https://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/taking-a-big-check-might-have-made-building2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663ce0cc007cb41b39aa4_1792488633145.pngTechCrunchTaking a big check might have made building FarmboxRx easier but Ashley Tyrner-Dolce says it also could have changed the decisions she was able to make.⁠ ⁠ On Build Mode, Ashley explains why staying bootstrapped gave her the control to make tough calls while breaking into the highly regulated healthcare industry.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663ce0cc007cb41b39aa4_1792488633145.mp42026-10-20T09:30:34.083816Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/kickstarter-ceo-everette-says-founders-should2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663d15db6529f9ca9252d_1792488541306.pngTechCrunchKickstarter CEO @everette says founders should think carefully about what they’re giving up when they take venture capital — because ownership and creative independence have value, too.⁠ ⁠ On the latest Build Mode, we’re talking crowdfunding, alternative funding and how founders can build without immediately giving up equity.⁠ ⁠ Watch the full episode on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. ⁠https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663d15db6529f9ca9252d_1792488541306.mp42026-10-20T09:29:03.001125Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/would-you-take-your-startup-public-this-early2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663d1dd8452780865bfd7_1792488412097.pngTechCrunchWould you take your startup public this early? Archer has raised nearly $4 billion, and CEO Adam Goldstein says going public was an “amazing decision” he’d make again every single time. But there’s a tradeoff: once you’re public, you have to show investors meaningful progress every 90 days. Hear why Archer made the bet and what other founders can learn from it on the latest episode of Build Mode. Watch the full episode at the link in bio.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663d1dd8452780865bfd7_1792488412097.mp42026-10-20T09:26:52.919002Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/metas-ai-agent-muse-stole-the-spotlight-this-week2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663d39d249ac1870de17f_1792488304509.pngTechCrunchMeta’s AI agent Muse stole the spotlight this week, but would you trust Meta with your entire digital life? ⁠ ⁠ The Equity crew looks at the company’s consumer AI ambitions and why some users (like Sean) might prefer to hand that information to another providerhttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663d39d249ac1870de17f_1792488304509.mp42026-10-20T09:25:05.681792Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/nvidia-has-the-chips-the-cash-and-now-a-growing2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663d48b6712243cd9899a_1792488160587.pngTechCrunchNvidia has the chips, the cash, and now a growing collection of bets across the AI stack from Hugging Face to MediaTek. So why does everyone keep sidling up to Nvidia? The Equity podcast team digs into what the company understands that its competitors don't.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663d48b6712243cd9899a_1792488160587.mp42026-10-20T09:22:41.274659Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/there-wont-be-a-chatgpt-moment-for-roboticsat2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663d43d6896149936f2d4_1792488039210.pngTechCrunchThere won’t be a ChatGPT moment for robotics...at least according to Mbodi co-founder Xavier Chi. Unlike large language models, robotics doesn’t have an internet-sized pool of data to learn from. Xavier says that means progress will look much more gradual: deploy robots for specific use cases, collect real-world data, improve the systems, and expand what they can do. He explains what the next generation of robotics could actually look like on Build Mode.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663d43d6896149936f2d4_1792488039210.mp42026-10-20T09:20:40.338739Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/on-tuesday-president-donald-trump-and-top-ai2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663d8f2de0c450f315cea_1792487903586.pngTechCrunchOn Tuesday, President Donald Trump and top AI leaders announced a signed pledge called a “Joint Commitment on Frontier Responsibilities” — a voluntary promise to implement more controls and safety measures as the rapid development of artificial intelligence continues. But there seems to be a catch — namely that the “United States” was misspelled as “Unites States” in a photo of the signed agreement the President shared to Truth Social Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a “State of the Force” address on Wednesday to launch a new effort to study how war may be fought as tech advances rapidly. It’s being called Project Meridian. Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will co-lead the project. They’ll be joined by others from fields such as academia and policy, all working under the direction of Defense Department CTO Emil Michael. Their job is to “study the battlefields of the future” and the “weapons and technologies warfighters” may use on them, said Hegseth in a letter announcing the project. #startups #politics #business #ai #trumphttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663d8f2de0c450f315cea_1792487903586.mp42026-10-20T09:18:24.688455Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/bootstrapping-sometimes-means-getting-creative2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663db4515771e235051ec_1792487801841.pngTechCrunchBootstrapping sometimes means getting creative just to keep the business moving.⁠ ⁠ FarmboxRx founder Ashley Tyrner-Dolce shares how she managed cash flow, made payroll, and stretched every dollar while building her company without venture funding.⁠ ⁠ The full episode of Build Mode is out now.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663db4515771e235051ec_1792487801841.mp42026-10-20T09:16:42.585405Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/founders-dont-rush-to-outsource-sales-farmboxrx2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663dec6c9cc5f9cce0987_1792487671745.pngTechCrunchFounders: don’t rush to outsource sales.⁠ ⁠ FarmboxRx founder Ashley Tyrner-Dolce learned firsthand that sometimes customers need to hear directly from the person building the company.⁠ ⁠ Watch the full episode of Build Mode on YouTubehttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663dec6c9cc5f9cce0987_1792487671745.mp42026-10-20T09:14:32.4769Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/crowdfunding-isnt-plan-b-anymore-everette-says2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663e1669b5e8957e21528_1792487552808.pngTechCrunchCrowdfunding isn’t Plan B anymore.⁠ ⁠ @everette says the old stigma that @Kickstarter is only for founders who couldn’t raise VC is disappearing as major brands, creators and established companies increasingly turn to the platform.⁠ ⁠ On the latest Build Mode, the Kickstarter CEO explains why crowdfunding deserves a place in more founders’ funding strategies.⁠https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663e1669b5e8957e21528_1792487552808.mp42026-10-20T09:12:33.843611Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/flying-taxis-at-the-olympics-archerhas-been-named2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663e315300f1e2080ebc6_1792487383257.pngTechCrunchFlying taxis at the Olympics? ✈️ Archerhas been named the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. CEO Adam Goldstein says the Games could give the emerging industry a global showcase, similar to the jetpack demonstration that became a sensation when LA last hosted the Olympics in 1984. Hear more about Archer, the future of flight, and the unconventional strategy behind funding it all on the latest episode of Build Mode.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663e315300f1e2080ebc6_1792487383257.mp42026-10-20T09:09:44.33781Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/when-synthesiaio-asked-techcrunch-reporter2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663e3c423d780ce2e6b3e_1792487209948.pngTechCrunchWhen Synthesiaio asked TechCrunch reporter Dominic-Madori Davis if she wanted to make a digital twin, she didn’t hesitate.⁠ ⁠ The AI video company created two versions of Dominic: an interactive digital twin you can talk to on TechCrunch’s website, and a personal avatar that can recite scripts in her voice. Aside from its own press officer, Dominic is the first journalist Synthesia has turned into a digital avatar.⁠ ⁠ The experiment raised a much bigger question: What happens to human-facing jobs when you can send an AI version of yourself instead?⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Read the full article: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/26/i-created-an-interactive-digital-avatar-of-myself-and-you-can-talk-to-it/https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663e3c423d780ce2e6b3e_1792487209948.mp42026-10-20T09:06:50.868079Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/congrats-to-intero-biosystems-this-years-startup2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad663e707803f71f551e9f1_1792487003107.pngTechCrunchCongrats to Intero Biosystems, this year’s Startup Battlefield 200 victor! ⁠ ⁠ They’re developing lab-grown tissue that mimics our digestive system, to study how drugs and compounds effect our bodies…before they effect our bodies.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad663e707803f71f551e9f1_1792487003107.mp42026-10-20T09:03:24.042282Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/despite-what-other-founders-are-posting-no-ones2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6643d6e79ce6485b6e39a_1792486859593.pngTechCrunchDespite what other founders are posting, no one’s startup is perfect. Every company has problems so the real way to stand out to investors is to know how to focus your resources for success. Watch the full episode of Build Mode with the Puzzle founder and CEO Sasha Orloff anywhere you go for your podcasts.