TechCrunch Mobility: ‘Physical AI’ enters the hype machine
The transportation landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, with a noticeable shift in focus towards autonomous vehicles and “physical AI” as evidenced by the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in…
Sequoia to invest in Anthropic, breaking VC taboo on backing rivals: FT
Venture capital firm Sequoia Capital is reportedly investing in Anthropic, the artificial intelligence startup developing the Claude chatbot, despite already holding stakes in competing AI companies OpenAI and xAI. This…
The FTC’s data-sharing order against GM is finally settled
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized an order against General Motors, restricting how the automaker can share consumer data with third parties. The order, stemming from concerns over the…
Mira Murati’s startup, Thinking Machines Lab, is losing two of its co-founders to OpenAI
A significant shakeup is occurring within the competitive artificial intelligence landscape as Thinking Machines Lab, the startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, experiences the departure of two co-founders…
Microsoft taps India’s Varaha for durable carbon removal offtake
Microsoft has entered a significant agreement with Indian startup Varaha to purchase over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits through 2029. This deal expands Microsoft’s portfolio of projects aimed…
Indian SpaceX rival EtherealX hits 5x valuation as it readies engine tests
Bengaluru-based Ethereal Exploration Guild, operating as EtherealX, has significantly increased its valuation to $80.5 million following a successful $20.5 million Series A funding round. The Indian space tech startup is…
After Italy, WhatsApp excludes Brazil from rival chatbot ban
WhatsApp is reversing course on its new policy restricting third-party chatbots for users in Brazil, just days after the country’s competition regulator intervened. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, will…
Tiger Global loses India tax case tied to Walmart-Flipkart deal in blow to offshore playbook
India’s Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling against Tiger Global in a tax dispute related to its 2018 exit from Flipkart during Walmart’s acquisition. The decision, announced Thursday, reinforces…
Parloa triples its valuation in 8 months to $3B with $350M raise
Berlin-based customer service AI startup Parloa has secured $350 million in Series D funding, bringing its valuation to $3 billion. The investment, announced today, comes just eight months after a…
Spotify raises its subscription prices in the US again
Spotify has increased the price of its premium individual subscription plan in the United States to $12.99 per month, marking the third price hike in as many years. The change,…