Startup news covering emerging companies, founders, funding rounds, accelerators, and entrepreneurship developments in the tech and business world.
Etched, a San Jose-based AI chip startup, is negotiating a funding round that would quadruple its valuation to about $20 billion, led by existing investor Jane Street. The company is also raising capital at a $10 billion valuation in a separate round led by Sequoia Capital. The deals have not closed and terms could change.
This commentary argues that the US is experiencing a sustained entrepreneurial renaissance driven by pandemic-era shifts and AI, citing record business applications. It contends this trend is a positive economic development that could boost innovation and productivity, though it acknowledges that many startups may fail or remain small.
Startups are hiring experienced 'architects' who use AI coding tools to multiply output, reducing demand for entry-level programmers. 75% of developers at small startups surveyed by The Pragmatic Engineer reported using Claude Code, and a quarter of Y Combinator's Winter 2025 batch was built on 95% AI-generated code.
In an excerpt from his book, Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary argues that young entrepreneurs should not wait to gain experience before starting a business, as lack of experience can be a competitive advantage. He illustrates this with a personal anecdote about a young fan's deep connection to his product.
This article profiles 18 startups disrupting social media and dating, highlighting their pitch decks and funding strategies. It argues that a new generation of founders is tackling loneliness and dating app fatigue with innovative platforms, and that investors are increasingly backing these ventures despite uncertainties about scalability.
This commentary argues that young people should embrace entrepreneurship in their 20s, using the story of Ronnen Harary, who co-founded Spin Master at age 23. It contends that starting a business young, despite lack of experience and resources, fosters innovation and success, and that risk-taking is essential for personal and societal progress.
This commentary argues that US immigration restrictions under the Trump administration are diminishing the American Dream for tech entrepreneurs, creating an opportunity for France and Europe to attract talent. The author suggests that Europe must move beyond rhetoric about sovereignty to deliver a competitive startup ecosystem.
Nuclear startup Valar Atomics is in talks to raise new funding at a $6 billion valuation, with Sequoia expected to lead. The company is raising a $1 billion equity round, following a previous $450 million raise at a $2 billion valuation. This comes after Valar demonstrated its reactor powering an Nvidia AI chip.
This article promotes a panel at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 that argues pre-seed founders can secure funding without a product by leveraging conviction and storytelling. It highlights the challenge of AI startups raising large seed rounds and suggests that compelling narratives can compensate for lack of a minimum viable product.
Zepto Ltd. is seeking an IPO valuation sharply below its $7 billion peak, with foreign investors indicating interest at about $4.5 billion and domestic investors valuing it between $3 billion and $3.5 billion. Concerns over cash burn are tempering optimism around the fast-delivery industry and raising questions about Zepto's path to profitability.