August 21, 2025

Group14 lands $463M from SK, Porsche, and others to make silicon anodes for EVs: The battery materials startup raised significant Series D funding to expand its manufacturing capability. At the same time, it bought out partner SK's stake in a joint venture. Read More

Hackers who exposed North Korean government hacker explain why they did it: The two self-described hacktivists said they had access to the North Korean spy's computer for around four months before deciding what they had found should be made public. Read More

Google, sorry, but that Pixel event was a cringefest: Google's Pixel event was awkward and forced, underselling the technology it had on display. Read More

Verify users during onboarding to fight fraud, meet compliance requirements, build trust, and protect your business and customers. Persona's low-code identity verification platform adapts to risk signals in real time — increasing friction for potential fraudsters while fast-tracking good users so you can maximize conversion and minimize risk.

We want to get to know our audience even better and get your feedback on our coverage and events. Fill out this survey to give us your thoughts, and get the chance to win a prize in return.

Harvard dropouts to launch 'always on' AI smart glasses that listen and record every conversation: After developing a facial-recognition app for Meta's Ray-Ban glasses and doxing random people, two former Harvard students are now launching a startup that makes smart glasses with an always-on microphone. Read More

Report: Meta is hitting pause on AI hiring after its poaching spree: The freeze went into effect last week, and it's not clear how long it will last, The Journal's sources say. Meta is still likely working through its reorg, which split its AI unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs, into four new groups: TBD Labs, run by former Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang, and three groups focused on research, product integration, and infrastructure, respectively.  Read More

Space is open for business with Even Rogers and Max Haot at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: The next era of the space economy isn't just about rockets and satellites — it's about infrastructure, autonomy, and entirely new models for building and defending off-Earth assets. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 this October 27–29 in San Francisco's Moscone West, the Space Stage is where this shift gets real. Read More

Google launches a new Pixel Journal app: Pixel Journal is a new journaling app from Google that uses on-device AI to suggest writing prompts. Read More

Google's AI Mode expands globally, adds new agentic features: As part of the expansion, Google is bringing AI Mode to 180 new countries in English. Read More

A new era of drone flight is here. At just 249g, this 8K 360 drone lets you explore every angle of the sky with unparalleled clarity. Head-tracked FPV goggles put you inside the action, radically transforming how you see the world and tell stories. Lightweight, powerful, and unlike anything you've flown before. This is flight reimagined for life.

Nvidia is latest investor to back AV startup Nuro in $203M funding round: Nuro has attracted more investors, and capital, to push its Series E round to $203 million. Read More

Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here