Category: Startup

Travis Kalanick, the former co-founder of Uber, has launched a new company called Atoms, which focuses on robotics technology. Atoms aims to operate within the food, mining, and transportation sectors, signaling a strategic shift in Kalanick’s entrepreneurial endeavors.

Kalanick is integrating his existing ghost kitchen enterprise, CloudKitchens, into Atoms. While specifics on Atoms’ approach to mining and transportation remain undisclosed, the company’s vision involves developing a ‘wheelbase for robots.’ In a recent interview, Kalanick emphasized Atoms’ commitment to creating ‘specialized robots’ for efficient and large-scale industrial operations, rather than humanoid robots.

To bolster its foray into mining, Atoms is reportedly in the process of acquiring Pronto, an autonomous vehicle startup founded by Kalanick’s former Uber colleague, Anthony Levandowski. Kalanick’s substantial investment in Pronto underscores his ambition to capitalize on industrial automation, positioning it as a key focus area for Atoms.

While Kalanick refrained from discussing immediate plans for utilizing Atoms robots in passenger transport, he hinted at the vast potential of leveraging robotic movement capabilities. This strategic direction aligns with reports indicating Kalanick’s renewed interest in self-driving technology, with purported substantial backing from Uber.

Atoms’ emergence marks a significant technological evolution in Kalanick’s portfolio, illustrating his continued pursuit of innovation beyond his tenure at Uber. As Atoms ventures into the realms of robotics and automation, the tech industry will closely monitor the impact of Kalanick’s latest technological endeavors.

Source: TechCrunch

Finnish entrepreneur Peter Sarlin, after a successful exit from AMD Silo AI, has launched QuTwo, an AI startup focused on helping enterprises prepare for the advent of quantum computing. QuTwo, funded by Sarlin’s family office, PostScriptum, positions itself as ‘an AI lab for the quantum era,’ emphasizing proactive readiness rather than waiting for quantum computing to fully materialize.

Collaborating with clients like Zalando, QuTwo is developing innovative AI tools dubbed ‘lifestyle agents’ to enhance user experiences beyond traditional product search functionalities. Recognizing the potential of quantum computing to overcome AI efficiency limitations, QuTwo is crafting the QuTwo OS, an orchestration layer facilitating the transition from classical to quantum computing through hybrid approaches.

Sarlin’s strategic investments in Finnish quantum companies IQM and QMill underscore his confidence in the transformative power of quantum computing. By advocating for ‘quantum-inspired’ computing, which simulates quantum behavior on classical hardware, QuTwo aims to offer practical solutions for enterprises seeking to harness the benefits of quantum capabilities without immediate reliance on quantum-specific infrastructure.

QuTwo’s vision aligns with the evolving landscape of AI and quantum technologies, presenting a pragmatic pathway for businesses to embrace quantum computing’s future potential while navigating current computational challenges.

Source: TechCrunch

Robotics startup Sunday has secured a $1.15 billion valuation after raising $165 million in a Series B funding round led by Coatue Management. Additional investors include Tiger Global, Benchmark, and Bain Capital Ventures. Founded by Tony Zhao and Cheng Chi, Sunday aims to create a household humanoid robot named Memo designed to assist with tasks like laundry and table clearing.

Building a robot like Memo, reminiscent of Rosie from ‘The Jetsons,’ has been a long-standing challenge due to the complexity of teaching robots how to handle objects with varying weights, textures, and fragility. As AI technology progresses, new robotic innovations are emerging in the market, renewing efforts to bring humanoid helpers to life.

Source: TechCrunch

Israeli AI startup Wonderful has successfully raised $150 million in a Series B funding round, achieving a valuation of $2 billion. The funding, led by Insight Partners, closely follows the company’s previous $100 million Series A round, demonstrating strong investor confidence in Wonderful’s potential.

Wonderful specializes in customer service AI agents and has experienced significant demand for its platform in various sectors such as telecom, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Notably, the company focuses on catering to non-English-speaking markets by customizing its solutions to fit specific linguistic, cultural, and regulatory requirements. By deploying local teams to oversee implementation, Wonderful ensures seamless integration of its AI technology.

