A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Category: Venture
Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TC All Stage, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, Venture
Apply to Speak at TechCrunch All Stage 2025
Founders, VCs and startup experts, now’s your chance! Have crucial scaling insights to offer? Share them with 1,200+ founders, investors, and entrepreneurs at TechCrunch All Stage 2025 presented by Fidelity, on July 15 in Boston, and share your expertise! We’re assembling the best minds from the startup and VC communities to lead exciting sessions, interactive…
AI, Apps, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TC Sessions: AI, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
Only 3 more days to save up to $325 at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
The AI revolution won’t wait — will you? Secure your seat at TechCrunch Sessions: AI before time runs out! You’ve got only three days left to save up to $325. The clock stops on March 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Don’t miss out on the lowest rates of the year! AI is transforming everything, and…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Disrupt 2025, Enterprise, Fintech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Final 24 hours to save up to $1,130
The early bird gets the worm and time is running out! You have less than 24 hours left to save up to $1,130 when purchasing passes to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. If you want massive savings on Disrupt 2025 individual passes and up to 30% on group tickets, secure your low ticket rate today. These offers…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Sequoia, SPVs, TC, Venture
Sequoia’s Roelof Botha warns ‘chumps’ not to buy into SPVs
Sequoia’s Roelof Botha apparently sees another greed cycle brewing in venture capital where the least sophisticated investors could get hurt. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Exclusive, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, ResilienceVC, Venture
ResilienceVC bucks trend, unveils $56M fund to back fintechs working on financial inclusion
ResilienceVC, a new seed-stage fintech venture capital firm based out of Washington, D.C., is announcing its $56 million debut fund, the firm shared exclusively with TechCrunch. Founded by Tahira Dosani and Vikas Raj in 2023, ResilienceVC’s mission is a straightforward one: to back fintech companies dedicated to helping Americans find financial stability. It’s writing checks…
AI, Apps, Climate, Crypto, Fintech, Fundraising, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Media & Entertainment, robotics, Space, Startups, StrictlyVC, StrictlyVC SF, TC, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
2025 TechCrunch Events Calendar
For two decades, TechCrunch has provided a front row view to the future of technology, shaping conversations that matter and spotlighting the next big things before they break — both on the page and in person at our world-renowned events. This year, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re launching our most ambitious events calendar…
AI, Apps, Crypto, Disrupt 2025, Enterprise, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Just 2 days left to save up to $1,130
Clock’s ticking! You’ve got just 48 hours left to lock in your spot at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and save up to $1,130 on individual ticket types or 30% on group tickets. Don’t wait — secure your pass now before prices go up on February 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Disrupt 2025 takes place on October…
a16z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Venture
a16z hires former Republican congressman Patrick McHenry as advisor
Former North Carolina congressman Patrick McHenry announced Wednesday that he landed a job with VC firm Andreessen Horowitz. He will be a senior advisor. His post on X said little about what the job entails, except to be advocating for startups (which a16z likes to call “little tech”) with policymakers. Andreessen Horowitz did not immediately…
Biotech & Health, Global IT News, Global Security News, Melinda French Gates, Pivotal Ventures, Startups, tmv, Venture, women's health
Maternity clinic Millie nabs $12M Series A from an all-star, all female class of VCs
Millie, a California-based maternity clinic, founded by Anu Sharma, announced the raise of a $12 million Series A by investors including RH Capital, TMV, and Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures. Sharma was inspired to launch the company after the birth of her daughter in 2019. She faced pregnancy complications and, as the child of a…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Climate, Crypto, Disrupt 2025, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Security, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: 3 days left to save up to $1,130 on passes
Tick-tock! The last three days to save up to $1,130 to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 are winding down! Get your tickets today for massive savings on Disrupt 2025 individual passes and up to 30% on group tickets. These offers end February 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so don’t miss out on major savings of the year.…
AI, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TC Sessions: AI, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
5 days left — save over $300 to TechCrunch Sessions: AI
The hub of AI awaits — don’t miss out! You have 5 more days to secure your spot at TechCrunch Sessions: AI with savings of up to $325. This offer ends on March 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. As AI continues to be the biggest topic of conversation in the tech world, TechCrunch has you…
AI, Asia Pacific, Enterprise, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Fundraising, Global Security News, Industrial Robotics, nomagic, robotic arm, robotics, Venture
Nomagic picks up $44M for its AI-powered robotic arms
Regions like the U.S. and Europe have been doubling down on rebuilding their industrial muscle, after decades of closing down factories and outsourcing the work to countries like China. To that end, a fast-growing Polish startup called Nomagic, which builds robots — specifically robotic arms — for logistics operations, is announcing $44 million in funding,…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Perplexity AI, seed fund, Venture
Perplexity launches $50M seed and pre-seed VC fund
Perplexity, the developer of an AI-powered search engine, is raising a $50 million seed and pre-seed investment fund, CNBC reported. Although the majority of the capital is coming from limited partners, Perplexity is using some of the capital it raised for the company’s growth to anchor the fund. Perplexity has reportedly raised $500 million at…
Europe, Global Security News, Private Equity, Startups, thoma bravo, Venture
Thoma Bravo raises €1.8B for its first European fund
Private equity firm Thoma Bravo has closed its inaugural European fund at €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion), through which it plans to take equity stakes in mid-sized software companies across the continent. Europe has no shortage of homegrown venture capital (VC) funds — the likes of Atomico and Cherry Ventures have closed early and growth-stage funds…
evergreens, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, Startups, tech layoffs, TechCrunch 2023 Recap, Venture
A comprehensive list of 2024 and 2025 tech layoffs
A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, Keith Rabois, Khosla Ventures, openai, Venture, Vinod Khosla
Khosla Ventures seeks $3.5B in fresh capital
Khosla Ventures, a firm known for early investments in OpenAI, is raising $3.5 billion across three funds, the Wall Street Journal reported. That target is 17% larger than the firm’s previous 2023 fund haul of $3 billion. About half of the new capital will be allocated to its ninth core venture fund. The remaining money will…
Fundraising, Global Security News, Startup Battlefield, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Venture
The startup battle begins now: TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 applications are open
Pre-Series A founders, this is your moment! If you’re ready to showcase your game-changing innovations on a global stage, the battlefield awaits. Applications for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 — the premier startup pitch competition — are officially OPEN. This is your shot to shine! Step onto the global stage and showcase your groundbreaking startup to…
Europe, Global Security News, VC, Venture
Key Cambridge, UK VC launches $126M fund to stem later stage flight
It’s often said that the UK and Europe lack the huge level of growth funding for later-stage startups that the US has for its own, and this is correct. According to the European Investment Fund, there are at least seven times more large-size VC funds in the US than in Europe. So the appearance of a…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, Startups Weekly, Venture
Augury and Hightouch joined the unicorn club
Welcome to Startups Weekly — your weekly recap of everything you can’t miss from the world of startups. Want it in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. Startup life is a story of births and deaths. This week confirmed this, and it confirmed that unicorn rounds are not dead. Most interesting startup stories from…
Evergreen, Fintech, Global Security News, Venture
Five of the most important fintech VCs investing heavily in the sector
Global investing in fintech startups is starting to see an uptick. Just this week, KPMG issued its Pulse of Fintech report for the second half of 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, investment climbed to $25.9 billion from $18 billion in the third quarter, according to KPMG. Granted, this is not the enthusiasm of…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Startups, TC, TC Sessions: AI, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
Apply to Speak at TechCrunch Sessions: AI before the deadline
AI Innovators, seize your moment! Have insights that could inspire 1,200 AI founders, investors, and enthusiasts eager to advance the future of AI? Take center stage, influence the AI conversation, and exchange ideas at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. We’re gathering top AI visionaries from the startup world to…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TC All Stage, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, Venture
Three reasons every founder and VC should be at TechCrunch All Stage 2025
From idea to IPO — where are you on your startup journey? If any of that sounds like you — or if you’re in between stages and ready to level up — TechCrunch All Stage 2025 (formerly Early Stage) is the place to be. Join 1,200 founders to exchange ideas and meet the right VC…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Crypto, Fintech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Lowest prices of the year end in 7 days
You read that headline correctly! The best deals for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 tickets are about to end in just 7 days. Save up to $1,130 on individual passes and up to 30% on group tickets. Don’t wait — these offers end on February 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Join us in celebrating 20 years of…
DEI, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Cherryrock Capital raises new $172M fund from all-star investors to back diverse founders
Cherryrock Capital, founded by ex-TaskRabbit CEO Stacy Brown-Philpot, announced Wednesday the closing of its $172 million Fund I with an all-star limited partner list that includes JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, MassMutual, Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, Reid Hoffman, Mellody Hobson, and Sheryl Sandberg. Brown-Philpot told Bloomberg that the fund actually closed in January. The firm launched…
fund, Fund I, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Brand new women’s focused Swizzle Ventures skyrockets past its fundraising target
Swizzle Ventures has closed its Fund I at $6.6 million, bypassing its initial $3 million target, Jessica Kamada, the firm’s founder, told TechCrunch. Back in December, TechCrunch previously reported that the firm, which quietly launched in 2023, was raising and has already bypassed $5 million, per its SEC filing. The thesis of Fund I will…
Biotech & Health, doge, Global IT News, Global Security News, NIH, Recursion, Trump Administration, Venture
NIH funding uncertainty spurs new biotech venture fund
Earlier this month, the Trump administration directed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to impose limits on specific types of funding it provides to research institutions. Although a federal judge has temporarily blocked the policy change, government grants to early-stage biotech startups could still face delays or be eliminated entirely, said Chris Gibson, co-founder and…
a16z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Goldman Sachs, jp morgan, Marc Andreessen, Venture
Marc Andreessen dreams of making a16z a lasting company, beyond partnerships
Many venture industry observers have wondered whether Andreessen Horowitz, a firm that manages $45 billion, has its sights on eventually becoming a publicly traded company. Co-founder Marc Andreessen said he isn’t “chomping at the bit to take the firm public,” on this week’s Invest Like the Best podcast. But he discussed his goal of building…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TC All Stage, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, Venture
Call for Speakers: TechCrunch All Stage 2025
Founders, VCs, and startup experts—This is your moment! Got scaling insights? Now’s your chance to share them with 1,200 founders, investors, and entrepreneurs at TechCrunch All Stage 2025 presented by Fidelity, on July 17 in Boston! We’re gathering leading experts from the startup and VC communities to host engaging sessions, interactive roundtables, and dynamic breakouts.…
AI, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Venture
Apply to Speak at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
AI Innovators, this Is your moment! Have insights to share with 1,200 AI founders, investors, and enthusiasts eager to push the boundaries of innovation? Take the stage, shape the AI conversation, and exchange ideas at TechCrunch Sessions: AI on June 5 at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall! We’re bringing together top AI minds from the startup…
DEI, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Ulu Ventures sticks to its diversity strategy, raises $208M
While large corporations like Google and Meta curbing their DEI programs, Ulu Ventures, which just raised a fourth $208 million fund, doesn’t plan to change its strategy of investing in diverse founders, the firm told the Wall Street Journal. Co-founded by Miriam Riviera, a Latina and former vice president and deputy general counsel at Google,…
Europe, Global Security News, nato innovation fund, resilience tech, Venture
Defense and resilience tech reached an all-time high 10% of all VC funding in Europe
The war in Ukraine served as a wakeup call for Europe, and defense tech went from a sector that most European VCs didn’t touch to one of the top investment areas within deep tech. This shift is captured in Dealroom’s latest report on Defence, Resilience, and Security (DSR) in Europe, released together with the NATO…
Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Sheel Mohnot, Startups, Venture
VC Sheel Mohnot talks about Twitter fame, fintech, and the truth about AI startups
If you follow fintech on X, it’s very likely that you have come across the account of Sheel Mohnot, co-founder and general partner of Better Tomorrow Ventures. With over 150,000 followers, Mohnot has built an impressive presence on the social media site. Interestingly, many of his posts have nothing to do with venture capital. Mohnot…
Founders Fund, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, growth funding, Venture
Founders Fund is about to close another $3B fund
Founders Fund is on track to conclude fundraising of its third growth fund at the end of March, according to people close to the firm. The Peter Thiel-founded outfit is raising $3 billion, a source told TechCrunch and Axios also reported. The fund, which is intended primarily for additional investments in its successful late-stage portfolio…
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Exclusive, foundational models, France AI Action Summit, Fundraising, GenAI, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, Venture
AI investments surged 62% to $110 billion in 2024 while startup funding overall declined 12%, says Dealroom
Venture capitalists are gobbling up term sheets for startups peddling artificial intelligence, even as they remain picky when it comes to funding the wider spectrum of technology. According to new figures from analytics firm Dealroom, AI startups raised $110 billion in funding last year, up 62% on the year before. At the same time, privately-backed…
Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Peak XV Partners, Venture
Two senior partners are leaving Peak XV amid strategy shift
Two senior partners are leaving Peak XV, the largest India-focused venture capital firm, four sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. Shailesh Lakhani, a 17-year veteran of the firm, and Abheek Anand, who co-led Southeast Asian investments, are departing, said the sources, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. The exits follow Peak…
Elon Musk, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, Venture
These are the investors funding Musk’s $97 billion OpenAI takeover attempt
As if Elon Musk doesn’t have enough going on, a consortium of investors led by him announced plans Monday for what appears to be a hostile takeover of OpenAI. The investor group offered nearly $97.4 billion to buy all of OpenAI’s assets and is “prepared to consider matching or exceeding higher bids,” it said in…
evergreens, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, Startups, tech layoffs, TechCrunch 2023 Recap, Venture
A comprehensive list of 2024 and 2025 tech layoffs
A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, France AI Action Summit, Global Security News, Venture
Bpifrance will invest $10B in the French AI ecosystem by 2029
France’s public investment bank announced that it plans to invest as much as €10 billion (around $10.3 billion at current exchange rates) in the artificial intelligence ecosystem in France. This announcement comes a few days before heads of state and global tech leaders gather for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris. Bpifrance has been…
Global IT News, Global Security News, investing in AI, job displacement, Venture
VC Mike Ghaffary is looking for the job-creating AI startup that doesn’t yet exist
Ghaffary is looking to fund startups using AI to create high-paying jobs, rather than replace them. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Venture
Carried interest repeal could stifle investments in startups, NVCA says
On Thursday, President Trump asked Republican lawmakers to end tax breaks on carried interest. The tax break allows private equity and venture fund managers to treat their earnings from investments at a lower capital gains rate, rather than as ordinary income. The removal of the tax break would be a big hit to the VC…
a16z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Venture
a16z stands by decision to hire Daniel Penny
Andreessen Horowitz is defending its decision to hire Daniel Penny, according to an investor memo seen by The New York Times. The venture capital firm caused a stir earlier this week after it announced it would hire Penny, who was acquitted last year of choking a homeless man to death in the New York City…
Emblem, Europe, Global Security News, seed fund, VC, Venture
European VC firm Emblem raises $85 million for its initial fund
Emblem, a relatively new European VC firm based in Paris, is announcing the final closing of its first fund. Eighteen months after the first closing, the Emblem team managed to secure €80 million in total (around $85 million at current exchange rates). This is no small feat in the current funding environment. According to Atomico’s…
evergreens, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, Startups, tech layoffs, TechCrunch 2023 Recap, Venture
A comprehensive list of 2024 and 2025 tech layoffs
A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, TC, TechCrunch All Stage 2025, Venture
Tickets on sale: TechCrunch All Stage 2025, formerly known as Early Stage
Founders and investors, it’s time! TechCrunch Early Stage has evolved into TechCrunch All Stage 2025, returning to Boston on July 17. Get your tickets now and save up to $310 on select ticket types, securing your spot at the best rates. Register here for your All Stage ticket at unbeatable prices. All Stage covers all…
AI, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Sessions: AI, Transportation, Venture
AI’s biggest stage awaits – TechCrunch Sessions: AI tickets available
AI is heating up, and we’re diving in! TechCrunch Sessions: AI is officially open for registration. Secure your spot now and save up to $300 on select tickets before prices rise From startup founders to AI investors to aspiring innovators — TC Sessions: AI is where the entire AI ecosystem comes together. Whether you’re building,…
AI, Europe, european startups, Fundraising, Global Security News, Venture
Cherry Ventures raises a new $500M fund for early stage and beyond, but will it be enough?
It’s sometimes said that European VC doesn’t have the firepower to compete with VCs in the U.S., which regularly raise billion-dollar+ funds these days. Perhaps further evidence of this view persists in the news that Berlin-based Cherry Ventures has closed its latest fund at $500 million, to be split between early-stage rounds and follow-on rounds…
Exclusive, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hitachi Ventures, Venture, venture capital
Hitachi Ventures raises $400M fund to invest in everything from fusion to AI
The size of the new fund is a vote of confidence in a range of deep tech verticals. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, TC, Venture
A16z hires acquitted former Marine Daniel Penny as an investor
Powerhouse venture firm Andreessen Horowitz has hired Daniel Penny as an investor, its webpage confirms. Penny is the former Marine who was tried last year and found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of a homeless man on a New York City subway. After the man acted erratically, Penny held him in…
evergreens, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, Startups, tech layoffs, TechCrunch 2023 Recap, Venture
A comprehensive list of 2024 and 2025 tech layoffs
A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
fundraising announcements, Global IT News, Global Security News, operators, seed fund, Startups, Venture, venture fund
How Max Altschuler accidentally founded a VC firm that just raised another $54M
Four years after accidentally launching a VC firm, GTMfund founder Max Altschuler has raised a second oversubscribed $54 million fund. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Crypto, Fintech, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Secure your ticket at this year’s lowest rates
Missed the 2-for-1 deal for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025? No problem! Super Early Bird prices are still available, with savings of up to $1,130 on individual tickets and up to 30% on group passes. These savings are only good until the end of this month. Celebrate 20 years of TechCrunch Disrupt from October 27-29 at Moscone…
bench, Fire Sale, Global IT News, Global Security News, M&A, shutdowns, Startups, Venture, venture debt
Venture debt lenders will play a big role in fire sales and startup shutdown this year, experts say
When accounting startup Bench abruptly failed last month, the shutdown was forced when the company’s lenders called in the startup’s loan. In late 2023, the digital freight company Convoy faced financial challenges, leading venture lending firm Hercules Capital to assume control of the company to recover its investments. Divvy Homes, which sold for about $1…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Greylock Partners, Mike Vernal, Sarah Guo, Sequoia Capital, Venture
Guo’s Conviction Partners adds Mike Vernal as GP, raises $230M fund
When in mid-2022 Sarah Guo left Greylock to launch her own AI-focused fund, Conviction Partners, she indicated that she was tagging the word “Partners” to the firm’s name because she would eventually bring on other GPs. Now, more than two years later, Guo is being joined by Mike Vernal, who was a partner at Sequoia…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Legos, Nat Friedman, Social, this is not serious, Venture
This investor wants you to sign an NDA to build Legos together
Investor, former GitHub CEO, and all around Tech Guy™ Nat Friedman has posted a strangely enticing offer on X. His post reads, “Need volunteers to come to my office in Palo Alto today to construct a 5000 piece Lego set. Will provide pizza. Have to sign NDA. Please DM.” Thanks to the investigative reporting of…
AI, Apps, Biotech & Health, Crypto, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Last 24 hours for 2-for-1 Pass
Final hours for 2-for-1 Passes! One of the best Super Early Bird Deals for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will be wrapping up in just 24 hours for the rest of the year. The 2-for-1 Pass lets you bring a friend, colleague, or business partner, for nearly free. Buy one pass at the Super Early Bird rate…
a16z, Europe, Global Security News, TC, Venture, Venture scouts
a16z has venture scouts scattered across Europe
Despite news that Andreessen Horowitz closed its London crypto-focused office, the VC reportedly still has dozens of scouts in Europe looking for startups. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, factorial capital, Global IT News, Global Security News, matt hartman, Venture
Factorial Capital takes a fresh approach to finding startups with a technical edge
To make smart bets on the current wave of startups, Matt Hartman thinks venture capitalists will need a deeper understanding of the tech those startups are building. Hartman (pictured above) spent nine years as a partner Betaworks before starting a new firm, Factorial Capital, where he’s developed a different approach to identifying the startups with…
defense tech, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Joe Lonsdale, Venture
Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC seeking $1B for new fund
8VC, a venture firm led by Palantir founder Joe Lonsdale, is seeking nearly $1 billion for its sixth fund, according to a regulatory filing. The Austin-based firm’s latest fund aims to raise nearly 14% more than its previous $880 million flagship vehicle, which closed in February 2023. TechCrunch has reached out to the firm for…
AI, Crypto, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Only 3 days left for 2-for-1 Pass
Only 3 days remain to score the ultimate deal for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — two of the same ticket types for the price of one! Don’t wait to take advantage of these massive savings. This limited-time offer ends this Friday, January 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT — after that, these 2-for-1 Passes will be gone.…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Geek Ventures, a fund that specializes in backing immigrant founders, is raising a second fund
