Author: TechBrunch
OpenAI is eyeing another big round, but that's not what's drawing attention. AI startups building promising underlying models can still open their doors and checkbooks. Black Forest Labs, a startup that builds generative AI image models and emerged from stealth two months ago with a $31 million round, is closing on a new round of funding, according to multiple sources. A $100 million round at a $1 billion valuation is what we're hearing. The deal may not be final and is subject to change. Black Forest is more than just an AI startup. The company was co-founded by the engineers…
If you love gadgets and gizmos, this year’s product conferences have been right up your alley. We’ve poked through the many product announcements made so far this year by the biggest tech companies and trade shows to create a list of what we think are the most important, or the most interesting, reveals. So far this list covers Apple WWDC, Apple Let Loose, Google I/O, Microsoft Build, Mobile World Congress and CES. Please check back as we’ll continue to update what’s below. ‘It’s Glowtime,’ or the annual iPhone event Image Credits: Apple iPhone 16 No surprise that Apple’s annual September…
The federal government will hand out an additional $3 billion to startups in the buzzy battery tech sector. The investment, announced by the Biden administration on Friday, is the latest capital injection from $16 billion the Department of Energy has set aside for the construction of domestic battery manufacturing, processing and recycling facilities. It's part of the broader Inflation Control Act, passed into law in August 2022, which includes incentives to boost the domestic battery industry and reduce reliance on China, the world's battery incumbent. Portions of this funding were awarded to startups across 14 states, with some winners capturing…
The iPhone 16 officially goes on sale on Friday, but for those who get in early, it will arrive with a fundamental compromise baked in. Simply put, this is not the iPhone 16 that was promised. Tim Cook said it will be “the first iPhone built for Apple Intelligence.” But that “for” is key: the phone won't actually have the AI features that were the most talked about feature at launch. This feels like a turning point for Apple. When it comes to new phone features, the company isn't necessarily known for being first to market or jumping on the…
Sandvine, the maker of surveillance software that allows authoritarian states to censor the internet and monitor their citizens, has announced it will withdraw from dozens of “undemocratic” countries as part of a major shakeup of the company. The Canadian-founded company released a statement on Thursday, claiming that it now wants to be “the leader in technology solutions for democracies.” As part of this new strategy, Sandvine said it has already withdrawn from 32 countries and is in the process of withdrawing from another 24. Sandvine committed to withdrawing from 56 countries, except Egypt, by the end of March 2025, but…
The Proud.AI Pin thankfully took up very little space in my carry-on luggage, and it also offered an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: I was flying around the country and knew I'd be taking a ton of notes. If you've ever been in a meeting with me, you know I always bring my laptop. I'm a slow thinker and I need to take notes. But typing while listening can be both engaging and distracting, or at the very least, it can interfere with a natural conversation, especially if you're still typing after the other person has finished…
Welcome to Startups Weekly, your weekly dose of the can't miss happenings from the startup world. Want to receive it in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. This week has seen encouraging signs that deal-making is still happening on both sides: new unicorns are being born and more capital is flowing into AI, but deals are also happening from unexpected quarters. This week's most interesting startup stories Image credit: Friendly Apps There was a wealth of AI news this week, ranging from M&A both large and small to new product launches. AI Portfolio: Generative AI unicorn Typeface has acquired…
Keep the energy going at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 and leverage your brand with after-hours side events. Hurry, today is your last chance to apply! Get your brand in front of 10,000 Disrupt attendees and the vibrant Bay Area tech scene during Disrupt Week, October 26-November 1. From cocktail parties to workshops, happy hours to silent discos, create an event that perfectly reflects your brand's unique personality. Benefits of hosting side events Increase your visibility. Connect with thousands of Disrupt 2024 attendees and the Silicon Valley tech community. We'll promote your side event across multiple platforms to reach a wide and…
Although Apple's iPhone 16 has been launched, the company has yet to make the Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18 available to users. In July, Apple rolled out these features to users in the iOS 18 developer beta, and earlier this week, it added the AI features for public beta users. However, if you're not using the experimental version of the software, you still have to wait to find out when you'll get the Apple Intelligence features. This AI-powered feature proofreads, summarizes, and even alters text to make it more professional, concise, and friendly in tone. However, it’s important to…
The tech layoff wave is still going strong in 2024. Following significant workforce reductions in 2022 and 2023, this year has already seen 60,000 job cuts across 254 companies, according to independent layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi. Companies like Tesla, Amazon, Google, TikTok, Snap and Microsoft have conducted sizable layoffs in the first months of 2024. Smaller-sized startups have also seen a fair amount of cuts, and in some cases, have shut down operations altogether. By tracking these layoffs, we’re able to understand the impact on innovation across companies large and small. We’re also able to see the potential impact of businesses…