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6643d6e79ce6485b6e39a_1792486859593.mp42026-10-20T09:01:00.715889Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/nobody-has-to-care-thats-the-biggest-challenge2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6644e3da065a1179a0f17_1792486705495.pngTechCrunchNobody has to care: that’s the biggest challenge facing many startups. Not every startup that struggles for funding is a bad business. Sometimes the metrics are strong, growth is real, and the founders have done everything right. The problem? Investors believe the biggest returns are happening somewhere else. In the latest episode of our Build Mode podcast, @chudson of Precursor Ventures explains why great companies can still struggle to raise capital when they’re outside the markets VCs are betting on — and why timing and category matter just as much as execution. Listen and subscribe via your pod player of choice!https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6644e3da065a1179a0f17_1792486705495.mp42026-10-20T08:58:26.10676Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/how-do-you-convince-investors-to-take-a-brand-new2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66454b2efdf9058717b75_1792486558043.pngTechCrunchHow do you convince investors to take a brand-new startup seriously? Dr. Eike Gerhardt calls the challenge the “liability of newness”: the earlier your company is, the fewer signals you have to establish credibility. On Build Mode, Eike breaks down how Nephrogen founder Demetri Maxim used his Startup Battlefield pitch to overcome it — from Nobel Prize-winning science and his experience in George Church’s lab to investors, pharma companies, and pilots.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66454b2efdf9058717b75_1792486558042.mp42026-10-20T08:55:58.938509Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/the-ternus-era-is-here-tim-cook-hands-it-off-to2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664591876df6ba180493a_1792486352785.pngTechCrunchThe Ternus era is here Tim Cook hands it off to John Ternus saying, "that's your guy," to kick off the new CEO's first keynote, officially launching the Ternus-era.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664591876df6ba180493a_1792486352785.mp42026-10-20T08:52:33.553852Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/your-qa-cant-save-a-confusing-pitch-demetri-maxim2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66463210496c632e792f0_1792486225905.pngTechCrunchYour Q&A can’t save a confusing pitch. Demetri Maxim knew he could shine when investors started asking detailed questions about Nephrogen’s science. But first, he had to get them interested enough to ask. On the latest Build Mode, Demetri shares one of his biggest lessons from Startup Battlefield: nail the first part of your pitch so investors want to dig deeper.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66463210496c632e792f0_1792486225905.mp42026-10-20T08:50:26.619939Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/bluecore-energy-announced-tuesday-an2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6646527953d26ca507a98_1792486099361.pngTechCrunchBluecore Energy announced Tuesday an oversubscribed $50 million seed round — just months after raising a $10 million pre-seed and coming out of stealth. As TechCrunch previously reported, the company, founded earlier this year by Kofi Asante, builds small nuclear reactors (SMRs) on floating barges, rather than fixed locations, to generate clean energy for ports and nearby infrastructure. This means that energy can be transported to wherever it is needed, an idea Asante hopes can bring clean power to those who need it most. “My philosophy is that access to clean energy and also clean water should be a human right,” he said. #startup #business #tech #ai #venturecapitalhttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6646527953d26ca507a98_1792486099361.mp42026-10-20T08:48:20.637924Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/another-day-another-deal-african-payments2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66465a7d74f4bd1117dcf_1792485963280.pngTechCrunchanother day, another deal African payments infrastructure company Flutterwave announced Tuesday a Series E round that values the company at $3.2 billion. This round, notably, includes an equity investment from payments blockchain company Ripple. With this latest deal, Ripple will provide Flutterwave with the infrastructure to expand its digital asset offerings. This works out for Ripple, too, as it is looking to expand its presence in Africa. #fintech #startups #investments #africa #unicornshttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66465a7d74f4bd1117dcf_1792485963280.mp42026-10-20T08:46:04.325067Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/one-more-thing-apples-first-foldable-iphone-the2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6646e459ec987c4c56a4a_1792485843691.pngTechCrunchOne more thing... Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, is here.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6646e459ec987c4c56a4a_1792485843691.mp42026-10-20T08:44:04.286309Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/the-market-has-a-need-for-applied-ai2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66470ef512f578c2965cc_1792485698917.pngTechCrunchThe market has a need for applied AI experience…and that’s an opportunity for generalists to join the limited ranks of those experts and prosper. That’s one of the many bets fueling Ode by Anthropic, a joint venture we explored in the latest episode of our Equity podcast.