Stripe is reportedly set to acquire the AI gateway startup OpenRouter for over $7 billion. This deal, first reported by Bloomberg, follows OpenRouter’s recent $113 million Series B funding round, which valued the company at approximately $1.3 billion. Notable investors in OpenRouter include Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, Menlo Ventures, and Alphabet’s Capital G. OpenRouter allows customers […]
Spur Intelligence, a cybersecurity startup located in Lake Mary, Florida, has successfully secured $200 million in a funding round led by Insight Partners. Founded in 2017 by two former Defense Department engineers, Spur was ahead of the curve in developing technology to help organizations differentiate between genuine human users and increasingly sophisticated bot traffic. The […]
Prentis, a newly established AI research lab co-founded by Ritankar Das, Reid Hoffman, and Mark Pincus, is currently in discussions to secure $100 million in funding, aiming for a valuation of around $1 billion. The lab, which launched in April, is focused on developing AI models that can help automate routine computer tasks typically performed […]
Nous Research, the company behind the open-source Hermes agent, is reportedly close to securing a new funding round led by Robot Ventures, with notable contributions from USV and other prominent investors, valuing the company at $1.5 billion. Sources indicate that they aim to raise at least $75 million, and investor interest has been high. This […]
Lovable, a Swedish startup focused on vibe coding, is reportedly seeking to raise $300 million, which could double its valuation to $13.2 billion. This new figure comes after the company reached a valuation of $6.6 billion in December of last year. Menlo Ventures is expected to lead the funding round, bolstered by their recent announcement […]
Vishal Sikka, the former CEO of Infosys, is launching a new startup called Hang Ten Systems, aiming to disrupt the traditional IT services market by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). Recently, the company secured a seed funding of $32 million, led by Mayfield and backed by Aramco Ventures. Hang Ten focuses on aiding enterprises in building, […]
Founders, your opportunity to enter the Startup Battlefield 200 is about to close, with applications officially ending on June 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT. This is your chance to showcase your startup on the acclaimed Disrupt Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco this October. Already, many startups have stepped up, and if you’re […]
AI advocates suggest that the technology will usher in significant productivity gains, benefiting workers who adapt while displacing those who do not. Zeb Evans, CEO of the collaborative software startup ClickUp, recently announced substantial layoffs, stating they are not a cost-cutting strategy but a transition towards embracing AI to enhance the company’s efficiency and growth. […]
Clouted is a startup designed to simplify the creation and distribution of short video clips, which are increasingly common on social media platforms. Brands are recognizing that these clips, typically lasting between 30 to 90 seconds, serve as an effective marketing tool. Accounting for this, many companies seek the help of independent creators for video […]
The ongoing AI boom has sparked mixed feelings in the tech industry, as highlighted by Deedy Das, a partner at Menlo Ventures. He described the atmosphere in San Francisco as "frenetic," pointing out that the disparity in outcomes among tech professionals is more pronounced than ever. Das estimated that approximately 10,000 individuals—founders and employees at […]