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Fintech Ramp's valuation hits $16 billion in deal led by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund

Ramp, which offers a financial operations platforms to corporate clients, has raised its valuation to $16 billion in a new fundraising led by long-time investor Founders Fund, Peter Thiel's venture firm. The $200 million round is the fifth that Founders' has led for Ramp and raised its valuation by $3 billion. It last raised money at a $13 billion valuation in March. Founded in 2019, Ramp offers services that cover corporate cards, procurement, bookkeeping, travel booking, and vendor managemen

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Intel to lay off up to 20% of Intel Foundry workers

In Brief Intel will begin a new round of layoffs next month. The semiconductor giant plans to lay off 15% to 20% of workers in its Intel Foundry division starting in July, according to an internal memo originally reported on by The Oregonian. Intel Foundry designs, manufactures, and packages semiconductors for external clients. It’s unclear how many workers this will directly impact. Intel’s total workforce was 108,900 people as of December 2024, according to the company’s annual regulatory f

Elon Musk’s xAI is reportedly seeking a $4.3B equity raise

In Brief Elon Musk’s startup xAI is trying to raise a $4.3 billion equity investment, according to a report from Bloomberg. This equity funding would be in addition to the $5 billion that Musk is allegedly trying to raise in debt funding for the combined entity of X and xAI. The company appears to be raising money again after landing a $6 billion cash infusion in December, because it has already spent much of its money. xAI makes Grok, the AI chatbot that’s embedded inside the social network

Fleet lands $27M Series B to expand open device management with cloud and self-hosting flexibility

Device management vendor Fleet has raised $27 million in Series B funding to accelerate development of its open device management platform. The round was led by Ten Eleven Ventures and brings Fleet’s total funding to $52.3 million. The company reports 6x revenue growth over the past two years and plans to use the funding to expand adoption across enterprises looking for flexible deployment options. Some of my favorite gear eufyCam 2C Upgrade your home security with wireless cameras that include

Hacker steals 1 million Cock.li user records in webmail data breach

Email hosting provider Cock.li has confirmed it suffered a data breach after threat actors exploited flaws in its now-retired Roundcube webmail platform to steal over a million user records. The incident exposed all users who had logged in to the mail service since 2016, estimated at 1,023,800 people, along with contact entries for an additional 93,000 users. Cock.li is a Germany-based free email hosting provider with a privacy-focused ethos and lax moderation policies, run by a single operato

Spotify's Daniel Ek leads $694 million investment in defense startup Helsing

Helsing uses AI to analyze large amounts of sensor and weapons system data from the battlefield. European defense technology startup Helsing on Tuesday said that it's raised 600 million euros ($693.6 million) in a bumper new round of funding. The investment was led by Prima Materia, the venture capital firm founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and by Shakil Khan, an early investor in the popular music streaming app. Ek is also chairman of Helsing. Existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners, A

Sequoia-backed Crosby launches a new kind of AI-powered law firm

The tech industry talks a lot about how AI is going to transform work. Legal startup Crosby, which just came out of stealth with a $5.8 million seed round led by Sequoia, is perhaps the most extreme example of what’s coming that we’ve seen to date. Crosby isn’t just making AI software for lawyers – although it is doing that. Crosby is an actual law firm using AI to provide legal services at a speed never before possible. Rather than selling tech to lawyers, Crosby has hired lawyers who use its

Prominent global VC Endeavor Catalyst is raising $300M, sources say

Endeavor Catalyst, the co-investment fund affiliated with global entrepreneurial network Endeavor Global, is raising a new $300 million fund, its fifth and largest fund yet, as it looks to deepen its bet on high-growth startups across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, TechCrunch has learned. The new fund, according to sources, is still in early fundraising stages. It’s previous fund was its $292 million Fund IV closed in 2022. The firm has already begun early conversat

Finally, a soundbar that completes my home TV setup and is well worth the price

ZDNET's key takeaways The Platin Monaco 5.2.1 speaker system is available on Amazon for $1,000. With a simple setup and well-defined sound, the Monaco is ideal for entertainment streaming and small spaces. The Monaco's subwoofer lacks power, and the system requires a phone app as the remote. $999 at Amazon Last year, the JBL Bar 1000 set a high standard for soundbars. Since then, nothing has come close to the rich, multi-dimensional sound produced by that system, and I cannot imagine any soun

Microsoft Accidentally Replaces Windows 11 Startup Sound With Vista Chime

Microsoft has temporarily transported users back to 2007 this week when the company mistakenly swapped Windows 11's familiar startup chime with the iconic Windows Vista boot sound. The mix-up appeared in a recent Windows 11 Insider Preview build in the Dev Channel. Users who rebooted their systems noticed that instead of the modern Windows 11 tone, they were greeted by Vista's distinct (and now nostalgic) startup sound. Microsoft has since acknowledged the issue, calling it an unintentional ch

