improve margins and sustainability while preventing early liquidation to bulk resellers. The approach not only benefits brands by enhancing profitability but also offers consumers better prices. Tune in to explore the impact of this innovative strategy on the retail landscape!

A startup focused on 'human-centric' AI raised an astonishing $480 million seed round, emphasizing collaboration over replacement. Major backers include former tech elite, hinting at a trend in AI innovation. Meanwhile, Grubhub's acquisition of Claim introduces robust customer rewards tools for restaurants, promising cost-saving benefits for both merchants and diners. Expect exciting changes in user experiences as the platform integrates new features, enhancing engagement in the food delivery space.

The podcast dives into the remarkable journey of a startup that skyrocketed to a $120M annual run rate after capturing attention on Reddit. It highlights how the founders cleverly transitioned from crypto mining to AI servers, creating a superior platform for developers frustrated by existing GPU experiences. The discussion reveals how they garnered initial user growth through beta testing on Reddit, securing substantial VC interest without early funding, and ultimately, expanding their reach to hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide.

Higgsfield is making waves with a massive $1.3 billion valuation and a rapid user growth to 15 million, driven by its innovative AI video tool. They've now boosted their Series A funding, bringing in an additional $80 million. Meanwhile, Symbolic.ai has secured a deal with News Corp to enhance editorial processes with its AI platform, boasting impressive productivity features for complex tasks. The contrasting uses of AI in content creation spark both excitement and controversy, especially with deepfake capabilities.

Emversity has secured $30 million to expand its job-training programs in India, addressing a significant skills gap in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. The company's unique model integrates employer-designed training into university curricula. Founder Vivek Senna highlights the irreplaceable human roles in hands-on jobs, emphasizing that AI can assist, but not replace. With plans for over 200 new locations and a focus on healthcare, Emversity aims to meet global demands for skilled workers, especially from aging markets.

Sasha Milston, Co-founder and CEO of Transition Metal Solutions, is on a mission to tackle the copper shortage by innovating copper extraction through prebiotics. She dives into how microbes naturally release copper from ore and critiques traditional methods that rely on isolated strains. Sasha introduces a community-focused approach using low-cost additives to enhance microbial performance, paving the way for more efficient extraction. She also shares promising lab results and plans for real-world validation, highlighting the future of sustainable copper mining.