Author: TechBrunch
Three major investors have left the general catalyst amid the company's recent series of changes. This now describes itself as an “investment and transformation company.” The late managing directors include Kaildherty, who co-led the Late Stage Strategy for General Catalysts, known as Endurance, and Adam Balkin, one of the three leads of the company's early stage fund, according to several people close to General Catalyst. Nishal, Doherty, and Valkin did not respond to requests for comment. General Catalyst declined to comment. The reason for the departure remains unknown, but the general Catalyst Limited partners have explained many other changes in…
Google Gemini users can now access AI chatbots directly from their iPhone lock screen thanks to an update released on Monday, which was first discovered by 9to5Google. Users can call Gemini Live, the relatively real-time voice feature of the AI chatbot Google, before adding the Gemini Widget to the lock screen and unlocking the phone. Talk to Gemini Live from the lock screen on your iPhone. Apple's AI-enabled Siri version reportedly faces delays until 2027, so competitors in the AI space are stepping in to provide their own AI assistants to iPhone users. These features may allow iPhone users to…
On Monday, Google announced a series of changes to its widget system on Android, making it easier for app developers to reach users. Widgets that provide a glass-up view of the app's most important information, such as the weather for the day and upcoming meetings on the calendar, are an important aspect of customizing your Android home screen. However, Google admits that there was a need for a better way for developers to discover widgets. Widgets are not just decorative ways to make your home screen more visually interesting. A well-built widget helps to increase user engagement with apps and…
Fintech startup lamps had earned more than $700 million per year as of January this year, according to sources familiar with the company's internal operations. The company has more than $100 million in annual revenues before his third birthday in March 2022, exceeding $300 million by August 2023, and more than doubled it within 18 months now. Although Ramp has not officially released its revenue numbers, CEO and co-founder Eric Griman told TechCrunch that Ramp accounts for “1-2% of the US card market.” It's impressive for such a young company. However, the company is reinvesting its money and has yet…
June 5th, TechCrunch Sessions: AI kicks off. And you can be part of the industry-changing conversations that take place. Members of the AI community have open invitations to lead breakout sessions and discussions with more than 1,200 startup founders, VC leaders, and AI enthusiasts taking part in the latest event at Zellabach Hall in Berkeley, California. There's only one catch. By Friday, March 7, 2025, you will need to apply to be considered a speaker before midnight, so head here. As the AI field develops rapidly, we want to enable innovators who promote discourse to win center stage, so in…
Cyberattacks have also affected payments to freelancers and contractors working for the company, as ransomware attacks have been suspended due to suspected ransomware attacks on newspaper publishing giant Lee Enterprises. The Lee Enterprises cyberattack on February 3 caused widespread suspensions and continued disruption in dozens of newspapers across the United States, including delays in print editions. On February 18, Lee confirmed that hackers “encrypted” “critical, encrypted applications” that affect the company's business, including “distribution of products, billing, collections and vendor payments.” One contractor of Lee's property was asked not to be identified due to fear of retaliation, told TechCrunch that…
Reddit co-founder and investor Alexis Ohanian has joined the bid for billionaire Frank McCourt, who will acquire Tiktok as a strategic advisor specializing in social media, Reuters reports. “I think he has a portfolio of extensive experiences about where social media is and has a keen understanding of where it is evolving,” McCourt told Reuters. “The main place he can help is not only verify what we are doing, but socialize.” Project Liberty, the Internet advocacy group at McCourt, has organized a consortium called People's Bids to buy Tiktok's US assets. In January, Project Liberty officially submitted a proposal to…
AI startup Humanity announced Monday it raised $3.5 billion in a post-money valuation led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. According to CrunchBase, participants were also from Bessemer Venture Partners, Cisco Investments, D1 Capital Partners, Fidelity Management & Research Company, General Catalyst, Jane Street, Menlo Ventures and Salesforce Ventures. “This investment will help humanity develop next-generation AI systems, expand their computing power, deepen their research into mechanical interpretability and consistency, and accelerate international expansion,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Humanity is focused on developing AI systems that serve as real collaborators, working with teams to tackle complex projects, consolidate information…
The cost management startup lamp has almost doubled its valuation to $13 billion after a $150 million secondary stock sales, the company announced Monday morning. New and existing supporters, including VC Stripe, GIC, Avenir Growth, Thrive Capital, Khosla Ventures, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, 137 Ventures and Definition Capital, purchased a second from employees and early investors. This is a major conflict in the ratings of Fintech Startup Ramp. It was valued at $7.65 billion last April, when it raised $150 million in a Series D expansion co-led by the Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund. That pay raise has secured $1.2…
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. Just last month, the app experienced a temporary suspension in the US, leaving millions of users suspenseful before it was quickly restored. Tiktok returned to the App Store and Google Play Store last month. Nevertheless, Tiktok's future remains uncertain, with many investors competing for the opportunity to buy the app. As Angelo Zino, senior vice president at CFRA Research, estimates the platform's US business could raise its valuation to more than…