Author: TechBrunch

Microsoft wants to bring generative AI to the forefront of Windows and the PCs that run it. In two keynotes at this week's annual Build developer conference, the company announced a new line of Windows machines it calls Copilot+ PCs and leverages AI such as Recall to help users find apps, files, and other content. announced the generation function. What I saw in the past. Copilot, Microsoft's brand of generative AI, will soon be more deeply integrated into the Windows 11 experience. And new Microsoft Surface devices are also coming. Here are all the major announcements from Monday and Tuesday.…

Some startups choose to bootstrap from the beginning, while others are forced to self-fund due to lack of investor interest or business models that don't fit traditional VC. FarmboxRx decided to go into business in-house after founder Ashley Tyrner didn't like the advice he was getting from potential backers. Tyrner told TechCrunch's Found podcast that when she went out to raise money for FarmboxRx, a direct-to-consumer produce box company aimed at solving food deserts at the time, she was only offered venture investors if she agreed. He said he noticed that he was interested. She pivoted her company towards current…

Andreessen Horowitz's American Dynamism Fund has launched a new fellowship program aimed at introducing top engineers and technologists to venture investing, which could help the firm identify less obvious sources of VC talent. The American Dynamism Fund was established in 2023 with the broad purpose of supporting companies that build national interests across hard technology sectors such as manufacturing, robotics, space, and defense. From A16Z's new $7.2 billion fund, approximately $600 million will be allocated to American His Dynamism. During the 12-month American Dynamics Engineering Fellows program, approximately three engineers participate in an investment short course, during which fellows spend…

Another fintech startup and its customers have been severely affected by the collapse of banking-as-a-service startup Synapse. Copper Banking, a digital banking service targeting teenagers, notified customers on May 12th that it would stop processing bank accounts and debit cards on May 13th. In a letter to customers, CEO and co-founder Eddie Bellinger said the company learned last week that its banking middleware provider Synapse would be discontinued “soon.” “Despite my advance planning, this event has forced me to close my bank account much earlier than expected,” he wrote. Synapse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 22, with…

3D tools giant Autodesk has acquired Wonder Dynamics, a startup that enables creators to quickly and easily create complex characters and visual effects using AI-powered image analysis. The two companies have worked closely together for many years and today officially announced their partnership. Wonder Dynamics, founded by VFX artist Nikola Todorovic and actor Tye Sheridan, can now add motion-captured CG characters to footage by essentially dragging an icon over the actor. But its flagship tool, Wonder Studio, was never a toy, even though it could be used like one. With years of experience in the film industry, the co-founders made…

Farcaster, a blockchain-based social protocol founded by two Coinbase alumni, announced Tuesday that it has closed $150 million in funding. The Paradigm-led platform also raised funding from a16z crypto, Haun Ventures, USV, Variant, Standard Crypto, and others, according to a blog post by founder Dan Romero. Farcaster, a social protocol, inspires developers to build other apps on top of it. The most popular app is Warpcast, a social network similar to Twitter. What does it mean to build social experiences on Ethereum? Farcaster takes a hybrid approach, storing user identities on-chain and data such as public posts, follows, and reactions…

Microsoft announced Tuesday that it is bringing Windows Volumetric Apps to its Meta Quest headset during its annual Build conference. With this partnership, Microsoft will bring Windows 365 and local PC connectivity to Quest headsets, allowing developers to extend their apps into 3D space. “We're deepening our partnership with Meta to make Windows the best experience on Quest devices,” Pavan Davuluri, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices at Microsoft, said during the event. “Windows can take advantage of Quest's unique capabilities to extend Windows apps into 3D space.” Image credit: Microsoft Developers can sign up for the developer preview…

TLDR: During COVID lockdowns, BNED reached a share price of $12.01. This time around, we estimate BNED may reach a conservative share price between $5 – $7 if retail is able to maintain the momentum started during trading hours today. BNED stock has striking similarities to GME and AMC being a household name and we believe a meme-like run is in store for the family friendly bookstore . Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED) is currently the subject of intense market speculation, with many investors eyeing it as a potential candidate for a massive short squeeze. A short squeeze occurs…

It started with drawing on a napkin. AirLoom Energy has now raised $12.7 million in new funding, according to TechCrunch. The funding came from 21 investors, which are not named, according to a regulatory filing. The company did not respond to requests for comment. This Wyoming-based startup is taking a novel approach to wind power. Rather than installing giant turbines atop towers more than 100 meters high, vertical blades will be attached to cables that run along oval tracks just 25 meters (82 feet) above the ground. The company wants to generate electricity for $13 per megawatt hour, more than…

Generative AI creates something. I may be biased. In some cases, they may spew out harmful text. Can we call it “safe” then? Rick Caccia, CEO of WitnessAI, believes it's possible. “Protecting AI models is a real issue, and one of particular concern to AI researchers, but it's different from protecting their use,” Caccia, former senior vice president of marketing at Palo Alto Networks, told TechCrunch. said in an interview. “I think of it like a sports car. Even if you have a more powerful engine, model, you don't get anything without good brakes and steering. It’s just as important.”…