February 7, 2025

These documents are influencing the DOGE-sphere’s agenda

Reports from the US Government Accountability Office on improper federal payments in recent years are circulating on X and elsewhere online, and they seem to be a big influence on Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency and its supporters as the group pursues cost-cutting measures across the federal government.  The payment reports have been…

Technology

European smart thermostat startup Tado raises $46.9M after failed SPAC plan

January 26, 2023

Smart home energy startup Tado has raised €43 million ($46.9 million) in a round of funding led by Trill Impact Ventures, as the company pursues plans to become profitable in 2023. The raise comes a year after the German company announced plans to go public (“deSPAC”) via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), plans that […]

European smart thermostat startup Tado raises $46.9M after failed SPAC plan by Paul Sawers originally published on TechCrunch

Danish startup Kanpla wants to help canteens cut food waste

January 26, 2023

As much as 40% of all food produced each year goes nowhere near a human mouth, resulting in economic, environmental, and social costs of an estimated $2.6 trillion. While there are a multitude of social, cultural, and even technological reasons for these staggering statistics, we’ve seen a slew of startups emerge with propositions on how […]

Danish startup Kanpla wants to help canteens cut food waste by Paul Sawers originally published on TechCrunch

Walmart readies another $2.5 billion investment in India’s e-commerce and payments

January 26, 2023

Walmart is preparing to spend over $2.5 billion in India as the retailer doubles down on the opportunities it sees in India’s e-commerce and payments markets even as the firm contends with rising costs amid the market downturns. Walmart spent about $780 million earlier this month to the Indian tax authorities after PhonePe, in which […]

Walmart readies another $2.5 billion investment in India’s e-commerce and payments by Manish Singh originally published on TechCrunch

Google spares three Area 120 R&D projects, including team working on a ‘Gen Z consumer product’

January 25, 2023

Last week, we learned Google’s in-house R&D group, Area 120, had been severely impacted by the broader Google workforce reduction, impacting teams working on some of Google’s more experimental ideas. However, we understand now that at least three Area 120 projects have been spared from these latest cuts, and will go on to “graduate” to […]

Google spares three Area 120 R&D projects, including team working on a ‘Gen Z consumer product’ by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch

Don’t be sucked in by AI’s head-spinning hype cycles

January 25, 2023

The last year was a roller coaster ride in the AI world, and no doubt many people are dizzied by the number of advances and reversals, the constant hype and equally constant fearmongering. But let’s take a step back: AI is a powerful and promising new technology, but the conversation isn’t always genuine, and it’s […]

Don’t be sucked in by AI’s head-spinning hype cycles by Devin Coldewey originally published on TechCrunch

Disney+ advertisers will soon get Hulu’s ad targeting capabilities

January 25, 2023

Disney Advertising held its annual Tech and Data Showcase today, revealing plans to roll out some of Hulu’s ad targeting capabilities to Disney+. When Disney+ launched its ad-supported tier last month, advertisers couldn’t target ads to specific audiences. By giving Disney+ advertisers access to Hulu’s ad-targeting tools, they can learn a user’s age, gender, and […]

Disney+ advertisers will soon get Hulu’s ad targeting capabilities by Lauren Forristal originally published on TechCrunch

Twitter partners with DoubleVerify and IAS on brand safety initiative amid advertiser exits

January 25, 2023

Amid declining ad revenue and advertiser exits, Twitter announced today that it has teamed up with ad-tech companies DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science (IAS) to tell advertisers if their ad is placed around inappropriate content. The program, available first for U.S.-based advertising campaigns, allows brands to analyze the content adjacent to— primarily tweets above and […]

Twitter partners with DoubleVerify and IAS on brand safety initiative amid advertiser exits by Ivan Mehta originally published on TechCrunch