Archives: News
News articles and updates
The company behind ClassPass and Mindbody just got a lot bigger with a $7.5B merger
Mindbody, the software provider that owns fitness booking platform ClassPass, announced on January 15, 2026, a $7.5 billion merger with Wellness Dynamics Inc., a health tech firm specializing in wearable integrations and virtual training tools. The all-stock deal, valued at $7.5 billion based on current market prices, aims to create a dominant player in the...
Allbirds is selling for $39 million. It raised nearly 10 times that amount in its IPO.
Allbirds Acquired for $39 Million Sustainable footwear company Allbirds is being acquired for $39 million, a fraction of the nearly $390 million it raised during its 2021 initial public offering. The deal, announced Wednesday by private equity firm NextStep Ventures, marks a significant downturn for the once-high-profile startup that debuted on the New York Stock...
Popular AI gateway startup LiteLLM ditches controversial startup Delve
LiteLLM Ends Partnership with Delve San Francisco-based AI gateway startup LiteLLM announced on Wednesday that it is severing ties with controversial peer Delve, citing ethical concerns over data handling practices. The decision, effective immediately, removes Delve’s integration from LiteLLM’s platform, which serves over 5,000 enterprise clients worldwide. Key Details LiteLLM, founded in 2023 and valued...
Why OpenAI really shut down Sora
OpenAI announced the immediate shutdown of its Sora video generation tool on March 15, 2026, citing widespread misuse for creating deceptive deepfake content as the primary reason. The decision, detailed in a company blog post, affects users worldwide and marks a significant retreat from the AI firm’s ambitious generative media projects. Key Details Sora, launched...
Mark Zuckerberg texted Elon Musk to offer help with DOGE
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg texted Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on January 15, 2026, offering assistance with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new advisory body aimed at reducing U.S. federal spending. The message, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, highlights emerging collaboration between Silicon Valley leaders on government reform efforts under...
Bluesky leans into AI with Attie, an app for building custom feeds
Bluesky Launches AI-Powered Attie App Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, announced the launch of Attie on October 15, 2026, an AI-driven application designed to enable users to build and customize personalized news feeds. The move marks Bluesky’s deeper integration of artificial intelligence into its ecosystem, aiming to enhance user control and content discovery amid...
Sora’s shutdown could be a reality check moment for AI video
Sora Shutdown Announcement OpenAI announced on March 15, 2026, the immediate shutdown of its Sora AI video generation tool, marking a significant retreat from the company’s ambitious push into generative video technology. The decision, detailed in a company blog post, affects users worldwide and underscores mounting challenges in scaling AI video models amid high computational...
TechCrunch Mobility: When a robotaxi has to call 911
Lead: Waymo Robotaxi Calls 911 in Emergency SAN FRANCISCO — A Waymo autonomous vehicle summoned emergency services on its own last Wednesday after detecting a passenger suffering a medical emergency, marking one of the first instances of a robotaxi independently contacting 911 in a real-world scenario. Incident Details The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on...
SXSW rebounds as a top networking, ideas festival for founders and VCs
SXSW 2026 Attendance Rebounds The South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival wrapped up on March 15, 2026, drawing over 45,000 attendees, including a surge in startup founders and venture capitalists, solidifying its position as a premier networking and ideas hub after pandemic-related dips. Key Developments SXSW, organized by SXSW LLC, hosted its annual event from...
What will power the grid in 2035? The race is wide open
By 2035, the global power grid faces an unprecedented scramble as fusion energy prototypes near commercialization, advanced nuclear fission reactors gain regulatory nods, and renewable sources like solar and wind scale massively—yet no single technology holds a decisive lead. This race, intensifying since the 2020s energy transition push, pits innovative clean options against reliable incumbents,...