Workflow
TechCrunch
icon
Search documents
Nvidia is reportedly investing up to $1 billion in Poolside
TechCrunch· 2025-10-30 21:10
Core Viewpoint - Nvidia is planning to invest between $500 million and $1 billion in AI software development platform Poolside, as part of a $2 billion funding round at a $12 billion valuation [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Details - Nvidia's potential investment in Poolside could increase to $1 billion if the company successfully completes the remaining funding round [2]. - This investment follows Nvidia's previous backing of Poolside during its $500 million Series B round in October 2024 [2]. Group 2: Nvidia's Broader Investment Strategy - Nvidia has been actively investing in various AI startups and is expanding its portfolio across different sectors [3]. - Recent investments include a $500 million exploration into U.K.-based self-driving company Wayve and a $5 billion stake in Intel for future chip collaboration [3].
Box CEO Aaron Levie on how AI is changing the enterprise SaaS landscape
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 18:45
Core Insights - The future of enterprise software is expected to be a hybrid model combining SaaS and AI agents, rather than AI agents replacing SaaS companies [1][3] - The integration of AI agents into enterprise software will necessitate a shift in business models from "per-seat" to consumption and volume-oriented use cases [5] Group 1: Business Model Changes - The traditional "per-seat" business model will become obsolete as the number of AI agents is projected to be 100 to 1,000 times greater than the number of human users [4] - Companies will need to adapt their sales strategies to accommodate the rise of AI agents, focusing on consumption-based models [5] Group 2: Opportunities for Startups - There is a significant market opportunity for startups that are designed for an agent-first approach, as they can create new processes without the burden of existing business models [5] - The current technological shift presents a unique window for new companies to emerge in the enterprise space, as the landscape is changing dramatically [6]
Microsoft Azure is down, affecting 365, Xbox, Minecraft, and others
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 18:07
Core Points - Microsoft Azure is experiencing a significant outage that began around 12 p.m. ET, with the company acknowledging the issue on its service status page [1] - The outage is suspected to be triggered by an inadvertent configuration change, with no indication from Microsoft on when services will be restored [1] - Multiple Microsoft services, including Microsoft 365, Xbox, and Minecraft, are affected, along with websites from other businesses like Costco and Starbucks [2] - This outage occurs just hours before Microsoft is set to announce its earnings results, and follows a recent outage experienced by Amazon AWS that impacted various websites and services [2]
GM cuts thousands of EV and battery factory workers
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 18:05
Group 1 - General Motors is laying off thousands of workers across multiple electric vehicle and battery plants in the U.S. [1] - Approximately 1,200 employees at the EV factory in Detroit, Michigan are being placed on "indefinite layoff" [2] - Further cuts and temporary layoffs are occurring at GM's Ultium Cells battery factories in Ohio and Tennessee, with plans to idle these factories starting January 5 and resume production in mid-2026 [2] Group 2 - The job cuts follow GM's announcement of layoffs to some of its white-collar workforce and a $1.6 billion hit as it reworks its electric vehicle plans [3] - GM has recently ended its BrightDrop commercial electric van program, indicating a shift in strategy [3] - The company, along with many rivals, is reducing its push for EVs in the U.S. due to the loss of the federal tax credit and relaxed regulatory restrictions on internal combustion vehicles [3]
Google to bring shuttered nuclear power plant back from the dead
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 17:23
Core Insights - Google is collaborating with NextEra Energy to revive the Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear power plant in Iowa, which was closed in 2020 [1][2] - The partnership aims to enhance Google's zero-carbon energy sources for its data centers, with Google agreeing to purchase a majority of the plant's power for 25 years [3][4] Company Developments - NextEra Energy has been seeking a partner for the past year to restart the Duane Arnold reactor, which was originally designed to generate 601 megawatts of electricity, with plans to add an additional 14 megawatts upon renovation [2][3] - The Duane Arnold Energy Center was shut down due to damage from a summer derecho, affecting its secondary containment system [2] Industry Trends - There is a growing trend of reviving nuclear power plants as tech companies and data center developers look for reliable energy sources amid increasing electricity demand [4] - Restarting existing reactors is viewed as a quicker alternative to building new nuclear facilities, which can take years to develop, while companies are also exploring solar and battery solutions for faster deployment [8]
It's official. Fubo is combining with Hulu Live TV
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 16:53
Core Insights - Fubo and Hulu Live TV have officially merged, creating a significant player in the streaming market with nearly 6 million subscribers, making it the sixth-largest Pay TV provider in the U.S. [1][2] - The merger has received clearance from the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, allowing the companies to proceed without regulatory hurdles [3]. - The integration of Fubo's sports offerings with Hulu's entertainment library will provide access to over 55,000 live sporting events annually, enhancing the value proposition for subscribers [4]. Company Structure and Financials - Disney will hold approximately a 70% interest in the newly combined entity, while existing Fubo shareholders will retain around 30% [6]. - The combined company will have access to a $145 million term loan from Disney, which is part of the transaction agreement [6]. Market Impact and Offerings - The merger reduces the number of independent streaming players, intensifying competition in the market, particularly against YouTube TV, which has around 10 million subscribers [2][3]. - The new entity plans to offer flexible subscription options, including smaller "skinny" bundles and more comprehensive packages, while maintaining separate access to both platforms [5].
Nvidia becomes first public company worth $5 trillion
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 15:52
Core Insights - Nvidia has become the first public company to surpass a $5 trillion market cap, driven by the ongoing AI boom and significant demand for its products [1][4] - The company's stock has increased over 50% this year, reflecting strong investor interest and optimism in AI technology [2][3] Company Developments - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced expectations of $500 billion in AI chip sales and the construction of seven new supercomputers for the U.S. [2] - Nvidia has invested $1 billion in Nokia to support the development of AI-native 5G-Advanced and 6G networks [2] - The company plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI over the coming years, aiming to deploy 10GW of Nvidia systems to power OpenAI's infrastructure [3] Market Context - The surge in Nvidia's stock is part of a broader trend where tech stocks have risen due to optimism surrounding AI technology's potential to transform industries [3] - Nvidia's market cap now exceeds the combined stock markets of all countries except the U.S., China, and Japan [4]
Etsy names former head of Depop, Kruti Patel Goyal, as its new CEO
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 15:04
Core Insights - Etsy's long-time CEO, Josh Silverman, will step down by the end of the year, with Kruti Patel Goyal, the current president and chief growth officer, set to take over as CEO [1] - Goyal has over 10 years of experience at Etsy and previously led Depop, which Etsy acquired four years ago [2] Business Performance - Etsy has faced challenges in growth, with active buyers declining by 5% to 86.6 million year-over-year as of Q3 [3] - The number of sellers on Etsy decreased by 10.9% to 5.5 million compared to the previous year, and gross merchandise sales (GMS) fell by 2.4% to $2.4 billion in Q3 [4] - In contrast, Depop showed strong performance, with active sellers increasing by 40% to 3 million and active buyers rising by 38% to 6.6 million, while Depop's GMS surged by 39.4% to $292.1 million [4] Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the CEO transition, Etsy's shares dropped nearly 9% [4]
Uber to launch a premium robotaxi service in Waymo's turf of San Francisco
TechCrunch· 2025-10-29 12:00
Core Insights - Uber is set to launch a premium robotaxi service in San Francisco in 2026, utilizing Lucid Motors' all-electric Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro's self-driving technology, positioning itself against Waymo [1][2] - The Bay Area is chosen for this initiative due to its history of transformative technology, with Uber aiming to create safe and scalable autonomous rides [2] - Uber has committed to investing $300 million in Lucid and plans to purchase at least 20,000 Gravity SUVs over the next six years for this service [2] Company Relationships - The launch in San Francisco may heighten competition with Waymo, which already operates commercial robotaxi services in the Bay Area and other cities [3][4] - Uber and Waymo had a contentious history but have since collaborated on robotaxi services in Austin and Atlanta earlier this year [3] Development and Testing - Uber, Nuro, and Lucid are currently developing a test fleet of approximately 100 vehicles, with Nuro integrating its self-driving system for testing and validation [5] - Testing will occur on public roads, as well as through simulation and closed courses [8] Partnerships and Collaborations - Over the past two years, Uber has formed numerous partnerships with autonomous vehicle technology companies, with significant deals involving Waymo, Nuro, and Lucid [9] - In 2023, Uber announced additional partnerships with May Mobility, Volkswagen, and several Chinese self-driving firms [10]
Waabi unveils autonomous truck made in partnership with Volvo
TechCrunch· 2025-10-28 22:17
Core Insights - Waabi has launched a new autonomous truck, the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck, in partnership with Volvo, marking a significant step in the commercialization of self-driving technology [1][4] - The company aims to be the first to commercialize self-driving trucks without a human safety driver, positioning itself against competitors like Aurora [2] - Waabi's self-driving system, the Waabi Driver, is designed to operate across various geographies, enhancing scalability and integration within existing logistics operations [5] Company Developments - Waabi's CEO, Raquel Urtasun, highlighted the company's capability to operate in generalized surface streets in Texas, with plans for nationwide expansion in the coming years [3] - The Volvo VNL truck has been engineered for safety and redundancy, allowing for the removal of a human driver [6] - Waabi's partnership with Volvo includes Volvo's investment in the startup, participating in Waabi's $200 million Series B funding round in 2024 [9] Competitive Landscape - Waabi's competitor, Aurora, has a similar partnership with Volvo and has already launched a commercial service with a human observer on board [4] - Aurora's service operates on a route between Dallas and Houston and is expanding to El Paso, showcasing the competitive dynamics in the autonomous trucking sector [4]