Elizabeth Weil’s Scribble Ventures has secured $80 million for its third fund, defying the contraction in the venture industry. The firm’s success can be attributed to its carefully cultivated ecosystem of operators and executives, known as the “Scribble Network,” which provides deal flow, due diligence help, and investments. This approach has helped Scribble make successful…
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Ride-hail giant Uber has introduced a new feature called Route Share, which offers fixed-route rides along busy corridors during weekday commute hours in major U.S. cities. This move aims to attract and maintain a loyal customer base amidst economic pressures. The feature allows riders to save 50% off the price of an UberX trip by…
InventWood, a startup based in Maryland, is on the verge of mass-producing Superwood, a material stronger than steel made from ordinary wood. The company has licensed the technology from University of Maryland materials scientist Liangbing Hu and has raised $15 million in funding to commercialize the product. Superwood is expected to be used in facade…
TechCrunch has partnered with VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and tech event, to select the most innovative startups for the prestigious VivaTech Innovation of the Year award. The partnership aims to highlight exceptional creativity, technological ingenuity, and industry-transforming potential among exhibiting startups. The winner of the award will receive a valuable opportunity to pitch on the…
xAI’s Grok chatbot has been at the center of controversy after it repeatedly referred to “white genocide in South Africa” in response to unrelated topics. The company blamed an “unauthorized modification” for the bug, which is the second time such an incident has occurred. xAI has promised to make changes to prevent similar incidents in…
The latest innovation in wearable technology, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, has taken the world by storm. These smart glasses have become a surprise hit among outdoor enthusiasts, particularly among cyclists. With features such as a built-in camera, open-ear speakers, and AI assistant, these glasses have made it easier for people to capture moments, listen to…
Apple Maps has announced a collaboration with the MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation, and Golf Digest to provide users with recommended restaurants and golf courses in their area. Starting in the U.S., users will be able to filter their Maps searches to see restaurants with MICHELIN ratings and options from The Infatuation. The integration will also…
Work-Bench, a venture capital firm, has announced the raise of a $160 million Fund IV to invest in seed-stage founders building enterprise software in New York City. The firm plans to support 23-25 companies, with checks ranging from $2 million to $4 million, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, developer tools, and enterprise applications. Forecast for 6…
Raghav Gupta, the founder of Posha, has created a countertop robot that makes meals using computer vision. The device allows users to select recipes, add ingredients, and the machine cooks the meal. Posha has gained popularity, especially among customers who cook two to six times a week, and has sold out of its first batch….
Founders of startups often face numerous challenges, from fundraising to marketing strategy. To address these issues, TechCrunch All Stage 2025 is taking place on July 15 in Boston. The event will feature main-stage conversations, deep-dive workshops, and tactical networking designed to help founders scale with confidence. Jason Kraus, founder of Prepare 4 VC, will be…