Startups News
Fal nabs $140M in fresh funding led by Sequoia, tripling valuation to $4.5B
The round, which was Fals third fundraise this year, also included a secondary sale for early investors, sources tell us.
Cashew Research is going after the $90B market research industry with AI
Cashew Research uses AI to automate the market research process while still collecting real-world data from humans.
SpaceX reportedly planning 2026 IPO with $1.5B valuation target
The company is looking to raise $30 billion, which would make it the biggest IPO ever, just ahead of Saudi Aramco's in 2019.
B Capital founding partner Kabir Narang leaves to launch new investment platform
Kabir Narang is laying the groundwork for a new investment platform slated for 2026.
Why Cursors CEO believes OpenAI, Anthropic competition wont crush his startup
After reaching $1 billion in annualized revenue, Anysphere CEO Michael Truell explained the features his company is focused on building out.
Rivian is building its own AI assistant
The EV maker will likely share more details on its upcoming AI & Autonomy Day scheduled for December 11.
Slack CEO Denise Dresser to join OpenAI as chief revenue officer
OpenAI says that Dresser will be responsible for the company's revenue strategy in enterprise and customer success.
Boom Supersonic raises $300M to build natural gas turbines for Crusoe data centers
Crusoe will pay Boom $1.25 billion for more than a gigawatt of generating capacity with deliveries of the turbines starting in 2027.
Amazons Ring rolls out controversial, AI-powered facial-recognition feature to video doorbells
The feature lets you identify the people who regularly come to your door by creating a catalog of up to 50 faces. The company says the Ring feature is opt in and the biometric data isn't used to train AI models.
Truecaller now lets users protect households from scam calls
Truecaller's Family Protection will be rolled out widely in the first quarter of 2026. The new feature lets up to five people join a family group overseen by one member who acts as the administrator and manages scam-blocking settings for the others.
Ford and Renault team up on cheaper EVs in a fight for our lives
The automakers will work together to bring two Ford-branded EVs to European dealerships in 2028.
Google Photos launches new video editing tools
Google Photos' new update helps make editing video reels in the app quicker, such as new templates that already add music and text to clips.
NASA and USPS stop using Canoo EVs despite CEOs pledged support
Canoo's CEO bought the bankrupt startup's assets in April and told the court his principal motivation was supporting these programs.
Anthropic and Accenture sign multi-year AIstrategic partnership
The two companies are launching the Accenture Anthropic Business Group to bring Anthropic's AI to Accenture's employees.
Pebbles founder introduces a $75 AI smart ring for recording brief notes with a press of a button
After rebooting the Pebble smartwatch, founder Eric Migicovsky is expanding his company's device lineup with a new smart wearable: an AI-powered smart ring known as Index 01. Named for the finger where the ring is meant to be worn, the new $75 ring is not meant to be a competitor to the always-on, always-listening AI devices, like the AI pendant Friend, but instead offers a way to record quick notes and reminders with a press of a button on the ring's side. AI only comes into play via the open source, speech-to-text, and AI models that run locally on your smartphone, via the open source Pebble mobile app. That is, if the Ring's button is not being pressed, it's not recording. (And this is a press-and-hold gesture, too, which means you can't start the ring's recording and then let go to surreptitiously record a conversation.) You can wear the stainless steel ring while in the shower, washing hands, doing dishes, or in the rain, but you would have to take it off for other water-related activities, like swimming. At launch, it's water-resistant to 1 meter. The ring is also not a fitness tracker or sleep monitor. It doesn't record details about your heart rate or health. And it's not there to be your AI friend. I'm not trying to build some AI assistant thing, Migicovsky told TechCrunch in an interview. I build things that solve one main problem, and they solve it really well, he explains. I think of [the ring] as external memory for my brain...that's what this is. It's always with you. Plus, the ring has been designed to be highly reliable and privacy-preserving, he says, as all your thoughts are stored on your phone, not in the cloud. There is no subscription. Migicovsky has been wearing the ring for three months now and says he cannot imagine going back to a world where he doesn't always have a memory device with him. The problem is that, during the day, I get ideas or I remember something, and if I don't write it down that second, I forget it, he says. The ring solves this problem, he adds, without becoming another device you need to charge. The battery lasts for years, Migicovsky claims. Technically, the ring is said to support roughly 12 to 14 hours of recording. On average, the founder says he uses it 10-20 times per day to record 3-6 second thoughts. At that rate, he'll get about two years of usage. When the ring's battery dies, you can ship it back to the company for recycling. When using Index, you can record up to five minutes of audio, which can be saved to the ring and synced to your phone later. This makes sense for recording briefer, personal thoughts and notes, even when you don't have your phone handy, but it wouldn't work for recording a longer chat, like a