Others · October 12, 2022

Daily Crunch: Closed early-access product Relay raises $5M seed round to ‘tackle collaborative workflows’

To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PDT,toptechtrends.com/join/134/signup-all-newsletters”> subscribe here.

If you’re joining us at Disrupt next week, here’s an incentive for turning up early — we’re toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/kick-off-techcrunch-disrupt-2022-with-your-favorite-podcast/”>recording our podcasts live onstage, and you can be in the audience! Fun fun fun! — Christine and Haje

The TechCrunch Top 3

  • toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/after-selling-his-last-startup-to-google-this-founder-now-wants-to-automate-mundane-tasks-with-relay/”>Automation nation: Jacob Bank knows what time it is. Paul writes that after selling his last startup to Google in 2015, Bank is back with Relay, a tool that wants to give people back some time by automating mundane tasks, particularly when it comes to the task we all love to hate — meetings.
  • toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-brings-dall-e-2-to-the-masses-with-designer-and-image-creator/”>“Bring your ideas to life”: Microsoft’s Ignite conference was today (get the nitty-gritty in Big Tech Inc.), and Kyle has been following all things DALL-E, including Microsoft’s investment in the AI-powered system for its new Designer and Image Creator tools.
  • toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/indian-edtech-giant-byjus-cuts-2500-jobs/”>Cuts run deep: Manish reports on the latest for Indian edtech giant Byju’s, which said today it would be eliminating another large chunk of jobs, this time 2,500, writing that the move was in efforts to “clear its debts and other balances in recent months.”

Startups and VC

Back in 2019, Microsoft launched Dapr, an open source project that aimed to make it easier for developers to build microservices on top of Kubernetes. toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/with-24-2m-in-funding-diagrid-launches-its-fully-managed-dapr-service-for-kubernetes/”>Diagrid raised $24 million to launch a fully managed Dapr service, Frederic reports.

DataGrail has always been focused on helping companies comply with the growing world of privacy regulation. Today, it’s building on that with a new automated risk monitoring solution that helps companies build third-party application risk assessments quickly. toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/datagrail-announces-automated-risk-assessment-tool-and-45m-investment/”>While they were at it, the startup also announced a $45 million Series C investment, Ron reports.

And here’s a smattering of a few more for your enjoyment and delight:

  • Really going places: Oh look, toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/oh-look-tripactions-raised-at-a-9-2b-valuation-after-reported-12b-ipo-filing/”>TripActions raised at a $9.2 billion valuation after reported $12 billion IPO filing, Natasha M reports.
  • Tiny cameras, big sack-o-moolah:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/metalenz-ships-millions-of-its-tiny-cameras-and-powers-up-with-30m-b-round/”> Metalenz ships millions of its tiny cameras and powers up with a $30 million B round,toptechtrends.com/author/devin-coldewey/”> Devin reports.
  • A la carte:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/veeve-6-7m-smart-cart/”> Veeve bags $6.7 million to turn shopping carts into smart carts, Christine reports.
  • Money for revenue, and clicks for free:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/flapkap-provides-revenue-based-financing-to-e-commerce-brands-in-mena-gets-3-6m-seed-funding/”> FlapKap provides revenue-based financing to e-commerce brands in MENA, gets $3.6 million of seed funding, Tage reports.
  • Gamifying games:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/11/homa-raises-another-100-million-for-its-data-driven-mobile-gaming-tools/”> Homa raises another $100 million for its data-driven mobile gaming tools, Romain reports.

Dear Sophie: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg” alt=”lone figure at entrance to maze hedge that has an American flag at the center” width=”1024″ height=”576″ srcset=”https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg 3200w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=680,383 680w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https://toptechtrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg?resize=50,28 50w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”>

Image Credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch

In our Dear Sophie column, our friendly immigration lawyer answers a question from Leap of Faith:

“I am considering leaving my current, steady job for a job with a big name in tech. I’m excited, but nervous. I’ve been hearing that you can lose your H-1B status if you are laid off. Is there any way I can protect my immigration status while making a bold job move?”

toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/dear-sophie-how-can-i-protect-my-h-1b-and-green-card-if-i-am-laid-off/”>Dear Sophie: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

