Intero Biosystems wants drugmakers to test on mini human intestines, not animals

Source: Tech Crunch

Intero Biosystems wants drugmakers to test on mini human intestines, not animals

Startups

"Intero Biosystems, a Denver-based startup, is developing GastroScreen, human intestinal organoids designed to replace or supplement animal testing in drug development. By using induced pluripotent stem cells, the company creates scalable, human-relevant models for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to test drug safety and efficacy. This innovation aligns with recent FDA efforts to reduce animal testing reliance and move toward more accurate, non-animal methodology validation.".

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CedarDB wants one database to handle both transactions and analytics, as AI agents raise the stakes

Startups

Munich-based startup CedarDB has launched a limited cloud offering of its database engine, which unifies analytical and operational data processing. A spinout from the Technical University of Munich, CedarDB leverages the Umbra project for high efficiency and maintains PostgreSQL compatibility to lower switching costs. Following a €5.3 million seed round, the company aims to support agentic AI and compete with industry giants like Databricks.

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Ambani’s Jio seeks to raise $3.2B in what could be India’s biggest IPO

Startups

"Jio Platforms, the digital arm of Reliance Industries, plans to raise up to $3.2 billion in what could be India's largest initial public offering. With a price band of ₹1,065 to ₹1,119 per share, the IPO could value the telecom giant at approximately $108.3 billion. The offering opens October 21, with proceeds primarily intended to repay debt at its telecom subsidiary and fund general corporate purposes.".

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Flock CEO says its microphones detect ‘just gunshots.’ Its website says different

Startups

Flock CEO Garrett Langley recently claimed the company's audio detection technology focuses solely on gunshots. However, Flock's website and spokesperson contradict this, stating the system also detects car crashes, fireworks, and sideshows. This discrepancy comes amid growing privacy concerns and public opposition to mass surveillance, leading some states and partners to sever ties with the company as advocates warn against the potential for misuse.

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Colossal Biosciences announces new AI platform to help accelerate de-extinction efforts

Startups

Colossal Biosciences has launched GenoMorph, an AI platform designed to accelerate the de-extinction of species like the dodo bird. By analyzing 3D morphology and comparative genomics, the tool identifies critical gene-editing targets when genomic data is scarce. The company has already found 2,300 potential targets for the dodo's facial structure and is utilizing Nicobar pigeons and lipid nanoparticles to test these genetic modifications.

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Flock CEO: We haven’t ‘fired’ any police departments as customers

Startups

"Flock CEO Garrett Langley stated the company has not terminated any law enforcement contracts despite reports of officers abusing license plate reader cameras for stalking. While acknowledging the potential for termination in cases of widespread law-breaking, Langley defended the technology's role in solving crimes. Meanwhile, critics and protesters continue to condemn Flock's AI-powered mass surveillance, citing privacy violations, cybersecurity flaws, and wrongful arrests across the United States.".

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Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. are showing signs of life

Startups

"U.S. electric vehicle sales are recovering, capturing 6.1% of the market after three quarters of growth. According to Cox Automotive, competitive pricing and high gas prices are driving consumer interest. While Tesla's sales fell 20% year-over-year, the company still holds over half the market. Toyota, Rivian, and Subaru saw gains, mirroring a similar market recovery seen in Germany following the removal of government incentives.".

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TimeTeller puts our internal clocks at the center of personalized medicine

Startups

German startup TimeTeller, led by CEO Angela Relógio, has developed a saliva test kit to analyze circadian rhythms. While offering direct-to-consumer kits for personalized wellness, the company's core mission is improving cancer treatment efficacy and reducing side effects through precision timing. TimeTeller has partnered with Techniker Krankenkasse, a major German health insurer, to provide reimbursement for cancer patients, advancing the goal of timing-based precision medicine.

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Ambrosia Energy will build a 10 GWh factory in Texas to make batteries for off-grid data centers

Startups

Ambrosia Energy is constructing a 10 gigawatt-hour battery factory near Austin, Texas, to produce affordable power plants for data centers. Founded by former Swarm creators, the startup aims for a cost of $100 per megawatt-hour using solar and battery storage. The company plans full production within three years and will launch its first commercial power plant in West Texas later this year to compete with natural gas turbines.

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Hiyd is a health tracker that attaches to the watch you already wear

Startups

"Hiyd, founded by former Apple engineer Salah Batroukh, is launching a discreet health-tracking sensor that attaches to the back of any watch using microsuction technology. The slim device monitors biometrics like heart rate, sleep, and VO2 max, syncing data to an app for AI-driven health and nutrition insights. With over 16,000 deposits, Hiyd plans a November Kickstarter launch after debuting at TechCrunch Disrupt's Startup Battlefield.".

