Author: TechBrunch

We run out of time to secure an exhibition table at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 on October 27th-29th in Moscone West, San Francisco. This is your chance to win a startup in front of over 10,000 startup pioneers, VC leaders and tech enthusiasts. Learn more and get the table here before your competitors do. Maximum exposure for startups Place innovation directly in front of an enthusiastic and influential audience for three days. Expand your reach: showcasing solutions in a lively expo hall. Falsify partnerships that promote immediate growth. Maximize Connection: Get 10 meeting passes for you and your team. Directly engage…

There is no capital shortage there, but there is even less room for error. Joined the TechCrunch All Stage Powers Panel on July 15th in Boston, “Fundraising mistakes that kill your rounds and how to avoid them.” This scale stage breakout session is specifically built for early stage founders who want to avoid the pitfalls of slowing or sinking pay increases. From pre-pitch preparations to follow-throughs after meetings, this session will take you through today's competitive venture landscape, where you will see founders in the real world and see what doesn't work. Three experts. Three perspectives. One goal – help…

Google announced Wednesday that it was rolling out Gemini to wear OS watches almost two months after teasing the move back in May. Tech Giant adds search capabilities to new circles by integrating the AI-mode search experience directly into the functionality and supporting game-related queries. Gemini will be rolling out to Pixel, Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus and Xiaomi watches that will be fitted with OS 4+ over the coming weeks, the company says. The announcement is part of Google's plan to replace Google Assistant with Gemini on all devices and platforms. To start talking to Gemini, users need to say “Hey…

In just six days, you'll get a chance to save up to $475 in all stage swing doors with all stage swings open at the Sova power plant in Boston. This is more than just a founder event. This is a summit designed to help startups move faster, raise more funds and expand more effectively. Whether you're improving your pitch, preparing to raise capital, or leading a growing team, TC All Stage offers you the tools, tactics, and connections you need to move forward. Currently, the founder's pass is only $100 and the investor pass is $200. This is the…

It's 2025, mobile phone numbers are ubiquitous. You use your phone number to sign up for websites and online services, from retailers and banking to social media and healthcare providers. You can also use your phone number to reset your forgotten password or to securely log in to your account by receiving a two-factor authentication code. But if someone can steal your phone number, they can effectively become you. With a phone number, hackers can start accessing your online account and think you are when you trick an automated system and call customer service. You can access the corporate network…

Defense technology has moved from VCS' no-go zone to the hot investment sector. However, double use means that technology must also have private applications — is still a requirement for most of them, including the NATO Innovation Fund. Estonian VC company DarkStar aims to break away from this trend by investing purely in military applications and help them use the combat-proven solutions coming out of Ukraine. “This is very important not only today, but in the next decade,” said co-founder and general partner Ragnar Sass (second from left in the photo). The company has taken a hands-on approach to this…

This week, with a StrictlyVC download, TechCrunch Eic Connie Loizos has been joined by Drive Capital co-founder Chris Olsen. Chris explains how drive's reverse approach to fund size, ownership interests and geographic focus is generating returns that other companies are currently struggling with. They also went their separate ways after Olsen and his company co-founder Mark Kvam first met as colleagues at Sequoia Capital. Plus: Why Silicon Valley billionaires are choosing Columbus and what “venture calculations” mean for the industry? StrictlyVC downloads posts every Tuesday. Subscribe to Apple, Spotify, or where you can listen to podcasts that will alert you…

The US Department of Justice has confirmed the arrest of China's National Xu Zewei. This is suspected of a prolific contract hacker who cyberattacked for China. Xu was arrested in Italy at the request of a US prosecutor. Xu and another Chinese national Changyu have been charged with nine charges in “Critical Covid-19 Research on Hacking and Theft” by a US university in February 2020. The DOJ said Xu worked for a company called Shanghai Powerrock Network, which carried out Chinese government hacking operations. The suspicious hacker has been accused of massive hacking of Microsoft Exchange servers in March 2021.…

Games Giant Activision defeated “Call of Duty: WWII” as hackers exploit flaws in certain PC versions of the game. Last week, Activision announced that it had taken the Microsoft Store version of its 2017 first-person shooter, Call of Duty: WWII, offline as it was investigating “reporting problems” without specifying what the problem was. The company has just launched that version of the game and is also a subscription service that allows access to multiple games for a monthly fee. Those who know the Activision response told TechCrunch that the company took the game offline offline due to hacking, working to…

On Tuesday, Google announced it is launching a new Gmail feature designed to help users manage subscriptions easily and organize their inboxes. The new “Manage Subscriptions” tool is deployed on the web, Android and iOS in some countries. With the new feature, users can view and manage subscription emails in one place and cannot immediately register from what they don't want to receive. Users can see active subscriptions organized by the most frequent senders, along with the number of emails they have sent over the past few weeks. Clicking on the sender will provide you with a direct view of…