TechCrunch Startup News

Bling Capital has just raised an impressive $270 million for its fourth fund, showcasing its prowess in the venture capital landscape. The firm discusses its innovative investment strategies, including a new opportunity fund aimed at follow-on investments. With a solid track record and a robust advisory network, they’re well-positioned to make significant impacts in the startup ecosystem.

Tekever's recent $74 million funding round is making waves in the defense tech sector. They’re set to enhance dual-use drone technology while targeting expansion into the U.S. market. This shift illustrates a growing trend where smaller startups are challenging established defense giants, especially as demand rises due to ongoing conflicts like that in Ukraine. Innovation in drone capabilities is at the forefront, promising exciting developments in defense applications.

Three former Duolingo executives are on a mission to tackle rising college costs with their new startup, Outsmart. They share the driving frustrations behind creating a solution for college affordability. With a recent funding boost of $13 million, they aim to make education more accessible. The conversation highlights their vision for transforming how students finance their education in today's challenging landscape.

Discover how AI is transforming IT operations with a focus on a groundbreaking company called Selector. The discussion highlights the hurdles faced in adopting AIOps and showcases Selector's pioneering chat interface designed to troubleshoot corporate infrastructure issues. Tune in to understand how innovative funding strategies are positioning Selector competitively in the market.

In the wake of the U.S. 2024 presidential election, one fact became clear: Disinformation proliferated online at a startling rate, shaping Americans’ views about each candidate as well as a diverse set of topics, including public health, climate change, and immigration. Generative AI – with its ability to produce deepfakes in seconds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moonvalley, a new generative video startup, claims it's building models using more ethical and transparent approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The influencer economy is booming, with startups like PassionFroot and Agentio creating connections between brands and creators. Influur stands out by promising timely payouts and innovative financial tools for influencers. Listeners will discover how this Miami-based startup is tackling creators' challenges, along with insights into its recent funding success. The discussion also hints at future enhancements that could reshape influencer marketplaces.

Alex Pospikoff, CEO and founder of Mission Space, dives into the critical impact of solar events on satellites and airplanes. He discusses the importance of real-time space weather forecasts, especially as the aerospace industry expands. Pospikoff highlights the upcoming launch of Mission Space and the unique challenges their team faces in predicting space weather. With the rising number of satellites, the need for efficient monitoring and data sharing is more crucial than ever for ensuring safety in aviation.

India's ePlane Company has raised $14 million in a Series B round as it plans to commercialize its air taxi in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Startup inspiration can strike anywhere. But for Atlas.co*, a freemium browser-based, real-time mapping tool that’s being built by an Oslo, Norway-based team of (initially student) engineers, the realization that there might be a business opportunity in competing with expensive legacy mapping software hit the founders during class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices