TechCrunch Industry News
3,850 episodes — Page 44 of 77
Wayve raises $200M Series B led by Eclipse for its AI for autonomous delivery vehicles
British autonomous vehicle startup Wayve has raised a $200 million Series B funding round from investors to scale its technology and expand its partnerships with commercial fleets. Wayve is aiming to be a major player in the arena of Robo-deliveries and logistics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Animoca, Galaxy Interactive and Polygon back gaming firm nCore in web3 push
nCore Games has raised $10 million in a new financing round as the top Indian gaming firm gears up to launch web3 offerings, its top executives said Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
InFlow, a science-based app for ADHD, raises $2.3M Seed led by Hoxton Ventures
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms can include anxiety, chronic boredom, impulsiveness, trouble concentrating, controlling anger, and even depression. But ADHD suffers can face lengthy waiting periods for assessment and prohibitively expensive treatments. Now a startup, which launched in 2020, hopes to address this by luring the knowledge of a team of clinicians and coaches […] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
EVage raises $28M to be a driving force in India’s commercial EV revolution
A congruence of factors in India — notably, climate change policies, fuel costs and skyrocketing demand for e-commerce — has set up ideal conditions for startups like all-electric commercial vehicle startup EVage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Google’s loss to Sonos settles it: Big Tech has an IP piracy problem
Simply put, Big Tech benefits from stealing IP. The legal costs and potential damages, if ever issued after years of litigation, are paltry by comparison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Swell takes in $20M to develop more adaptable headless commerce infrastructure
Starting an e-commerce business is large marketplaces can be an easy process, but what the team at Swell began to notice was that the model could only take a business so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Seel secures $17M round to infuse AI in customer product returns
Merchants can add “return assurance” to an order, if it is returned in the next 30 days, Seel, instead of the merchant, will pay for the refund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Newcomer aggregator Ecommerce Brands snags $40M in equity, debt to deploy eCaaS model
Ecommerce Brands aims to differentiate itself from the crowded aggregator space by being the technology force for DTC brands to scale while operators focus on running their businesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
BigPanda gets its horn after securing $190M in fresh capital
The company’s technology transforms huge volumes of IT data into actionable insight and automates incident management so IT operations teams can be proactive about their response processes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Roku adds a new ‘Live TV Zone’ to its homescreen
Roku is furthering its investment in its Live TV platform with today’s introduction of a new “Live TV Zone” that will roll out to the main, left-side navigation on Roku devices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
GoStudent Raises $340M Series D funding round as it pushes into international markets
Fresh from raising a $244 million Series C (that valued the company then $1.7 billion) back in June, K12 online tutoring marketplace GoStudent has now raised a $340 million Series D round led by new investor Prosus, an Amsterdam-based investment firm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
GM finally agrees California can set vehicle emissions rules as it preps to scale EVs
In what appears to be a politically and economically savvy move by General Motors, the automaker said Sunday it recognized California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle emissions standards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ankorstore reaches $2 billion valuation two years after launching its wholesale marketplace
French startup Ankorstore has raised a $283 million Series C funding round (€250 million). Founded in November 2019, it took Ankorstore around two years to reach a post-money valuation of $2 billion (€1.75 billion). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple Fitness+ introduces new ‘Collections’ feature and ‘Time to Run’ series
Apple Fitness+ is introducing a new “Collections” feature along with a new “Time to Run” series starting on January 10th. Collections are a curated series of workouts and meditations from the Fitness+ library organized to help users reach a goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
At CES 2022, metaverses metaversed the metaverse
In the lead up to CES, I wrote a piece reflecting on top tech of CES 2012. It was an interesting exercise for a number of reasons — not the least of which was recalling the buzzwords from 10 years ago. That year, LTE and ultrabooks topped the list. One had a great run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mosqitter’s machine murders mosquitos with much mirth
After ridiculing one mosquito-fighting product, I figured it’d be only right to highlight another piece of buzz-reducing tech that was showing off its products at CES this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Canada’s Assent Compliance lands $350M from Vista Equity for supply chain data management
Never before has the importance of a smooth-flowing supply chain been as clear as it has been in the COVID-19 pandemic era. For manufacturers in particular, managing intricate supply chains can be particularly challenging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
BMW wants to turn your car into a rolling cinema
After fitting some of its cars with comfy lounge chairs at CES 2020, BMW today unveiled the next step in its in-car entertainment story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Stellantis to transform Chrysler into an all-electric brand by 2028
Chrysler, the 96-year-old brand owned by Stellantis that is best known today for its minivans, will become an all-electric brand by 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Labrador set to deliver a robotic helping hand to homes in 2023
Back at CES 2020, Labrador Systems co-founder/CEO Mike Dooley told me, “I think there are fewer fake robots [at the show] this year.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Liquid Death lands $75 million more in funding, including to roll out flavored water
Liquid Death, a water brand that began life in 2018 with a funny video to first test the concept, has grown deadly serious about its growth prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Samsung’s 2022 Smart TVs to support cloud gaming, video chat and even NFTs
Ahead of the official start of CES, Samsung today revealed its vision for its next generation of smart TVs that will include everything from cloud-based gaming services to video chat while watching TV to even NFTs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Twitter bans Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene’s personal account over COVID-19 misinformation
Twitter has permanently suspended the personal account of Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-GA) “for repeated violations of our COVID-19 misinformation policy,” according to the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Let’s talk CES 2022 trends
I spent a chunk of yesterday morning rediscovering the big trends of CES 2012. It’s a strange experience, examining so much technology that feels — at once — extremely dated and very recent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple puts Foxconn India plant on probation after protests over food and accommodation conditions
Apple has put the southern India factory of Foxconn on probation following protests from workers over subpar food and accommodation conditions, a concern both the firms acknowledged and pledged to improve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The best tech of CES 2012
Consumer electronics are a bad metric for gauging the passage of time. And, frankly, Consumer Electronics Shows are considerably worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fiverr rolls out new Pinterest-like personalized discovery feature
Freelance marketplace Fiverr is rolling out an interactive Pinterest-like mobile experience aimed at enabling users to engage with a constantly updated feed of visual content curated specifically for them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Waymo partners with Geely to make electric AVs for ride hail in the US
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving technology arm, is partnering with Chinese automaker Geely to build an all-electric, self-driving ride-hailing vehicle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Europe’s antitrust policy shouldn’t ignore China
The TechCrunch Global Affairs Project examines the increasingly intertwined relationship between the tech sector and global politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More companies bow out of in-person CES presence
The last few days have been fairly quiet, so far as CES is concerned — no doubt owing to the holiday. The last major dropout came from Microsoft, which confirmed on Christmas Eve it would no longer be traveling to Las Vegas for the event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Movano targets an H2 2022 launch for its fitness ring
My first in-person experience with a fitness ring was back at CES 2017. Four years later, one wonders if they might be having a moment at next week’s show — in-person or no. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Naren Gupta, co-founder of Nexus Venture Partners, passes away
Naren Gupta, a venture capitalist who co-founded Nexus Venture Partners to help cement Indian SaaS startups’ position to the world, died on Saturday. He was 73. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
TikTok moderator sues over mental trauma caused by graphic videos
In a proposed class-action lawsuit, TikTok moderator Candie Frazier said that she has screened videos showing violence, school shootings, fatal falls and even cannibalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Despite scrapped IPO, Babbel sees fast growth for its language learning service
Berlin-based language learning service Babbel was supposed to IPO on the Frankfurt stock exchange in late September. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
FDA authorizes Pfizer’s Covid antiviral pill for people 12 and older
The FDA has issued an emergency authorization for Pfizer's antiviral pill, making it the first oral method for treating mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. The EUA covers high-risk people 12 and up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dealroom raises €6M Series A for its startup data, market intelligence service
European startup and venture capital data company Dealroom has raised a €6 million Series A, it told TechCrunch. The company’s new capital comes nearly two years after it raised €2.75 million in early 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Via files confidentially to go public
On-demand shuttle service and software company Via has confidentially filed to go public, the company said in a statement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The long haul of Microsoft’s China localization
In 2019, when LinkedIn began asking for Chinese users’ phone numbers, it was clear that the professional social network would have to follow a different set of rules in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
AI chip maker Kneron raises $25M for autonomous driving push
AI chips, which are semiconductors designed to accelerate machine learning, have many applications. One of the promising use cases, according to Albert Liu, is using AI chips in autonomous driving vehicles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Line to launch NFT service LineNext next year
Japan-based messaging app Line Corporation, which is wholly owned by Z Holdings, will launch NFT service next year via its new organization LineNext to provide the marketplace for companies and individuals to trade NFTs globally, excluding Japan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Security flaws found in a popular guest Wi-Fi system used in hundreds of hotels
A security researcher says an internet gateway, used by hundreds of hotels to offer and manage their guest Wi-Fi networks, has vulnerabilities that could put the personal information of their guests at risk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fuzey takes in $4.5M to charge up its management tools for service-based businesses
The company's tools digitize for small businesses what was traditionally done manually and on paper, like invoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Spotify acquires podcast tech company Whooshkaa which turns radio broadcasts into on-demand audio
Spotify is continuing its investments in podcasts with today’s news that’s it’s acquired another podcast technology company, Whooshkaa, an Australia-based all-in-one platform for hosting, managing, distributing, promoting, monetizing and measuring podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Silverflow nabs $17M for its updated, cloud-based take on payments processing technology
When it comes to online payments, the front end of the system has seen a massive amount of disruption in the last several years, with companies like Stripe, Adyen, PayPal, Square and others building APIs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Amazon to lower its cut of Alexa skill developer revenue starting in 2022
Amazon is joining other tech giants by lowering its cut of developer revenue generated by voice apps, known as Alexa skills, which run on Amazon’s smart speakers and other Alexa-powered devices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Papaya raises $50M to give you a way to pay bills via its mobile app
Paying bills is hardly a fun thing. So I think it’s safe to say that any technology that can make the process easier is welcome by all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Six more women sue Tesla over workplace sexual harassment
In the wake of Jessica Barraza’s lawsuit last month, six more current and former female employees have come forward to accuse Tesla of fostering a culture of rampant sexual harassment at its Fremont factory in California. In separate complaints filed on Tuesday with the Superior Court in Alameda County, the women said they were consistently subjected to catcalling, unwanted advances, physical contact and discrimination while at work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mesh Payments racks up $50M to help corporate users manage spend and payments
Now that the world appears to have settled longer-term into working in a significantly more distributed way in the wake of Covid-19, companies are getting more serious about using tools to manage how their teams operate within those new parameters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The race is on to patch Log4Shell, the bug that’s breaking the internet
Security teams around the globe are scrambling to fix Log4Shell, a critical security flaw in Log4j, an open source logging software that’s found practically everywhere from online games to enterprise software and cloud datacenters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mozilla expects to generate more than $500M in revenue this year
The Mozilla Foundation today released its financial report for 2020. As usual, this gives us a good picture of the organization’s financial health from a year ago, but for the first time this year, Mozilla also provided us with more recent data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices