TechCrunch Startup News

Polars, the Amsterdam-based company behind the popular open source project of the same name, has raised about $21 million in a Series A round led by Accel, with participation from Bain Capital Partners and angel investors. But while raising this kind of money is the dream of many developers, its creator Ritchie Vink didn’t set out to do so. Also, making democracy work isn’t easy, as recent events have made clear. Some critics would argue that technology is making it worse. But one startup is hoping that AI could help bridge some differences instead of widen them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paid just closed an oversubscribed $21.6 million seed round led by Lightspeed. With the €10 million pre-seed round it raised in March, London-based Paid has already raised $33.3 million and hasn’t even hit its Series A yet. A source familiar with the deal says the startup’s valuation is over $100 million. Also, despite millions spent on financial software, many finance teams still rely on Excel to close their books and reconcile numbers while preparing them for audit. Two former Microsoft executives view it as a problem — and they have started Maximor to replace spreadsheets with AI agents for the grunt work finance teams perform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Y Combinator startup, Burnt, is revolutionizing the food supply chain with AI agents aimed at automating back-office tasks, receiving backing from Steph Curry’s VC firm. Meanwhile, Doorstep is tackling the frustrating issue of missed food deliveries by using phone sensors to track drivers indoors, raising $8M in seed funding to enhance its tech. With a focus on real-time validation and privacy, both startups are poised to reshape the logistics of food distribution in a trillion-dollar market.

Starpath has launched its Starlight solar panels, boasting prices nearly 90% lower than the industry standard. The innovative production process is automated, potentially exceeding current space-rated solar supply. Their ambitious goals include supporting extraterrestrial cities on the Moon and Mars, where conventional options fall short. Savings are significant, allowing satellite power systems to be built for a fraction of the cost. With a scalable roadmap aiming for 40 gigawatts a year, Starpath is poised to revolutionize space energy.

A hardware startup is spinning off its affordable device brand, CMF, into an independent entity based in India, focusing on low-cost tech like earbuds and smartphones. Meanwhile, Y Combinator introduces a new track called Early Decision, allowing students to secure funding for their startups while still in school. Rather than dropping out, students can defer participation until after graduation, aiming to shift the startup narrative away from the dropout myth and attract a diverse pool of aspiring founders.

Cohere has hit a remarkable $7 billion valuation after raising another $100 million. The AI model-maker is now partnering with AMD, enabling its models to run on Instinct GPUs. Meanwhile, Waymo is venturing into corporate travel with its new 'Waymo for Business' service, which allows companies to set up accounts for employee access to robotaxis. The service comes with features like subsidized rides and geographic monitoring, aiming to compete head-to-head with traditional transportation services like Uber and Lyft.

A California startup is betting on tiny electric trucks for urban areas with their compact MT1 model, emphasizing practicality for city dwellers. Meanwhile, Sila has launched the first large-scale silicon anode factory on the West Coast, promising to enhance EV battery performance significantly. This facility aims to produce materials for tens of thousands of electric vehicles, while potentially reducing costs and dependency on foreign suppliers. Innovations like these may reshape the future of electric transportation.

Tim Chen has emerged as a standout solo VC, effortlessly closing a $41 million fund due to overwhelming demand from eager investors. Meanwhile, Julien Emery's Superpanel is shaking up the legal industry with an AI-powered platform designed to streamline client onboarding. The company recently secured $5.3 million in seed funding to enhance its innovative solutions. These two stories highlight the dynamic landscape of investment and technology in the startup world.

A company is shaking things up by enhancing its moderation policies after receiving feedback from over 14,000 community members. They're focusing on promoting constructive dialogue while tackling harassment and toxic content more aggressively. Meanwhile, the maker of a popular health ring is making headlines by securing $875 million in funding, which boosts its valuation to around $10.9 billion. This surge is driven by strong sales and plans for international expansion, highlighting the growing intersection of health tech and fitness.

Nvidia's CEO is investing $2.6 billion in the UK's AI scene, targeting startups like Wayve, which specializes in self-driving technology. The company is poised to receive a potential $500 million investment, enhancing its self-learning driving capabilities. Meanwhile, UK fintech Tide has become a unicorn with a $120 million funding round led by TPG, now valued at $1.5 billion. Serving over 1.6 million small businesses globally, Tide is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in India.