Latest news with #PrecursorVentures
TechCrunch
2 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Startups Weekly: No sign of pause
Welcome to Startups Weekly — your weekly recap of everything you can't miss from the world of startups. Want it in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. You'd think WWDC would cause a lull in startup news. But not in June, when everyone is eager to announce their latest deals — or even to go public. Most interesting startup stories from the week Image Credits:Nasdaq This week brought us many reminders that no startup journey is linear — but the next billion-dollar idea may only be one click away. Gong chime: Neobank Chime went public this week in one of this year's most anticipated IPOs. But the company nearly died in 2016 — until a providential check. Oh no, baby, no: Genetics testing startup Nucleus Genomics raised criticism for its new product, Nucleus Embryo, which could let future parents pick or discard embryos based on controversial factors. Personal CRM: owner Automattic acquired Clay, a startup that had raised over $9 million in venture capital for its relationship management app, which will continue to be supported. (Trivia alert: TechCrunch has been writing about Automattic for 20 years now.) ICYMI: Brad Menezes, CEO of enterprise vibe-coding startup Superblocks, has a tip for prospective founders hoping to find a billion-dollar idea: Look at the system prompts used by existing AI unicorns. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Most interesting VC and funding news this week Image Credits:Fervo Energy Behind this week's top deals, including some particularly large ones, you will find oversubscribed rounds and VC inbound, but also hard-earned funding and bold life decisions. Slim and fat: Multiverse Computing, a Spanish startup reducing the size of LLMs, raised an unusually large Series B of €189 million (about $215 million). The company claims its 'slim' models can lower AI costs and run on all sorts of devices. Upward: Enterprise AI company Glean raised a $150 million Series F led by Wellington Management at a $7.2 billion valuation, up from $4.6 billion in September 2024. Boiling hot: Fervo Energy landed $206 million in a mix of debt and equity from backers, including Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, to continue work on a new geothermal power plant in Utah. Nuclear fuel: German startup Proxima Fusion secured a €130 million Series A (approximately $148 million) led by Balderton Capital and Cherry Ventures. Last mile: Coco Robotics, a delivery robot startup backed by Sam Altman, disclosed having raised $80 million across a mix of funding events from 2021 to 2024. In March, it announced a partnership with OpenAI. Singing: Hotel guest management platform Canary locked in an $80 million Series D led by Brighton Park Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, Insight Partners, Fidelity, and others. Fresh capital: Tebi, the new fintech startup by former Adyen CTO Arnout Schuijff, raised a €30 million round ($34 million) led by Alphabet's CapitalG for its all-in-one platform for hospitality businesses. Streamlining contracts: British AI legal tech startup Definely raised a $30 million Series B from European and North American investors to make it easier for lawyers to review contracts. Based: AI sales startup Landbase closed a $30 million Series A co-led by existing investor Picus Capital and Ashton Kutcher's Sound Ventures, which was one of 130 VC firms that reached out after its Series A and product launch. Shining bright: Co-founded by Jewel Burks Solomon, the former head of Google for Startups in the U.S., Collab Capital closed a $75 million Fund II focused on seed and Series A investments into healthcare, infrastructure, and the future of work. Last but not least Image Credits:Getty Images The U.S. Navy says 'welcome aboard' to new startup partnerships. This week on StrictlyVC Download, acting chief technology officer Justin Fanelli shared insights on the Navy's innovation adoption kit, as well as advice for any startups looking to work with the Navy.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The founder experience at TechCrunch All Stage: Built for people building what's next
For a founder, time is the one resource you can't raise. That's why TechCrunch All Stage — happening July 15 in Boston's SoWa Power Station — is designed to make every minute count. Whether you're at the whiteboard sketching v1 of your product or figuring out how to lead a team of 50, TechCrunch All Stage meets you where you are — and gives you the access, insight, and connections to move forward faster. Plus, you can get a $210 discount on your ticket right now, if you move quickly. Startups don't have time for fluffy panels or surface-level networking. Every element of TechCrunch All Stage is curated with builders in mind — from breakout sessions that dive into the real mechanics of scaling, to pitch feedback that doesn't pull punches, to after-hours events where honest convos happen over