AI search engine Perplexity is in fundraising talks and hopes to raise around $500 million at an $8 billion valuation, according to the Wall Street Journal. If a deal happens with those terms, it would more than double Perplexity’s valuation from its $3 billion valuation when it raised from SoftBank over the summer. The WSJ […]
Perplexity is reportedly looking to fundraise at an $8B valuation Read More »
Open source might be many things, but one thing it’s not is a business model — by most estimations, at least. However, that hasn’t stopped Joseph Jacks and OSS Capital from seeking some of the earliest-stage, open source startups and funding them through their formative years. These include the likes of open source Qualtrics-alternative Formbricks,
Joseph Jacks bets on open source startups, a ‘paradox of philanthropy and capitalism’ Read More »
Despite Saudi Arabia’s record of human rights abuses, some investors are warming up to investing in the country’s startups. General Catalyst is planning to invest in a Saudi Arabia-based fintech startup, Lean Technology, the firm’s first investment in the Middle Eastern nation, the Information reported. Other Saudi Arabian startups that US-based investors recently backed include
General Catalyst reportedly to back Saudi Arabian startup Read More »
After nearly a decade, industrials-focused VC Eclipse expanded out of Silicon Valley. The firm opened its second office in New York’s Soho neighborhood with plans to invest more on the East Coast. Eclipse backs startups in sectors including manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, and infrastructure, among others, both through its seed and early growth-focused funds. Since
Eclipse opens an NYC office with plans to bolster its presence on the East Coast Read More »
At Tesla’s robotaxi reveal event last week, several Optimus humanoid robots mingled with guests, pouring drinks and cracking jokes. Impressive technology, but the vocals and some of the gesticulations appear to have been remotely controlled by humans, something Tesla did not disclose. On today’s episode of Equity, Rebecca Bellan chatted with TechCrunch’s hardware editor Brian
Tesla’s bot non-disclosure and why humanoid robots are taking off Read More »
From Switzerland’s Founderful to Italians Founders Fund and the Dutch Operator Fund, a new crop of European VC firms claim to operate as “entrepreneurs backing entrepreneurs.” Although it might still be early to call it a trend, Swedish fund Node.vc has now joined this group, with €71 million in funding to deploy into startups across
Nordic entrepreneur-led VC firm Node.vc closes €71 million first fund Read More »
Harry Stebbings, the U.K. podcaster who broke into the world of tech with his 20-minute interviews of venture capitalists and founders, parlayed that fame into becoming a VC himself. Now, Stebbings has closed his third investment vehicle, and it’s his biggest yet: 20VC, the firm named after the podcast series, has closed a $400 million
20VC closes new $400M fund to ‘make Europe great again,’ says Harry Stebbings Read More »
Josh Buckley, the former CEO of Product Hunt, is aiming to raise a fourth $250 million fund for his venture capital firm, Buckley Ventures, according to a regulatory filing. Buckley’s ambitions for this fund are significantly lower than for his previous one. He sought to raise a $500 million third fund in February, 2022, right
Former Product Hunt CEO Josh Buckley is looking to raise a fourth $250M fund Read More »
For some, AI fatigue is real — but clearly venture investors haven’t grown tired of the category. AI deals continued to dominate venture funding during the third quarter. AI companies raised $18.9 billion in Q3, according to Crunchbase data. That figure represents 28% of all venture funding. The third quarter also saw the close of
Here’s the full list of 39 US AI startups that have raised $100M or more in 2024 Read More »
Did OpenAI really ask its investors to avoid backing rivals like Anthropic and xAI? That’s what hosts Devin Coldewey, Margaux MacColl and special guest Anthony Ha wanted to know on today’s episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast. The team kicked off the show with a look at OpenAI’s $6.6 billion round, which is being called the
AI ‘no one wants’ and Google’s potential breakup Read More »
