Instacrops will demo its water-saving, crop-boosting AI at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Agriculture consumes a vast amount of water, and some countries are under more stress than others. Instacrops pivoted to AI to help farmers cut water use by 30%.
Startups
With its latest acqui-hire, OpenAI is doubling down on personalized consumer AI
OpenAI is acquiring the CEO of Roi, an AI financial companion. Roi will sunset its service as its talent heads to OpenAI, ostensibly to help boost revenue in consumer apps.
Sources: Naveen Rao’s new AI hardware startup targets $5B valuation with backing from a16z
Former Databricks AI chief is raising $1 billion to build an Nvidia rival through a novel approach.
Can you think like a YC partner? This game will help you find out
The YC Partner Simulator game, created by an undergrad in Berlin, lets you see if you can predict which startups get into Y Combinator.
Can AI companies turn brainrot into revenue?
The U.S. government shutdown that began this week is the first in seven years. While it might not feel immediately disruptive, for startups waiting on permits, visas, or regulatory approvals, even a few weeks can become an existential problem. On this episode of Equity, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Max Zeff talk through how uncertainty […]
Space defense, gravity, and connectivity with Bridgit Mendler, Even Rogers, and Max Haot at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The space economy is scaling fast — from defense to artificial gravity to satellite connectivity. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Bridgit Mendler, Even Rogers, and Max Haot will share what’s next on the Space Stage.
The clock is ticking: Savings of up to 20% on group passes end tonight for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The Founder Bundle Sale ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. Save 15% on 4–9 Founder Passes and 20% off investor bundles to unlock sessions with leaders like Vinod Khosla, Aaron Levie, Jason Citron, and Karandeep Anand at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
New deep tech fund Wave Function Ventures raises $15 million
Former SpaceX Falcon 9 engineer Jamie Gull, who started the fund, has already made nine investments.
A new search engine raises $1.1M to let obsessive fans dive down internet rabbit holes
Lore raises $1.1 million to build a personalized search engine for fandom culture.