Reid Hoffman exits Microsoft’s board to focus on startup Manus
Reid Hoffman is stepping down from Microsoft’s board and turning his attention to Manus, signaling a sharper hands-on startup push from one of tech’s most recognizable operators.
Startup Battlefield 200 Applications Close in 3 Days as the TechCrunch Window Nears Its End
Founders have a final three-day window to apply for Startup Battlefield 200, one of the better-known startup competition platforms tied to TechCrunch’s event ecosystem.
The token bill comes due as AI companies race to control soaring costs
The AI boom is entering a tougher phase as token-heavy products run into hard economics. Companies are now under pressure to make models cheaper to run, not just smarter.
Mira Murati returns to public view — but on her own terms
After months of relative quiet, Mira Murati is re-emerging in a way that feels deliberate, restrained, and closely watched across the AI industry.
Defense Tech’s Funding Boom Is Here. Staying Power Is the Hard Part.
Defense tech is pulling in fresh investor interest, but long-term winners will need more than hype. Procurement cycles, manufacturing, and mission-ready products will separate durable companies from short-lived bets.
Snap Alumni Launch Ghost Angels, a New Fund Aimed at Early-Stage Startups
Former Snap employees are turning their network into a new early-stage fund, signaling how operator-led investing continues to shape startup financing.
Xcena lands $135M to tackle AI’s memory problem, not just raw compute
Xcena just raised $135 million as investors back a growing view in AI hardware: the next big constraint may be memory movement and access, not only compute power.
Cognition lands $1B as AI coding race gets even hotter
Cognition has raised $1 billion at a $25 billion pre-money valuation, adding fresh momentum to the fast-moving market for AI coding tools.
Airbnb-backed WeRoad lands $58M to bring its group travel model to the US
WeRoad has secured $58 million to accelerate international growth, with the US next on the roadmap for its social group travel platform.
Startup Battlefield 2026 applications close May 27: what founders need to know
The clock is almost out for Startup Battlefield 2026. For early-stage founders, the May 27 deadline is the key date — and the selection bar is about more than a polished pitch deck.