From OpenAI’s offices to a deal with Eli Lilly — how Chai Discovery became one of the flashiest names in AI drug development
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/from-openais-offices-to-a-deal-with-eli-lilly-how-chai-discovery-became-one-of-the-flashiest-names-in-ai-drug-development/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/from-openais-offices-to-a-deal-with-eli-lilly-how-chai-discovery-became-one-of-the-flashiest-names-in-ai-drug-development/
TechCrunch
From OpenAI’s offices to a deal with Eli Lilly — how Chai Discovery became one of the flashiest names in AI drug development |…
The startup has partnered with Eli Lilly and enjoys the backing of some of Silicon Valley's most influential VCs.
EPA rules that xAI’s natural gas generators were illegally used
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/epa-rules-that-xais-natural-gas-generators-were-illegally-used/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/epa-rules-that-xais-natural-gas-generators-were-illegally-used/
TechCrunch
EPA rules that xAI’s natural gas generators were illegally used | TechCrunch
Elon Musk's AI company had installed and operated 35 natural gas turbines without permits, something the EPA now says was illegal.
TikTok quietly launches a micro drama app called ‘PineDrama’
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/tiktok-quietly-launches-a-micro-drama-app-called-pinedrama/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/tiktok-quietly-launches-a-micro-drama-app-called-pinedrama/
TechCrunch
TikTok quietly launches a microdrama app called 'PineDrama' | TechCrunch
Think TikTok, but every single video you come across is a short episode of a fictional story.
Snowflake, Databricks challenger ClickHouse hits $15B valuation
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/snowflake-databricks-challenger-clickhouse-hits-15b-valuation/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/snowflake-databricks-challenger-clickhouse-hits-15b-valuation/
TechCrunch
Snowflake, Databricks challenger ClickHouse hits $15B valuation | TechCrunch
The $400 million round was led by Dragoneer.
California AG sends Musk’s xAI a cease-and-desist order over sexual deepfakes
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/california-ag-sends-musks-xai-a-cease-and-desist-order-over-sexual-deepfakes/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/california-ag-sends-musks-xai-a-cease-and-desist-order-over-sexual-deepfakes/
TechCrunch
California AG sends Musk's xAI a cease-and-desist order over sexual deepfakes | TechCrunch
The flood of AI-generated sexual imagery has spurred concern from state and congressional officials alike.
AI cloud startup Runpod hits $120M in ARR — and it started with a Reddit post
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/ai-cloud-startup-runpod-hits-120m-in-arr-and-it-started-with-a-reddit-post/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/16/ai-cloud-startup-runpod-hits-120m-in-arr-and-it-started-with-a-reddit-post/
TechCrunch
AI cloud startup Runpod hits $120M in ARR — and it started with a Reddit post | TechCrunch
Their startup journey is a wild example of how if you build it well and the timing is lucky, they will definitely come.
Musk wants up to $134B in OpenAI lawsuit, despite $700B fortune
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/musk-wants-up-to-134b-in-openai-lawsuit-despite-700b-fortune/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/musk-wants-up-to-134b-in-openai-lawsuit-despite-700b-fortune/
TechCrunch
Musk wants up to $134B in OpenAI lawsuit, despite $700B fortune | TechCrunch
Musk's legal team argues he should be compensated as an early startup investor who sees returns "many orders of magnitude greater" than his initial investment.
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Trump administration’s legal setbacks are good news for offshore wind — and the grid
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/trump-administrations-legal-setbacks-are-good-news-for-offshore-wind-and-the-grid/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/trump-administrations-legal-setbacks-are-good-news-for-offshore-wind-and-the-grid/
TechCrunch
Trump administration’s legal setbacks are good news for offshore wind — and the grid | TechCrunch
Three offshore wind projects under construction on the U.S. East Coast are back to building after judges rebuked the Department of the Interior's actions.
Who gets to inherit the stars? A space ethicist on what we’re not talking about
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/who-gets-to-inherit-the-stars-a-space-ethicist-on-what-were-not-talking-about/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/17/who-gets-to-inherit-the-stars-a-space-ethicist-on-what-were-not-talking-about/
TechCrunch
Who gets to inherit the stars? A space ethicist on what we're not talking about | TechCrunch
While it's easy to romanticize space as an escape to a pristine frontier where people will float weightlessly among the stars, it’s worth remembering there are no oceans or mountains or chirpy birds in space. It's “not nice up there,” said Rubenstein. “It…
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Moxie Marlinspike has a privacy-conscious alternative to ChatGPT
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/moxie-marlinspike-has-a-privacy-conscious-alternative-to-chatgpt/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/moxie-marlinspike-has-a-privacy-conscious-alternative-to-chatgpt/
TechCrunch
Moxie Marlinspike has a privacy-conscious alternative to ChatGPT | TechCrunch
Confer is designed to look and feel like ChatGPT or Claude, but your conversations can't be used for training or advertising.
How YC-backed Bucket Robotics survived its first CES
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/how-yc-backed-bucket-robotics-survived-its-first-ces/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/how-yc-backed-bucket-robotics-survived-its-first-ces/
TechCrunch
How YC-backed Bucket Robotics survived its first CES | TechCrunch
Now, the startup is turning its attention to building the business, fundraising, and striking commercial deals.
Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/threads-edges-out-x-in-daily-mobile-users-new-data-shows/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/threads-edges-out-x-in-daily-mobile-users-new-data-shows/
TechCrunch
Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows | TechCrunch
Threads’ daily mobile usage has quietly surpassed X as Meta leans on cross-promotion, creator tools, and fast feature rollouts — even as X faces fresh controversies
TechCrunch Mobility: ‘Physical AI’ enters the hype machine
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/techcrunch-mobility-physical-ai-enters-the-hype-machine/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/techcrunch-mobility-physical-ai-enters-the-hype-machine/
TechCrunch
TechCrunch Mobility: 'Physical AI' enters the hype machine | TechCrunch
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for all things “future of transportation.”
Sequoia to invest in Anthropic, breaking VC taboo on backing rivals: FT
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/sequoia-to-invest-in-anthropic-breaking-vc-taboo-on-backing-rivals-ft/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/sequoia-to-invest-in-anthropic-breaking-vc-taboo-on-backing-rivals-ft/
TechCrunch
Sequoia to invest in Anthropic, breaking VC taboo on backing rivals: FT | TechCrunch
Venture capital firms have historically avoided backing competing companies in the same sector, preferring to place their bets on a single winner. Yet here's Sequoia, already invested in both OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI, now throwing its weight behind Anthropic…
Biotics AI, Battlefield 2023, gains FDA approval for its AI-powered fetal ultrasound product
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/biotics-ai-battlefield-2023-gains-fda-approval-for-its-ai-powered-fetal-ultrasound-product/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/biotics-ai-battlefield-2023-gains-fda-approval-for-its-ai-powered-fetal-ultrasound-product/
TechCrunch
BioticsAI, which won Disrupt's Battlefield competition in 2023, gains FDA approval for its AI-powered fetal ultrasound product …
TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield 2023 winner BioticsAI announced on Monday that it has received FDA clearance for its AI software that helps detect fetal abnormalities in ultrasound images.
Looking ahead to 2026: What’s next for Startup Battlefield 200
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/looking-ahead-to-2026-whats-next-for-startup-battlefield-200/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/looking-ahead-to-2026-whats-next-for-startup-battlefield-200/
TechCrunch
2026 plans: What's next for Startup Battlefield 200 | TechCrunch
Startup Battlefield 200 applications will open in mid-February. Join the iconic startup pitch competition by joining the mailing list.
Here are the 55 US AI startups that have raised $100M or more in 2025
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/here-are-the-49-us-ai-startups-that-have-raised-100m-or-more-in-2025/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/19/here-are-the-49-us-ai-startups-that-have-raised-100m-or-more-in-2025/
TechCrunch
Here are the 55 US AI startups that raised $100M or more in 2025 | TechCrunch
U.S.-based AI startups continue to rake in venture funding with multiple companies already raising impressive rounds in 2025.
Everstone combines Wingify, AB Tasty for $100M+ digital experience optimization platform
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/everstone-combines-wingify-ab-tasty-for-100m-digital-experience-optimization-platform/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/everstone-combines-wingify-ab-tasty-for-100m-digital-experience-optimization-platform/
TechCrunch
Everstone combines Wingify and ABTasty for $100M+ digital experience optimization platform | TechCrunch
The combined business will serve more than 4,000 customers globally and surpass $100 million in annual revenue.
Meta’s Oversight Board takes up permanent bans in landmark case
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/metas-oversight-board-is-taking-on-its-first-case-focused-the-companys-ability-to-disable-accounts/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/metas-oversight-board-is-taking-on-its-first-case-focused-the-companys-ability-to-disable-accounts/
TechCrunch
Meta's Oversight Board takes up permanent bans in landmark case | TechCrunch
For the first time, Meta's Oversight Board is looking for specific policy recommendations around disabled accounts.
Netflix revises offer to pay all cash for Warner Bros to stave off Paramount
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/netflix-revises-offer-to-pay-all-cash-for-warner-bros-to-stave-off-paramount/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/netflix-revises-offer-to-pay-all-cash-for-warner-bros-to-stave-off-paramount/
TechCrunch
Netflix revises offer to pay all cash for Warner Bros. to fend off Paramount | TechCrunch
However, the streaming giant is still offering the same $27.75 the companies had agreed on for WBD's movie studio and streaming assets, and the deal continues to value the company at $82.7 billion.
Indian vibe-coding startup Emergent raises $70M at $300M valuation from SoftBank, Khosla Ventures
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/indian-vibe-coding-startup-emergent-raises-70m-at-300m-valuation-from-softbank-khosla-ventures/
Source:https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/20/indian-vibe-coding-startup-emergent-raises-70m-at-300m-valuation-from-softbank-khosla-ventures/
TechCrunch
Indian vibe-coding startup Emergent triples valuation to $300M with $70M fundraise | TechCrunch
The funding comes as the startup claims it has scaled ARR to $50 million and is targeting $100 million by April 2026.