Geek Ventures is raising a Fund II, according to a recent SEC filing. The firm, founded in 2021 by Ihar Mahaniok, focuses on investing in early-stage immigrant founders. Mahaniok immigrated to the U.S. from Belarus and spoke to TechCrunch a few years ago about how hard the venture ecosystem can be for immigrants. “Talent is…
AI, Climate, Crypto, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, robotics, Space, Startups, TC, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Transportation, Venture
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: 5 Days left to claim your 2 for 1 Passes at the lowest rate of the year
The clock is ticking for one of our Super Early Bird sales! You have just 5 days left to lock in your 2 for 1 Passes at the lowest rates of the year for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Save up to $1,400 on two of the same individual ticket type. This limited-time offer ends this Friday,…
AI, data centers, Donald Trump, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, In Brief, mgx, openai, oracle, president donald trump, Softbank, Trump, Venture
OpenAI’s Stargate project reportedly doesn’t have the money it needs
Stargate — the massive infrastructure project to build data centers for OpenAI in the U.S. — lacks a fully developed plan and hasn’t secured funding yet, according to a report from the Financial Times. Backed by OpenAI, SoftBank, Middle East AI fund MGX, and others, Stargate would funnel around $100 billion — and upward of…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, Venture
Foyer unlocks $6.2M to help people save up to buy homes
Landy Liu knows how hard it is to save for a home. While working at mortgage startup Better.com, he spent years dealing with first-home home buyers who felt overwhelmed when it came to shopping for homes. By the time it was his turn in 2022, mortgage rates had nearly doubled, and he found himself in…
Apple, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, pegatron, Venture
Tata acquires 60% stake in Apple-partner Pegatron’s India unit
Tata Electronics has acquired a controlling stake of 60% in Pegatron’s unit in India, less than a year after acquiring Wistron’s local business as the salt-to-software conglomerate expands its iPhone manufacturing capacity in the South Asian market. Pegatron is a key assembly partner for Apple. The Taiwanese firm operates an iPhone production plant near Chennai…
Amazon, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Madrona Ventures, Snowflake, Venture
Madrona just announced its biggest fund ever, closing on $770M as other venture funds grow smaller
Seattle-based Madrona Capital is celebrating its 30 years in business by raising $770 million in fresh capital. This is the firm’s largest fundraise to date, exceeding $690 million across two funds Madrona closed in 2022. While an 11% capital pool upsize may not seem significant, any increase at a time when many venture outfits are…
Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, keepass, passbolt, password management, Security, Venture
Passbolt raises $8M for its open source password manager for teams
Password managers have become commonplace at this point. But businesses often have different needs than consumers. Teams, after all, often have to share credentials to access resources, all while IT and security teams need ways to control who has access to them. Passbolt, which is announcing an $8 million seed round Thursday, aims to become…
Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, Quantum, Venture
Quantum VC QDNL hits €25M first-close on new fund
VC investment into Quantum computing declined by 50% last year according to the ‘State of Quantum 2024’ report, dropping from $2.2bn in 2022 to $1.2bn, with funds switching in favour of Generative AI. However, government spending on quantum was predicted to hit $40 billion over the next decade. Now a new VC European fund hopes…
Enterprise, Everstone, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Venture, Wingify
Everstone acquires bootstrapped Indian startup Wingify for $200M
Private equity firm Everstone has reached a deal to acquire a majority stake in Wingify, one of India’s earliest bootstrapped software-as-a-service success stories, for about $200 million, three sources familiar with the matter told TechCrunch. The deal, finalized this week, marks a significant exit for Wingify’s founder Paras Chopra, who built the SaaS startup without…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, saronic, Venture
Raymond Tonsing’s Caffeinated Capital seeks $400M for fifth fund
Caffeinated Capital, a San Francisco venture firm started by a solo capitalist Raymond Tonsing, is raising a fifth fund of $400 million, according to a regulatory filing. The firm, an early investor in software company Airtable and defense startup Saronic, has already raised $160 million toward the fund. If Caffeinated hits its target, it will…
Global IT News, Global Security News, M12, Microsoft, Venture
Microsoft’s head of venture has resigned
Chris Young, Microsoft’s head of of business development and its venture unit, M12, resigned from his role on Wednesday, the company said. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Enterprise, Enterprise Search, Funding, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Doti gives enterprises a flexible AI-powered search experience to unlock their data silos
As enterprises look at how they can best leverage AI to increase their employees’ productivity, search is an obvious use case. In most companies, after all, data lives in multiple disconnected silos and the combination of large language models, retrieval augmented generation (RAG) and enterprise-grade integration services now makes it easier than ever to not…
Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Venture
Hindustan Unilever acquires Peak XV-backed Minimalist for over $340M
