TechCrunch Startup News

Explore the innovative 'buy, fix, and hold' model employed by Bending Spoons and its long-term investment strategy. Discover how Curious targets 'venture zombies,' breathing life back into struggling startups. Learn about the pricing advantages these acquisitions offer and how Quick turnarounds can yield impressive profit margins. The podcast delves into the contrasting priorities of venture capitalists focused on growth versus those focused on consistent cash flow. It's a deep dive into the emerging approach of resuscitating distressed startups.

Andrew Lissimore shares how he created Lantern to tackle customer retention issues from his e-commerce site, Headphones.com. This innovative loyalty platform integrates tools for referrals and account management, enhancing brand loyalty. Deel's impressive $300M funding round pushed its valuation to $17.3B, showcasing strong growth and profitability. With 35,000 customers and over 1 million workers, Deel continues to thrive despite ongoing legal challenges.

Discover how AI startups can navigate product-market fit in a rapidly evolving landscape. Experienced investors share strategies to assess customer engagement and spending to find meaningful fit. Meanwhile, the founder of Eternos discusses a pivotal shift from legacy voice preservation to creating personal AI assistants. The rebranded Uare.ai aims to empower professionals with tailored AI models, focusing on authenticity by isolating individual data. Tune in for insights on the changing dynamics of AI startups and the future of personal digital twins!

A tech-savvy twist on the classic Tooth Fairy emerges, allowing kids to receive personalized video updates and encouraging good brushing habits. Oliver Finel's invention fills the gap left by Santa trackers! Meanwhile, Lemon Slice secures $10.5 million to innovate digital avatar technology, enabling interactive avatars for AI chatbots from a single image. Their vision aims to enhance user experience with customizable, engaging video interactions. Big plans are in store for personalized features and international expansion!

The European Commission has dialed back its ambitious plan to ban gas-powered cars by 2035, allowing for a 10% exemption. Startups express concern that this shift may weaken Europe's leadership in the EV market. Traditional automakers are pushing for more lenient policies, potentially compromising electrification progress. Volvo emphasizes the need for investment in charging infrastructure, while the $2.11B Battery Booster aims to bolster EU battery supply chains. With rising competition from Chinese EVs, the UK's market response remains uncertain.

Yann LeCun has officially launched a new startup focused on world model AI, although he won’t be taking the helm as CEO. Alex LeBrun has been appointed as the new leader, bringing a wealth of experience from major tech companies. Fundraising efforts are underway with a target of 500 million euros at a valuation of 3 billion euros. The podcast dives into the significance of world models over traditional AI methods, highlighting their potential to simulate cause and effect without the pitfalls of hallucinations.

OpenAI is on a mission to raise a staggering $100 billion by 2026, seeking investments from sovereign wealth funds to support its hefty spending on AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, Krafton is expanding its footprint in India with a new $669 million Unicorn Growth Fund in partnership with Naver. This fund will focus on tech startups, moving beyond gaming, and aims to leverage past successes in the region. Overall, the podcast dives into significant funding trends and strategic shifts in the tech industry.

Lovable's valuation skyrockets to $6.6B after raising $330M in Series B funding, just five months after a $200M valuation from Series A. The startup's innovative vibe coding tool allows users to generate code and entire apps from simple text prompts. Notably, Lovable is experiencing rapid ARR growth and expanding its customer base. Plans for future funding include enhancing integrations and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the CEO confidently champions Stockholm as a viable tech hub amid VAT controversies.

MoEngage just scored a whopping $180 million in follow-on funding after an earlier $100 million raise, valuing the company at over $900 million. A big chunk of the raise was secondary, allowing 259 employees to cash out. The focus is on expanding their AI capabilities to enhance marketing efficiency and increase contract values through product bundling. With plans for strategic acquisitions in the US and Europe, MoEngage is also expecting to turn EBITDA positive soon, all while maintaining impressive investor returns.

Radiant Nuclear has raised an impressive $300 million to develop a small modular reactor aimed at replacing diesel generators. The startup's valuation has soared above $1.8 billion, attracting significant investor interest. Their innovative 1 MW reactor features helium cooling and a five-month fuel life. Targeting commercial and military sites, Radiant plans to phase out diesel with flexible purchasing options. A demonstration reactor is set for testing by summer 2026, with ambitious goals for regulatory approval.