In a landscape where startups grapple with funding challenges, Briq’s recent funding round stands out for its achievement of a flat valuation despite prevailing market conditions. The company, specializing in automating financial workflows for construction firms, raised $8 million in an extension round, valuing it at $150 million. This accomplishment is particularly notable given the...
Artifact, a promising news app developed by Instagram’s co-founders, recently announced its closure, marking the end of its journey in the competitive tech landscape. Despite initial optimism surrounding its innovative features and sleek design, Artifact struggled to gain traction and ultimately succumbed to various challenges. Initial Success and Community Engagement At its inception, Artifact garnered...
In the latest episode of Equity, the podcast dedicated to exploring the intricacies of startup business, Aileen Lee from Cowboy Ventures takes center stage. Lee, known for coining the term “unicorn” in a TechCrunch article back in 2013, joins the show to delve into her comprehensive new article on the unicorn landscape. Exploring Unicorn Diversity...
Myrealtrip, a travel tech company based in Seoul, has capitalized on the resurgence of the tourism industry post-pandemic by securing $56.7 million (75.6 billion KRW) in a Series F equity funding round. This substantial investment aims to fuel the company’s business expansion, drive product innovation, and facilitate increased hiring. Tapping into the Post-Pandemic Travel Boom...
A concerning trend is emerging for entrepreneurs of color, as investment firms and funding organizations face legal challenges over their support for BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and other people of color) entrepreneurs. Recently, the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a conservative activist group, initiated a lawsuit against the Fearless Fund, alleging violations of the Civil Rights...
Welcome to Equity, a podcast delving into the business of startups, where we dissect the intricacies and figures behind the headlines. In this Friday episode, TechCrunch reporters engage in a discussion about the significant news developments of the week. Mary Ann Azevedo and Alex Wilhelm delve into funding rounds and prevailing trends in the startup...
Plex, the media streamer, is set to fulfill its long-awaited plans to launch a marketplace for TV and movie rentals, marking a significant milestone after encountering multiple setbacks. The startup initially revealed its intention to broaden its streaming service to include rentals just before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, various technical challenges and...
A decade ago, the term “unicorn” was coined by Aileen Lee, founder of Cowboy Ventures, to describe startups that achieved a valuation of $1 billion or more. At that time, there were only 39 startups on this prestigious list. Fast forward to today, and the number has skyrocketed to over 500 companies. Shifting Focus of...
In this edition of Startups Weekly, we explore the burgeoning landscape of maker tech startups, highlighting their innovative contributions to prototyping and manufacturing. Maker Tech Revolution Similar to the impact of Glowforge on laser cutting and Cricut on vinyl cutting, a new wave of startups is democratizing access to advanced prototyping and manufacturing technologies. These...
In this edition of TechCrunch Fintech, we delve into the latest developments in the world of financial technology, including a notable startup acquisition, fundraising activities, and more exciting news. The Big Story The saga surrounding ZestMoney, an Indian fintech startup, continues to unfold. Initially backed by prominent investors like Goldman Sachs, ZestMoney faced challenges that...
