Did OpenAI really ask investors not to back rivals like Anthropic and xAI? That's what hosts Devin Coldewey, Margaux MacColl, and special guest Anthony Ha wanted to know on today's episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast. The team kicked off the show by reviewing OpenAI's $6.6 billion round, dubbed the “largest VC round in history.” Following the announcement, Devin elaborated on what this funding means for the company's path to profitability, especially given how unusual such investor restrictions are for late-stage funding. Some of the rumors floating around were debunked.
OpenAI wasn't the only thing the Equity team was thinking about this week. Margaux wanted to talk about Auger, Dave Clark's new venture that just raised $100 million to make supply chains more efficient with AI. Given Clark's history with Amazon and Flexport, Augur could be on a path to success amid current global supply chain challenges and the recent longshoremen's strike. To wrap up this week's deal, Anthony turned to Impulse Space. Impulse Space recently secured $150 million to develop and launch an orbital transport vehicle.
What about AI that people don't want? Margaux took us deeper into her coverage of Shield AI, AI weapons, and ethics. On the subject of technology getting out of control, Devin and Anthony provide an update on the ongoing antitrust case against Google and what a potential breakdown could mean for tech giants and the startups looking to disrupt search. He concluded the program by talking about what he meant.
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Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo and posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and all casts.
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