Tech founder Ethan Agarwal, who has raised tens of millions of dollars from VCs across two startups, is running for the 2026 California gubernatorial seat, as reported by Axios. Axios described Agarwal as a “Democrat who believes in capitalism.” He told the outlet he’s mainly concerned about the increased cost of living and doing business […]
Tech founder throws hat in California governor’s race Read More »
Women are making strides in the venture capital world, according to a new report published by the nonprofit All Raise and as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. All Raise released a report that said 18.6% of the top roles at leading VC firms are held by women, which is double what it was
VC industry has become a better career for women over the past 7 years Read More »
Early-stage founders just can’t get away from TAM — the concept of having a total addressable market for their startup to disrupt and conquer. But Index Ventures partner Jahanvi Sardana has a reminder for all those founders worried about finding TAM for their product or service: Many startups have emerged from markets that, at the
New York City-based Betaworks has closed its $66 million Fund III, which will focus on investing in early-stage AI companies. Betaworks has been investing in AI since at least 2016 and, through its investment program Camp, has backed companies such as Huggingface and Granola. Jordan Crook, a partner at the firm (and former TechCrunch employee),
Betaworks’ third fund closes at $66M to invest in early-stage AI startups Read More »
Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, one of the first among the small number of Black women to raise more than $1 million in venture capital, announced on Thursday the closure of her award-winning beauty startup Ami Colé. Ami Colé creates makeup for those with darker skin colors, as those consumers often struggle to find makeup that matches their
After raising over $3M, popular VC-backed beauty brand Ami Colé is shuttering Read More »
When Betsy Fore was five, her grandmother got her a gift she has never forgotten: A Velveteen Rabbit from Goodwill that Fore believed, with enough love, could spring alive. Decades later, that rabbit has lent its name to Fore’s venture firm, Velveteen Ventures, which came to life on Tuesday. “I realized after building companies for
Venture gets a rare Native American-led fund in Betsy Fore’s Velveteen Ventures Read More »
Sarah Smith, founder and managing partner of the eponymous Sarah Smith Fund, announced Thursday the final closing of a $16 million Fund I. Smith launched her eponymous fund in 2022 and is a solo GP. She said she’s “stunned” by what AI can unlock for firms like hers, solo and next-generation. “I can’t imagine doing
Sarah Smith launches $16M fund, says AI can ‘unlock’ so much for solo GPs like herself Read More »
Despite what some experts have characterized as an environment increasingly hostile to AI R&D, North America continues to receive the bulk of AI venture dollars, according to data from investment tracker PitchBook. Between February and May of this year, VCs poured $69.7 billion into North America-based AI and machine learning startups across 1,528 deals. That’s
North America takes the bulk of AI VC investments, despite tough political environment Read More »
All Thibault Launay and his wife Simi wanted nearly five years ago was to build a dream home in Portugal, where they both now live. But what they encountered instead was a broken system. “Fourteen months of delays, 20% budget overruns, and endless stress managing over 10 subcontractors,” Thibault recalled. They bought the land in
Litehaus raises €1.46M pre-seed to build home-building platform Read More »
Supporting super-early stage entrepreneurs in Europe seems to be suddenly in vogue. Back in March, “Project Europe” was launched to great fanfare by podcaster and VC Harry Stebbings with a small $10 million fund to back founders aged only 25 and under, riffing on the ‘Peter Thiel Fellowship’ model of old. Now a new fund
Are EWOR fellowships the real project Europe is looking for? Read More »
