Looking ahead to 2026: What’s next for Startup Battlefield 200

TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200 is the flagship early-stage startup competition held at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, spotlighting the world’s most promising young companies. Each year, thousands of applicants from around the globe vie for one of 200 slots in the cohort, which provides unparalleled visibility, access to top-tier investors, and opportunities to grow.  Early-stage …

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Is It True That Ribadu’s Mother Died? Fact Emerges

I have been inundated with calls and messages from friends and associates following an inaccurate online publication claiming that my mother passed away on Monday, 19 January 2026. While I sincerely appreciate everyone who reached out to commiserate with me, it is important to set the record straight. The publication …

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Well, there goes the metaverse!

Meta’s enormous bet on virtual reality ended last week, with the company reportedly laying off roughly 1,500 employees from its Reality Labs division — about 10% of the unit’s staff — and shutting down several VR game studios, according to The Wall Street Journal. It’s a huge reversal for a …

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Judge rules on tactics used by ICE against peaceful protesters

A judge ruled Friday that federal agents are not allowed to use pepper spray against peaceful protesters or arrest them without probable cause. The Trump administration has not yet responded. Meanwhile, the Justice Department launched an investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, officials say. CBS …

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Here are the 55 US AI startups that have raised $100M or more in 2025

The AI industry entered 2025 with strong momentum.  There were 49 startups that raised funding rounds worth $100 million or more in 2024, per our count at TechCrunch; three companies raised more than one “mega-round,” and seven companies raised rounds that were $1 billion in size or larger.  The industry didn’t slow down in 2025. While less companies raised rounds …

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