AI code-testing startup Blacksmith’s valuation jumps almost 10x in less than a year

Source: Tech Crunch

AI code-testing startup Blacksmith’s valuation jumps almost 10x in less than a year

Startups

Blacksmith has raised $45 million in a Series B round led by Peak XV Partners, valuing the startup at $550 million. The company focuses on testing and validating software code to address bottlenecks caused by AI-generated coding tools. Serving over 5,000 customers, Blacksmith offers CI workloads and an AI agent called Codesmith. Despite heavy competition from tech giants, the firm aims to expand its suite of developer tools.

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True North Acquires Minority Stake in IPO-Bound InMobi

Business

True North has acquired a 2-3% minority stake in adtech unicorn InMobi for $50-60 million, primarily through secondary share purchases. This transaction allowed some early investors a partial exit as InMobi gears up for its anticipated $1 billion IPO. The SoftBank-backed company, which provides marketing and monetization solutions, is redomiciling to India and preparing for its public debut, with a valuation reportedly sought around $6-10 billion.

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5 Kahlil Gibran quotes that find beauty in imperfection

Startups

Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poet, taught that perfection isn't life's goal, advocating for embracing one's whole self, including flaws. His writings emphasize that imperfections are not obstacles but integral to the human experience. Gibran's philosophy encourages finding beauty in struggle, valuing aspirations over outcomes, and recognizing that growth often emerges from discomfort. His timeless message inspires readers to live a beautiful life by accepting the full spectrum of human experience, rather than pursuing flawlessness.

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IIT Madras targets 1,000 startups by 2032, eyes one IPO every month

Startups

IIT Madras aims to have around 1,000 startups under its fold by 2032, with at least one expected to go public every month, Director Prof V Kamakoti said. The institute has already incubated 583 startups with a combined valuation of Rs 83,000 crore.

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At Meta Connect, the company’s smart glasses were everywhere

Startups

Meta Connect emphasized the company's significant investment in smart glasses, unveiling new audio-only models. These camera-less glasses aim to ease privacy concerns and integrate with Meta's Muse AI for verbal commands and tasks. Another notable reveal was an affordable $150 audio-only pair designed for the hearing impaired. Meta is strategically broadening its smart glasses appeal, focusing on making them stylish, functional, and useful to achieve wider adoption.

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Automattic has a new board after failed attempt to put CEO on leave

Startups

Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has appointed a new board of directors following a failed attempt by previous members to remove him from power. After regaining control within 33 hours using his 84% voting share, Mullenweg replaced several directors and executives. The new board includes author Hugh Howey and founders of the defunct app IRL. This restructuring occurs amid an ongoing legal dispute with hosting provider WP Engine.

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Meta opens early access program for new Muse features

Startups

Meta is opening early access for its Muse AI app following new feature announcements at Connect 2026. Users can request access via a prompt to Muse. Targeting AI enthusiasts, new capabilities include a video-chatting digital avatar, expanded shopping partnerships, a Mac app for task completion, and integration with Meta's AI glasses for voice commands. This move aims to engage knowledgeable users and maintain a competitive edge in the AI market.

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The hottest new hangout for middle schoolers is NPR’s comment section?

Startups

NPR's "Wild Card" podcast producers were baffled by strange Spotify comments, initially suspecting bots. A Gen Z colleague, however, identified them as middle schoolers using the comment section as a private group chat, avoiding traditional social media. These kids chose NPR podcasts specifically because they had fewer comments, providing an unexpected digital hangout. This phenomenon had also occurred on "TED Radio Hour," highlighting a new trend among younger audiences seeking alternative online spaces.

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Anthropic to pay Akamai $11.6 billion over seven years in cloud deal

Startups

nthropic has committed $11.6 billion over seven years to Akamai's cloud infrastructure, a bet on CPUs that could grow to about $20 billion, and in an unusual arrangement, Akamai is giving Anthropic a potential stake of up to 5% of its stock that grows as Anthropic spends more.

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Ahead of U.S. IPO, British AI neocloud Nscale secures $3.36B in convertible finacing

Startups

Nscale, a British neocloud firm, secured $3.36 billion in financing, including $1 billion from Nvidia, ahead of its anticipated IPO later this year. This significant convertible note funding, led by Third Point, underscores the vast capital required for building AI data centers. Nscale, spun out two years ago, is developing large.

