Gamma acquires Accel-backed design startup Lica

Source: Tech Crunch

Gamma acquires Accel-backed design startup Lica

Startups

Presentation startup Gamma has acquired design startup Lica to establish a new design research lab. Led by Lica’s co-founders, the division will focus on expanding visual communication through fluid, multimodal presentations and personalized AI models. This strategic move aims to evolve how users engage with presentations and communication styles. The acquisition occurs amid significant investor interest and consolidation within the AI-driven presentation software market.

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OTPless Ropes In Ex-BharatPe Exec Geetanshu Singla As New CTO

Business

Identity and access management startup OTPless has appointed former BharatPe executive Geetanshu Singla as its new Chief Technology Officer. Singla reunites with former BharatPe colleagues, cofounders Satyam Nathani and Tanmay Sagar. This key appointment is part of a broader top-level reshuffle at OTPless, which recently included a cofounder's departure and the appointment of a new CEO, reflecting significant leadership changes.

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Amazon and others are done keeping data center deals secret. Is it enough to build trust?

Startups

Amazon says it will stop using NDAs when negotiating data center deals with local governments, following a similar move from Microsoft earlier this year. Secrecy has fueled community backlash against AI infrastructure, with opposition leading to hundreds of proposed and enacted moratoriums from New York to San Francisco. Meanwhile, a wave of startups is betting that consumers will hand AI agents access […].

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Automattic loses its interim CFO just weeks after boardroom shakeup

Startups

Automattic's interim chief financial officer Jeremy Klaperman has left the company less than a month after taking the role, TechCrunch has learned. Sources say his departure followed a demotion back to his previous position, marking another executive exit amid the organization's leadership turmoil.

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Beyond TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: The Side Events, Parties & Networking You Can’t Miss

Startups

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is just the beginning. From exclusive networking events and startup showcases to happy hours, dinners, and after-hours meetups, discover what’s happening across San Francisco during Disrupt Week, October 10–16. Find your next connection, your next opportunity, or your next favorite event.

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Gamma’s Grant Lee, Engine’s Elia Wallen, and GV’s Crystal Huang on landing your first 1,000 customers

Startups

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, a panel titled “The Zero-to-1K Playbook” will explore strategies for acquiring the first 1,000 customers without a marketing budget. Featuring Gamma CEO Grant Lee, Engine CEO Elia Wallen, and GV partner Crystal Huang, the session will cover product-led growth, community building, and founder-led sales. The event, held October 13–15, aims to help early-stage founders build momentum and scale their businesses.

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Bewakoof’s FY26 Net Loss Jumps Nearly 20% To ₹87.4 Cr; Revenue Crosses ₹200 Cr Mark

Business

D2C fashion brand Bewakoof reported a 40.6% increase in operating revenue to ₹243.1 Cr for FY26. Despite this growth and a narrowing EBITDA loss of ₹54.8 Cr, the company's net loss widened by 19.4% to ₹87.4 Cr. Total expenses rose 35.4% to ₹335.6 Cr. Majority-owned by ABFRL, the brand faces leadership changes as founder Prabhkiran Singh steps down, while continuing to target millennial and Gen Z consumers.

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 starts in 4 days — lock in your pass savings of up to $100 before prices rise

Startups

Four days until TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 starts, when 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders gather in San Francisco's Moscone West on October 13-15. Save up to $100 on your price. Plus, save 50% on a second pass of the same type.

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Indian AI Startup Funding Surges 265% YoY In Q3, Will Momentum Continue?

Business

AI startups raised $438 million across 35 deals in Q3 2026, a 265% YoY increase, making it India's most-funded sector. Total AI funding hit $1.1 billion for the first nine months. Despite this surge, 63% of investors perceive froth in valuations.

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Menswear Brand KISAH Nets ₹35.9 Cr To Scale Retail Footprint

Business

"Omnichannel menswear brand KISAH has raised ₹35.9 crore in a Series A round led by Fireside Ventures, valuing the company at ₹211 crore. The Kolkata-based startup intends to use the capital to expand its retail network toward a goal of 100 stores and enhance its infrastructure. Having earned ₹65 crore in FY26, KISAH expects revenue to exceed ₹100 crore in FY27 while maintaining profitability.".

