Category: Success Stories

Our global search continues, and today, we are calling on early-stage startups across Africa to apply for the Startup Battlefield 200 by Disruption 2023. The application window closes on May 15 at 11:59 PDT. Africa: The Startup Battlefield is looking for 200 of your startups The SB 200 is the premier competition of the startup world, and has a global reach. In the year The inaugural team, which debuted last year at Riot 2022, includes three impressive debuts from two African countries. Apply to the Startup Battlefield 200 at TC…

To get TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3pm PDT; Register here. May the second be with you – to be honest, we never understood that joke. Maybe one of you can enlighten us. There’s still some time left if you want to get your applications in for the Startup Battlefield 200. Come to TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, and sit in front of a room full of fellow startups and—certainly more important—investors. And don’t forget to vote for the specific sessions you like! –…

Terrible news for anyone who doesn’t have the time or budget to go whole-hog at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 in San Francisco, September 19-21. We’ve released new Expo+ passes into the wild, so to speak. It’s a great option for next-generation startups showcasing their technology and anyone looking to network for any opportunity — like a new gig, co-founder, or skilled engineer. You can find a potential investment, customer or service provider. Or you can work your own magic and get a completely different opportunity. Pro Savers tip: Prices will increase…

There is Atlanta, Georgia. It has emerged as one of the busiest innovation hubs in the country, with a number of investors backing the enterprise, cyber security and SaaS sectors, as well as the hot new startups coming out of the city. Some notable companies from Atlanta include Calendly, Kabbage, One Trust, and FullStory—all unicorns, by the way. Many, like Calendley, have passed through the Atlanta Tech Village since it was founded by David Cummings in 2012, serving as an incubator for the city’s talent ecosystem. Register for this free…

First Republic Banks was on the cusp, Silicon Valley didn’t panic or throw itself into a social media frenzy. Instead of panic in the startup community when a Silicon Valley bank declared trouble in March, there was widespread malaise. Part of the reason for that may be that we’ve been here before, and part of the reason may be that the FRB had a quicker resolution than the SVB: earlier this week, the FRB was under FDIC receivership and its assets were put up for sale. Tender. As startups weary…

Several years ago, entrepreneur Dheeraj Sharma’s first company, a software consultancy, was hired by an HR tech firm to develop an app to improve the employee onboarding experience. Instead of creating a one-time, ad hoc solution, Sharma led a platform called Simpler, which he later spun off into his own company. Today, Simpler primarily sells an internal social network to companies—one that allows employees to create profiles, share content, follow users, and participate in polls or surveys via a customized Internet interface. Administrators can create an employee directory, as well…

On AnnBullpen Capital’s general partner has been fired from the firm, she says. The investor described the termination experience as “discriminatory and counterproductive” in a LinkedIn post published Monday. La was named an equal partner in Bullpen Capital’s latest fund, a $145 million investment vehicle. Prior to joining Bullpen Capital in September 2020, Lai was a principal at Binary Capital, co-founded by investor Justin Caldbeck. When she resigned from that company, she said it was related to alleged sexual behavior she witnessed while there. Caldbeck, who has previously been accused…