Hindustan Unilever has agreed to acquire beauty startup Minimalist for about $342 million, marking its latest push to expand in India’s fast-growing premium skincare market. The consumer goods giant will initially acquire a 90.5% stake in the four-year-old direct-to-consumer brand through secondary buyouts and primary investment, with the remaining 9.5% to be purchased from founders…
AI, Asia Pacific, generative ai, Global Security News, In Brief, IPO, mistral, startup, Startups, Venture, World Economic Forum
Mistral AI plans IPO
French AI lab, Mistral, is working toward an initial public offering, co-founder and CEO Arthur Mensch said Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Mistral is “not for sale,” Mensch said, adding that the company plans to open an office in Singapore to focus on the Asia-Pacific region and…
AI, AI agents, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, VC, Venture, venture capital
Here are the types of AI companies enterprise VCs want to back in 2025
The AI startup market is sprawling, from companies looking to develop new chips, to those using AI to build robots, to others looking to use AI to create niche solutions for industry-specific workflows. There are a lot of potential areas for venture capitalists to invest in, but there are clearly a few subsectors they are…
Africa, fund return, Global IT News, Global Security News, moniepoint, Oui Capital, Startups, Venture
How African VC firm Oui Capital returned its first fund with Moniepoint’s unicorn exit
At a recent investor meeting, early-stage African investor Oui Capital informed limited partners that it had returned its $4 million debut fund following the sale of some shares in the business banking platform Moniepoint. The African fintech unicorn has so far proven to be a standout investment for five-year-old Oui Capital. When it launched its…
Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Joe Lonsdale, Kevin Hartz, mach industries, Venture, xoom
From recruiting for Palantir to landing a plane on Highway 85: meet defense tech’s wildest power broker
Peter Conway has recruited for some of the buzziest defense and hard tech firms in Silicon Valley over the last decade, like Palantir and Mach Industries. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, nvidia, Startups, Startups Weekly, Venture
Big Tech expands its reach with new startup acquisitions and investments
Welcome to Startups Weekly — your weekly recap of everything you can’t miss from the world of startups. Want it in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. This week’s newsletter is about startups, but it is also about Big Tech companies expanding their reach, both through acquisitions and through investments. Most interesting startup stories…
Climate, Donald Trump, Founders Fund, Global IT News, Global Security News, Government & Policy, greenland, Ken Howery, PayPal Mafia, Real estate, Venture
Ken Howery: the tech mogul at the center of Trump’s Greenland ambition
Surprise! Donald Trump’s big, audacious ambition to buy Greenland from Denmark has a tech angle. Ken Howery, named by U.S. President-elect Trump’s pick to be the next ambassador to the country (and thus chief broker of any deal), is one more part of the rich seam of tech people running through Trump’s upcoming administration. Part…
AI, Anthropic, Global IT News, Global Security News, openai, PitchBook Data, VC Investments, Venture, Waymo, xAI
Despite VCs investing $75B in Q4 , it’s still hard for startups to raise money, data proves
After two years of relatively muted investment activity, it seems that VCs are starting to pour capital into startups at pandemic-era levels once again. But a closer look shows that they aren’t really. In the fourth quarter of last year, investors funneled $74.6 billion into US startups, a substantial increase from the average of $42…
exits, Global IT News, Global Security News, Insight Partners, new funds, TC, Venture
New York powerhouse VC Insight Partners nabs another $12.5B after $8B in exits
Insight Partners closed another giant flagship fund after big returns in 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Climate, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Climate tech matured in 2024 as investors favored bigger rounds, later stages
Climate tech may have had a down year in 2024, but new data also shows a maturing sector with larger deal sizes. Venture investment in the climate tech sector was down 7% to $12.9 billion, $1 billion shy of 2023’s tally, according to data in a new PitchBook report. The report found that round size…
accounting, AI, Fundraising, gen z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Open Ledger, Startups, Venture
A 24-year-old who exited his first company to Coinbase raises $3M for his next venture
At 24 years old, Pryce Yebesi already has one exit: selling his crypto invoicing company Utopia Labs to Coinbase for an undisclosed amount. Some founders don’t just have one company in them. On Monday, Yebesi announced the launch of his new company, Open Ledger, which embeds automated accounting software into products that enterprises and small…
Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Boardy AI raises $8M seed round months after closing pre-seed
Months after announcing a $3 million pre-seed, the AI networking startup Boardy is back with an $8 million seed announcement led by Creandum. The company connects users with other people when they call an AI agent who chats with them for a bit and then connects them with others it thinks they ought to know.…
Global IT News, Global Security News, MotherDuck, Python, Supabase, TC, Venture
Powerset gives founders $1 million to invest in other startups
Powerset, founded in late 2022, is an investment program with a simple hypothesis: what if the best investors aren’t venture capitalists but other founders, scribbling off checks in between late night coding sessions and board meetings? © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Europe, Global Security News, Startups, State of the French tech ecosystem, Venture
Venture funding remains stable in France thanks to AI startups
