Articles tagged with "startups"
The full Space Stage agenda at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: The future of tech launches here
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature the new Space Stage on October 27 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, in partnership with The Aerospace Corporation, highlighting the rapidly evolving commercial space sector. This platform brings together founders, investors, and operators involved in various aspects of space technology—from rockets and manufacturing to AI and defense—demonstrating the sector’s ambitious growth despite tightening capital and increasing competition. The event offers attendees, including space enthusiasts, startup builders, and investors, an opportunity to engage with companies pushing the boundaries of space innovation. Key sessions on the Space Stage include discussions on investment trends in space by top venture capitalists, a startup pitch-off focused on AI-driven space solutions, and talks by influential founders such as Baiju Bhatt of Aetherflux, who is transitioning from fintech to space tech. Other highlights include panels on AI’s role in space mission intelligence, the development of a new space economy infrastructure by startups like Vast and Stoke Space, and Varda Space Industries’ plans
robotAIspace-technologyaerospaceorbital-intelligenceautonomous-systemsstartupsTrump’s DOE proposes cutting billions in grants for GM, Ford, and lots of startups
The Department of Energy (DOE) under the Trump administration is proposing to cut billions of dollars in federal funding, including more than $500 million in grants awarded to over a dozen startups, as well as significant grants to major automakers such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Daimler Trucks North America, Harley-Davidson, Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Volvo Technology of America. These grants were awarded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and include contracts aimed at advancing clean energy technologies and domestic manufacturing. The proposed cuts come shortly after the administration announced plans to slash over $7.5 billion in contracts the previous week. Among the notable grants at risk are a $189 million award to Brimstone, a materials startup developing low-carbon Portland cement and alumina production, and a substantial grant to Anovion, which aims to produce synthetic graphite domestically for lithium-ion batteries, a market currently dominated by China. Other affected startups include Li Industries, which received $55.2 million to recycle lithium iron
energymaterialsstartupselectric-vehicleslithium-ion-batteriescement-productioncarbon-reductionNew deep tech fund Wave Function Ventures raises $15 million
Jamie Gull, an aerospace engineer with a background at Scaled Composites and SpaceX, has launched Wave Function Ventures, an early-stage deep tech fund that recently closed its first $15.1 million fund. Gull has already invested in nine startups across sectors including nuclear energy, humanoid robotics, and aerospace, with plans to make about 25 seed or pre-seed investments. The fund’s limited partners include high net worth individuals, family offices, and other funds, though the anchor LP remains undisclosed. Wave Function Ventures enters the market amid growing interest and capital inflows into deep tech, especially in aerospace and defense, exemplified by other large funds like Silicon Valley’s Leitmotif. Gull’s extensive experience spans rapid prototyping, founding an eVTOL startup (Talyn Air), angel investing, and venture partnership at Y Combinator’s Pioneer Fund. He aims to leverage this expertise to support founders navigating the uncertain early stages of deep tech ventures. He believes deep tech startups
roboticsenergyaerospacedeep-techventure-capitalstartupsnuclear-energyChamath warns retail investors to avoid his new SPAC
Venture capitalist and All-In podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya recently launched a new SPAC named “American Exceptionalism,” raising $345 million to acquire startups in energy, AI, crypto/DeFi, or defense and take them public. Despite his involvement, Palihapitiya strongly advises retail investors against buying shares in this SPAC, reserving only about 1% of shares for them while selling nearly 99% to large institutional investors. He cautions retail buyers to carefully review disclosures and make informed decisions, a rare move for a SPAC sponsor to openly discourage retail participation. Palihapitiya, known as the “SPAC King” for popularizing SPACs from 2019 to 2021, acknowledges the poor post-merger returns SPACs have historically delivered to shareholders, despite benefiting sponsors and some startups. His first SPAC took Virgin Galactic public, which now trades below $4, exemplifying the challenges retail investors face. In response
energySPACstartupsventure-capitalpublic-marketsinvestmentAmerican-ExceptionalismHow robotics startups can avoid costly IP mistakes
The article emphasizes the critical importance of intellectual property (IP) management for robotics startups, highlighting that strong IP protection can safeguard innovations, deter competitors, and attract investment. Robotics companies operate at the intersection of hardware, software, AI, and data, making a comprehensive IP strategy essential. Key forms of protection include patents, which guard core technologies and incremental improvements; trade secrets, especially for algorithms and manufacturing know-how; trademarks for brand identity; and copyrights for software. A well-rounded approach integrating these protections can differentiate startups that successfully scale. For software-based innovations, particularly AI-driven robotics, the article advises combining patents, trade secrets, and copyrights to cover unique technical solutions and code. Startups must avoid common pitfalls such as public disclosure before filing patents, neglecting incremental improvements, failing to secure IP ownership from contractors, and undervaluing trade secrets. Conducting freedom-to-operate analyses and patent landscape reviews helps avoid infringement on patents held by established companies and identifies innovation opportunities. Finally, an international patent strategy
