TechCrunch Top 3

OpenAI-backed Thrive Holdings raises $2B to bring AI to the enterprise: Thrive Holdings has raised $2 billion in new funding at a $12 billion valuation from investors like SoftBank, D1 Capital Partners, and Altimeter Capital. Read More

AI coding startup Cognition reportedly already in talks to raise at $40B valuation: Cognition may be looking to raise another mega round just a few months after raising $1 billion at a $26 billion valuation. Read More

As AI safety concerns mount, three pioneers make the case for staying open: At Ai4, three of the world's most respected AI experts — Geoffrey Hinton, Fei-Fei Li, and Andrew Ng — debated regulation, open source access, and how America can compete as China advances in Asia. Read More

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Afternoon Must-Reads

After Microsoft threatened legal action, a security researcher publishes a new Windows zero-day bug: This is the latest zero-day released by security researcher Nightmare Eclipse, despite Microsoft publicly threatening to take legal action against them. Read More

Everything announced at Made by Google '26: Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Tag, and tons of Gemini features: From the Pixel 11 series and a brand new competitor to Apple’s AirTag, here are all the announcements from the Made by Google 2026 event. Read More

Reservoir raises $8M to make water heaters that people — and the grid — will actually want: Reservoir has built an ultra-efficient water heater that can predict hot water demand, store energy, and detect plumbing leaks throughout a home. Read More

AI code-testing startup Blacksmith's valuation jumps almost 10x in less than a year: Blacksmith says revenue has grown more than tenfold over the past year. Read More

Uber Freight reportedly investigating after hacking group claims data breach: An extortion gang known for targeting transportation companies and private equity firms has taken credit for a breach at Uber Freight. Read More

Last but Not Least

How a $250 million acquisition collapsed into allegations of fraud and forged signatures: Investors are still waiting for their share of the $250 million windfall, and VideoVerse co-founder Vinayak Shrivastav is now at the center of multiple legal cases. Read More