Bench, a Canada-based accounting startup that offered software-as-a-service for small and medium businesses, has abruptly shut down, according to a notice posted on its website. “We regret to inform you that as of December 27, 2024, the Bench platform will no longer be accessible,” the notice reads. “We know this news is abrupt and may […]
VC Jenny Fielding, co-founder of Everywhere Ventures and former Techstars managing director, was basically trolling on X when she posted, “Y’all have strong opinions about pre-seed founders who have EAs to help them schedule? Just checking.” Fielding knew the post was “a little bit snarky,” she told TechCrunch, but it sparked a big conversation. Some
David Krane is in an enviable position. As the CEO of GV, the venture firm that is funded entirely by Google to the tune of $1 billion a year, his team of roughly 100 gets to make a lot of bets — with just a couple of notable restrictions. During a TechCrunch StrictlyVC event in
GV, the VC team backed by Google, has a broad remit, but it can’t do one thing Read More »
The tech layoff wave is still going strong in 2024. Following significant workforce reductions in 2022 and 2023, this year has more than 130,000 job cuts across 457 companies, according to independent layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi. Companies like Tesla, Amazon, Google, TikTok, Snap and Microsoft have conducted sizable layoffs in the first months of 2024. Smaller-sized
A comprehensive list of 2024 tech layoffs Read More »
From Keith Rabois to Matt Miller, a lot of VCs have switched firms or spun out of storied VC institutions this year. These employment changes are surprising because unlike in many other fields, venture capitalists don’t traditionally move around very much — especially those who reach the partner or general partner level. VC funds have
From Lauri Moore to Vic Singh, venture capitalists continue to play musical chairs Read More »
Becoming a venture capitalist has become the latest status symbol in Hollywood. Everyone these days, from Olivia Wilde to Emma Watson, is either launching a venture firm or is in the process of backing the next hottest company. Robinhood, Uber, and Klarna all have some glitzy names on their cap tables, paving the way for
Hollywood angels: Here are the celebrities who are also star VCs Read More »
On November 15, Peter Wang posted a message requesting ideas for a new incubator and fund to support experimental projects built on the burgeoning Bluesky/AT Protocol ecosystem. Four weeks later, Skyseed emerged with an initial commitment of $1 million. This turnaround, a speed underscored by the fact that the fund doesn’t even have a website
Meet Skyseed, a VC fund and incubator backing the Bluesky and AT Protocol ecosystem Read More »
Famed investor Marc Andreessen recently talked about meetings with Biden administration staff who gave him the impression they wanted to control AI by working closely with two or three big AI companies, shutting everyone else out through burdensome regulations. Andreessen didn’t name OpenAI, but it was implied it would have been a beneficiary of this
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 $19 billion in Q3, according to Crunchbase data. That figure represents 28% of all venture funding. The fourth quarter of 2024 has been no less
Here’s the full list of 49 US AI startups that have raised $100M or more in 2024 Read More »
There is a new venture fund in town. Swizzle Ventures, founded by Jessica Kamada, former COO of the marketing agency Bamboo, has raised just over $5 million for its Fund I, according to an SEC filing. There was no target raise amount. The firm, which quietly opened in 2023, is an early-stage firm looking to
Swizzle Ventures raises $5M for inaugural fund addressing women’s health and wealth Read More »
