Startups
The latest news, profiles, and insights on emerging startups and innovative companies disrupting industries.
Iranian hackers breach Los Angeles transit system
Hackers stole at least 700 gigabytes of emails, backups, and other files from the Los Angeles transit authority, with the intrusion detected around March 16, 2026, according to i24NEWS .
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass prices increase begins
For TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the 'Founder Pass' has jumped from $1,295 to $1,895—a staggering 46.
eSports startup raises $20M with AI pitch trick
Lucra Sports, an eSports startup, recently secured a $20 million Series B funding round.
AI agents trigger untracked chaos engineering failures
Last week, a major financial institution suffered a 4-hour outage.
Elon Musk's xAI Uses Natural Gas as Stopgap, Not a Full Shift
Elon Musk's xAI is powering its data centers with dozens of unregulated natural gas turbines.
Ferrari uses IBM AI to enhance F1 fan experience
Since partnering with IBM, Ferrari's fan app has driven a 62% surge in engagement over race weekends, according to TechCrunch .
Google AI Overview no longer shows 'disregard' definition
When searching Google for the word 'disregard' in 2026, the AI Overview responds with "Understood.
Spotify lets premium users create AI song covers and remixes
Premium Spotify users can now create AI-generated covers and remixes of songs, marking the platform's first direct entry into user-facing music creation tools.
Spotify announces ticket reservation for top fans
Live Nation's CEO Michael Rapino confirmed that tech giants like Spotify, Apple, and Amazon have actively approached them to secure inventory for super-premium fan tiers.
Spotify AI Creates Personalized Podcasts From User Ideas
Premium Spotify users in the US, Sweden, and Ireland can now ask a chatbot questions about a podcast episode, receiving instant clarification or recommendations, according to Engadget .
Spotify's AI Suite Faces Google NotebookLM in New Comparison
Spotify users can now convert their personal notes and documents into synthesized conversational podcasts, marking a significant leap in personalized audio content creation.
YouTube Tests AI Conversational Search with Gemini
YouTube now lets Premium users ask complex questions to find videos and enables generative AI edits on other creators' Shorts.
South Korea Expands Open Innovation Support for Startups
CHA Biotech plans to allocate 10,000 square meters within its CGB facility to the K-Bio-CIC Open Innovation Center, with full-scale operations expected to begin in the second half of 2026, according t
Musk's OpenAI Trust Lawsuit: Jury Deliberation
Elon Musk is demanding a staggering $150 billion from OpenAI, claiming its co-founders 'stole a charity' and cheated him out of a fortune.
LetinAR secures $18.5M for its AI glasses optics technology
AI glasses shipments are projected to surge by 300% to 8.
Ministry of SMEs and Startups funds strategic innovation
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will inject 15.
Omantel Launches AI Centre of Excellence Startup Program
Omantel has activated an AI Centre of Excellence and signed collaboration agreements with five Omani startups.
Infineon Opens 2026 Humanoid Robotics Startup Challenge Applications
Infineon Technologies, a global semiconductor powerhouse, has opened applications for its 2026 Startup Challenge, exclusively targeting emerging companies developing solutions for humanoid robotics, a
L'Oréal Opens 2026 Beauty Tech Program Applications
Startups from 35 global markets can now apply for L'Oréal's 2026 Big Bang beauty tech program.
SK Innovation backs AI ventures for energy and social issues
SK Innovation, a major energy conglomerate, has launched a program to support social ventures, explicitly seeking AI-based energy solutions in 2026.
Samsung India launches 2026 startup innovation grant program
Samsung's R&D units in India are offering deep-tech startups up to $50,000 in grant funding for mobile innovation, notably without taking a single percentage of equity.
IIT Madras files 431 patents, fueling startup growth in FY26
In the 2025-26 financial year, IIT Madras filed 431 patents and incubated 112 startups.
King Charles Discusses Startup Challenges With Tech CEOs
King Charles recently convened CEOs from tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Nvidia to discuss specific challenges faced by early-stage startups in the UK.
Cognizant Builds AI Network to Boost Enterprise Integration
Cognizant, a global IT services giant, has partnered with OpenAI to embed its AI coding assistant, Codex, into client projects.
India shapes AI innovation and growth strategy
India has earmarked ₹10,300 crore (approx.
UAE Tops Global Entrepreneurship Rankings
More than one in five adults in the UAE are engaged in starting new businesses.
South Korea Designates Initial Startup Cities
Despite Seoul-based companies winning 27 awards at CES 2026, including 3 Best of Innovation Awards, the South Korean government is now betting on regional cities.
EU Draft Merger Rules Could Shield Startup Innovation Benefits
The European Union is drafting new merger rules that could allow startups to claim special 'innovation benefits' in M&A deals.
Forbes America's Best Startup Employers criteria explained
A startup's 'best employer' status, according to Forbes, hinges 50% on employee satisfaction.
UNICEF Ghana welcomes 20 startups to its 2026 Start-up Lab cohort
Each of the 20 social impact startups joining UNICEF Ghana 's 2026 Start-up Lab cohort will receive an equity-free prototype grant of GHS 65,000.