roboticsintellectual-propertyAIpatentstrade-secretsstartupsinnovationWhere top VCs are betting next: Index, Greylock, and Felicis share 2026 priorities at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a prominent panel of venture capitalists from Index Ventures, Greylock, and Felicis will share their investment priorities for 2026 and beyond. Nina Achadjian of Index Ventures is focusing on automating overlooked industries with investments in AI, robotics, and vertical SaaS. Jerry Chen from Greylock is backing product-driven founders working in AI, data, cloud infrastructure, and open source technologies. Viviana Faga of Felicis brings extensive experience in scaling go-to-market SaaS, category creation, and brand strategy, highlighting sectors that are gaining traction. The panel offers early-stage founders valuable insights into the emerging sectors and innovations attracting “smart money,” including AI, data, cloud, and robotics. This session provides a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs to understand how top VCs are shaping the next wave of investments. TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will take place from October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, with early pricing available until
robotAIautomationventure-capitalstartupstechnology-investmentscloud-infrastructureMore than 10 European startups became unicorns this year
In the first half of 2025, twelve European startups achieved unicorn status by raising funding rounds that valued them at over $1 billion, signaling a robust funding environment despite fewer mega-rounds compared to 2021. These new unicorns span various sectors, with a notable emphasis on AI, biotech, defense tech, and renewable energy. Key examples include IQM, a Finnish quantum computing company preparing to deploy 150-qubit systems; Framer, a no-code website builder focusing on design and AI with a $2 billion valuation; and Lovable, a Swedish AI coding startup that reached unicorn status just eight months after launching. Other notable unicorns include Fuse Energy, a British renewable energy firm founded by ex-Revolut executives; Mubi, a film-streaming service valued at $1 billion; Zama, a French startup specializing in cryptographic data security; and Isar Aerospace, a German space startup linked to the Technical University of Munich. Additional companies like Tekever from Portugal,
energyrenewable-energystartupsfundingunicornsEuropeclean-energyHyundai’s eVTOL startup Supernal pauses work following CEO and CTO departures
Hyundai’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startup Supernal has paused its aircraft development program following significant leadership changes and staff reductions. The company’s CEO Jaiwon Shin and CTO David McBride have both departed amid these upheavals. Supernal had conducted initial test flights of its technology demonstrator earlier in 2024 and was preparing for its first untethered flight, aiming for a commercial launch in 2028. However, the new leadership will now reassess the timeline for the project. The company has not commented on McBride’s departure but confirmed that David Rottblatt is serving as interim COO during this transition. Supernal’s difficulties reflect broader challenges in the emerging electric air taxi industry, where some startups are thriving with new funding and partnerships, while others have failed. Since spinning out from Hyundai Group in 2021, Supernal has faced setbacks including layoffs and the closure of its Washington, D.C. headquarters. Hyundai plans to appoint new leadership with strong
energyelectric-vehiclesurban-air-mobilityeVTOLHyundaiaviation-technologystartupsTechCrunch Disrupt 2025 finalizes the Builders Stage agenda with top scaling voices
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, has finalized the agenda for its Builders Stage, focusing on the practical aspects of building and scaling startups. This stage features founders, operators, and investors sharing tactical insights on topics ranging from securing initial funding to scaling go-to-market strategies and integrating AI effectively into businesses. Notable speakers include Elad Gil, known for early investments in major startups like Airbnb and Coinbase, as well as Discord’s Jason Citron, and investors from 01 Advisors, Mayfield, Precursor Ventures, Harlem Capital, MaC Venture Capital, Freestyle Capital, Insight Partners, Moxxie Ventures, and GV. The sessions promise candid conversations and live Q&A, covering critical startup phases such as pitching at the inception stage, closing seed rounds, and raising Series A funding. For example, early-stage investors Navin Chaddha and Charles Hudson will discuss how to pitch without a product or traction, while
robotAIstartupstech-innovationscalingfundraisinglive-demosMore than 10 European startups became unicorns this year