Three more from the TC+ team, with a sprinkling of lyrics for good luck:

  • Know when to hold ’em:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/6-tips-for-launching-a-blockchain-startup/”> 6 tips for launching a blockchain startup, by Wolfgang Rückerl.
  • Free fallin’:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/11/crypto-vc-deals-continue-drop-as-activity-follows-bearish-market-prices/”> Crypto VC deals continue to drop as activity follows bearish market prices, by Jacquelyn.
  • Be mine:toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/the-muse-buys-fairygodboss-as-roll-up-acquisitions-come-to-vc/”> The Muse buys Fairygodboss as roll-up acquisitions come to VC, by Becca.

toptechtrends.com/techcrunchplus/”>TechCrunch+ is our membership program that helps founders and startup teams get ahead of the pack.toptechtrends.com/click/26685582.342535/aHR0cHM6Ly90ZWNoY3J1bmNoLmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmUvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09VENuZXdzbGV0dGVyJnRwY2M9VENkYWlseW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI/6036d5494a049802a929497cBf82fd2bd”> You can sign up here. Use code “DC” for a 15% discount on an annual subscription!

Big Tech Inc.

Check out what happened when Taylor’s virtual torso toptechtrends.com/2022/10/11/watching-meta-connect-in-horizon-worlds-vr/”>went to Meta Connect 2022, where toptechtrends.com/2022/10/11/meta-announces-legs/”>Meta announces legs (as Lucas reported), and Amanda shows you toptechtrends.com/2022/10/11/meta-connect-2022-roundup-quest-pro/”>what you might have missed.

Meanwhile, as we noted above, Microsoft held its Ignite conference today, where Brian, Frederic and Kyle found lots to write on. For example, toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/with-places-microsoft-aims-to-help-companies-better-manage-hybrid-work-setups/”>hybrid work setups, more toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/apple-brings-more-of-its-services-including-icloud-and-apple-music-to-microsoft-platforms/”>Apple integrations, toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-teams-gains-animated-avatars-and-ai-powered-recaps/”>avatars for Teams, new toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/2420274/”>Power Automate features, invite-only toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-expands-azure-openai-service-with-dall-e-2-in-preview/”>access to DALL-E 2 for select Azure OpenAI Service customers, automated toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-announces-syntex-a-set-of-automated-document-and-data-processing-services/”>document and data processing services, toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsofts-edge-browser-gets-shared-workspaces-new-security-features-and-more/”>updates to Microsoft Edge, new toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-launches-new-security-services-aimed-at-protecting-code-in-the-cloud/”>cloud security services and upgrades to toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-refreshes-the-surface-laptop-pro-and-studio/”>Microsoft’s suite of laptops and desktop computers.

In other news:

  • M&A action: Vista Equity Partners said it will toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/vista-equity-partners-to-acquire-cybersecurity-company-knowbe4-for-4-6b/”>acquire cybersecurity company KnowBe4 in a $4.6 billion deal, Paul reports.
  • Severed: Haje has a look at the new DedroneDefender, a handheld toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/dedrone-jammer/”>counter-drone jammer that he writes “uses science to stop drones in their tracks.”
  • Classification known: News of a new toptechtrends.com/2022/10/11/uber-lyft-doordash-stock-tank-gig-worker-rules/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>federal gig worker proposal had shares of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash sliding yesterday. Harri has more.
  • Google it: If you’re interested in purchasingtoptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/googles-pixel-watch-delivers-nice-hardware-but-fails-to-answer-the-why/”> Google’s Pixel Watch or the toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/google-pixel-7-pro-refinements-are-perfectly-fine/”>Google Pixel 7 Pro, read Brian’s take on both of them before you make a decision.
  • So exposed: Carly writes abouttoptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/toyota-customer-email-addresses-exposed/”> Toyota exposing 300,000 customer emails for the past five years.

toptechtrends.com/2022/10/12/daily-crunch-closed-early-access-product-relay-raises-5m-seed-round-to-tackle-collaborative-workflows/”>Daily Crunch: Closed early-access product Relay raises $5M seed round to ‘tackle collaborative workflows’ by toptechtrends.com/author/christine-hall/”>Christine Hall originally published on toptechtrends.com/”>TechCrunch

About The Author