TechCrunch Startup News

The success of large language models like GPT has sparked a frenzy of developers eager to make AI-powered applications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ThoughtSpot, an AI-powered analytics platform last valued at $4.5 billion, today announced that it’s entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mode Analytics, a business intelligence startup, for $200 million in cash and stock.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Frst, the Paris-based VC firm with no vowel in its name, is in the process of raising its second fund.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The amount of plastic waste produced globally is on track to triple to over 1,000 million tonnes by 2060. The OECD report predicts that developed countries will continue to produce the most plastic waste per person, although emerging regions like Africa and Asia are expected to experience the fastest growth owing to rapid population growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Supercritical, the carbon removal marketplace aimed (at the moment) mainly at tech companies that want to hit ‘net zero’, has raised a $13 million Series A funding round, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. The round includes funding from RTP Global, Greencode Ventures, MMC Ventures and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In late 2022, BetterBrand found success on Whole Foods Market shelves, driving over $1 million in gross sales in the first five months.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Notarize, the world’s largest online notary network, is launching Proof, a new company and platform for digital identity verifications. Beginning in August, Notarize’s business tools will be rebranded to Proof, and it is also changing its company name to Proof. Notarize will continue serving its online notary network, which is used by companies like Adobe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seedstars Capital and Swiss philanthropic foundation Fondation Botnar have launched Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures, a $20 million investment mandate targeting early-stage startups in Africa that are focused on improving the wellbeing of people below 30 years in low-and-middle-income countries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet Gladia, a French AI startup that wants to change how companies interact with audio data. The company develops an audio transcription application programming interface (API) that you can integrate with other products and is supposed to work much better than what’s available out there. And this tech foundation unlocks new use cases around audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luminoah has reinvented a tube feeding device that’s more portable, discreet, and easy to use, and it has raised $6 million dollars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices