Author: TechBrunch
Although Spotify's Live Audio app is currently unavailable, the company is using the technology to better connect fans and artists with its “Listening Party” feature. This feature gives engaged fans the opportunity to attend events like an artist's album launch and ask questions. The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it has been testing the feature in the US and Indonesia since December 2023, with plans to expand to more markets. “While it's still early days, we've had several artists test it in recent months, including Zara Larsson and Bleachers,” a Spotify spokesperson said. Image credit: Threads/Chris Listening parties are listed…
Get ready to ignite the world of technology with your passion and expertise! TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 is set to rock San Francisco from October 28th to 30th. We're looking for vibrant speakers like you to liven up your event with your insights. Use this opportunity to apply and share your knowledge before April 26th. Here's how to become a speaker at TechCrunch Disrupt. Are you a pioneering startup founder, an insightful venture capitalist, or an industry celebrity? We want to hear from you. Inspire your fellow founders, innovators, and entrepreneurs by sharing your expertise across the startup ecosystem. Create your…
Renowned startup accelerator Y Combinator held one of its twice-yearly Demo Day events this week, showcasing hundreds of startups that have recently passed through its program. Judging from our coverage of the two-day event, TechCrunch found a lot to like about the exhibitors. However, if you're a little tired of AI chatter, you won't find the overview very enjoyable. AI wasn't the only thing on display. So today in his TechCrunch Minute, we've compiled some trends and vibes from the latest for your enjoyment. Please join us live if you can. If not, here are some highlights and trends that…
The tech-wide reckoning that began in 2022 and ran throughout into 2023 has continued into this year. And while 2024’s losses are not at that scale, they’re still significant, driven by big names like Pixar, Google, Microsoft, Mozilla and TikTok. It remains to be seen if this year’s layoff trends follow last year’s, in which layoffs slowed down in the summer, before cuts began ramping up yet again toward the winter. Momentum for a tech sector rebound remains slow to build, outside of bright spots within artificial intelligence and adjacent companies, resulting in tech companies continuing to cut back on their…
It's been a great week, everyone. Two full days of Y Combinator Demo Day activities kept us busy, but the launch of the latest accelerator corps wasn't the only big story in the startup world. In today's TechCrunch Stocks Podcast, mary ann, beccaand Alex Attendees came together to dig into the hundreds of new YC companies that pitched, as well as favorites from venture capital funds that want to be “the investment and innovation arm of the autism community.” Becca wanted to talk to Seso about some exciting fintech initiatives in the agriculture space, while Alex brought up Home From…
Varda Space Industries has closed on a major round of funding just weeks after the first drug-making capsule returned from orbit. The company's $90 million Series B round marks a turning point for the company, which is now preparing to expand from initial demonstration missions to a regular series of missions carrying customer payloads, Varda said. founder Delian Asparouhov told TechCrunch. El Segundo-based Varda was founded in 2021 by Aspalhoff, who is also a partner at Founders Fund, and Will Bluey, a spacecraft engineer who honed his skills at SpaceX. The pair had an audacious goal: to eventually commercialize their…
This week's Rubrik IPO filing includes important content between the headcount and cost breakdown sections that sheds light on how the data management company is thinking about the risks associated with generative AI and new technologies. It was. Rubrik has quietly established a governance committee to oversee how artificial intelligence is implemented in the business. According to the Form S-1, the new AI governance committee includes managers from Rubrik's engineering, product, legal, and information security teams. The filing states that both teams will work together to assess the potential legal, security, and business risks associated with the use of generative…
AI Panel & Mixer Featuring Venture-Backed Founders & VCs Super Founders & Funders Sponsored by: Supermomos and HBS AI ClubTime: April 22nd, 6pm to 8pmDescription: In honor of TechCrunch week, join us for an intimate evening of founders and funders with the AI Panel & Mixer featuring venture-backed founders and VCs! Founders and VCs who received the award will appear. There will be time for networking and socializing while enjoying drinks and food from home. This event is aimed at founders, VCs, and operators building full-time in the AI ML space, as well as a select group of students from…
Cross-border fintech is hot right now. According to the Bank of England, the cross-border payments market is expected to reach more than $250 trillion by 2027. And experts say this is where fintechs benefit banks (pun intended), especially in the business-to-business sector, where fintechs' favored emerging technologies of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain come into play. Pointed out. It's no surprise, then, that one of the trends for Y Combinator's 30 or so fintech startups in the Winter 2024 batch is an easier way to move capital around the world. Here's a summary of what I saw at YC…
Faced with labor shortages, sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture are increasingly turning to AI for automation. Computer vision startups are jumping on the opportunity, offering a variety of point solutions for both industries. From data collection to crop monitoring and harvesting, robots with eyes are entering the fields. However, one of the major challenges that remains is implementation. If such solutions are difficult to use, they will not be used. Belgian startup Robovision believes it has found a way around that. The company wants to industrialize deep learning tools and make them more accessible to companies that aren't tech…