With operations spanning 30 countries across Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, Wonderful plans to utilize the recent funding to further expand its global footprint. Additionally, the company aims to triple its workforce from 300 to 900 employees, emphasizing its commitment to providing extensive on-ground support for clients in swiftly adopting and optimizing AI solutions.

Bar Winkler, CEO and co-founder of Wonderful, highlighted the increasing importance of AI integration for enterprises in 2026. He emphasized the significance of offering tailored AI solutions that can seamlessly integrate into diverse organizational infrastructures, a core focus of Wonderful’s approach.

Source: TechCrunch

Gumloop, co-founded by Max Brodeur-Urbas in 2023, has secured a $50 million Series B investment led by Benchmark to enhance workplace automation through its AI agent-building platform. Originally designed to assist non-technical staff in automating repetitive tasks, Gumloop now enables companies like Shopify, Ramp, and Instacart to deploy reliable AI agents that handle complex tasks autonomously, without requiring engineering support. This advancement signifies a shift towards democratizing AI capabilities within organizations.

By empowering employees to create and share AI agents, Gumloop fosters a culture of internal automation and AI proficiency. Benchmark’s general partner Everett Randle views enterprise automation as a significant AI opportunity, emphasizing the importance of equipping every worker with AI tools. Randle’s decision to invest in Gumloop reflects a strategic move towards improving workplace efficiency and productivity through AI integration.

With Gumloop’s user-friendly agent-building platform, companies can accelerate their AI adoption journey, transforming into AI-centric organizations. The $50 million investment signifies confidence in Gumloop’s innovative approach to AI deployment and underscores the growing importance of AI-driven automation in today’s competitive business landscape.

Source: TechCrunch

Chinese startup Gestala, focused on non-invasive ultrasound-based brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, has successfully raised $21.6 million in funding just two months after its launch. This funding round, co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture, marks a significant milestone for the Chinese BCI industry.

Founder and CEO Phoenix Peng stated that the investment will support Gestala’s research and development efforts, team expansion, and the establishment of a manufacturing facility in China. The startup aims to grow its team from 15 to 35 employees by the end of the year and plans to unveil its first-generation prototype by year-end.

Gestala’s focus on non-invasive ultrasound technology sets it apart in the BCI sector, offering potential advantages in terms of safety and accessibility compared to implanted electrode systems. By leveraging phased-array ultrasound, the technology can provide broader brain access and enable new ways to interact with neural activity.

This influx of funding highlights the growing interest and investment in ultrasound BCI technology globally. While companies like Neuralink and Merge Labs are leading efforts in the U.S., Gestala’s emergence in China marks a significant step in advancing BCI capabilities.

Source: TechCrunch

In 2026, the tech landscape has been transformed by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), leading to the emergence of nearly 40 new startups valued at over $1 billion, as reported by TechCrunch. These companies, backed by venture capital, have reached unicorn status, leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation across various sectors.

Among the notable additions to the unicorn club in February are:

• Positron – A semiconductor startup specializing in AI, securing over $300 million in funding.
• Skyryse – Developer of a semi-automated flight operating system, raising more than $540 million.
• TRM Labs – A platform aiding crypto businesses in fraud prevention, with around $219 million in funding.
• Midi Health – Offering a telemedicine platform focused on menopausal health, raising over $250 million.
• Lunar Energy – Manufacturer of home energy storage batteries, with funding exceeding $230 million.

These unicorns exemplify the diverse applications of AI, extending beyond traditional tech domains into healthcare, energy, and finance. The continuous influx of billion-dollar startups underscores the growing influence of AI in reshaping industries and driving economic growth.

Source: TechCrunch

India’s neobank Fi, founded by former Google Pay executives, is discontinuing its banking services after over four years of operation. The fintech, in partnership with Federal Bank, will now direct customers to access their savings accounts through the bank’s mobile app as it phases out the Fi interface.

