TECHNOLOGYAI coding tools are reshaping mobile app economicsNew data from Appfigures shows a swell of new app launches in 2026, suggesting AI tools could be fueling a mobile software boom.TechCrunch·April 18, 2026
TECHNOLOGYOpenAI’s pivot from consumer moonshots to enterprise focus claims its architectsKevin Weil and Bill Peebles are leaving OpenAI as the company shuts down Sora and folds its science team, signaling a sharp pivot away from consumer moonshots toward enterprise AI.TechCrunch·April 17, 2026
TECHNOLOGYZoom adds World ID verification to fight AI imposters in meetingsMeeting platform Zoom has announced a partnership with World, Sam Altman's human ID verification company, to ensure that the people attending meetings are actually human and not AI-generated imposters. Zoom will show a badge on verified participants' tile.TechCrunch·April 17, 2026
TECHNOLOGYSequoia’s $7B AI fund signals confidence in new leadership amid venture consolidationThe fundraise is the first major capital raise under Sequoia's new leadership, with Alfred Lin and Pat Grady now serving as co-stewards of the 54-year-old firm.TechCrunch·April 17, 2026
TECHNOLOGYFactory’s unicorn push reveals where enterprise AI money is flowingThe three-year-old startup raised $150 million led by Khosla Ventures.TechCrunch·April 16, 2026
TECHNOLOGYLuma AI bets its studio credibility on a Moses film with Ben KingsleyThe studio's first project will be about Moses and star Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley, to be released this spring on Prime Video.TechCrunch·April 16, 2026
TECHNOLOGYReed Hastings exits Netflix board as streaming era transformsHastings helped to transform the video rental industry — first with physical, then digital, delivery.TechCrunch·April 16, 2026
TECHNOLOGYUpscale AI’s rapid ascent reveals how VC is pricing AI infrastructure on speed, not proofAI infrastructure company Upscale AI is reportedly in talks to raise its third funding round since launching just seven months ago.TechCrunch·April 16, 2026
TECHNOLOGYHow Physical Intelligence’s new robot model challenges decades of task-specific automationThe new model, called π0.7, represents what the company describes as an early but meaningful step toward the long-sought goal of a general-purpose robot brain.TechCrunch·April 16, 2026
TECHNOLOGYgeCKo Materials' gecko-inspired adhesive clears the ISS credibility hurdleThis week on Build Mode, Isabelle Johannessen speaks with Capella Kerst, founder and CEO of geCKo Materials.TechCrunch·April 16, 2026
TECHNOLOGYAI boom reshapes nuclear power’s investment calculusNuclear startup X-energy hit the road today to sell prospective investors on its initial public offering.TechCrunch·April 15, 2026
TECHNOLOGYWhy Ford’s EV chief departure signals broader tech-auto culture clashDoug Field had stints at Apple and Tesla before joining Ford in 2021.TechCrunch·April 15, 2026