In the first half of 2025, Europe saw a notable surge in startup valuations, with 12 companies achieving unicorn status by raising funding rounds exceeding $1 billion. This trend signals a robust investment climate despite a decline in mega-rounds compared to 2021. Key sectors attracting investor interest include biotech, defense technology, and especially artificial intelligence (AI). Noteworthy unicorns from this period include Lovable, a Swedish AI startup that reached a $1.8 billion valuation just eight months after launching; Fuse Energy, a British renewable energy firm; and Mubi, a film-streaming service valued at $1 billion following a $100 million funding round. Other significant unicorns include Zama, a French startup specializing in cryptographic data security; Isar Aerospace, a German space company that secured €150 million through a convertible bond; and Tekever, a Portuguese defense tech company planning a £400 million investment in UK development. Additionally, Quantum Systems, Parloa, Isomorphic Labs,
energyrenewable-energystartupsfundingEuropean-startupsunicornsinvestmentThe 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 is here — see who made the cut
TechCrunch has announced the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200, a curated list of the 200 most promising early-stage startups worldwide selected from thousands of applications. These startups, spanning diverse sectors such as AI, climate, health, fintech, robotics, and consumer tech, will showcase their innovations at Disrupt 2025, held October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. The event, sponsored by Google Cloud, offers a unique platform where startups can demo new technologies, pitch to leading global venture capitalists, and compete for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the prestigious Disrupt Cup. The Startup Battlefield has a strong track record of launching category-defining companies like Dropbox, Cloudflare, and Discord, with alumni collectively raising over $32 billion and achieving 250 exits. The top 20 finalists from the Battlefield 200 will be revealed live on the first day of Disrupt. Founders whose startups made the list will receive follow-up communications with next steps, while
robotenergyclean-techstartupsinnovationtechnologytech-startupsThe wait is almost over: The 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 list drops tomorrow
TechCrunch is set to announce the 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 list on Wednesday, August 27, at 9:00 a.m. PT. This list features a curated selection of the most promising early-stage startups from thousands of global applications, who will compete at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27-29 in San Francisco. The event marks the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, a platform that has historically launched successful companies like Dropbox, Cloudflare, Fitbit, and Discord. The top 20 finalists from the Battlefield 200 will be revealed on the first day of Disrupt, where they will compete live for a $100,000 prize and the Disrupt Cup. Last year’s winner, Salva Health, gained recognition for its portable breast cancer detection device aimed at underserved rural populations. Other notable finalists included geCKo Materials, which innovated in adhesive technology. The Startup Battlefield competition is presented by Google Cloud and continues to be a
materialsstartupsinnovationadhesive-materialsbreakthrough-technologytech-startupsTechCrunch-DisruptGeSI & Greentown Labs Form Partnership to Fast-Track Startup-Corporate Collaborations in Climatetech - CleanTechnica
GeSI, a global cross-industry business association focused on digital solutions for sustainability, has partnered with Greentown Labs, the world’s largest climatetech and energy startup incubator, to accelerate collaborations between startups and major corporations in the climatetech sector. GeSI represents a membership base with over $3.4 trillion in market capitalization and has a 25-year history of forming strategic partnerships with global organizations, providing research and tools to guide sustainable ICT policies. Greentown Labs supports over 200 climatetech startups by offering resources such as labs, corporate connections, and educational programs, while working closely with industry leaders to advance climate and innovation goals. The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations to foster groundbreaking collaborations that address climate change challenges and promote economic growth and sustainable development. Initiatives under this collaboration will include networking events, joint projects, investment opportunities, mentorship programs, knowledge sharing, and resource exchanges. Leaders from both organizations emphasize the potential for startups and established businesses to mutually
energyclimatetechsustainabilitystartupsinnovationpartnershipsdigital-solutionsThe search is on: Help us find the most promising robotics startups - The Robot Report
The Robot Report has launched the Robotics Startup Radar, a new program designed to spotlight promising early-stage robotics startups with innovative full systems, enabling technologies, or business models across any industry. The initiative aims to identify and showcase companies that could become influential players in the robotics sector in the coming years. Submissions for the inaugural 2025 list are open until August 29, 2025, and will be reviewed by the editorial team, though submission does not guarantee inclusion. Selected startups will gain significant exposure through digital promotional assets, press releases distributed to major newswires, and coverage on The Robot Report and Automated Warehouse websites, as well as WTWH Media’s social channels. This program offers robotics founders a valuable opportunity to attract attention from investors, engineers, and industry peers. For inquiries, Brianna Wessling, Associate Editor at WTWH Media, is the contact for the 2025 Robotics Startup Radar, while Courtney Nagle handles sponsorship information.
