Welcome to Startups Weekly, a nuanced tackle this week’s startup information and traits by Senior reporter Natasha Mascarenhas.
Startups Weekly readers know I really like a pivot story, and now I’ve considered one of my very own: I’m leaving TechCrunch! That is my final Startups Weekly subject, a publication that I’ve written each week for over two years. I’ll be shifting on to a brand new publication, persevering with to report on enterprise capital and startups.
It’s a bittersweet transfer. I’ve spent most of my post-graduation profession at TechCrunch. The publication helped me land {many professional} firsts: my first scoop, my first long-form characteristic story, my first valuation-run bull cycle and my first layoffs-ridden bear cycle. I additionally launched a complete new present for Fairness, TC’s flagship podcast, interviewing visitors about their hottest takes and profession paths. Plus, I interviewed Kevin Hart on the Disrupt stage. Grateful is an understatement.
Whereas this will likely be my final Startups Weekly, it’s not the tip of this article. I’m thrilled to share that Haje Jan Kamps, a longtime reporter and the creator of our wonderful Pitch Deck Teardown collection, will likely be taking up Startups Weekly. Haje is likely one of the reporters I quote most on this publication as a result of all of his work matches the “startup should learn” class — and his witty headlines don’t harm, both.
As for who will likely be masking my beat, TC already has an incredible enterprise desk, together with however not restricted to Connie Loizos, Mary Ann Azevedo, Christine Corridor, Dominic-Madori Davis and Rebecca Szkutak. Massive shout out to Kyle Wiggers, as properly, who’s fearlessly, and thoughtfully, masking synthetic intelligence alongside Devin Coldewey.
In my subsequent position, I’ll be masking the identical beat and the identical metropolis, specializing in deeply researched characteristic items and scoops. To study extra about the place I’m going subsequent, and to comply with my work, take a look at my (free!!!) Substack and keep in contact on Twitter. I’m excited for the brand new problem. Tech has by no means been extra newsworthy. Sources, I nonetheless would love your ideas: My Sign: is 1 925 271 0912.
Now let’s get right into a publication!
The AI debate
On TC+, I wrote a narrative concerning the debate occurring inside each enterprise agency proper now: What’s one of the best ways to seize the bogus intelligence zeitgeist?
Right here’s an excerpt:
Precursor’s Charles Hudson needs to be cautious however not too cautious. The enterprise capitalist was considered one of many at an AI confab final month, however he — and plenty of others — has not but made a brand new AI funding in the course of the present hype cycle.
Additionally like many traders, he’s seen an inflection level take over a sector earlier than, bringing in boatloads of capital, new founders and, at occasions, speedy and FOMO-driven offers. Traditionally, Hudson hasn’t minded sitting out. “With crypto, for instance, I used to be OK being at nearly zero,” he mentioned. “I don’t suppose I’m OK with zero as the reply for AI. The query is the place and the way.”
OpenAI’s new instrument makes an attempt to clarify language fashions’ behaviors
Mayfield raised simply shy of $1B to keep away from unicorn hype
Anthropic thinks ‘constitutional AI’ is one of the best ways to coach fashions
Picture Credit: Daniel Grizelj (opens in a brand new window) / Getty Pictures
Minting new accelerators
The group behind Higher Tomorrow Ventures noticed a few of its greatest wins earlier than the agency even existed — again when the founding duo was backing pre-seed corporations at 500. Now, founding companions Sheel Mohnot and Jake Gibson are launching an accelerator of their very own.
Right here’s what to know: The Mint will likely be a three-month accelerator, based mostly out of San Francisco, that cuts $500,000 checks in trade for 10% fairness in between six to 10 startups. The preliminary cohort, which begins this upcoming August, already accepted one firm, and despatched a second acceptance letter out in the present day.
Higher Tomorrow appears to be stepping in the place it believes Y Combinator is missing. “YC is constructed for scale. The recommendation is so much like one-size-fits-all,” Mohnot mentioned. “We felt like with fintech, there are such a lot of issues which are distinctive about constructing that it is smart to have one thing distinct.”
AI2 Incubator’s new $30M fund triples down on early stage AI startups
Increased rates of interest are fostering a fintech comeback story
We’re near peak pessimism round fintech
Picture Credit: Syaheir Azizan (opens in a brand new window) / Shutterstock (opens in a brand new window)
Enterprise-backed all the things for real-world issues, please
On Fairness this week, the trio chatted by some offers of the week and themes — however the vibrant spot of the present was most actually Mary Ann’s protection of Wellthy. The startup lately raised $25 million to assist caregivers really feel much less overwhelmed by a product it describes as “tech-enabled care concierge.”
Right here’s what to know: Whereas the enterprise ecosystem has actually rushed to again digital well being startups, and psychological wellness is rising as a dialog, there may be by no means sufficient on caretaking particularly.
Contained in the story of 1 founder’s option to shut her startup down, and recommendation for others going ahead
Yeah, tech progress is slowing down
Regardless of a rocky begin, local weather tech is in a superb place to deal with the remainder of 2023
And that’s a wrap on my final Fairness episode! To Fairness listeners, thanks for coming alongside my whole journey on the present, from leaping on Fairness Friday’s to internet hosting and main the creation of our Fairness Wednesday episodes. I’m so happy with my previous three years on the present and may’t wait to now be an avid listener from afar. A lot like to all of you, and I hope to win you again at any time when I launch a brand new podcast!
Picture Credit: Getty Pictures
And so forth., and so forth.
Programming observe: In case you’re studying this on a browser, get this in your inbox too! Subscribe right here and share it with your folks.
After all: It’s already Disrupt season. Reminder that there’s a ticket for each funds and position.
And at last, I’ve a shameless plug: Scoops make me! In case you hear a few enterprise agency or startup profitable, elevating, flailing, or, oh I don’t know, booting an govt due to inside happenings, inform me. I really like seeing early pitch decks and time period sheets too. Joyful to speak about anonymity and clarify extra of my course of and what I’m on the lookout for. You’ll be able to inform me stuff on Sign at +1 925 271 0912. No pitches, please.
Seen on TechCrunch
All Elevate’s interim CEO is now full-time
Elon Musk says he has discovered a brand new CEO for Twitter
Boxed wine may be bougie with Allison Luvera and Lauren De Niro Pipher from Juliet
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried seeks to dismiss most US costs in opposition to him
Twitter launches encrypted DMs for verified customers with safety drawbacks
Seen on TechCrunch+
Pitch Deck Teardown: Fibery’s $5.2M Collection A deck
Hidden in plain sight: 5 crimson flags for traders
Tech employees may take labor classes from Hollywood’s writers
Ask Sophie: Can I apply for an EB-1A with out first getting an O-1A?
It’s been enjoyable. See you on the opposite facet – and hope you keep studying alongside,
N
A pivot, on this market‽ by Natasha Mascarenhas initially revealed on TechCrunch