Launched in 2019, Fi offered digital savings accounts and money management tools through its app, catering to a younger user base. With more than 3.5 million customers and over a billion transactions completed, the Bengaluru-based startup had attracted investments from Ribbit Capital, B Capital, Alpha Wave Global, and Sequoia Capital India, now known as Peak XV Partners.

This move comes as a surprise to customers who received emails notifying them of the impending discontinuation of banking services on the Fi app. However, the company reassured users that their savings accounts with Federal Bank remain active and accessible through the bank’s mobile banking app, FedMobile.

Federal Bank also informed customers about the partnership termination with Fi, attributing it to a ‘business re-alignment’ and instructing users to transition to the bank’s digital channels for account access.

The neobanking space in India has seen competition from players like Jupiter, Open, and Slice. Having raised approximately $169 million through multiple funding rounds, Fi’s decision to wind down its banking services marks a significant transition in the Indian fintech landscape.

Source: TechCrunch

Zendesk, a prominent customer service software provider, has acquired Forethought, a startup specializing in automating customer service interactions. The deal, set to be finalized by the end of March, highlights the evolving landscape of AI-powered customer service solutions.

Forethought’s approach to AI agents, recognized by winning the 2018 TechCrunch Battlefield competition, positioned the company as an early player in the industry. Despite the current popularity of AI agents in customer service, Forethought’s success underscores its role in the field.

With notable clients like Upwork, Grammarly, Airtable, and Datadog, Forethought had established itself as a key player in enhancing customer interactions, handling over a billion monthly interactions by 2025. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Forethought, which had raised $115 million in funding from various investors.

The acquisition reflects the broader trend of AI integration into various industries beyond customer service, showcasing the expanding applications of AI technology.

Source: TechCrunch

Ride-hailing company inDrive has finalized its acquisition of Krave Mart, a quick-commerce startup based in Pakistan, to enhance its grocery delivery services in South Asia. This move marks inDrive’s strategic entry into the grocery delivery market, challenging established players like Foodpanda.

inDrive, known for its bid-based pricing model, has successfully completed an all-stock deal with Krave Mart, a grocery delivery service operating in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Krave Mart differentiates itself by promising fast grocery deliveries within 30 minutes through a network of dark stores.

The acquisition aligns with inDrive’s broader strategy to diversify its services beyond ride-hailing, particularly focusing on expanding its presence in the grocery delivery sector. By integrating Krave Mart’s operations, inDrive aims to strengthen its position in the market and provide fast and reliable grocery delivery services across Pakistan.

Andries Smit, Chief Growth Businesses Officer at inDrive, emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing grocery delivery accessibility, following the approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan. The combined efforts of Krave Mart and inDrive are set to bring convenience to customers, with plans to launch inDrive.Groceries in Lahore while maintaining operations under both brand names in Karachi.

Source: TechCrunch

Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup known for its autonomous vehicle technology, has commenced testing its self-driving software on the streets of Tokyo, marking its first international expansion in the field of autonomous vehicles.

The testing involves Toyota Prius vehicles equipped with Nuro’s self-driving software, accompanied by human safety operators as backups, navigating the unique challenges posed by Tokyo’s roads. These challenges include driving on the left side of the road, dense traffic, and differing road signs and lane markings compared to the US.

As Nuro explores the complexities of Tokyo’s streets, the company has hinted at potential future expansions, emphasizing the broader benefits of global deployment. Founded in 2016, Nuro initially focused on low-speed, on-road delivery bots before transitioning to licensing its technology to industry players like automakers and mobility providers.

Nuro’s approach to autonomy centers on an AI foundation model termed ‘zero-shot autonomous driving,’ enabling its software to continuously learn and adapt as it navigates real-world scenarios. This strategic shift reflects Nuro’s commitment to advancing autonomous driving capabilities in collaboration with global partners.

Source: TechCrunch

E-commerce company Quince has announced a significant milestone, securing a $500 million Series E round at a $10.1 billion valuation. This funding round was led by Iconiq, a previous investor that also led Quince’s Series D round last year, doubling the company’s valuation in less than twelve months.

Quince has expanded its product line to include apparel, home goods, accessories, beauty, and wellness products. The company’s unique ‘manufacturer-to-consumer’ business model allows it to forecast sales more accurately, enabling smaller batch production with reduced waste.

