SoftBank’s $40 Billion OpenAI Bet Is Now Official
The Japanese investment giant SoftBank has completed its planned $40 billion stake in OpenAI. The deal, first agreed to in early 2025, cements SoftBank’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence.
Category: Startups
Meta Spends $2B on a Chinese-Born AI Startup. What Could Go Wrong?
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is making one of its biggest AI bets yet, acquiring the startup Manus for over $2 billion. The deal is a landmark because Manus was founded in China, instantly raising geopolitical eyebrows. Can Meta navigate the political minefield to get the tech it wants?
OpenAI’s $555K “Stressful” Job Is Basically Impossible
OpenAI is trying to hire a new Head of Preparedness, a role CEO Sam Altman admits will be “stressful.” The job pays $555,000 a year plus equity, but experts argue it’s “close to an impossible job” that requires telling Altman to slow down.
Mizuho’s CEO is going on the offensive, and rivals should take note
Mizuho Financial Group is taking a different path than its Japanese rivals. Instead of buying banks, it’s using boutique acquisitions and AI to fuel a global corporate banking expansion and a domestic retail push.
What it really takes to raise a Series A now
The bar for a Series A is sky-high. Investors are looking for undeniable product-market fit, repeatable sales, and founders with relentless passion. Here’s what they said at TechCrunch Disrupt.
A Blockchain Taxi App Is Coming to Take on Uber in NYC
TADA, a ride-hailing app that uses blockchain and charges drivers a tiny flat fee instead of a commission, is planning a launch in New York City this June. The Singapore-based company, which pulled in a record $19.8 million in revenue last October, is betting its model will appeal to drivers fed up
Can a VC Vet Really Fix the Government’s Tech Hiring?
The US government is launching a new initiative to recruit high-skilled tech workers for two-year stints. The challenge? Competing with Silicon Valley salaries and a rigid hiring process.
Seattle’s Drone Bet: Can It Really Replace DJI?
New FCC rules blocking foreign-made drones could make Seattle a major drone manufacturing hub, creating tens of thousands of jobs. But the move, targeting China’s DJI, also promises higher prices and a multi-year scramble to build a domestic supply chain.
Ex-Doctor’s AI Scribe Startup Hits $465 Million Valuation
Thomas Kelly left medicine after facing “incredible burnout” from endless administrative tasks. He founded Heidi, an AI medical scribe, which just raised $65 million at a $465 million valuation.
Coinbase Bets Big on Prediction Markets with New Acquisition
Coinbase is making a major push into prediction markets. The crypto exchange is acquiring The Clearing Company, a platform that lets users trade on real-world events.