drinks instead of decks. Founders walk into TechCrunch All Stage with goals. They leave with progress. You might sit in on a roundtable about refining your GTM strategy, led by someone who just exited. You'll hear from Charles Hudson, founder and managing partner of Precursor Ventures, about what VCs look for within YOU, not just your company. And in between, you'll meet future partners, backers, and collaborators in the hallway — because everyone in the room is working on something that matters. TechCrunch All Stage pulls in top investors, but not to hide them behind booths or panels. They're in the mix — leading discussions, sitting at roundtables, walking the floor, and attending Side Events. For founders, that means organic access to people who write checks and know what it's like to be in your shoes. It's not about handing over a pitch deck and hoping for the best. It's about building relationships with the people who fund the future. No one expects you to perfect your elevator pitch for 10 hours straight. What you will do is spend a full day immersed in startup momentum — getting live feedback, listening to raw stories from fellow founders, and trading ideas that make you rethink your next move in the best way. You'll witness live pitch sessions like 'So You Think You Can Pitch,' join off-the-record breakout chats, and wind down at Side Events that feel more like founder therapy than forced mingling. If you're a founder, this isn't just another event to attend. It's a day to accelerate. Join us at TechCunch All Stage. And don't forget: Early-bird pricing ends June 22 — save up to $210 when you grab your pass now. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
2 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
The founder experience at TechCrunch All Stage: Built for people building what's next
For a founder, time is the one resource you can't raise. That's why TechCrunch All Stage — happening July 15 in Boston's SoWa Power Station — is designed to make every minute count. Whether you're at the whiteboard sketching v1 of your product or figuring out how to lead a team of 50, TechCrunch All Stage meets you where you are — and gives you the access, insight, and connections to move forward faster. Plus, you can get a $210 discount on your ticket right now, if you move quickly. The day doesn't just talk to founders — it's built around them Startups don't have time for fluffy panels or surface-level networking. Every element of TechCrunch All Stage is curated with builders in mind — from breakout sessions that dive into the real mechanics of scaling, to pitch feedback that doesn't pull punches, to after-hours events where honest convos happen over drinks instead of decks. Founders walk into TechCrunch All Stage with goals. They leave with progress. You might sit in on a roundtable about refining your GTM strategy, led by someone who just exited. You'll hear from Charles Hudson, founder and managing partner of Precursor Ventures, about what VCs look for within YOU, not just your company. And in between, you'll meet future partners, backers, and collaborators in the hallway — because everyone in the room is working on something that matters. A room full of VCs … without the pitch pressure TechCrunch All Stage pulls in top investors, but not to hide them behind booths or panels. They're in the mix — leading discussions, sitting at roundtables, walking the floor, and attending Side Events. For founders, that means organic access to people who write checks and know what it's like to be in your shoes. It's not about handing over a pitch deck and hoping for the best. It's about building relationships with the people who fund the future. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW You don't have to be 'on' all day — but you will be plugged in No one expects you to perfect your elevator pitch for 10 hours straight. What you will do is spend a full day immersed in startup momentum — getting live feedback, listening to raw stories from fellow founders, and trading ideas that make you rethink your next move in the best way. You'll witness live pitch sessions like 'So You Think You Can Pitch,' join off-the-record breakout chats, and wind down at Side Events that feel more like founder therapy than forced mingling. If you're a founder, this isn't just another event to attend. It's a day to accelerate. Join us at TechCunch All Stage. And don't forget: Early-bird pricing ends June 22 — save up to $210 when you grab your pass now.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What to expect at TechCrunch All Stage: One day, countless connections and takeaways