presentation, meeting, or in-person interview of some kind. The ring also supports 99+ languages and has a bit of on-device memory, in case you're not in Bluetooth range of your device, where the recording is ultimately saved and transcribed. (The raw audio is retained, too, in case the speech-to-text is garbled due to loud background noise). If you own a Pebble smartwatch or one from another brand, your recorded thought can even appear on the watch's screen so you can verify it's correct. The ring works with Pebble's mobile app, which offers notes and reminders, but can optionally integrate with your phone's calendaring system, too, or other apps, like Notion. And the ring's software is open source, which makes it hackable by the community, the founder points out. Because of its open nature, the ring's button is already programmable. In addition to the press-and-hold gesture, you can program the ring to do other things with a single or double press, like play or pause your music or control the shutter on your phone's camera. You could use it to send a message through the universal chat app Beeper, which Migicovsky also created, or you could add your own voice actions via MCP. A new approach to hardware Migicovsky acknowledges that hardware can be difficult to get right -- as the previous exit of Pebble to Fitbit showed. (Fitbit, too, was later acquired by Google in 2021). I didn't earn any money during Pebble -- we exited, but it was not a great exit, Migicovsky admits. This year, however, he decided to reboot the Pebble project after Google open sourced the PebbleOS, which opened up the door to new hardware. With his new company, Core Devices, Migicovsky plans to do things differently. Still, the founder doesn't regret his previous choices, he clarifies. I wouldn't have gone back and changed anything. I loved what we built. I loved what we did. I love the company that we built, but it's not the only way to build a company, he told TechCrunch. And, speaking as an ex-YC partner, there are -- there's a time and a place for building a venture-backed startup. Some companies are phenomenal when they raise money and build a big team, and I tried that...I think what I'm doing now is trying an alternative path, which is [to] start from profitability, he says. The new company is a small team of five, self-funded, and focused on sustainability. So far, Core Devices has shipped the Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch with a black-and-white display. Its first run sold out, and the company is now preparing to ship the upgraded version, the Pebble Time 2. The newer device, which has seen 25,000 pre-orders, is a stainless steel watch with a larger, color e-ink screen. As for the Index 01, the ring's pre-order offer ends in March 2026. After that, the price increases to $99. It currently comes in silver, polished gold, and matte black and works with iOS and Android devices. Customers can select from eight ring sizes and three colors.
Mistral AI surfs vibe coding tailwinds with new coding models
French AI startup Mistral today launched Devstral 2, a new generation of its AI model designed for coding, as the company seeks to catch up to bigger AI labs like Anthropic and other coding-focused LLMs.
Empromptu raises $2M pre-seed to help enterprises build AI apps
Empromptu claims all a user has to do is tell the platform's AI chatbot what they want like a new HTML or JavaScript app and the AI will go ahead and build it.
FTC upholds ban on stalkerware founder Scott Zuckerman
Zuckerman, who used to run the stalkerware apps SpyFone and SpyTrac, claimed the ban is hurting his unrelated business.
SoftBank and Nvidia reportedly in talks to fund Skild AI at $14B, nearly tripling its value
Skild AI is developing a hardware-agnostic foundation model for robots that can be customized for various uses.
Investor letter reveals skyrocketing growth of Waymos robotaxi rides
Six months ago, Waymo disclosed it was providing 250,000 robotaxi rides. But it's grown significantly since, a leaked letter says.
Department of Commerce approves Nvidia H200 chip exports to China
This news comes as a bill was introduced in Congress last week to prevent these exact kinds of chip exports.
Googles AI try-on app Doppl adds a shoppable discovery feed
The tech giant says the idea behind the new feed is to display recommendations so users can discover and virtually try on items. Nearly everything in the feed is shoppable, with direct links to merchants.
Google details security measures for Chromes agentic features
Google details how it is enacting security guardrails before rolling out agentic capabilities on Chrome.
You can buy your Instacart groceries without leaving ChatGPT
Shoppers will be able to go from recipe planning to checkout within the ChatGPT window.
TikTok adds a space for organizing content with others, teases Shared Feeds
Shared Feeds will surface new content tailored to both users' tastes, such as sports, winter activities, and their favorite creators.
Petcos security lapse affected customers SSNs, drivers licenses and more
Petco said the exposure was due to an error in an application, and that it is notifying victims whose data was affected.
Heat pump startup Quilt raises $20M Series B to expand sales
Quilt has sold nearly 1,000 units in the U.S. and Canada, and the new funding should help expand sales operations to more states and provinces.
ONE RULE: Trump says hell sign an executive order blocking state AI laws despite bipartisan pushback
I will be doing a ONE RULE Executive Order this week, Trump posted on social media. You cant expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something.
