Startups

At least 80 new tech unicorns were minted in 2025 so far

Startups /

With AI igniting an investor frenzy, every month, more startups obtain unicorn status. Using data from Crunchbase and PitchBook, TechCrunch tracked down the VC-backed startups that became unicorns so far this year. While most are AI-related, a surprising number are focused in other industries like satellite space companies Loft Orbital and blockchain-based trading site Kalshi.   […]

At least 80 new tech unicorns were minted in 2025 so far Read More »

Supabase hit $5B by turning down million-dollar contracts. Here’s why.

Startups /

Vibe coding has taken the tech industry by storm, and it’s not just the Lovables and Replits of the world that are winning. The startups building the infrastructure behind them are cashing in too.  Supabase, the open-source database platform that’s become the backend of choice for the vibe-coding world, raised $100 million at a $5 billion valuation just months after closing $200 million at $2 billion. But co-founder and CEO

Supabase hit $5B by turning down million-dollar contracts. Here’s why. Read More »

Supabase CEO on the “painful” decisions that built a $5B company

Startups /

Vibe coding has taken the tech industry by storm, and it’s not just the Lovables and Replits of the world that are winning. The startups building the infrastructure behind them are cashing in too.  Supabase, the open-source database platform that’s become the backend of choice for the vibe-coding world, raised $100 million at a $5 billion valuation just months after closing $200 million at $2 billion. But co-founder and CEO

Supabase CEO on the “painful” decisions that built a $5B company Read More »

Glīd won Startup Battlefield 2025 by building solutions to make logistis simpler, safer, and smarter

Startups /

Build Mode is back with a holiday bonus episode. This week, Startup Battlefield editor Isabelle Johannessen is joined by the winner of this year’s competition, Kevin Damoa, the CEO and founder of Glīd, a logistics infrastructure company that aims to streamline the complex container shipment process. Damoa first discovered the challenges of shipping larger cargo

Glīd won Startup Battlefield 2025 by building solutions to make logistis simpler, safer, and smarter Read More »

From military logistics to Startup Battlefield 2025 champion with Glīd founder, Kevin Damoa 

Startups /

Glīd CEO and founder Kevin Damoa shares what it takes to win Startup Battlefield 2025 and build a company solving real infrastructure problems. Fresh off his victory, De reveals how a veteran’s perspective on logistics led to an autonomous solution bridging congested roads and underutilized rail. Plus, he shares how mindfulness, mission-driven culture, and $70M in early customer commitments positioned Glīd for success.  New episodes of Build

From military logistics to Startup Battlefield 2025 champion with Glīd founder, Kevin Damoa  Read More »

JustiGuide wants to use AI to help people navigate the US immigration system 

Startups /

The U.S. immigration system is complex, hard to navigate, and expensive for immigrants. The startup JustiGuide claims it can help with that thanks to an AI-powered portal. The idea is to help immigrants in the U.S. — and eventually in other countries — understand the law and what visas they may be eligible for, and

JustiGuide wants to use AI to help people navigate the US immigration system  Read More »

Find Your Grind raises $5M to grow platform empowering students to explore unique career paths

Startups /

If you’re a fan of the punk scene from the early 2000s, you may recognize Nick Gross, the drummer for the band Goldfinger.  Now, he’s empowering young people to pursue their passions through his career exploration platform, Find Your Grind. The platform highlights alternative professions not usually emphasized in schools, including being a pop-punk band

Find Your Grind raises $5M to grow platform empowering students to explore unique career paths Read More »

How Glīd won Startup Battlefield 2025: Mentorship, mission-focus, and meditation 

Startups /

Isabelle leads Startup Battlefield, TechCrunch’s iconic launchpad and competition for the world’s most promising early-stage startups. You can contact or verify outreach from Isabelle by emailing [email protected]. She scouts top founders across 99+ countries and prepares them to pitch on the Disrupt stage in front of tier-one investors and global media. Before TechCrunch, she designed

How Glīd won Startup Battlefield 2025: Mentorship, mission-focus, and meditation  Read More »

Hands on with Stickerbox, the AI-powered sticker maker for kids

Startups /

There’s a new AI-powered toy for kids called Stickerbox, and, before you groan, I’m here to report that it’s surprisingly fun. Stickerbox, a product born out of Brooklyn-based startup Hapiko, is a voice-activated sticker printer. The device takes whatever creative idea you have in your head and transforms it into a printed sticker that you

Hands on with Stickerbox, the AI-powered sticker maker for kids Read More »