roboticsstartupsrobotics-industryautonomous-vehiclesrobotics-technologyrobotics-innovationrobotics-startupsStartups Weekly: Still running
The "Startups Weekly: Still running" article provides a comprehensive roundup of recent developments in the startup ecosystem, highlighting key funding rounds, strategic moves, and emerging trends. Notably, design company Figma is preparing for an IPO that could raise up to $1.5 billion, signaling strong investor interest. Meanwhile, startups like Cluely are gaining traction with aggressive marketing and growing revenues, and fintech entrepreneur Darragh Buckley has achieved a significant milestone with his new venture, Increase. The newsletter also touches on corporate challenges in adopting AI tools, with insights from Brex illustrating broader industry struggles. On the venture capital and funding front, several notable deals are underway: Revolut is seeking a new funding round, SpaceX is raising capital, and micromobility and climate-focused startups like Terra CO2 and Tulum Energy are making strides in sustainability. Genesis AI is advancing foundational models for robotics, while Israeli quantum startup Qedma secures investment from IBM, emphasizing collaborative progress in quantum
robotAIstartupsenergyhydrogen-technologyquantum-computingmaterialsWhy this LA-based VC firm was an early investor in Slate Auto
Slate Auto, an electric vehicle (EV) startup that emerged from stealth mode earlier in 2023 with an affordable EV truck, has raised approximately $700 million to date. Prior to its public debut, Slate quietly secured a Series A funding round exceeding $100 million, which included high-profile investors such as Jeff Bezos, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, and VC firm General Catalyst. Among the early backers was Slauson & Co., a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm founded in 2020 by Ajay Relan and Austin Clements. The firm, which aims to bridge the gap between underrepresented communities and the innovation economy, publicly shared its rationale for investing in Slate, despite the challenging landscape for EV startups and green energy initiatives. Slauson & Co. was introduced to Slate Auto through Jeff Wilkie, former Amazon consumer division CEO and co-founder of Re:Build Manufacturing, an incubator from which Slate spun out. Although investing in an EV company was somewhat outside Slaus
energyelectric-vehiclesstartupsventure-capitalautomotive-industrygreen-energymanufacturingStartups Weekly: Tech and the law
The latest edition of Startups Weekly highlights a busy week in the startup ecosystem, featuring notable lawsuit developments, mergers and acquisitions, and significant funding rounds. Key startup stories include Rubrik’s push to accelerate AI agent adoption with substantial but undisclosed funding, German fintech startup Kadmos’ $38 million raise linked to Japanese shipping expansion, and ongoing copyright lawsuits involving AI music startup Suno and Getty Images’ AI image generator Stable Diffusion. Despite challenges, Bill Gates-backed Airloom Energy continues its operations in Wyoming. On the venture capital front, several high-profile funding events stood out. Harvey AI, an AI-enabled legal tech startup, raised $300 million at a $5 billion valuation just months after a previous $300 million round at $3 billion. Abridge, an AI medical note automation startup, secured funding at a $5.3 billion valuation, while blockchain prediction market Kalshi and its rival Polymarket are also raising significant capital. Other notable raises include European challenger bank Finom, Indian
energystartupsAIfundingdronesblockchainmaterialsCybernetix Ventures raising $100M fund for robotics and physical AI - The Robot Report
roboticsinvestmentautomationartificial-intelligencestartupstechnologyventure-capitalRoboBusiness Pitchfire competition opens call for robotics startups
robotroboticsstartupscompetitionAItechnologyinnovationStartups launch products to catch people using AI cheating app Cluely
AIcheatingstartupstechnologyeducationanti-cheatingsoftwareStates and Startups Are Suing the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
nuclear-energyregulatory-challengesstartupslawsuitsUS-Nuclear-Regulatory-Commissionsmall-reactorstechnology-innovationAre EWOR fellowships the real project Europe is looking for?
EWORentrepreneurshipfellowshipsEuropeearly-stage-fundingstartupsventure-capitalVolution doubles-down on booming UK fintech with new $100M fund
UK-fintechinvestment-fundVolutionfinancial-technologyventure-capitalOpen-BankingstartupsStrictlyVC heads to London and Athens this May: Featuring prime minister of Greece and Europe’s leading tech and VC voices
StrictlyVCLondonAthenstech-eventsventure-capitalstartupsGreece