113 results found
Finnish startup Donut Lab has released the first independent test results for its production-ready, solid-state battery. Conducted by the state-owned VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the evaluation focused on charging speed and the battery's thermal behavior. This disclosure aims to address skepticism surrounding Donut Lab's claims of a major battery breakthrough.
The EU's €93 billion Horizon Europe program has undergone a significant transformation in 2026, largely blocking Chinese organizations from receiving EU funding in critical tech areas like AI and semiconductors. This strategic shift is driven by concerns over research security and intellectual property, reflecting Europe's evolving approach to global scientific partnerships amidst geopolitical complexities.
GeekWire's top stories for the week of Feb. 15, 2026, highlight Microsoft's new RTO policy and leadership changes at Xbox and Remitly. Washington state is setting new terms for data centers, while Seattle-area startups Temporal and Duckbill secured significant funding rounds. The tech community also paid tribute to desktop publishing pioneer Paul Brainerd.
A Google Vice President warns that two specific types of generative AI startups—LLM wrappers and AI aggregators—are facing significant threats to their long-term viability. These companies are experiencing mounting pressure, including shrinking profit margins and a critical lack of differentiation, due to the rapid evolution of generative AI technology.
The creator economy is rapidly evolving beyond ad revenue, with digital entrepreneurs like MrBeast building business empires through product lines and startup acquisitions. This shift highlights how influence is becoming infrastructure, though its scalability beyond top creators remains a key question. TechCrunch's Equity podcast unpacks this trend alongside developments in AI, fintech, and global tech infrastructure.
A private premiere screening of “Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force,” the pilot installment of the planned Holiguards Saga franchise, was held on February 16 at ASTOR Film Lounge Berlin. The exclusive, black-tie event gathered industry guests, partners, and media, with Kevin Spacey and Elvira Paterson highlighted in connection with the project.
After nearly 15 years, Remitly co-founder and CEO Matt Oppenheimer is transitioning to board chair, handing the reins to Sebastian Gunningham. Oppenheimer reflects on the fintech giant's journey from a three-person startup to a $3B public company, sharing invaluable lessons on customer focus, cultural development, and leadership growth.
Gartner's latest SEC filing reveals the sale of its Digital Markets division, including Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice, for $110 million. This disclosure provides crucial financial specifics for a transaction initially announced in early 2026 without monetary details, signaling a strategic shift for Gartner and impacting the B2B software review market.
Startup CEOs from Read AI and Lucidya shared an optimistic outlook at Web Summit Qatar, challenging common fears about AI replacing human jobs. They told TechCrunch that AI tools are designed to automate specific tasks, not entire professional roles. This perspective suggests AI will enhance human productivity by handling mundane work, allowing people to focus on creative and strategic endeavors.
Google has launched Lyria 3 within its Gemini app, an AI tool that creates 30-second music tracks with lyrics and cover art from prompts. While offering novel creative possibilities, the feature sparks debate about the future of human artistry, copyright, and the potential devaluation of traditional songwriting craft. It highlights the growing challenge of distinguishing AI-generated content from original human works.
Paris-based Quantonation Ventures has successfully closed its second flagship fund, Quantonation II, at €220 million, more than doubling its initial fund. This capital is earmarked for startups developing next-generation physics-based technologies like quantum computing, advanced materials, and sensing, with a strategic shift towards industrialization and commercial impact.
Startup founders face immense pressure to accelerate AI adoption amidst tighter funding and rising costs. While cloud credits, GPUs, and foundation models simplify getting started, early infrastructure choices can lead to unforeseen consequences and hidden costs as companies grow. This blog post explores the challenges and the importance of foresight in the fast-paced AI startup landscape.