Hinges new AI feature helps daters move beyond boring small talk
Hinge launched Convo Starters, a feature powered by AI that provides personalized tips for initiating meaningful conversations.
OpenAI boasts enterprise win days after internal code red on Google threat
ChatGPT Enterprise usage grew 8x year-over-year as workers report saving an hour daily, but OpenAI faces competitive pressure from Anthropic and questions about cost sustainability.
X deactivates European Commissions ad account after the company was fined 120M
X has seemingly penalized the European Commission's account after the commission fined the company over blue checkmarks and ad transparency.
The accelerator is on the floor for autonomous vehicles
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.
Coinbase starts onboarding users again in India, plans for fiat on-ramp next year
Coinbase is exploring expansion into India with a staggered relaunch and hiring for different roles.
OpenAI says its turned off app suggestions that look like ads
While OpenAI continues to insist that there are currently no ads or tests for advertising live in ChatGPT, the companys chief research officer also acknowledged that the company fell short with recent promotional messages.
Pat Gelsinger wants to save Moores Law, with a little help from the Feds
The company is aiming to produce its first silicon wafers by 2028 and have its first commercial system online by 2029.
Meta reportedly delays mixed reality glasses until 2027
aMeta lready sells VR headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses, but these new glasses sound a bit different. Their format factor would reportedly be similar to the Apple Vision Pro, with a puck-like power source.
Is it time to refound your startup?
Sometimes, founding a startup just once isnt enough.
How would the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal reshape Hollywood?
Its only been a day since Netflix announced an $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros., and the acquisition has already been described as sending Hollywood into full-blown panic mode, possibly a death blow to theatrical filmmaking, and maybe even the end of Hollywood itself.
After you check out your Spotify Wrapped 2025, explore these copycats
Spotifys annual Wrapped feature just dropped, giving listeners a fun, personalized summary of their listening habits. It has gained immense popularity over the years, and as a result, many companies have seized the opportunity to create similar year-in-review experiences, offering users a recap of their habits, preferences, or interactions from the past year. Here are []
Online Gaming Bill: Startups That Have Shut Real Money Gaming Ops
With the Rajya Sabha passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 today, the countrys real money gaming
Apple To Launch Its Third India Store Next Month: Report
iPhone maker Apple is set to expand its retail footprint in India with the launch of its third official store,
Indian Listed New-Age Tech Company Tracker: Market Cap, Revenue & More
For years, we at Inc42 have tracked the Indian tech startup ecosystem and seen it grow from a kid to
India Setting Up Commercial Silicion Fab With 50,000 Per Month Wafer Capacity: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India is developing a commercial-scale silicon-based fabrication facility with an above average capacity of 50,000 wafer-starts per month, minister for
New Delhi, Delhi, India | 16thAugust 2025: Eastman Auto & Power Limited (EAPL), a pioneer in innovative and sustainable energy solutions, has launched its next-generation SolarLink Grid-Tie Inverter Series, setting a new benchmark in high-performance solar power conversion for Indias growing clean energy market. Wide Capacity Range for All Solar Applications The SolarLink series is [] The post Eastman Auto & Power Unveils SolarLink Grid-Tie Inverter Series for Residential, Commercial & Industrial Solar Solutions appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
VinFast Sets Record in India: Tamil Nadu EV Plant Completed in Just 17 Months
Gurgaon, Haryana, India | 16thAugust 2025: Indias push to put millions of electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads by 2030 has gained a major boost from VinFast, the fast-growing Vietnamese EV manufacturer. In what one leading Indian daily described as the fastest manufacturing scale-up by any foreign carmaker in India, the company transformed an empty [] The post VinFast Sets Record in India: Tamil Nadu EV Plant Completed in Just 17 Months appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
New Delhi, Delhi, India | 16thAugust 2025: India, historically celebrated as the Sone ki Chidiya or the Golden Bird, has long been revered for its immense wealth, cultural heritage, and contributions to global philosophy and trade. From precious metals and fine goods to profound knowledge systems, Indias rich legacy has captivated travellers for centuries. In [] The post MMTC-PAMP Launches Limited-Edition Sone Ki Chidiya 24K Gold Coin to Celebrate Indias Golden Legacy and Rising Global Status appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India | 15thAugust 2025: Saifco Cements Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of JK Cement Ltd, one of Indias leading cement manufacturers, has officially launched the JK Super Cement brand in Kashmir. This marks a pivotal step in the companys expansion strategy and reinforces its commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and economic growth [] The post JK Super Cement Launches in Kashmir: JK Cement Expands Local Manufacturing to Boost Infrastructure and Employment appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