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North Korean hackers suspected in $351M crypto theft, the largest so far this year

Startups

North Korean hackers are suspected of stealing over $351 million from cryptocurrency exchange Bitget in a cyberattack on Thursday. This marks the largest digital currency heist this year, with funds taken from internet-connected hot wallets. Bitget has suspended withdrawals but stated its $464 million user protection fund should cover the theft. The CEO noted the attack's consistency with North Korean groups, often linked to funding nuclear programs.

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Tender247 brings Anupam Kher on board to expand access to India’s Rs 70 Lakh Cr tender market

Startups

Anupam Kher becomes the face of Tender247, opening India’s ₹70 lakh crore Tender Market to more businesses The platform is using the actor’s association to make government and institutional tenders easier for businesses to discover, track, and compete for. India's tender economy is vast, digi.

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Dextr AI Raises $6.7 Mn To Build AI Agents For Hospitality Industry

Business

Hospitality AI startup Dextr AI secured $6.7 Mn in seed funding, led by Elevation Capital and Foundation Capital. The capital will fuel product development, hiring, and global expansion, including India. Dextr AI automates tasks like reservations, guest management, and staffing for hundreds of hospitality properties, processing over 1 million interactions monthly. This investment extends Elevation's focus on AI-led business automation.

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Andhra sets 70% renewable energy rule for data centres, addresses water concerns: Lokesh

Startups

Andhra Pradesh is developing Visakhapatnam as a data-centre hub, mandating that at least 70% of energy for these facilities must come from renewable sources. IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced this sustainability-focused approach, which also addresses water requirements through the Polavaram Left Bank Canal and incentives for desalination plants. This holistic strategy aims to attract significant technology investments while mitigating environmental impact.

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Per Annum targets Rs10,000Cr AUM as retail investors look beyond traditional assets

Startups

Alternative investment platform Per Annum, which reached Rs 1,500 crore in AUM in August 2026, is expanding across P2P lending, private credit, and fractional real estate as investor demand for diversification grows. A few years ago, the conversation about alternative investments in India was.

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5 Quotes on human connection from the Anxious Generation

Startups

<summary>Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" examines technology's impact on mental health, stressing the critical role of human connection. The book argues that smartphones and social media often impede genuine relationships. Haidt emphasizes that face-to-face interactions, shared experiences, and community are essential for emotional well-being and personal growth. He asserts that real-world connections are vital for coping with.

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Twenty minutes with the CEO of ElevenLabs, now reportedly valued at $22 billion

Startups

ElevenLabs powers the AI voice on the other end of a lot of customer service calls, and its CEO told me this week that businesses should probably tell you that — at least until getting a machine is what everyone expects anyway.

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Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors on building AI when failure is not an option at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Startups

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, leaders from Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors will discuss deploying AI in high-stakes physical environments. The session, “Building AI Systems When Failure Is Not an Option,” focuses on safety, validation, and trust in autonomous aircraft, vehicles, and robotics. Experts Nathan Michael, Raquel Urtasun, and Mikell Taylor will explore how to ensure these systems are ready for real-world use during the event in San Francisco. (69 words) -.

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Ando wants to take on Slack with a team messaging app that lets humans and agents work together

Startups

Ando, a new startup, launched a team messaging platform designed for seamless collaboration between human and AI workers. Founder Sara Du identified a gap where existing platforms treated AI agents as apps, not participants. Ando allows agents to join conversations naturally, possess identities, and proactively assist teams. The company secured $20 million in funding to scale its.

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Cal AI’s Zach Yadegari on how to create viral growth and capitalize on it

Startups

Zach Yadegari co-founded Cal AI, an AI nutrition app, at 17. It achieved over 15 million downloads and $30 million annual revenue, leading to its acquisition by MyFitnessPal before his 20th birthday. Yadegari will share insights on creating viral growth and ensuring long-term retention at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, discussing how Cal AI turned rapid attention into.

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Catalonia deepens India push, targets New Opportunities in AI, deeptech, and semiconductors

Startups

Minister Miquel Sàmper Rodríguez’s visit comes as Catalan exports to India reach €652 million and the region prepares to open a new office in New Delhi. . Miquel Sàmper Rodríguez, Minister for Business and Labour, Government of Catalonia, is in India to strengthen the growing economic relati.

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