Despite facing legal challenges over alleged design infringements, Quince has continued to grow, surpassing $1 billion in revenue. The company is committed to offering high-quality products at affordable prices, resonating with customers. With recent expansion into the Canadian market, Quince is poised for further growth.

Source: TechCrunch

Swedish startup Lovable has surpassed $400 million in annual recurring revenue, a significant milestone for the Stockholm-based company. Lovable, known for its vibe-coding platform, has been gaining traction in the tech industry by simplifying website and app development through natural language programming. The company’s recent success can be attributed to its strategic focus on attracting enterprise clients, including big names like Klarna and HubSpot.

One of Lovable’s key features is its innovative approach to marketing, as seen in its latest brand campaign ‘Earworm.’ This campaign showcases the platform’s capabilities and serves as an inspiration for non-technical individuals to bring their ideas to life using Lovable. By demonstrating the ease of app creation through a catchy narrative, Lovable is positioning itself as a user-friendly solution for aspiring developers.

With an impressive user base of 8 million and a valuation of $6.6 billion, Lovable is proving to be a significant player in the tech market. The company’s focus on enhancing creativity and offering tailored features for businesses has resonated well with Fortune 500 companies, further solidifying its position as a leading vibe-coding platform.

Source: TechCrunch

Breakout Ventures, a venture capital firm, has successfully closed a $114 million Fund III aimed at supporting early-stage startups in scientific fields like biology and chemistry, with a specific focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).

The firm has already invested in three companies and intends to support a minimum of 20 startups through this fund. The investment amounts per company are expected to range between $500,000 to $5 million. Lindy Fishburne, managing director of Breakout Ventures, highlighted the firm’s interest in companies that utilize AI to address the complexity of scientific challenges.

Originally stemming from a grant program initiated by the Thiel Foundation, Breakout Ventures was established in 2016. Prior to this latest fund, the firm had raised two other funds: a $60 million Fund 1 in 2017 and a $112.5 million Fund II in 2021, both directed towards supporting startups in scientific domains.

Fishburne emphasized the firm’s dedication to harnessing technology to unlock the potential of biology and chemistry for addressing significant unmet needs and fostering new markets.

Securing investments for Fund III, which included contributions from key partners like The Kraft Group, Pinegrove Venture Partners, and Cubed Capital, took approximately eighteen months. Fishburne noted that Breakout Ventures looks for founders with a deep understanding of the science they are commercializing, whether through academic research or industry experience.

Source: TechCrunch

Replit, the coding platform, has secured a significant milestone in its funding journey. The company announced that it raised $400 million in a Series D funding round, boosting its valuation to $9 billion. This investment round was led by Georgian Partners and included participation from notable investors such as G Squared, Prysm Capital, Coatue, and Andreessen Horowitz.

Replit’s founder and CEO, Amjad Masad, shared the news, highlighting the support from both institutional investors and high-profile individuals like Shaquille O’Neal and Jared Leto. This funding achievement comes just six months after the company reached a $3 billion valuation, signaling its rapid growth and investor confidence.

While the specifics of Replit’s current annual recurring revenue (ARR) were not disclosed, the company expressed ambitious targets, aiming to reach $1 billion in ARR by the end of the year. This financial success underscores Replit’s evolution, with Masad emphasizing the company’s strategic shifts and persistence in finding the right market fit.

This funding milestone not only propels Replit further into the spotlight within the tech startup landscape but also underscores the continued investor interest and confidence in the platform’s potential for growth and innovation.

Source: TechCrunch

Mind Robotics, a startup spun out of Rivian, has successfully raised $500 million in a Series A funding round with Accel and Andreessen Horowitz as co-leads, as reported by TechCrunch. Founded by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, Mind Robotics aims to enhance the capabilities of industrial robots using data from Rivian’s electric vehicle factory.

The startup, established in November 2025, focuses on training industrial robots for increased dexterity and adaptability to handle complex tasks that traditional robotics struggle with. Mind Robotics addresses the limitations of current industrial automation solutions by building an AI foundation to bridge the gap, enabling robots to perform tasks requiring human-like skills.