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66470ef512f578c2965cc_1792485698917.mp42026-10-20T08:41:39.700027Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/we-heard-your-requests-and-this-season-of-build2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66472fd975f65a651408b_1792485584866.pngTechCrunchWe heard your requests and this season of Build Mode we’re going all in on fundraising. Join the head of Startup Battlefield, @hellabella__ as she sits down with founders and investors to talk about seed rounds, term sheets, corporate VC, crowdfunding, bootstrapping, IPOs, and the lessons they learned along the way. Our season 3 guest lineup includes @chudson, @juliahartz, @adamgoldstein.archer, @ashleytyrner, @everette, @kristinasubbotina.esq and more. 🎧 New episodes every week starting July 9 on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66472fd975f65a651408b_1792485584866.mp42026-10-20T08:39:45.526743Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/halobraid-halobraid-founded-by-yinka-ogunbiyi2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66474a153cdc773880b2f_1792485444553.pngTechCrunchHaloBraid (@halo.braid ), founded by Yinka Ogunbiyi (@foodfireandsoul) is a new company doing what I once thought was impossible — building a device that can help hair braiders braid hair. For those who don’t know, it can take seven, eight, even twelve hours to complete some braided hairstyles. Is tedious and laborious but so complex a skill that for a while, I thought it would impossible to robotically replicate. But today, HaloBraid announced today 7 million in funding in a round led by @alexisohanian ‘s Seven Seven Six. I spoke to the founder of this company about the hair braiding assistant product and when we can expect it to be released. #blackhaircare #robotics #tech #braidingstyles #startupshttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66474a153cdc773880b2f_1792485444553.mp42026-10-20T08:37:25.288323Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/synthesiaio-created-a-digital-twin-of-techcrunch2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664af7f64677c3ec04312_1792485339208.pngTechCrunch@synthesiaio created a digital twin of TechCrunch reporter @dominicmadori that can hold conversations and deliver scripts in her voice.⁠ ⁠ Dominic put it to the test — and explored what digital twins could mean for the future of work.⁠ ⁠ Read the story and talk to Dominic’s digital twin yourself: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/26/i-created-an-interactive-digital-avatar-of-myself-and-you-can-talk-to-it/https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664af7f64677c3ec04312_1792485339208.mp42026-10-20T08:35:39.990175Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/is-the-next-era-of-cybersecurity-machine-vs2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664c60d813796465a15e6_1792485176682.pngTechCrunchIs the next era of cybersecurity machine vs. machine? Shardul Shah of Index Ventures tells Equity that as AI-powered attacks get faster and cheaper, human-in-the-loop defense won’t be enough. The result could be an entirely new security stack.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664c60d813796465a15e6_1792485176682.mp42026-10-20T08:32:57.323521Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/you-might-not-need-a-lawyer-before-you-start2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664ce00e875de6da042b3_1792485063783.pngTechCrunchYou might not need a lawyer before you start fundraising, but you do need to set up a good legal foundation. In this episode of Build Mode, CEO and founder of Lexsy @kristinasubbotina.esq breaks down the four unfixable mistakes that can make a startup unfundable or kill it outright. Catch the full episode with @hellabella__ wherever you prefer your pods!https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664ce00e875de6da042b3_1792485063783.mp42026-10-20T08:31:04.6195Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/another-y-combinator-demo-day-took-place-on2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664d1f0e6eb2e99e33c02_1792484942460.pngTechCrunchAnother Y Combinator Demo Day took place on Thursday, but this batch looked a little different. While every cohort brings a fresh wave of founders, the startups presenting this week skewed far more toward deep tech than in past years. As we do every quarter, TechCrunch asked early-stage VCs to name the hottest startups in this batch — both their top picks and the deals everyone was talking about. And as usual, we put together a list of startups flagged by at least two investors as the buzziest in the batch. The tech in this batch felt “like science fiction,” as one investor put it. But beyond the wild ideas, the consensus was that valuations were far more grounded than in recent cohorts. Which companies stood out to you? #tech #startups #entrepreneur #venturecapital #businesshttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664d1f0e6eb2e99e33c02_1792484942460.mp42026-10-20T08:29:03.357773Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/got-some-latest-numbers-on-the-amount-of-funding2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664dea2625585508129ef_1792484825906.pngTechCrunchGot some latest numbers on the amount of funding going to Black founders. Much of it isn’t surprising but still good to track. #startups #business #tech According to Crunchbase's latest data around Black founders, $643 million has poured into U.S. Black-founded startups since May 20 ($602 million in Q1 alone) — an amount not seen since Q2'2022, when Black founders raised $653 million in funding. For context, Black founders raised $942 million in venture dollars last year (that's 0.32% of the $290 billion total, per Crunchbase estimates). That means in just a few months, Black founders have already raised almost 70% of what they raised in all of last year.