China’s brain-computer interface industry is racing ahead

China’s brain-computer interface industry is racing ahead

While Elon Musk’s Neuralink likes to say it’s “pioneering” brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), China’s BCI industry is already quietly moving from research to scale. A new wave of startups is racing to commercialize both implantable and noninvasive BCIs, backed by stronger policy support, expanding clinical trials, and growing investor interest. So says Phoenix Peng, who has…

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7 days until ticket prices rise for Disrupt 2026

7 days until ticket prices rise for Disrupt 2026

Super Early Bird pricing for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ends February 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. That gives you one week to secure the biggest savings of the year — up to $680 off individual passes and up to 30% off community passes. Register now to lock in at the lowest rate. From October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco,…

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InScope nabs .5M to solve the pain of financial reporting

InScope nabs $14.5M to solve the pain of financial reporting

Even without a background in accounting, anyone who has ever glanced at a 10-K or 10-Q can tell that preparing financial statements is a complex, tedious process. While legacy platforms like Workiva and Donnelley Financial Solutions aim to streamline financial reporting, longtime accountants Mary Antony (pictured right) and Kelsey Gootnick (pictured center) found themselves exhausted…

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The creator economy’s ad revenue problem and India’s AI ambitions

The creator economy’s ad revenue problem and India’s AI ambitions

The creator economy is evolving fast, and ad revenue alone isn’t cutting it anymore. YouTubers are launching product lines, acquiring startups, and building actual business empires. In fact, MrBeast’s company bought fintech startup Step, and his chocolate business is outearning his media arm. This isn’t just one creator’s strategy. For many, it’s the new playbook.  On this episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Rebecca Bellan unpack how creators are diversifying beyond ads,…

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The OpenAI mafia: 18 startups founded by alumni

The OpenAI mafia: 18 startups founded by alumni

Move over, PayPal mafia: There’s a new tech mafia in Silicon Valley. As the startup behind ChatGPT, OpenAI is arguably the biggest AI player in town. The company is reportedly now in talks to finalize a $100 billion deal, valuing the company at more than $850 billion.   Many employees have come and gone since the company first launched a decade ago, and some have launched startups of their own. Among these,…

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