Scrapcart: Indias First AI-Powered Industrial Scrap Marketplace Driving Sustainable Waste Management
New Delhi, Delhi, India | 15thAugust 2025: Scrapcart has emerged as a game-changer in Indias waste management sector, offering industries, MNCs, SMEs, and recyclers a smarter, more transparent way to trade and dispose of scrap responsibly. By combining cutting-edge AI technology with a robust compliance framework, the platform enables organisations to unlock maximum value from [] The post Scrapcart: Indias First AI-Powered Industrial Scrap Marketplace Driving Sustainable Waste Management appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
Zoomcars Loss Zooms 66% YoY To $4.2 Mn In June Quarter
Car rental marketplace Zoomcar saw another disappointing quarter in the three-months ended June 2025. The Nasdaq-listed company posted a net
Indias Defence Tech Moment, Darwinbox Nets $40 Mn & More
Indias Defence Tech Moment Arrives The recent Indo-Pak military conflict brought to the fore how battlefields are getting future-ready as
The Evolving Landscape Of Climate Tech Funding In India
Indias climate tech ecosystem has long been subject to the influence of global capital flows and trends, shaped by the
HR Tech Unicorn Darwinbox Bags $40 Mn To Expand In North America
Months after raising $140 Mn, HR tech unicorn Darwinbox has bagged $40 Mn (about INR 335 Cr) from Ontario Teachers
Arintra Nets $21 Mn From Peak XV & Others To Power AI Medical Coding
GenAI-native autonomous medical coding startup Arintra has secured $21 Mn (about INR 184 Cr) in its Series A funding round
EaseMyTrip Q1: Profit Crashes 99% YoY to INR 44 Lakh
Online travel aggregator (OTA) EaseMyTrip saw its consolidated net profit plunge about 99% to INR 44.3 Lakh in Q1 FY26
Therapist, techie, and now even co-founder: AI powering new wave of one-person startups
AI is no longer seen as just a mere tool; it is now becoming a partner--not a therapist, but a solid business partner. It is helping to start companies, shape ideas, and give everyday people without technical skills the power to turn a small spark of inspiration into a real business.
Sangeetha Adbalwar Founder & CEO, Vroutes HR
Sangeetha Adbalwar, Founder & CEO of Vroutes HR, transforms HR into a growth engine with her proprietary Three-Layer 360 HR Model, delivering scalable, compliant, and culture-driven solutions. The post Sangeetha Adbalwar Founder & CEO, Vroutes HR appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
Trumps 50% tariff threatens Indias manufacturing ambitions
Donald Trump's tariff increase on Indian exports to 50% is a major setback. It jeopardises Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative. The move impacts sectors beyond smartphones and pharmaceuticals.
Decoding Fractals IPO, Indias Defence Tech Boom & More
Analysing Fractals INR 4,900 Cr DRHP Fractal has set the ball rolling to become the first Indian AI-focussed startup to
Refex eVeelz Rebrands as Refex Mobility; Anirudh Arun Named CEO to Lead EV Growth
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | 13thAugust 2025: Refex Mobility is powering into a new era of safe, reliable, and socially responsible transportation. From its humble start in March 2023 with just 24 company-owned electric vehicles (EVs), the company now operates a robust fleet of nearly 1,400 EVs, delivering tech-enabled B2B and B2B2C mobility solutions to [] The post Refex eVeelz Rebrands as Refex Mobility; Anirudh Arun Named CEO to Lead EV Growth appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
Helios Launches Herbelins Luna & Newport Collections with Brew OClock Coffee Rave in Chennai
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | 13thAugust 2025: Helios, Indias leading multi-brand destination for luxury watches, unveiled Herbelins iconic Luna and Newport collections at an exclusive lifestyle event Brew OClock: A Coffee Rave with a French Soul hosted at its flagship store in Pondy Bazaar, Chennai. The evening blended the precision of Swiss-French watchmaking [] The post Helios Launches Herbelins Luna & Newport Collections with Brew OClock Coffee Rave in Chennai appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
New Delhi, Delhi, India | 13thAugust 2025: As India advances towards its goal of becoming the worlds largest economy by 2047, Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale emphasized that the nations progress hinges on empowering farmers and adopting sustainable agriculture practices. Speaking at the 2nd Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards [] The post Indias Path to Viksit Bharat 2047: Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer-Centric Growth Take Centre Stage at National Summit appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | 13thAugust 2025: Business Core Solutions (BCS), a leading Chennai-based enterprise technology innovator, has officially launched Agentic isAI, an industry-first autonomous AI platform that is set to redefine enterprise automation. Designed to operate without prompts, coding, or training data, this groundbreaking platform empowers organizations to streamline operations, minimize downtime, and automate [] The post Business Core Solutions Launches Agentic isAI: A Revolutionary Autonomous AI Platform for Enterprise Automation appeared first on Startup Success Stories India - News & Updates for Indian Entrepreneurs .

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