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664dea2625585508129ef_1792484825906.mp42026-10-20T08:27:07.208893Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/the-european-answer-to-tbpn-is-here-and-ready-to2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664e32f8f5480a76fcd36_1792484721739.pngTechCrunchThe European answer to TBPN is here and ready to go live five days a week, starting July 27. Luke Knight and Ronan Chambers launched the London-based European Technology Network (@etn.show ) last October, breaking down tech trends and news during a two-day-a-week livestream. Right now, the show is livestreamed on X and YouTube and has garnered more than 5 million views. On Monday, the network announced a $1.6 million seed round from top players in the media ecosystem, including Powerhouse Capital, Axel Springer SE (which owns Business Insider and Politico), one of the co-founders of the popular media publication LADbible, and angel investors from OpenAI and DeepMind. With this fresh capital, the network is announcing its largest expansion yet. It’s now moving into a big studio in Kings Cross (where all the hot London AI startups are situated), expanding the team (right now of just eight), launching a newsletter, and, starting today, moving into a five-day-a-week live-show schedule, which will soon see Knight and Chambers interview the likes of George Robson (a partner at Sequoia) and Rishi Sunak (former U.K. prime minister and senior advisor to Anthropic and Microsoft). Speaking to TechCrunch, Knight and Chambers said ETN has already become a hot stop on the press tour for European startups — they’ve spoken to the founder of Synthesia, the CFO of Legora, the founder of Granola, and Kanishka Narayan, the U.K.’s first AI minister. They’ve even had American investors stop by the show when they are in town, including one from Andreessen Horowitz. “ETN was born out of a gaping hole in the industry,” Chambers told TechCrunch. “It’s centered around pace.” Read more about it at TechCrunch.com #startups #tech #business #uk #mediahttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664e32f8f5480a76fcd36_1792484721739.mp42026-10-20T08:25:22.430678Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/maritime-nuclear-energy-startup-bluecore-energy2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664e84c7d6c6d973c1500_1792484555153.pngTechCrunchMaritime nuclear energy startup Bluecore Energy on Tuesday said it had raised $10 million in a pre-seed funding round that was led by Slauson & Co. Founded seven months ago by Kofi Asante, who previously worked with Uber Freight, Bluecore is building small nuclear reactors (SMRs) on floating barges with an aim to provide clean power to ports and nearby infrastructure. The reactors heat water and transfer the resulting steam into a generator, which then spins a turbine to generate electricity, Asante explained. The system is water-cooled in a closed-loop. The energy expected to be produced on Bluecore’s barges can be moved by ship to its next location, reducing the emission involved in its transport to zero, Asante claims. Plus, he said the entire system behind the nuclear power plant only needs to be refueled once every few years. #startup #tech #nuclear #vc #businessownerhttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664e84c7d6c6d973c1500_1792484555153.mp42026-10-20T08:22:35.978889Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/do-you-fit-into-one-of-the-trendiest-founder2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664fa67dbcffb93f84dca_1792484445182.pngTechCrunchDo you fit into one of the trendiest founder archetypes? Fundraising has always been competitive, but today’s market is especially tough for first-time founders. In the latest episode of our Build Mode podcast, @chudson of Precursor Ventures breaks down the most fundable founder archetypes right now: repeat founders with proven track records and exceptionally young technical founders. That leaves experienced, first-time founders facing a higher bar, even when they have a compelling business idea. But there’s still hope! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664fa67dbcffb93f84dca_1792484445182.mp42026-10-20T08:20:46.27411Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/stripe-claims-the-singularity-is-here-and2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad664fea4730f5b7b6847e9_1792484333567.pngTechCrunchStripe claims the singularity is here, and justifies its $7.5B acquisition of OpenRouter. The truth, as the Equity podcast crew highlights, is much more practical, as unglamorous as token expense management may seem.