Alex Dewez, a partner at 20VC, just released its highly anticipated State of the French tech ecosystem report. This is a nice followup to Atomico’s State of European Tech report, with a more granular view on French startups in particular. As a reminder, the bottom line of Atomico’s report is that European startups raised $45…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
Top New York VC Ben Lerer says more mid-sized VC firms are heading for failure
Ben Lerer, managing partner of one of New York’s most prestigious seed-stage venture firms, Lerer Hippeau, shared some predictions with Fortune’s Leo Schwartz. He believes venture firms will continue to see a bifurcation as money pours mostly into top funds like Thrive and a16z, as well as into smaller more bespoke funds. “Where you go…
accounting, AI, Fundraising, gen z, Global IT News, Global Security News, Startups, Venture
A 24-year-old who exited his first company to Coinbase, raises $3M for his next venture
At 24 years old, Pryce Yebesi already has one exit: selling his crypto invoicing company Utopia Labs to Coinbase for an undisclosed amount. Some founders don’t just have one company in them. On Monday, Yebesi announced the launch of his new company, OpenLedger, which embeds automated accounting software into products enterprises and small businesses already…
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, VC, Venture, venture capital
VCs say AI companies need proprietary data to stand out from the pack
AI companies across the globe raised more than $100 billion in venture capital dollars in 2024, according to Crunchbase data, an increase of more than 80% compared to 2023. It encompasses nearly a third of the total VC dollars invested in 2024. That’s a lot of money funneling into a lot of AI companies. The…
defense tech, Global IT News, Global Security News, Joe Lonsdale, shield ai, Venture
Defense startup Epirus in talks to raise over $150M, potentially cutting valuation
The round could give the company a valuation of about $1 billion, a decrease from the company’s previous $1.35 billion valuation. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, In Brief, Larry Page, Venture, Y Combinator
Y Combinator scored a surprise win when Larry Page came to speak
Y Combinator is maybe only two-degrees of separation from anyone in tech. Even Larry Page. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, Joseph Pizzolato, Venture
Defiant is a new European VC firm that uses data and products to make better investments
Defiant is a new early stage VC firm focused on B2B SaaS and fintech coming out of stealth today. Joseph Pizzolato (pictured right) and Cam Rail (pictured left), the duo at the helm of the firm who met when they were six years old, have already secured $30 million and plan to raise as much…
emerging market, Fundraising, Global Security News, MENA, Venture
Report: VC in emerging markets plummeted by over 40% last year
8th January at 9:30 am Dubai VC investments in emerging markets such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) plummeted by over 40% compared to 2023, according to a new report. The data mirrors the wider global trend of reduced VC funding in the last two years, especially for non-AI companies. The total raised…
Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture, venture capital
Silicon Valley is so dominant again, its startups devoured over half of all global VC funding in 2024
For all the chatter about the decline of San Francisco, the data repeatedly shows that the area is still the best place for venture-backed startups. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, ruchi sanghvi, South Park Commons, South Park Commons India, Venture
South Park Commons is raising $40M for an India-specific fund
South Park Commons is raising $40 million for its India-specific fund over six months after announcing its outpost in Bengaluru. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Shekhar Kirani, TC, Venture
Accel could raise billions for India, but it’s sticking to $650 million
Accel has maintained its India fund size at $650 million for its eighth vehicle, even as other venture firms in the region are racing to raise increasingly larger pools of capital. The firm had ample opportunity to raise “multi-billion dollars,” said Shekhar Kirani, partner at Accel, in an interview with TechCrunch. But unlike peers who…
Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Joe Lonsdale, Kevin Hartz, mach industries, Venture, xoom
From forced landings to stuffed animal heads, headhunter Peterson Conway is defense tech’s wildest power broker
Conway has recruited for some of the buzziest defense and hard tech firms in Silicon Valley over the last decade, like Palantir and Mach Industries. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Fundraising, Global IT News, Global Security News, Venture
What will this year bring in VC? We asked a few investors
A new year brings with it hope for a better tomorrow — kind of, at least. In the world of venture capital, nothing is quite predictable. The number of firms in the U.S. has taken a sharp dip as risk-averse institutional investors splash money on only the biggest names in Silicon Valley, as reported by…
AI, Exclusive, Funding, Fundraising, generative ai, Global IT News, Global Security News, pitchbook, Startups, trends, VC, Venture
Generative AI funding reached new heights in 2024
If there was any doubt, the generative AI bubble didn’t burst in 2024. Investments in generative AI, which encompasses a range of AI-powered apps, tools, and services to generate text, images, videos, speech, music, and more, reached new heights last year. According to data from financial tracker PitchBook compiled for TechCrunch, generative AI companies worldwide…
evergreens, Global IT News, Global Security News, Layoffs, Startups, tech layoffs, TechCrunch 2023 Recap, Venture
A comprehensive list of 2024 tech layoffs
A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2024. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.