Whether you're a founder gearing up for your next raise or a VC scouting your next portfolio win, TechCrunch All Stage, happening July 15 at Boston's SoWa Power Station, packs more into one day than most multi-day conferences manage to deliver. This isn't your typical sit-and-listen event. It's designed to help you build momentum in real time — whether that means raising capital, sharpening your pitch, expanding your network, or rethinking your go-to-market. And for a limited time, tickets are available for a $210 discount right here. No matter your stage — from first check to pre-IPO — TechCrunch All Stage delivers tactical insight, high-value access, and plenty of sharp elbows (in a good way). You'll hear from operators like Charles Hudson, founder and managing partner of Precursor Ventures, on what VCs really look for in a pre-seed company. And Jon McNeill, the former president of Tesla and COO of Lyft, who has shifted to DVx Ventures, will talk all about the finer points of GTM strategy. Plus, you'll hear from partners from some of the biggest venture firms in the world, like Index Ventures, NEA, and Capital G. Sessions will dig into the real stuff: what it takes to raise in this market, how to balance brand vs. growth, and why 'AI strategy' might be missing the point. This isn't theory — it's what's working on the ground, right now. Check the full agenda for speaker sessions that meet you where you are — and stretch your thinking beyond it. All day long, the energy stays high — and so does the access. You'll find breakout sessions and interactive roundtables happening throughout the venue, built for candid conversations on scaling, hiring, AI implementation, GTM strategies, and everything in between. These aren't one-way panels — they're meant to bring voices offstage and into the mix, and each will feature a Q&A session so you can get the answers you need most. Midday, catch the high-octane 'So You Think You Can Pitch?' event — where founders take the mic and pitch live, in front of judges who don't sugarcoat their feedback. It's fast, unpredictable, and full of startup edge. The event spills out into Boston. Side Events take over the city with founder dinners, investor happy hours, and curated meetups hosted by some of the biggest names in tech and VC. These aren't just wind-down moments — they're relationship accelerators. If you're building, investing, or trying to find your next edge in tech, TechCrunch All Stage is where you want to be. And if you act now, you can still lock in early-bird pricing — but only through June 22. Save up to $210 on your ticket before prices jump. Check out ticket options and packages here. .
TechCrunch
4 days ago
- Automotive
- TechCrunch
Musk targets June 22 launch of Tesla's long-promised robotaxi service
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said his company will start offering public rides in driverless vehicles in Austin, Texas on June 22, which would mark the beginning of his long-promised robotaxi service. That date could shift because Musk claimed Tesla is 'being super paranoid about safety.' Tesla Model Y SUVs have been spotted in recent days and weeks being tested around Austin with no drivers in the seat. Bloomberg News previously reported that Tesla was eyeing a June 12 launch of the service. Musk has spent years claiming Teslas would be able to drive themselves. In 2019, he claimed Tesla would launch a robotaxi service in 2020 that would feature one million driverless vehicles. That never happened. Instead, Tesla has spent the intervening years iterating on the software it calls Full Self-Driving (FSD), which requires drivers to pay attention to the road and be ready to take over at any time. That software is currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after it was allegedly involved in multiple crashes during low-visibility conditions, including one where a pedestrian was killed. Musk has claimed Tesla has developed FSD to such a point that it will no longer need to be supervised. This new 'unsupervised' version of Tesla's FSD software is what's powering the vehicles in Austin. And Musk claimed Tuesday that 'every Tesla coming out of our factories is capable of unsupervised driving.' Those claims comes with caveats, though. The small fleet of vehicles — around 10 to start, according to Musk — will be geofenced to the 'safest' areas of Austin, according to Musk. Teslas have also been spotted repeatedly running through one particular neighborhood in Southeast Austin, presumably gathering data to create a smoother experience. That's a big change in approach from how Musk spent years talking about FSD being a general-purpose self-driving solution that would work in any location without human supervision. Tesla's process now more closely resembles how Waymo — which currently operates a commercial robotaxi business in multiple U.S. cities — rolls out its service in new locations. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Also, Musk's claim about new Teslas being able to perform unsupervised driving represents a major change from his promise in 2016 that all of the company's cars had the hardware required to become fully self-driving. That was not true. Tesla has gone through multiple versions of FSD hardware on its vehicles in the years since, and Musk admitted in January that millions of those cars would need an upgrade to run the current software. It's unclear whether that kind of upgrade is even possible.