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad664fea4730f5b7b6847e9_1792484333567.mp42026-10-20T08:18:54.564007Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/a-new-report-from-the-uks-imperial-college-and2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6650a0169ded9b5869bf4_1792484188465.pngTechCrunchA new report from the U.K.’s Imperial College and France’s Emlyon Business School has mapped out the ways Silicon Valley’s VC-backed founders commit fraud — and the role investors play. For the report, published online in June, researchers built a database of tech founders and companies who faced civil and criminal securities fraud prosecutions from the SEC and DOJ between 2000 and 2023. Some famous cases of tech founders being convicted of fraud over the past few years include Frank’s Charlie Javice, Kalder’s Gökçe Güven, Terraform Labs’ Do Kwon, and GameOn’s Alexander and Valerie Lau Beckman. All over X, the tech industry’s social network of choice, the topic of fraud and its gentler word “scam” are discussed, as people debate the limits of ambition and success. “Fraud is much more common and normalized in the startup world than we are ready to admit and accept,” Tim Weiss, one of the authors of the report, told TechCrunch. Read the full story at TechCrunch.com #startups #business #tech #fraud #startuplifehttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6650a0169ded9b5869bf4_1792484188465.mp42026-10-20T08:16:29.423683Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/apple-has-entered-the-foldable-arena-with-the2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6650ee5ebca0c7f8be7ab_1792484093897.pngTechCrunchApple has entered the foldable arena with the iPhone Duo, which the company said was inspired by “the versatility of the iPad.” The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 with 256GB of storage and is available in two colors. Pre-orders for Apple’s new foldable open October 16, with the device hitting stores on October 23. Catch up on everything that was announced on http://spr.ly/6172BGJFza.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6650ee5ebca0c7f8be7ab_1792484093897.mp42026-10-20T08:14:54.562Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/one-of-the-biggest-headlines-from-last-week-had2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66512153b37baee98806e_1792483965233.pngTechCrunchOne of the biggest headlines from last week had to do with the buzzy fashion startup Phia, co-founded by Bill Gates daughter and her college roommate. I broke down what is going on. The drama no doubt has gained much attention because of who the young founders are, and so many people have also been posted their thoughts — will the controversy impact other female founders? Will the startup have to shut down? With more than $40 million in investor funding (including from celebs like Khloe Kardashian and Hailey Bieber) much is up in the air, but what do you think. #startups #media #fashion #tech #businesshttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66512153b37baee98806e_1792483965233.mp42026-10-20T08:12:46.189874Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/openais-first-ever-influencer-brand-trip-is2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6651be2dca290f61e04ae_1792483861228.pngTechCrunchOpenAI’s first-ever influencer brand trip is sparking online backlash as tensions over the use of AI continue. Over the weekend, OpenAI took what appears to be a handful of influencers to a luxury retreat in upstate New York for what was called “Summer Club.” There, the creators were treated to farm-to-table dinners, wellness activities like beekeeping, and classes on how to better use OpenAI products. The videos were aesthetic and lighthearted, but many of the comments were not. Watch the video and read more on TechCrunch.com to see what happened and what OpenAI’s response was. #ai #startups #influencer #tech #businesshttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6651be2dca290f61e04ae_1792483861228.mp42026-10-20T08:11:02.106698Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/young-founders-are-building-under-a-new-set-of2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6651f70df9bfe0bf1f715_1792483727880.pngTechCrunchYoung founders are building under a new set of pressures. Investors are throwing more capital at them, yet the expectation to hit that “north star” milestone — the one big number investors are chasing — hasn’t relaxed, and every misstep along the way is now publicly dissected on social media. One investor admitted the market has become “more merciless.”