I'm taking my favorite portable vinyl player on all my summer trips, and it's $25 off at Amazon

ZDNET's key takeaways The Audio-Technica Sound Burger retails for $199 and comes in yellow, black, or white. The Sound Burger has unparalleled portability, a long battery life, and provides a novel listening experience. It doesn't have a counterweight, and also doesn't have an auto-return feature. $174.95 at Amazon The Audio-Technica Sound Burger is $25 off on Amazon, making it cost $175. Note: This discount only applies to the black color. Technology is all about embracing the now. So, even

Microsoft Accidentally Replaces Windows 11 Startup Sound with Vista Chime

Microsoft briefly transported users back to 2007 this week when the company mistakenly swapped Windows 11's familiar startup chime with the iconic Windows Vista boot sound. The mix-up appeared in a recent Windows 11 Insider Preview build in the Dev Channel. Users who rebooted their systems noticed that instead of the modern Windows 11 tone, they were greeted by Vista's distinct (and now nostalgic) startup sound. Microsoft has since acknowledged the issue, calling it an unintentional change and

Obsidian Entertainment has big ambitions for Grounded 2's small world

Obsidian Entertainment has been an incredibly versatile game developer over the years, even venturing outside its RPG comfort zone with the original Grounded. As a survival adventure game where you're shrunken down and explore the hidden, vast world of a backyard, it became a well-loved hit, and it evolved even further throughout its early access period. But now, the developers have big plans for Grounded 2, which has new features and a larger scope that was too big for the original to contain.

These sleep earbuds have not one but three secret weapons to help you get more rest

Soundcore / ZDNET Soundcore's newest sleep earbuds come with features that could get you to sleep faster. The mobile accessories brand announced today its third-generation sleep earbuds, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, that at long last come with active noise cancellation. Smart ANC and AI binaural beats The new Sleep A30 minimizes up to 30 decibels of noise with its Smart ANC technology. Its case also features adaptive snore-masking technology, which detects snoring and generates noise-mask

Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbar is just for audiophiles, and it's on sale

Allison Murray/ZDNET You can buy the Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbar for $300 ($100 off) on Amazon. ZDNET's key takeaways The Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbar retails for $400. This soundbar comes with plenty of customizable EQ options to fully optimize your sound for whatever you're listening to. It's large in size, and the setup can be a little complicated. Good sound is easily detectable -- you know it when you hear it. While the Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbarproduces dynamic sound, it lacks th

5 easy ways to instantly improve your soundbar's audio (without spending a dime)

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Soundbars are gaining in popularity because of their sleek design and ability to provide an ample boost in audio quality compared to built-in TV speakers. Even with their plug-and-play nature, you can make a few modifications to help unleash the best possible sound quality. Also: Your car's USB port is more useful than you think. 5 features you're missing out on Whether you're new to soundbar setups or a self-proclaimed audiophile, familiarizing yourself with some key settings

Microsoft accidentally swapped Windows 11’s startup sound with Vista’s

is a senior editor and author of Notepad , who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. If you’ve been having flashbacks to 2007 while using your PC over the past few days, you’re not alone. Microsoft has mistakenly replaced Windows 11’s boot sound — in test versions of the OS — with the startup chime from Windows Vista. Windows testers started noticing the issue shortly after Microsoft released its latest Dev Channel build of Windows 11 on Friday afternoon. The

Studio555 raises $4.6M to build playable app for interior design

Studio555 announced today that it has raised €4 million, or about $4.6 million in a seed funding round. It plans to put this funding towards creating a playable app, a game-like experience focused on interior design. HOF Capital and Failup Ventures led the round, with participation from the likes of Timo Soininen, co-founder of Small Giant Games; Mikko Kodisoja, co-founder of Supercell; and Riccardo Zacconi, co-founder of King. Studio555’s founders include entrepreneur Joel Roos, now the CEO, C

Anker’s Soundcore Sleep earbuds finally feature active noise canceling

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid. Anker has announced a new version of its wireless sleep buds that could be even more effective at delivering a peaceful slumber by blocking out disturbing noises using active noise cancellation. Previous versions of the Soundcore Sleep earbuds blocked external sounds passively using just a snug fit inside the ear, but the new Sleep A30 finally ad

Bioprospectors mine microbial genomes for antibiotic gold

In brief The discovery of penicillin nearly 100 years ago started a gold rush to find new antimicrobials. Scientists mined microscopic bacteria and fungi for compounds that could help fight off infection. But over time the rate of antimicrobial discoveries slowed to a crawl. Now, modern-day bioprospectors are using genomics, synthetic biology, and AI to dig deeper than they ever have before. A new golden age of antibiotics may be upon us, say some on the hunt, though getting a drug candidate int

