TechCrunch Startup News

Robinhood is shaking up the investment landscape by unveiling plans for a fund that lets retail investors buy shares in startups before they go public. A new geothermal startup, Rodatherm Energy, has secured $38 million for its innovative projects, aiming to make waves in renewable energy. Meanwhile, Divergent Technologies has pulled in $290 million to ramp up defense manufacturing, focusing on missile parts. The podcast dives into how these developments reflect broader trends in investment and technology.

A Harvard law student's encounter with counterfeiting unveils the immense $3 trillion industry and sparks his entrepreneurial journey. The conversation delves into how AI and computer vision are being harnessed to combat this issue. Meanwhile, Bret Taylor weighs in on the current AI landscape, acknowledging the risk of financial loss while emphasizing the potential for innovation. The discussion highlights the intersection of law and technology, revealing the promising paths ahead for startups in this evolving arena.

Discover the rise and fall of Hike, originally a messaging app that pivoted to real-money gaming. The podcast discusses the challenges faced by Hike as it navigated regulatory hurdles in India. Learn how its gaming platform, Rush, attracted millions of users and generated substantial revenue. The episode highlights the broader impact of government regulations on the gaming industry, including the fallout of layoffs and strategic shifts within the sector.

After investing in robotics startups for 10 years, Seth Winterroth, a partner at Eclipse, said the time to invest in robotics has never been better. The robotics startup market has matured and the hardware and software powering these bots has gotten significantly better — and cheaper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grammy Award-winning musician, composer, and producer Wyclef Jean says the music industry is broken, which is why he’s now involved with a startup, OpenWav, that’s looking to give the power back to the artists. Through the OpenWav app, launched over the summer, artists can drop new music and exclusives; connect directly with fans; sell merch; host concerts, pop-ups, and listening parties; and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anduril announced Tuesday that a fleet of its XL uncrewed undersea vehicle “Ghost Shark” will begin operations in Australian waters next year under a massive billion dollar contract. The five-year award structure is the defense-startup holy grail; it’s a program of record that essentially locks in recurring revenue by becoming a line item in the country’s defense budget. Also, Perplexity, the AI-powered search startup that competes with Google by providing conversational answers to user queries, has secured $200 million in new capital at a $20 billion valuation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arc announced Wednesday it has signed a contract of that value with Curtin Maritime, a tug and barge operator. The new hybrid-electric tugs are expected to hit the waters around the Los Angeles port in 2027. Curtin has ordered eight tugs — at around $20 million apiece — and Arc will build them in conjunction with Snow & Co. shipyard. Also, it’s been a long road for the 20-year-old fintech Klarna to make it to an IPO. But on Wednesday, the company successfully landed on the New York Stock Exchange, having raised $1.4 billion, largely for its existing investors, rather than itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Berlin-based startup challenges traditional AI companions by creating social AI that encourages real-world connections. Their flagship virtual pet, Pingu, is designed to combat loneliness through shared experiences. Another innovative platform, Clyx, connects users with community events, boasting impressive growth and funding. With 50,000 active users, it's set to transform urban social lives. Both startups highlight a growing movement to use technology not for isolation, but to foster genuine human interactions.

SpaceX makes waves with a $17 billion investment to conquer the direct-to-cell market, signaling serious competition in the satellite industry. Meanwhile, Ramp reports astonishing growth, hitting $1 billion in annualized revenue and securing $1.9 billion in funding, showcasing its potential in AI-driven financial management. The implications of these moves could reshape the tech landscape and the way we connect.

Discover how a startup is revolutionizing the nuclear industry with AI, aiming to streamline operations and cut costs. Their recent funding of $10.5 million propels this innovative vision forward. Meanwhile, get insights into ReOrbit, a Finnish company securing €45 million to challenge Musk’s Starlink by empowering nations with their own satellite systems. This surge in funding highlights Europe’s growing interest in becoming self-reliant in space technology amid geopolitical tensions. It’s an exciting time for both the nuclear and space tech sectors!