[[{“value”:” Codeium, an AI-powered coding startup, is raising a new round of funding at a $2.85 billion valuation, including fresh capital, according to two sources with knowledge of the deal. The round is being led by a returning investor Kleiner Perkins, the people said. The new round comes just six months after Silicon Valley-based Codeium announced […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
‘For You’ feeds are not for creators, Patreon says
[[{“value”:” Patreon has continued on its crusade against algorithmic feeds with its latest State of Create report, a look at trends in the creator economy based on internal data, and it’s an effort creators can get behind. In its survey of 1000 creators and 2000 fans, the membership platform reported that 53% of creators think it […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
Saronic raises $600M to mass produce autonomous warships
[[{“value”:” Austin-based defense startup Saronic has raised a $600 million Series C to build an autonomous ship factory called “Port Alpha,” it announced. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only. “}]]
Study of TikTok, X ‘For You’ feeds in Germany finds Far Right political bias ahead of federal elections
[[{“value”:” Recommendation algorithms operated by social media giants TikTok and X have shown evidence of substantial Far Right political bias in Germany ahead of a federal election that takes place Sunday, according to new research carried out by Global Witness. The non-government organization (NGO) undertook an analysis of social media content displayed to new users via […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
After raising $1 billion, fintech Varo closes another $29 million, replaces founder CEO
[[{“value”:” Fintech Varo has been hoping to raise a $55 million Series G round but has, so far, closed on $29 million to date, according to a recent SEC filing. Varo declined to comment on this new round but the fintech has raised just over $1 billion in funding since its 2015 inception, according to PitchBook. […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
Uber ditches commissions in favor of daily fees for rickshaw drivers in India
[[{“value”:” Uber has introduced daily fees for auto rickshaw drivers in India to move away from its typical commission-based model. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only. “}]]
Mark Zuckerberg’s charity U-turns, ends DEI efforts
[[{“value”:” Mark Zuckerberg’s charity has eliminated its DEI programs and efforts just weeks after assuring staff it would continue supporting DEI efforts, the Guardian reports. The Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), co-founded by Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, will end internal DEI programs and no longer provide “social advocacy funding,” which provided grants for racial equity and […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
Brand new women’s focused Swizzle Ventures skyrockets past its fundraising target
[[{“value”:” Swizzle Ventures has closed its Fund I at $6.6 million, bypassing its initial $3 million target, Jessica Kamada, the firm’s founder, told TechCrunch. Back in December, TechCrunch previously reported that the firm, which quietly launched in 2023, was raising and has already bypassed $5 million, per its SEC filing. The thesis of Fund I will […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
Spanish spyware startup Mollitiam Industries shuts down
[[{“value”:” The little-known surveillance vendor filed for bankruptcy in January, after years of peddling spyware to countries like Colombia. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only. “}]]
IVF insurance startup Future Family promises a baby or your money back
[[{“value”:” For decades, couples going through in vitro fertilization have had to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the procedures with no guarantee of success. It’s not only an emotionally draining process, but a financially exhausting one as well. San Francisco-based startup Future Family wants to help ease some of that burden for couples with […] © 2024 TechCrunch….