Scaringe stated that Mind Robotics will prioritize traditional factory robot designs over humanoid robots, aiming for practicality and efficiency in manufacturing operations. With plans to deploy a significant number of robots by the end of the year, the company is set to advance industrial automation with its innovative approach.

Source: TechCrunch

Harbinger, an EV startup based in Los Angeles, has introduced its latest innovation in the form of a smaller, medium-duty work truck known as the HC Series Cab. This new truck comes in two variants: an all-electric model and a hybrid version offering up to 500 miles of range. The HC Series Cab boasts features like easy entry and exit, a tight turning radius, and customizable chassis options for adding cargo boxes or flatbeds.

The company, founded in 2022, aims to provide enhanced performance and versatility compared to traditional diesel options in the commercial truck market. Harbinger’s CEO highlighted the vehicle’s ability to combine payload capacity, maneuverability, range, and onboard capability without compromise, thanks to its electrification and range-extended hybrid system.

Having secured significant funding rounds and attracted notable customers such as FedEx and THOR Industries, Harbinger is making strides in the electric vehicle sector. The company’s expansion into energy storage products and acquisition of autonomous vehicle software further demonstrate its commitment to innovation.

With the unveiling of these new truck models, Harbinger is poised to offer sustainable transportation solutions for the commercial truck market.

Source: TechCrunch

French health insurance startup Alan has achieved a remarkable valuation of €5 billion, marking a substantial increase from $4.5 billion in 2024. Despite a decline in the billion-dollar status of 30% of European unicorns, Alan stands out with its impressive growth trajectory.

Established in 2016, Alan employs 740 individuals and serves a user base of one million employees, freelancers, and retirees. The company offers health insurance and wellness solutions through its user-friendly app, which enables seamless management of reimbursements, access to healthcare providers, and monitoring of health-related activities. With strong financial backing, Alan plans to make investments in technology and artificial intelligence advancements. CEO Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, a co-founding advisor at Mistral AI, emphasized the company’s strategic focus on tech and AI.

The recent valuation surge was facilitated by a €100 million funding round led by Index Ventures, with participation from new investors Greenoaks, Kaaf, and SH, as well as notable figures like Shopify founder Tobi Lütke and football star Antoine Griezmann. Additionally, Belfius, a key partner in Alan’s previous funding round, continued its support in the latest investment cycle.

Alan’s expanding market reach includes significant contracts in both public and private sectors, with the company reporting substantial revenue growth in 2025. Operating profitably in its home country, Alan has successfully extended its operations to Belgium, Spain, and Canada, securing partnerships with industry giants like HP and Volkswagen.

As Alan edges closer to operational break-even, its strategic expansion and tech-driven approach position the company as a prominent player in the health insurance tech sector.

Source: TechCrunch

Kevin Mandia, the founder of cybersecurity startup Mandiant, which was acquired by Google for $5.4 billion in 2022, has launched a new venture in the realm of AI-native cybersecurity. His latest startup, Armadin, has secured $189.9 million in combined seed and Series A funding, setting a new benchmark for early-stage security startups.

The funding, led by Accel and backed by prominent investors including GV, Kleiner Perkins, and the CIA’s venture arm, In-Q-Tel, marks a significant milestone in the cybersecurity landscape. Mandia’s vision for Armadin revolves around the development of autonomous cybersecurity agents powered by AI, capable of identifying and countering threats in real-time.

With the rise of AI-driven cyber threats on the horizon, Mandia emphasizes the urgency for proactive defense mechanisms. He foresees a future where autonomous AI hackers pose a formidable challenge, leveraging advanced technologies to expedite sophisticated attacks.

Armadin’s mission to equip cybersecurity experts with automated agents underscores the evolving nature of cybersecurity warfare, where AI plays a pivotal role in both offensive and defensive strategies. By harnessing the power of autonomous AI agents, Armadin aims to empower security professionals in safeguarding digital ecosystems against emerging threats.

Source: TechCrunch