Startups

Honda is killing its EVs and any chance of competing in the future

Honda's decision to kill its three EVs for the U.S. market will reverberate far beyond North America.

Meta reportedly considering layoffs that could affect 20% of the company

These layoffs could help Facebook's parent company offset its aggressive spending on AI infrastructure, as well as AI-related acquisitions and hiring.

As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps promising to help

We've compiled a list of friendship apps, from friend discovery platforms like BFF to event-focused ones like Timeleft.

How to use the new ChatGPT app integrations, including DoorDash, Spotify, Uber, and others

Learn how to use Spotify, Canva, Figma, Expedia, and other apps directly in ChatGPT.

Not built right the first time Musks xAI is starting over again, again

The AI lab is revamping its effort to build an AI coding tool, with two new executives joining from Cursor.

Lawyer behind AI psychosis cases warns of mass casualty risks

AI chatbots have been linked to suicides for years. Now one lawyer says they are showing up in mass casualty cases too, and the technology is moving faster than the safeguards.

Nyne, founded by a father-son duo, gives AI agents the human context theyre missing

The data infrastructure startup raised $5.3 million in seed funding led by Wischoff Ventures and South Park Commons.

Facebook makes it easier for creators to report impersonators

Facebook is making it easier for creators to report impersonators while tightening rules around reposts and other unoriginal content.

Steven Spielberg says hes never used AI in any of his films

At SXSW, Steven Spielberg said AI has uses in many fields, but not when it comes to replacing creative people in film and TV writing.

The biggest AI stories of the year (so far)

The AI industry is constantly churning out news, like major acquisitions, indie developer successes, public outcry, and existentially dangerous contract negotiations.

Travis Kalanick launches a new company called Atoms focused on robotics

Kalanick's existing ghost kitchen company CloudKitchens will be rolled into Atoms, which also wants to get into mining and transport.

Peacock expands into AI-driven video, mobile-first live sports, and gaming

Peacock is betting on new AI-powered video experiences, vertical clips, and mobile games to help its growth.

Motional robotaxis join the Uber app in Vegas two years after major reset

The launch comes just two years after a major reboot at Hyundai-owned Motional. The service will start with a safety monitor, which Motional hopes to remove by year's end.

Before quantum computing arrives, this startup wants enterprises already running on it

After selling his AI startup to AMD for $665 million, Peter Sarlin is back with QuTwo, a new venture building the infrastructure it believes enterprises will need when quantum computing finally arrives.

How to watch Jensen Huangs Nvidia GTC 2026 keynote

Nvidia kicks off its GTC conference with Huang's keynote on Monday, which can be watched in person or via livestream.

Channel Surfer lets you watch YouTube like its old-school cable TV

The web app lets you turn on YouTube and surf channels like you're watching cable TV in the '90s.

Why Rivian is holding the $45,000 base model R2 until late 2027

Rivian spent the last two years promoting the R2 as a $45,000 SUV. But buyers won't be able to pay that price until late next year -- if at all.

Gumloop lands $50M from Benchmark to turn every employee into an AI agent builder

As companies race to adopt AI, Benchmark general partner Everett Randle believes the key to success lies in empowering every worker with AI superpowers, and Gumloops intuitive agent builder is an example of the kind of tool that will unlock that potential.

Alexa+ gets a new adults only personality option that curses but wont get into NSFW content

The new Sassy style can curse and roast you, but the fun ends there.

Wonderful raises $150M Series B at $2B valuation

The funding round, led by Insight Partners, comes just four months after Wonderful raised a $100 million Series A.

Rivian R2 launch: Heres what $57,990 gets you

Two years after revealing what its affordable next-generation EV would look like, Rivian has shared all of the pricing, colors, and performance specs for its upcoming R2 SUV. And like so many new car releases, its complicated. The bottom line: Rivians bid to sell a more affordable EV that is accessible to a broader market []

Uber, Wayve, and Nissan plan to launch a robotaxi service in Tokyo this year

Nissan will integrate Wayve's self-driving software into the Leaf with the goal of making the vehicles available on the Uber app in Tokyo.

Honda scraps 3 EVs planned for the US, blaming tariffs and Chinese competition

The Japanese automaker said the change of plans will cost it up to $15.7 billion.

Google is using old news reports and AI to predict flash floods

A new way to solve data scarcity: Turning qualitative reports into quantitative data with an LLM.

Google Maps is getting an AI Ask Maps feature and upgraded immersive navigation

The tech giant says the Immersive Navigation launch is the biggest update to Maps in over a decade.

Group14 opens factory to produce battery materials for flash charging EVs

The startup's new BAM-3 facility can make enough silicon anode material annually to supply about 100,000 long-range EVs.