. “It doesn’t give you room to learn slowly anymore,” she said. There are more funding opportunities than ever, regardless of age — accelerators, incubators, pre-seed funds. But that money comes with strings attached and young founders, flush with millions in cash, are expected to deliver growth in months, not years. “In 2004, you could quietly iterate for years without anyone watching,” one founder said. “Now there is this constant ambient pressure from LinkedIn and Twitter where every raise, every milestone, every pivot is public.” Still, this founder said, ““If you focus your time on what needs to get done, it’s not too hard,” she said. How has it changed — if at all — for young founders building companies these days? #startuplifestyle #startups #founderlife #entrepreneur #siliconvalleyhttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6651f70df9bfe0bf1f715_1792483727880.mp42026-10-20T08:08:48.695933Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/what-does-ai-say-about-your-startup-investors-can2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad665505c9be5ff06c960d4_1792483627184.pngTechCrunchWhat does AI say about your startup? 👀 Investors can ask an LLM about your company in seconds — and Dr. Eike Gerhardt says founders should be thinking about what answer they'll get. On the latest episode of Build Mode, Eike joins Nephrogen founder Demetri Maxim to break down Demetri’s Startup Battlefield pitch and what founders can do to make their own pitches stronger.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad665505c9be5ff06c960d4_1792483627184.mp42026-10-20T08:07:07.967177Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/vogue-world-is-coming-to-san-francisco-next-year2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6655d89c4c6f87b7c76b5_1792483467772.pngTechCrunchVogue World is coming to San Francisco next year — perhaps another indication that tech billionaires have become leaders in the fashion zeitgeist. Of course, the announcement of the enormous fashion/art/music event doesn’t say that. Instead, Anna Wintour wrote that Vogue believes in celebrating cities and “San Francisco is a city like none other.” In the past year, Wintour has cozied up to the most powerful names in tech, culminating in this year’s Met Gala, which saw Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, serve as lead sponsors for the event. While [SF] has a reputation as the land of the free-spirited bohemian, tech and its workers have a reputation for hoodies, Patagonia vests, and expensive athletic shoes, if they even dress up that much. But maybe that’s changing. Read the full story on TechCrunch.com #vogue #fashion #vogueworld #sf #techhttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6655d89c4c6f87b7c76b5_1792483467772.mp42026-10-20T08:04:29.280123Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/tim-cook-had-the-unenviable-job-of-following2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66561f061841c8c2bd27a_1792483368282.pngTechCrunchTim Cook had the unenviable job of following Steve Jobs. Now John Ternus has to follow Cook, and he’s taking over an Apple that looks very different from the one Cook inherited. Equity asks what Ternus’ product background could mean for Apple, and how he’ll balance hardware, services, and the company’s push into AI.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66561f061841c8c2bd27a_1792483368282.mp42026-10-20T08:02:49.476969Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/ai-leaders-are-suddenly-talking-about-pacing-the2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6656f2ce186a76eb29f7e_1792483232725.pngTechCrunchAI leaders are suddenly talking about "pacing the frontier," but the specifics are still pretty fuzzy. Equity breaks down why we're skeptical that the AI industry is actually headed for a slowdown, even as leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI say they want to put the brakes on.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6656f2ce186a76eb29f7e_1792483232725.mp42026-10-20T08:00:33.694721Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/ventures-platform-has-raised-an-oversubscribed-842026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6656f58cfcb63a3bf89c6_1792483116752.pngTechCrunchVentures Platform has raised an oversubscribed $84 million second fund as the Pan-African venture firm expands beyond its home market of Nigeria with a strategy shaped by a tougher, more selective venture market. The firm plans to back early-stage founders across a range of sectors, including fintech, healthcare, SaaS, and other areas “where technology can address essential needs and build large, enduring businesses,” Kola Aina, the firm’s founding partner, told TechCrunch. Of course, AI is part of that thesis. “We’re particularly interested in where AI changes the economics of serving African markets,” he said, pointing to its potential to reduce the cost of delivering services and help overcome labor shortages. “For us, AI is most interesting when it is not simply a feature, but an enabler of an entirely different cost structure, business model or market.” Ventures Platform, which is headquartered in Nigeria, previously raised a $46 million Fund I in 2022 with a similar, albeit more limited scope. The first fund focused primarily on pre-seed and seed rounds. “It allowed us to demonstrate that our approach to early-stage investing in Africa could work at an institutional scale and laid the foundation for Fund II,” Aina said. Now, Ventures Platform is back with a larger fund and wider geographic mandate. #startups #africa #venture #tech #entrepreneurshiphttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6656f58cfcb63a3bf89c6_1792483116752.mp42026-10-20T07:58:37.791463Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/this-founder-left-his-job-at-google-and-raised-a2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66570d785e25fb99887b4_1792482984241.pngTechCrunchThis founder left his job at Google and raised a $55M pre-seed with a $300M valuation in just five months, even including some non-technical VCs. In this week’s episode of Build Mode, Andrew Dai breaks down how they pulled it off before building a product or landing customers.