Startups

6 articles

Diverse group of entrepreneurs collaborating intensely on startup ideas, with a deadline clock visible, symbolizing the Startup Battlefield application.

Founder Playbook

Startup Battlefield 2026 Application Deadline Extended to June 8

The deadline for Startup Battlefield 2026 applications has been unexpectedly extended to June 8.

Marek Kowalski·June 2, 2026

A group of former Snap employees, led by Max Rivera, launching the Ghost Angels venture fund to invest in early-stage AI and consumer tech startups.

Founder Playbook

Snap Alums Launch Ghost Angels Fund to Back Early-Stage Startups

In 2025, a collective of 20 former Snap employees, led by Max Rivera, launched Ghost Angels.

Amir Fakhoury·May 31, 2026

Indian gig workers wearing camera caps collect data in a busy setting, symbolizing the human effort behind AI and robot training for startups.

Founder Playbook

India's Gig Workers Train Robots for Startups

In India, gig workers earn as little as $1 per hour, wearing camera-equipped caps to collect first-person video data.

Marek Kowalski·May 26, 2026

A crowded, energetic lobby at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 with people networking and digital displays showing price increases, symbolizing the approaching deadline.

Main Street & SMBs

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass prices increase after early bird deadline

Aspiring entrepreneurs and investors face a rapidly closing window to secure entry to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.

Sofia Reyes·May 25, 2026

A cinematic scene of a futuristic lab with holographic scent molecules, representing AI's revolution in fragrance creation and personalization.

Leadership & Culture

AI startup revolutionizes fragrance creation, personalizing scents

In 2024, AI startup Osmo achieved "Scent Teleportation," the world's first full digitization of scent without human intervention, according to beautymatter .

Amir Fakhoury·May 21, 2026

Futuristic AI glasses with glowing blue accents resting on a modern desk, with a blurred cityscape in the background.

Founder Playbook

LetinAR raises $18.5M for AI glasses optics

A South Korean startup, LetinAR, just secured $18.

Amir Fakhoury·May 18, 2026