Author: TechBrunch
Zach Yadegari, a high school teen co-founder of Cal AI, has been hammered in comments about X after revealing that of the 18 top colleges he applied for, he was rejected by the age of 15. Yadegari says he got a 4.0 GPA and nailed 34 scores on his ACT (over 31 is considered a top score). I'm sure his problem was his essay, as did the tens of thousands of commenters on X. As TechCrunch reported last month, Yadegari says that Yadegari generates millions of revenues on its $30 million annual recurring revenue track. Although they can't confirm that…
As Tiktok's fate in the US remains uncertain, the tech giant quietly began testing a new “Titktok for Tiktok” insight platform designed to help artists build their careers. The platform gives artists the tools to promote songs, understand performance metrics, and interact with their fans. The platform is currently being tested in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. Tiktok plans to introduce its platform to additional markets in the future, along with a wider deployment. The launch of the platform was first reported by Music Ally. According to the Tiktok for Artists website, artists can use the platform to…
X's plan to make money by selling dormant usernames on the service is beginning to shape. According to a recent change found in X's web application, the company has set up a “handle inquiry” process where validated organizations that already have an X subscription of $1,000 per month (other organizations that already have an X subscription) can bid on abandoned X handles. According to FAQs discovered on web apps, these bids start at $10,000 and can range from $500,000 or more. The update was first discovered by reverse engineer Nima Owji, and told TechCrunch he saw changes to the web…
As YouTube Shorts continues to compete with Tiktok, the platform is unveiling new features coming up to help creators publish compelling short form videos. Creators have access to improved video editors, the ability to generate AI stickers, the ability to sync content to the beats of songs, and enhanced templates. The launch of the new tool will take place just a few days before the TIKTOK ban period on April 5th. Given the timing of the announcement, YouTube could be trying to exploit the platform for potential gaps left by Tiktok if it faces a ban in the US. Image…
Consumer-grade phone monitoring apps aren't just meant to keep you stealthy. Some of these apps are making them increasingly difficult to remove. TechCrunch has effectively blocked the stealth phone monitoring app for Android so that it can remove the app by Android device owners who require a password to identify and uninstall it. Spyware apps that don't name them to promote relying on people who plant their apps and enable Android's built-in features, allowing their apps to “overlay” content over all other apps. Once this permission is granted, the Spyware app will use this overlay access to force a password…
Call founders, VCS and startup experts and share your scaling strategy! TechCrunch All Stage 2025 is garnering top mindsets in startups and venture capital on July 15th in Boston. If you have valuable insights into scaling, it's your chance to share them with over 1,200 founders, investors and entrepreneurs. Lead thought-stimulating sessions, interactive round tables and practical breakouts to help startups thrive. This is an opportunity to share expertise and guide founders through scaling challenges. Step up and stand out! Apply now and apply for a chance to compete in the Audience Choice Round where TechCrunch readers vote for those…
Tiktok, owned by Chinese company Bytedance, has been at the heart of US controversy for four years due to concerns about user data that the Chinese government may access. Earlier this year, the app experienced a temporary suspension in the US, leaving millions of users suspense before it was quickly restored. Tiktok returned to the App Store and Google Play Store in February. Nevertheless, Tiktok's future remains uncertain, with a potential second ban on April 5th looming. Many investors are competing for opportunities to buy apps, and if a transaction occurs, the platform's US business could rise to over $60…
Spotify announced Gen AI Ads, among other changes to its advertising business at an event in New York City on Thursday. In particular, the company has introduced Spotify Ad Exchange (SAX), a new program offering. This allows advertisers to contact Spotify logged in users via real-time auctions. In scaling Sax News, Spotify said it has “instantly” inked its new partnerships with Google's Demandside Platform, Display & Video 360 and Magnite with “Yahoo DSP, Adform, and more.” Trade desks are also supported. SAX will offer “full addressability” and measurement capabilities, the company said. Partners can initially advertise the entire music in…
TechCrunch All Stage – Altimate Founder Summit – is becoming a powerhouse event where 1,200 founders and VCs come together across all stages to create meaningful connections and quickly gain actionable insights to apply to expand the startup. Join the Sowa Power Plant in Boston on July 15th. Be part of your conversation with a scaling expert. Sign up now and save up to $210! Registering in more than four groups will save more. About the breakout session Image credit: TechCrunch Adding more value to this already packed agenda, we look forward to announce that Index Ventures partner Jahanvi Sardana…
With President Donald Trump's latest tariffs announced today, the day he calls “liberation day” – Web3 startups believe they can use their blockchain platform to automatically track tariffs on goods coming and going to the United States. This claim can be bold and is typical of many such bold claims made by other Web3 startups. However, there may be more than just eye contact, as WATR's platforms are already being used to verify products by large mining companies and automakers. Created by former Shell, BP and JP Morgan executives, the company is led by Mariam Ayati, who leads global origination…