
Bye-bye bots: Altera's game-playing AI agents get backing from Eric Schmidt | TechCrunch
Lauren Forristal,
5/8/2024
Autonomous, AI-based players are coming to a gaming experience near you, and a new startup, Altera, is joining the fray to build this new guard of AI Research company Altera raised $9 million to build AI agents that can play video games alongside other player…
TechCrunch

$450M for Noname, two billion-dollar rounds, and good news for crypto startups | TechCrunch
Alex Wilhelm and Theresa Loconsolo,
5/8/2024
This morning on Equity, not only do we have good news for crypto founders, we're also digging into Akamai spending $450 million for API security firm Noname, and billion dollar deals from Wiz and Wayve.
TechCrunch

Watch: When did iPads get as expensive as MacBooks?
Alex Wilhelm,
5/8/2024
Would you switch out your MacBook for an iPad with an M4 chip and OLED display? With the increase in price, Apple seems to be arguing these are comparable but we’re curious to see if consumers will make the change.
TechCrunch

Uber promises member exclusives as Uber One passes $1B run-rate | TechCrunch
Rebecca Bellan,
5/8/2024
Uber plans to deliver more perks to Uber One members, like member-exclusive events, in a bid to gain more revenue through subscriptions. “You will see
TechCrunch

Checkfirst raises $1.5M pre-seed, applying AI to remote inspections and audits | TechCrunch
Mike Butcher,
5/8/2024
Checkfirst enables businesses to schedule inspectors based on geographical location and qualifications, in addition to allowing for remote inspections.
TechCrunch

UK challenger bank Monzo nabs another $190M as US expansion beckons | TechCrunch
Paul Sawers,
5/8/2024
Monzo has raised another $190 million, as the challenger bank looks to expand its presence internationally — particularly in the U.S.
TechCrunch

iRobot names former Timex head Gary Cohen as CEO | TechCrunch
Brian Heater,
5/8/2024
iRobot Tuesday announced the successor to longtime CEO, Colin Angle. Gary Cohen, who previous held chief executive role at Timex and Qualitor Automotive,
TechCrunch

Google Deepmind debuts huge AlphaFold update and free proteomics-as-a-service web app | TechCrunch
Devin Coldewey,
5/7/2024
Google Deepmind has taken the wraps off a new version AlphaFold, their transformative machine learning model that predicts the shape and behavior of
TechCrunch

Mycocycle uses mushrooms to upcycle old tires and construction waste | TechCrunch
Tim De Chant,
5/7/2024
The startup's fungi use their mycelium to consume oil-based rubbers and plastics, creating new bio-based materials in the process.
TechCrunch

Controversial drone company Xtend leans into defense with new $40M round | TechCrunch
Kyle Wiggers,
5/7/2024
Xtend, a drone company heavily involved with defense customers, has raised a new round of capital to expand its operations.
TechCrunch