Known uses voice AI to help you go on more in-person dates
In its test phase in San Francisco, Known said it observed 80% of its introductions led to physical dates, which is much higher than swipe-based dating apps.
Netflix acquires gaming avatar maker Ready Player Me
The gaming startup will allow Netflix subscribers to create avatars that can extend across gaming titles.
Meta is developing a new image and video model for a 2026 release, report says
The company is working on an image and video model and new text-based model, which aids with coding.
Krafton hikes India bet with new $670M fund
Called the Unicorn Growth Fund, the investment vehicle is a collaboration between Krafton and South Korean internet conglomerate Naver, and investor Mirae Asset. It aims to deploy around $669.3 million over four years.
Hacks, thefts and disruption: The worst data breaches of 2025
TechCrunch looks back at the biggest data breaches, disruptive cyberattacks, and damaging hacks of 2025, from the raiding of U.S. government databases to a hack every month in South Korea.
OpenAI is reportedly trying to raise $100B at an $830B valuation
The ChatGPT maker is aiming to raise the funding by the end of the first quarter in 2026, and the company may ask sovereign wealth funds to invest in the round.
TikTok agrees to deal to cede control of U.S. business to American investor group
The deal closes a long-running drama in which U.S. authorities have sought to compel ByteDance to divest.
Apple becomes a debt collector with its new developer agreement
Apple says it can now collect any money a developer owes the tech giant at any time.
Instacart to pay $60M to settle FTC claims it deceived consumers
The federal agency alleged Instacart misled consumers with unlawful tactics, causing them to pay higher fees while also denying refunds.
These startups are building innovations that make life (and death) better
Founders Gabriel Sanchez (Enspectra Health) and Tom Harries (Earth Funeral) share what it takes to build in heavily regulated industries where “move fast and break things” simply won’t work. In this episode of Build