Marissa Mayer’s new startup Dazzle raises $8M led by Forerunner’s Kirsten Green

Mayer launched Dazzle after shuttering her photo and contact management startup Sunshine. Green’s investment suggests Dazzle is poised for the coming wave of new AI-infused consumer businesses.

The tooth fairy just got reimagined for the tech-savvy generation

Move over, Santa. Now there’s another magical character for kids to track: the Tooth Fairy. After making a personalized Tooth Fairy video for his nephew, Oliver Finel noticed a gap. While there are plenty of Santa trackers, nothing similar existed for …

A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs

A complete list of all the known layoffs in tech, from Big Tech to startups, broken down by month throughout 2025.

As EU waters down 2035 EV goals, electric startups express concern

The future may be electric, but that future is being postponed. The European Commission, citing the need for flexibility, has softened its ambitious plan to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Instead of requiring 100% of new cars to be zero-emis…

OpenAI allows users to directly adjust ChatGPT’s enthusiasm level

ChatGPT users can now tweak the chatbot’s warmth, enthusiasm, and emoji use.

Building venture-backable companies in heavily regulated spaces

This week on Build Mode, Startup Battlefield editor Isabelle Johannessen spoke to two founders who are working to make progress in industries ripe for disruption, despite the regulatory headaches that might have deterred many other people.

Where are investors placing their bets next year? AI, AI, AI.

Investors at TechCrunch Disrupt explained their focus on artificial intelligence and offered advice to founders on how to stand out in a crowded AI field.

Cursor continues acquisition spree with Graphite deal

Graphite is an AI code review assistant that was last valued at $290 million.

Yann LeCun confirms his new ‘world model’ startup, reportedly seeks $5B+ valuation

Renowned AI scientist Yann LeCun confirmed on Thursday the worst-kept secret in the tech world: that he had indeed launched a new startup. Although he did say he will not be running the new company as its CEO.

Netflix acquires gaming avatar maker Ready Player Me

The gaming startup will allow Netflix subscribers to create avatars that can extend across gaming titles.