Author: TechBrunch
Robinhood filed an application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, and announced it would launch a new disclosure fund that holds stocks in the startup. The idea behind “Robinhood Ventures Fund I” is to allow all retail investors to make money at the hottest startups before they go public. The current version of the application is now available, but Robinhood has not yet filled in the fine print. This means you don't know any other details such as the number of shares you plan to sell or the management fees you plan to bill. It is also…
Y Combinator held a Summer 2025 Demo Day last week, showing off the latest batches of over 160 startups. Like recent batches, the majority of startups have presented AI-centric solutions. However, a clear evolution was clear. Instead of “AI-powered” products, many companies are now building the infrastructure and tools needed to develop AI agents or the development of them. For example, the batch had a surge in voice AI solutions, focusing on helping new businesses monetize the “AI economy” with advertising and marketing tools. We spoke with a small number of YC-focused investors to learn which startups found most interesting…
Kering confirmed data breaches on Monday that impacted customers including luxury brands Gucci, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Lauren. Hackers stole sensitive customer data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, and amounts spent in stores around the world. The BBC first reported a violation. Kering said the hackers had not stolen their credit card numbers and no matter how many people were affected they contacted customers whose data was part of the violation. The BBC said the hackers behind the hack were a notorious group called Shinyhunters, claiming they had stolen data linked to 7.4 million…
As the startup world descends on San Francisco, TechCrunch will disrupt 2025, which is taking place at Moscone West. With over 10,000 startups and VC leaders coming together due to the disruption of this milestone, conversations about access, geography and opportunity have become more timely than ever before. On the builder stage, Anh-Tho Chuong (Lago), David Hall (Revolution) and Tawni Nazario-Cranz (Signalfire) lead the essential sessions for anyone looking to expand smartly in today's startup landscape. Sign up now and save up to $650 Why this conversation is important now As decentralized teams, regional hubs, and global funding become more…
The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced Monday that it had ordered the seizing of 187 crypto wallets allegedly belonging to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard, or the IRGC. In a detailed document on the seizure order, the Department of Counterterrofinance Bureau (NBCTF) said it was “confident” that the list “cryptocurrency wallet is the property of the IRGC and will be “used to perpetrate serious terrorist crimes.” The IRGC is a terrorist organization, among other countries, by the US, the European Union and Israel. According to blockchain monitoring company Elliptic, the named wallet receives $1.5 billion in Tether's Stablecoin USDT. Elliptic…
Every year, TechCrunch runs with innovation and the support of our incredible volunteers. If you've ever dreamed of a front row seat in the startup world, this is your chance. But Heads Up: Volunteer Application is approaching September 30th, and the clock is ticking. Why volunteer? Because access is everything Whether you're a future founder, marketer, engineer, or event producer, Discrupt volunteers are looking behind the scenes what you need to run one of the most iconic startup conferences on the planet. You gain experience, network and get free passes to the full event just for pitching. TechCrunch's 2025 will…
PayPal introduces a new way for people to send money to each other through peer-to-peer (P2P) payments made via personalized, one-off links. The system, called PayPal Links, complements the company's existing capabilities, called PayPal Me. This continues to exist as a way to share profile information and make it easier to find. The company explains that the PayPal Me link is not a payment request related to a particular amount, at least until the recipient enters that they plan to plan a payment. PayPal Me links were only used to receive payments. However, the new PayPal link allows customers to…
Returning to overwhelming demand, TechCrunch's 2025 has added 10 more display tables to TechCrunch. This will be the final release before it sells out. This is your last chance to showcase your company in front of over 10,000 founders, VCS and Tech Innovators at Moscone West, San Francisco on October 27-29. The confusion isn't just a technical meeting, it's the launchpad. Startups at all stages come here to meet their first investors, win the biggest partnerships and raise the idea of taking them to the next level. In 2025, that Launchpad could become an exhibition table. Here's your book. Image…
You've built a hit product – what are you now? That is a question that Zoom CEO Eric Ewan and Emergency Capital general partner Santi Subutovsky will take on during the session. What happens after a successful breakout? From expanding into new markets to launching your next product bet, this panel explores how great companies can avoid becoming one hit wonder. Expect insight into the tough call between focus and diversification, how to continue innovation at scale, and what investors are looking for in Act 2. They bring this conversation to the public stage of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, which will…
Bret Taylor, Openai's board chair and CEO of AI agent startup Sierra, was asked in a recent interview with The Verge if he agreed to Openai CEO Sam Altman's declaration that “someone will lose an incredible amount of money in AI.” Taylor reflected Altman's feelings and suggested that we were in fact in the AI bubble, but like Altman, he wasn't too worried about it. “I think it's true that AI will transform the economy. I think it will create a huge amount of economic value in the future, like the internet,” Taylor said. “I think we're in a bubble.…