Browsing Category: Startups

  • Local services marketplace Thumbtack lays off 250 employees

    Thumbtack CEO Marco Zappacosta announced in a blog post today that the company has laid off 250 employees. Much has been written about the impact that COVID-19 and the resulting social distancing/shelter in place measures are having on small businesses (and the steps that internet platforms like Facebook and Yelp — which, after all, make …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Rebecca Minkoff has some advice for e-commerce companies right now

    When Rebecca Minkoff first moved to New York City, the then-18-year-old was making $4.75 an hour. “I just kept working for this designer and someone was telling me what to do every day. I just didn’t like that. And I thought if I’m going to work as hard, it’s going to be for myself and …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Amid concerns that startups could be left out of COVID-19 bailout, investors step up lobbying

    The massive bailout package that the U.S. government passed last week to stave off an economic collapse from measures put in place to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic is giving out billions to American small businesses. But startups that received venture capital money could be left out. So the nation’s investment organizations and lobbying …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Experience Disrupt SF online with the Disrupt Digital Pro Pass

    Earlier this month we announced the launch of the Disrupt Digital Pass for TechCrunch’s flagship Disrupt SF event (September 14-16) as a way to help ensure that, no matter what, TechCrunch fans everywhere would be able to enjoy the big interviews at the show. We also hinted that we were working on a Pro edition …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Compete in Startup Battlefield and Launch at Disrupt SF 2020

    Early-stage founders: Don’t miss your chance to follow in the footsteps of tech giants. We know COVID-19 has created challenges for startup founders, but fear not. Disrupt SF is still proceeding as scheduled, with a Disrupt Digital Pass Virtual option. Launch your startup in the world’s most famous pitch competition, Startup Battlefield. The smackdown goes …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Anorak’s Greg Castle on early-stage investing during a crisis

    As the venture landscape adjusts to the COVID-19 pandemic and seismic shifts in public markets, early-stage VCs are reassessing which bets they’re making, along with questions they’re asking of founders who are exploring bleeding-edge technology. Anorak’s Greg Castle Anorak Ventures is a small seed-investment firm that bets on emerging tech like AR/VR, machine learning and …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Turbo Systems hires former Looker CMO Jen Grant as CEO

    Turbo Systems, a three-year old, no-code mobile app startup, announced today it has brought on industry veteran Jen Grant to be CEO. Grant, who was previously vice president of marketing at Box and chief marketing officer at Elastic and Looker, brings more than 15 years of tech company experience to the young startup. She says …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Equity Monday: Three funding rounds and a downturn

    Good morning friends, and welcome back to TechCrunch’s Equity Monday, a short-form audio hit to kickstart your week. If you missed Friday’s main episode, it was a fun one so take the time if you have the minutes; we’re settling into a new hosting lineup that is shaping up to be our best ever, so we’re …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • Cell and gene therapy startup ElevateBio raises $170M

    While economic conditions and the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic may not make for the best atmosphere for raising funding, some companies are still announcing round closures with significant money committed. Cambridge-based ElevateBio, for instance, revealed a $170 million Series B funding on Monday, with participation from new investors The Invus Group, Surveyor Capital, EDBI, and …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel
  • One.com acquires Hostnet as hosting providers continue consolidation in Europe

    The coronavirus pandemic has all but halted a lot of business activity, but today comes news of a deal that underscores how M&A is still happening in some sectors despite (not because of) everything else going on. One.com — the big hosting provider in Europe with around 1.5 million customers, itself acquired just over a …

    March 30, 2020 | by Raheel