October 12, 2025

TechCrunch Top 3

If you're not an AI startup, good luck raising money from VCs: New PitchBook data illustrates how dramatically AI is dominating startup investment, with 2025 on-track to become the first year when AI accounts for more than half of all VC money invested. Read More

Nvidia's AI empire: A look at its top startup investments: Over the last two years, Nvidia has used its ballooning fortunes to invest in over 100 AI startups. Here are the giant semiconductor's largest investments. Read More

Dating app Cerca will show how Gen Z really dates at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Cerca is a dating app that sets users up with mutual friends. Read More

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Disrupt 2025: AI, scaling, IPO, and more on 5 stages

Get access to 250+ top tech voices, 200 sessions, 100+ tomorrow's breakthroughs, and 10,000+ attendees over 3 days straight — October 27–29 in San Francisco. Gain key takeaways across 5 industry stages, breakouts, roundtables, and networking. Hear leaders from Microsoft, Google Cloud, Hugging Face, Netflix, and more at TechCrunch's 20th anniversary. Register now to save up to $444.

Afternoon Must-Reads

Thinking Machines Lab co-founder Andrew Tulloch heads to Meta: AI researcher Andrew Tulloch reportedly announced his departure to employees in a message on Friday. Read More

Apple says goodbye to the Clips app: Apple appears to be winding down support of Clips, with the company removing Clips from the App Store and saying it will no longer be making any updates. Read More

Ready or not, enterprises are betting on AI: This has been a big week for AI companies signing enterprise deals, with Zendesk unveiling new AI agents that are supposed to be able to resolve 80% of customer service issues, Anthropic and IBM announcing a strategic partnership, and Deloitte also announcing a deal with Anthropic. Read More

Prince Harry and Meghan call out the harmful effects of social media on today's youth: Prince Harry and Meghan spoke about the dangers of social media at a gala and festival in New York. Read More

Trump fires back at China's rare earth mineral restrictions by threatening 100% tariffs: President Donald Trump declared Friday that he will impose a 100% tariff on all imports from China, while also imposing export controls on "any and all critical software" from the United States. Read More

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Book your Disrupt exhibit table by October 17

This is your final chance to showcase your company at Disrupt 2025. With 10,000+ tech leaders, investors, and press attending, the Expo Hall is your launchpad. Book your exhibit table before your competitor does to increase your visibility, spark meaningful conversations, and position your company at the forefront of innovation.

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The Latest From TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Dating app Cerca will show how Gen Z really dates at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Cerca is a dating app that sets users up with mutual friends. Read More

Startup Battlefield company SpotitEarly trained dogs and AI to sniff out common cancers: The company's at home multi-cancer breath test kit is expected to be available to consumers in 2026. Read More

Startup Battlefield company SpotitEarly trained dogs and AI to sniff out common cancers and will show off its tech at Disrupt: The company's at home multi-cancer breath test kit is expected to be available to consumers in 2026. Read More

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Last but Not Least

It's not too late for Apple to get AI right: Apple still has a shot at leading the AI-powered app era. As OpenAI launches its ChatGPT app platform, Apple's smarter Siri and deep ecosystem could keep it ahead. Read More