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US bars Microsoft, Indian IT firms from green card programme; TCS Q2 net profit rises 15%

Startups

Tata Consultancy Services has registered a 15% rise in net profit and an 11.2% growth in revenue for the second quarter of the fiscal. In other news, the National Commission for Women’s guidelines for the safety of women passengers seek to make safety a shared responsibility of all stakeholders.

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Why public capital isn’t enough to save India’s deeptech

Startups

The most powerful derisker is not a fund at all. It is a customer. A Rs 200 crore procurement commitment from the defence, space or railways sectors does more for a series B round than a Rs 200 crore grant, because it validates revenue rather than science.

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Ben Affleck is an AI nerd, and the internet is impressed

Startups

Ben Affleck is going viral for his deep knowledge of AI, from neural networks and transformers to open weights. The actor, who sold his AI filmmaking startup to Netflix earlier this year, is proving he's more than just a Hollywood star.

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Google brings agentic AI to Gemini, starting with businesses

Startups

Google is turning Gemini into an AI agent that can plan, execute tasks, and work across business apps and systems. The agent can delegate work to subagents, use multiple AI models, and even gets its own workplace identity, complete with an email address.

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Anthropic changes usage policy to ban model abuse and election interference

Startups

Anthropic updated its usage policy, prohibiting election interference, weapons software, and surveillance. A significant change forbids prolonged verbal abuse of its Claude model, applying to extreme, repeated cruelty rather than user frustration. The policy also bans deceptive campaigns, including fake accounts or fabricated news outlets. Additionally, it explicitly prohibits undermining democratic processes, such as deceiving voters or disrupting elections, reinforcing ethical AI use guidelines.

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US govt to suspend Micrsoft, Indian IT companies from green card programme

Startups

US Immigration rules becomes stringent The US government said there was a widespread abuse of the permanent residency process by technology companies The United States government will suspend new applications for permanent residency of foreign workers at companies like Microsoft, Cognizant, Info.

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DailyObjects raises Rs 332 Cr in Series C funding round

Startups

DailyObjects, a design-led lifestyle-tech brand, has raised Rs 332 crore in a Series C funding round led by Xponentia Capital Partners, Anicut Capital, and Axiom Asia Private Capital, valuing the company at Rs 1,050 crore. The firm plans to use the capital to expand its retail presence with 150 exclusive outlets across India, enhance R&D capabilities, and explore international markets to build a global consumer brand.

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Last call to volunteer at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026

Startups

TechCrunch Founder Summit returns to Boston on November 4, seeking volunteers by October 19. Volunteers gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access, a complimentary 2026 Founder Summit ticket, and a free pass to Disrupt 2027. Tasks include registration and guest assistance. This opportunity offers invaluable event management experience and access to workshops on user growth, fundraising, and brand development, supporting an anticipated 1,100 attendees.

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Startup news and updates: daily roundup (October 8, 2026)

Startups

Veteran actor Nana Patekar, 75, died in Goa, suspected of a heart attack. In business news, Bureau partnered with Zoomcar to strengthen user verification and fraud risk assessment. Financial information platform MoneyTruVa secured seed funding and will launch in October 2026. Additionally, Zelio E-Mobility plans to expand its dealership network by adding over 150 new dealers.

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New FEMA Rules Explained: What Freelancers, Creators, And SaaS Startups Need To Know

Business

"The RBI has clarified that personal foreign exchange transactions, including small software assignments and overseas tutoring, are exempt from reporting under the new FEMA framework. Effective October 1, the regulations unify goods and services trade reporting, with banks managing most submissions. Exporters can use self-declarations for individual bills up to ₹10 Lakh. While SaaS startups face procedural updates, the framework aims to simplify compliance and improve trade data.".

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Government of Karnataka announces second edition of Bengaluru Skill Summit

Startups

Bengaluru Skill Summit 2026 to be held from 3 to 5 November 2026 at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru under the theme “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy” Bengaluru, 07 October 2026: The Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood (SDEL), Government of Karnataka, today announced.

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