When startups become a family business

This season on Build Mode, were diving into what it takes to build a world-class founding team.This week were exploring different kinds of co-founder dynamics and what it takes to build a startup with your family.

Chinese brain interface startup Gestala raises $21M just two months after launch

This is the largest early-stage funding in Chinas brain computer interface industry.

AI actor Tilly Norwood put out the worst song Ive ever heard

This song is an AI actor's rallying cry to other AI actors, urging them to keep going despite the naysayers who doubt their humanity. Literally no one can relate to this.

Nuro is testing its autonomous vehicle tech on Tokyos streets

Nuro began testing its self-driving software on public roads in Tokyo, marking the first international expansion for the AV startup.

Fords new AI assistant will help fleet owners know if seatbelts are being used

Ford Pro AI debuted at Work Truck Week in Indianapolis and is now available to all of its U.S.-based Pro telematics subscribers.

Ride-hailing inDrive acquires Pakistans Krave Mart to bolster grocery delivery

inDrive has closed its acquisition of KraveMart, expanding grocery delivery in a market dominated by Foodpanda.

Zendesk acquires agentic customer service startup Forethought

Forethought was years ahead of its time and the 2018 winner of TechCrunch Battlefield.

India neobank Fi winds down banking services on its platform

Fi, founded by former Google Pay executives, is discontinuing banking services over four years after launch.

Netflix may have paid $600 million for Ben Afflecks AI startup

This deal could rank as among the streaming giant's largest acquisitions ever.

Lovable says it added $100M in revenue last month alone, with just 146 employees

Swedish vibe-coding unicorn Lovable crossed $400 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in February.

Quince hits $10B valuation with giant $500M round led by Iconiq

E-commerce company Quince has raised another massive round, less than a year after its previous raise.

Alternative app store AltStore PAL joins the fediverse

AltStore PAL now supports the fediverse, using its own Mastodon server to let iOS developers share app updates and alerts across platforms like Mastodon and Threads.

Replit snags $9B valuation 6 months after hitting $3B

Replit raised a new $400 million round and said it hopes to have $1B in ARR by year's end.

Pro-Iran hacktivist group says it is behind attack on medical tech giant Stryker

The hacktivist group claimed the attack was in retaliation for a U.S. strike on a Tehran school that killed more than 175 people, most of them children.

Rivian spin-out Mind Robotics raises $500M for industrial AI-powered robots

The startup, which was created by Rivian founder RJ Scaringe, is looking to train on data from, and deploy in, Rivian's factory.

EV startup Harbinger reveals a smaller work truck with electric and hybrid variants

The LA-based startup is trying to corner the commercial truck market with its electric and hybrid trucks that offer a lower cost of ownership and a better driving experience.

Meta didnt buy Moltbook for bots it bought into the agentic web

Metas Moltbook acquisition may look odd at first, but the deal could signal how Meta sees AI agents shaping future advertising and commerce on an agentic web.

WhatsApp is launching parent-linked accounts for pre-teens

WhatsApp is rolling out parent-managed accounts for under-13 users, limiting features to messaging and calls while giving parents PIN-protected controls, alerts, and approval over contacts and groups.

Amazon expands a program that lets customers shop from other retailers sites

The changes allow more merchants to participate in Amazon's Shop Direct program, which sends Amazon customers to other retailers' websites.

Meta rolls out new scam detection tools to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger

The tech giant says the new features are designed to alert users before they engage with something suspicious.

Canopii looks to succeed where past indoor farms have not

Canopii's robotic farms can autonomously grow 40,000 pounds of herbs and leafy greens a year while being the size of a basketball court.

Former Apple engineer raises $5M for a note-taking pendant that only records your voice

Taya is trying to address privacy concerns around note-taking wearables with its device that can be worn as a pendant and records only the user's voice.

TikTok now lets Apple Music subscribers play full songs without leaving the app

TikTok, which is known for shaping music trends and viral songs, said the new feature is designed to make it easier to go from the moment of discovery to deeper listening.

Google wraps up $32B acquisition of cloud cybersecurity startup Wiz

Google has officially acquired Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in all-cash, a full year after the companies announced the deal. This marks Google's biggest acquisition in its history.

Zoox plans to put its robotaxis on the Uber app in Vegas this year

The purpose-built robotaxis will be available on Uber's app in Las Vegas this year, and Los Angeles next year, if Zoox gets the federal approval it's been seeking.

Health insurance startup Alan reaches 5B valuation

French health insurance startup Alan is now valued at 5 billion approximately $5.83 billion, up from $4.5 billion in 2024.