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66570d785e25fb99887b4_1792482984241.mp42026-10-20T07:56:25.392113Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/before-becoming-a-scientist-and-founder-demetri2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6657937d7ea8552ffdd6c_1792482886603.pngTechCrunchBefore becoming a scientist and founder, Demetri Maxim was a competitive skier. He says both experiences require the same mental shift: convincing yourself that the thing your brain is warning you about is actually something to be excited about. On the latest Build Mode, Demetri and Dr. Eike Gerhardt break down the lessons founders can take from Demetri’s Startup Battlefield pitch.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6657937d7ea8552ffdd6c_1792482886603.mp42026-10-20T07:54:47.399555Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/phia-the-shopping-startup-co-founded-by-phoebe2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66580ad5324948912620f_1792482791756.pngTechCrunchPhia, the shopping startup co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, is once again under fire for its alleged business practices. The latest issue stems from earlier this year when Bloomberg published an investigation that mapped out how Phia was taking credit and commission for affiliate purchases it did not help to generate, known as cookie stuffing. When Bloomberg first reported on Phia’s cookie stuffing, a Phia spokesperson told the publication that the company was only made aware of the issue when Bloomberg reached out to them. But new reporting by Bloomberg shows that Gates and Kianni knew their startup was cookie stuffing as far back as December, based on leaked Slacks and sources familiar with the matter speaking to the publication. Read the full investigation at Bloomberg, and the TechCrunch story on our website. #startups #tech #business #entrepreneurship #fashionhttps://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66580ad5324948912620f_1792482791756.mp42026-10-20T07:53:12.629922Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/down-rounds-carry-a-stigma-but-theyre-not-always2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6658312f0c0383703e19e_1792482636066.pngTechCrunchDown rounds carry a stigma, but they’re not always the end of a startup’s story. @chudson of Precursor Ventures shares an example of a company that survived a difficult fundraising process involving a down round and investor-friendly terms. It wasn’t easy, but making the hard financing decision ultimately gave the company a chance to keep building. For founders, the lesson is simple: The best fundraising outcome isn’t always the highest valuation — it’s the one that keeps your business alive. Get more of Hudson’s advice in the latest Build Mode podcast episode wherever you prefer your pods.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6658312f0c0383703e19e_1792482636066.mp42026-10-20T07:50:37.170661Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/get-a-hands-on-look-at-googles-new-pixel-112026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad6659de4ee3430bc757841_1792482533634.pngTechCrunchGet a hands-on look at Google’s new Pixel 11 lineup, from the more durable Pro Fold, an updated new camera bar, and of course, a push for Gemini AI features.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad6659de4ee3430bc757841_1792482533634.mp42026-10-20T07:48:55.521259Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/becoming-ceo-doesnt-mean-you-suddenly-have-all2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad665a23345a572475b7ef9_1792482434564.pngTechCrunchBecoming CEO doesn’t mean you suddenly have all the answers. When @juliahartz stepped into the CEO role at Eventbrite, she didn’t feel ready. In fact, the first word she uses to describe the transition is “terrifying.” On this episode of Build Mode, Julia talks about learning to lead in real time, the uncertainty that comes with taking the top job, and why even experienced CEOs are sometimes making it up as they go. Watch the full conversation on Build Mode on our YouTube, or listen via your podcast player of choice.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad665a23345a572475b7ef9_1792482434564.mp42026-10-20T07:47:15.645287Znohttps://techcrunch.begenuin.com/video/she-started-posting-as-a-side-project-now2026-10-20https://media.begenuin.com/uploads/thumbnails/6ad66642da0117b319bdd711_1792482333724.pngTechCrunchShe started posting as a side project. Now @lightspeed’s @zauey.talks says it’s given her real-time visibility into how normal people (not just tech X) actually feel about AI. @dominicmadori on our Equity podcast digs into why that direct feedback loop changed how she invests.https://media.begenuin.com/temp_video/6ad66642da0117b319bdd711_1792482333724.mp42026-10-20T07:45:34.641103Zno