[[{“value”:” As payment companies increasingly explore stablecoins for cross-border payments and real-time settlement, some startups are tapping into the zeitgeist by providing liquidity via a revolving line of credit in stablecoins. One of them is Dubai-based but Africa-focused Mansa, whose offering allows payments companies to settle transactions and fund customer accounts instantly. The startup has raised […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
Spore.Bio raises $23M to apply machine learning to microbiology testing
[[{“value”:” Recalls in the food and beverage industry due to contamination incidents can have catastrophic effects. Not only do companies have to pay fines and damages, but the impacts on the brand’s reputation can be long-lasting. That’s why Spore.Bio, a Paris-based deeptech startup, is trying to reinvent microbiology testing to avoid the next PR crisis in […] © 2024 TechCrunch….
AI-coding startup Codeium in talks to raise at an almost $3B valuation, sources say
[[{“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….