Technology

a16z, GV back Thatch in its effort to simplify health benefits for startups and their employees

February 15, 2023

When you’re dealing with health issues, worrying about how you’re going to pay for care can be a major additional stressor. This can be compounded when you’re facing major illnesses, such as receiving treatment for cancer or having surgery. Chris Ellis and Adam Stevenson had the unfortunate experiences of losing parents to cancer at a […]

a16z, GV back Thatch in its effort to simplify health benefits for startups and their employees by Mary Ann Azevedo originally published on TechCrunch

Intuitive Machines’ post-SPAC war chest depleted by shareholder redemptions

February 15, 2023

Lunar technology company Intuitive Machines received far less cash from its merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) than it forecasted, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made last night. Although Intuitive Machines said the SPAC trust could furnish the company with as much as $301 million in dry powder, […]

Intuitive Machines’ post-SPAC war chest depleted by shareholder redemptions by Aria Alamalhodaei originally published on TechCrunch

Funga wants to accelerate carbon capture using belowground fungal biodiversity

February 15, 2023

Funga claims to be the first company to leverage nature’s power of carbon removal, by focusing on restoring belowground fungal biodiversity. The company just raised a $4 million round. The company was founded by ecologist and climate scientist Dr. Colin Averill, and it combines modern DNA sequencing and machine learning technology with breakthrough research on […]

Funga wants to accelerate carbon capture using belowground fungal biodiversity by Haje Jan Kamps originally published on TechCrunch

In a boost for the ‘metaverse,’ Roblox stock pops 25% after strong Q4 earnings

February 15, 2023

It looks like the metaverse is doing okay. No, not the one Meta is trying to make happen in VR — the gaming platform Roblox is where the kids are still spending their money, apparently. After reporting its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, Roblox shares popped 25%, as investors reacted to the company’s better-than-expected earnings. Made popular […]

In a boost for the ‘metaverse,’ Roblox stock pops 25% after strong Q4 earnings by Sarah Perez originally published on TechCrunch

Ransomware gang uses new zero-day to steal data on 1 million patients

February 15, 2023

A prolific ransomware operation is back with old tricks — and new victims. Community Health Systems (CHS), one of the largest healthcare providers in the United States with close to 80 hospitals in 16 states, confirmed this week that criminal hackers accessed the personal and protected health information of up to one million patients. The […]

Ransomware gang uses new zero-day to steal data on 1 million patients by Carly Page originally published on TechCrunch

Tesla agrees to double supercharger network, open to all EVs under Biden’s $7.5B charging plan

February 15, 2023

Companies hoping to dip into the coffers of the Biden Administration’s $7.5 billion EV charging initiative will have to meet a new set of requirements that even Tesla has agreed to. The Biden Administration laid out Wednesday the final standards for its plan to build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along highways, […]

Tesla agrees to double supercharger network, open to all EVs under Biden’s $7.5B charging plan by Kirsten Korosec originally published on TechCrunch

Snap introduces ray tracing technology for its AR lenses to enhance realism

February 15, 2023

Snap has introduced ray tracing technology to its AR Lens Studio for developers around the world, the company announced on Wednesday. Ray tracing is a technical capability that allows for realistic renderings of light and shine on AR artifacts. Snap has partnered with Tiffany & Co to launch the first Lens built with ray tracing. […]

Snap introduces ray tracing technology for its AR lenses to enhance realism by Aisha Malik originally published on TechCrunch

Superplastic, a creator of ‘synthetic’ influencers, raises $20M led by Amazon in deal to make TV shows and more

February 15, 2023

Janky and Guggimon, ‘synthetic’ celebrities conceived in a studio and big on social platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where they exist as influencers with millions of followers, hyping up other brands, music acts and themselves, are soon coming to a streaming screen, and maybe a Whole Foods, near you. Superplastic, the startup that created and […]

Superplastic, a creator of ‘synthetic’ influencers, raises $20M led by Amazon in deal to make TV shows and more by Ingrid Lunden originally published on TechCrunch

Caretakers, ageism and other topics venture needs to stop overlooking

February 15, 2023

Hello, and welcome back to Equity, a podcast about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines. This is our Wednesday show, where we niche down to a single person, think about their work and unpack the rest. This week, Natasha interviewed Elana Berkowitz, founding partner at Springbank Collective and […]

Caretakers, ageism and other topics venture needs to stop overlooking by Theresa Loconsolo originally published on TechCrunch