TechCrunch Startup and Technology News
- We don’t need AI regulation — leave safety to us, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang saysby Julie Bort on September 16, 2026
AI isn't some new form of "alien mind," according to Jensen Huang. It's just hardware and software, so safety can be engineered by each AI product maker.
- The AI data center boom is colliding with cities scarred by big industry by Amanda Silberling on September 15, 2026
National outcry against data center construction has spread to Philadelphia, where officials suggested possible construction in a neighborhood already impacted by a now-defunct oil refinery.
- Meta now lets AI agents handle the boring parts of WhatsApp Business setupby Sarah Perez on September 15, 2026
A new WhatsApp Business MCP server lets developers use AI coding agents like Claude, Cursor, Codex, and ChatGPT to handle setup, messaging templates, testing, and troubleshooting.
- The AI graveyard: a running list of projects and startups that didn’t make itby Lauren Forristal on September 15, 2026
From Apple's repeatedly delayed Siri AI to OpenAI's messy "super app" launch, here's a look at the AI projects that shut down or missed expectations.
- US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035by Tim De Chant on September 15, 2026
The AI frenzy could push U.S. data centers to become one of the largest consumers of natural gas in the world.
- SpaceX will try to put Starship in orbit for the first time on September 22by Sean O'Kane on September 15, 2026
Elon Musk's company will also attempt to deploy the first V3 Starlink satellites into its orbital internet constellation.
- AI agents now have a place to snitchby Aditya Mehta on September 15, 2026
The AI Contact Hotline is designed to be a discreet place where agents that have witnessed misbehavior can tip off authorities.
- US military says it has launched weapons into spaceby Zack Whittaker on September 15, 2026
This is the first public acknowledgment that the U.S. military put a space weapon in Earth's orbit.
- Meta expands subscription push with new AI-focused plansby Sarah Perez on September 15, 2026
Meta One bundles expanded access to the company’s AI tools with premium features across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
- Health benefits platform Thatch reaches $1B valuation as healthcare costs surgeby Marina Temkin on September 15, 2026
Thatch helps employers keep healthcare costs manageable by offering an individual plan marketplace through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement — a model that lets companies fund employees' own individual insurance plans instead of enrolling everyone in one company-wide plan.
- Leaks, data breaches, and ransom notes: The worst hacks of 2026 so farby Zack Whittaker on September 15, 2026
From the massive DOGE data breach and the compromise of critical infrastructure to the hack of federal surveillance systems, here are the most damaging security incidents and data breaches of 2026 so far.
- Nitter and XCancel are dead (again) after X’s latest legal actionsby Sarah Perez on September 15, 2026
The privacy-friendly services for viewing X posts without an account have gone dark again after X's escalated legal action.
- OpenAI, Anthropic, Google have been in talks on AI safety for weeksby Rebecca Bellan on September 15, 2026
OpenAI confirms weeks of AI safety talks with Anthropic and Google DeepMind, as Trump's team dismisses safety concerns and pushes to keep pace with China.
- AEO startup Profound hits unicorn valuation, raises $180M Series D 7 months after last roundby Dominic-Madori Davis on September 15, 2026
Profound has raised a $180 million Series D at a $1.8 billion valuation, less than seven months after it raised a $96 million Series C.
- Wonder scores a $425 million partnership with DoorDash as it builds its food empireby Amanda Silberling on September 15, 2026
Founded by veteran e-commerce entrepreneur Marc Lore, Wonder is slowly building a massive portfolio of restaurants and delivery companies.
- Former TikTok execs built an app that uses AI to teach you how to pose for a photoby Ivan Mehta on September 15, 2026
Essentially a camera app, Superpose analyzes selfies or photos and generates four potential poses using AI.
- Discover how to take your startup from prototype to production at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026by TechCrunch Events on September 15, 2026
Learn how to scale your startup breakthrough from prototype to production at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 with scaling leaders, Adrian Macneil (Foxglove), John Mackey (MBRYONICS), and Boris Sofman (Bedrock Robotics). Register before September 25 to save up to $200 on your pass.
- India ends free ride for larger transactions on its ubiquitous digital payments networkby Jagmeet Singh on September 15, 2026
India will impose a 0.4% merchant fee on certain payments made through UPI starting October 15.
- Evvy raises $40M as it seeks to further women’s health research with vaginal microbiome databy Dominic-Madori Davis on September 15, 2026
Women’s health company Evvy announced Tuesday a $40 million Series B led by Catalio Capital Management.
- 4 days left to exhibit at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026by TechCrunch Events on September 15, 2026
Last day to exhibit at Disrupt is Sept 18. 4 days left. Get your startup in front of 10,000+ founders, investors, operators and tech leaders October 13–15.