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IPO-Bound Tonbo Imaging Nets ₹255 Cr From Anchor Investors

Business

Defence tech startup Tonbo Imaging has raised ₹255.4 crore from 43 anchor investors ahead of its IPO, which opens on October 15. The ₹852 crore public issue, priced between ₹665 and ₹700, consists entirely of an offer for sale, valuing the company at approximately ₹4,009.8 crore. Specializing in advanced military imaging systems, the firm recently reported declining annual revenues and profits despite strong institutional backing.

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YouTube Music launches new labels as AI-generated music floods streaming platforms

Startups

YouTube Music is launching a new labeling system to increase transparency for songs created using generative AI. Tracks will be categorized as “Fully Gen AI,” “Partly Gen AI,” or “No Gen AI” on the player page and main YouTube app. Unlike competitors like Deezer or TIDAL, which may restrict AI content, YouTube focuses on disclosure, allowing AI-generated music to remain eligible for monetization while informing listeners.

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Apate sends AI agents undercover to get scammed so they can gather fraud intelligence

Startups

Australian startup Apate.ai uses AI agents to masquerade as scam victims, engaging fraudsters to waste their time and gather intelligence. By mimicking various identities, these agents uncover malicious websites, bank accounts, and crypto wallets. This data helps banks, telecom companies, and government agencies improve anti-fraud measures. Having raised nearly $10 million, the company aims to expand internationally while disrupting scam campaigns and reducing financial losses.

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Scimplify Bags $25 Mn To Scale Its Semiconductor Chemicals Business

Business

"Specialty chemical startup Scimplify has raised $25 million in a funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, with participation from Accel and Henkel. The company plans to use the capital to expand its manufacturing capabilities for rare earth and critical metals purification, scale its semiconductor and battery chemicals businesses, and enhance its SciNode AI platform. Scimplify aims to grow its global presence, specifically targeting expansion into the US market.

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Mosqitter is turning its mosquito traps into an AI-powered surveillance network

Startups

As mosquito-borne diseases like dengue rise globally, Pennsylvania-based startup Mosqitter is deploying chemical-free traps that mimic human cues to capture female mosquitoes. The company is expanding its hardware into an AI-powered monitoring network called Febris. This system identifies species and tracks population changes to provide early warnings for public health agencies and governments, aiming to create a sustainable, data-driven approach to disease prevention and surveillance.

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Zetwerk Raises ₹2,251 Cr From Anchor Investors Ahead Of IPO

Business

Manufacturing company Zetwerk raised ₹2,251.2 crore from anchor investors, including domestic mutual funds and global firms like BlackRock, ahead of its ₹5,012 crore IPO opening October 15. The offering, priced at ₹151 per share, values the company at approximately ₹25,583 crore. Zetwerk plans to use fresh issue proceeds for debt repayment and acquisitions, despite reporting a widened consolidated net loss of ₹1,606.2 crore in FY26.

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Jio Platforms Sets Stage For India’s Largest IPO At ₹10.3 Lakh Cr Valuation

Business

Jio Platforms has announced its IPO with a price band of ₹1,065-₹1,119 per share, targeting a valuation of ₹10.3 Lakh Cr. This marks India's largest-ever IPO, opening for public subscription from October 21 to 23. The company aims to raise ₹30,213 Cr, primarily to prepay outstanding borrowings of Reliance Jio Infocomm. The offering includes reservations for employees and RIL shareholders, with no offer for sale component.

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TechSparks 2026 Day 2: From Krishna Byre Gowda’s Bengaluru blueprint to Stripe’s global playbook, and more

Startups

The second day of TechSparks 2026 in Bengaluru focused on governance, infrastructure, and global startups. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda highlighted technology's role in reducing corruption and detailed ambitious metro expansions for the city. Stripe India's Manish Maheshwari discussed AI's capacity to help Indian founders scale globally, announcing the acquisition of OpenRouter. Additionally, investors emphasized India's deeptech potential, driven by talent and a push for technological self-reliance.

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Floqer’s AI agents research sales prospects so teams don’t have to

Startups

Floqer is an autonomous customer knowledge platform that provides business-to-business sales and marketing teams with an AI-powered database designed to continuously collect, organize, and update the information used to understand their customers. Floqer is pitching Wednesday on the Startup Battlefield stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The startup told TechCrunch ahead of the presentation that it […].

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The math behind why young startup employees are underinsured by over Rs 1 Cr

Startups

The math behind why young startup employees are underinsured by over Rs 1 Cr Many young professionals assume their existing cover is sufficient. However, the question they need to ask is ‘how much term insurance do I need’, to adequately protect their family from outstanding liabilities and future.

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