At last, wireless earbuds that sound great, feel comfortable, and won't break the bank

ZDNET's key takeaways The Baseus MC1 earbuds are availble now on Amazon for $69 Although the sound of the MC1 earbuds won't blow you away, the comfort and ease of control make up for it You really need to use the Baseus app to get the most out of these earbuds. $69.99 at Amazon The Baseus Bowie MC1 earbuds are now on sale at Amazon for $49, down 29% from the usual price of $69. I've been wooed to the dark side of clip-on earbuds. I resisted the urge for a long time, but eventually could figh

Sony’s Waterproof Speaker Is Nearly Free before Prime Day, Perfect Chance to Prep for Summer Travel

Whether you’re heading out on a weekend hike, setting up camp by the lake, or just need a reliable speaker to bring tunes to your backyard, having a compact yet capable Bluetooth speaker on hand can really elevate the moment. But with so many options out there, finding something that’s both affordable and actually sounds good is easier said than done. You can get the Sony SRS-XB100 wireless Bluetooth portable speaker for just $38 at Amazon right now, down from its usual price of $60. That’s $22

The investor experience at TechCrunch All Stage: One floor, infinite deal flow

TechCrunch All Stage isn’t a waiting room for warm intros — it’s a floor full of founders, ideas, and breakout potential. For VCs, it’s a rare chance to skip the filters and meet the future of tech in one place, on one day, with no layers between you and the next standout story. Whether you’re deploying early-stage capital, leading a Series B, or mentoring emerging fund managers, TechCrunch All Stage offers you more than access — it offers acceleration. And you can get both July 15 at Boston’s

Caltrain official lived in secret apartment built illegally inside train station

Joseph Navarro’s apartment was a typical Bay Area bachelor pad: on the small side, somewhat lacking in homey touches or creature comforts. But the location was hard to beat: stashed away inside the Burlingame Caltrain station. Images released Thursday by the San Mateo County district attorney’s office show the interior of the secret dwelling that Navarro, a former Caltrain deputy director, built illegally using public funds. Navarro lived in the snug chambers for years, but he will now reside

Rice University students design high-tech vest to help blind dogs navigate

What just happened? A playful Houston dog named Kunde inspired a group of Rice University engineering students to tackle a challenge faced by countless pets: how to help blind dogs explore their world without fear or frustration. Their answer is a high-tech vest that could soon offer new independence to visually impaired animals – without the discomfort of traditional aids. The project began when Kunde's owners, Grant Belton and AJ Price, reached out to Rice University's Oshman Engineering Desi

Forget JBL, This LG 5.1.1 Soundbar Bundle Hits Its Best Price Yet Only at Best Buy

One thing a lot of us forget when looking at a good home theater setup is the audio side of things. It’s all good and well going out and buying the shiniest and most powerful television you can find, not to mention the dopamine hit from doing so, but you should always put some time and budget into treating your ears as well. See at Best Buy One of the simplest ways to do this without too much hassle is to get a soundbar, but even better than that is to get a soundbar that works with rear speak

Best Gaming Chair for 2025

Why I like it The Titan Evo builds on a top-rated design with smart, user-friendly upgrades. Its magnetic headrest and armrests simplify customization and maintenance, while the internal adjustable lumbar support and locking 4D armrests provide ergonomic comfort and stability. The wide seat, deep recline, and multiple upholstery options make it adaptable to different needs. It’s also available in three sizes: small (up to 5 feet, 6 inches and 200 pounds), regular (5 feet, 7 inches to 6 feet 2 i

Zero-Shot Forecasting: Our Search for a Time-Series Foundation Model

Introduction In the last few years, the field of time-series forecasting has seen a fundamental shift. Where we once depended solely on classic statistical methods, think ARIMA, SARIMA, and Prophet, new “foundation” models have emerged, promising to bring the power and flexibility of large language models (LLMs) into the world of time-series data. The allure is obvious: can we build a single, reusable forecasting model that works across a variety of datasets and domains, instead of painstakingl

Roundtable (YC S23) Is Hiring a President / CRO

Roundtable is a research and deployment company building the proof-of-human layer in digital identity. Roundtable seeks to research and build real-world Turing Tests, and to productize these developments in bot detection, fraud prevention, and continuous authentication. You’ll be joining Roundtable’s C-suite alongside CEO Mayank Agrawal and CTO Mathew Hardy. The primary job will be to design, manage, and execute the commercial muscle of the company. You should be prepared to spend your time do