AI inference startup Fal doubles its valuation to $16B as demand surges

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories this afternoon

View this email online in your browser  November 03, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 AI inference startup Fal doubles its valuation to $16B as demand surges: The five-year-old startup raised a $1.3 billion round led by Bessemer. Read More Ferrari’s controversial Luce EV is sold out for 2027: The Luce, Ferrari's first electric car and one of its most polarizing models, is "fully allocated" through 2027, according to CEO Benedetto Vigna. Read More Netflix's new AI Discover tab helps you find something to watch based on your mood: The first experimental feature under the tab will allow users to get recommendations based on what they're currently in the mood for. Read More A message from Baker Tilly Value in AI-driven markets, grounded in what sets you apart. Understand where your competitive edge creates value and how to strengthen it as investors become more selective and AI reshapes the investment landscape. Explore lifecycle strategies Go Beyond the Bay Area, Join Us at Founder Summit At TechCrunch Founder Summit on November 4 in Boston, you can deepen your expertise on hiring, product market fit, pitching, founder leadership, and much more in a dynamic, intimate environment. Get ahead of the competition and show the world what the East Coast can build with a 25% discount using the code Daily25. Register Now Afternoon Must-Reads Data centers are turning to old jet engines as the wait for power grows: The years-long wait for access to the grid and new turbines is causing data center builders to turn to an unusual, less efficient and less environmentally friendly solution: once-discarded jet engines. Read More CrowdStrike to shell out nearly $500M for 2 AI security startups as the market for securing agents takes off: CrowdStrike said it will buy Fiddler AI, which makes AI agent observability software, and Dreadnode, which helps companies automate AI security testing. Read More New York City's Mamdani criticizes Madison Square Garden owner over surveillance tech: The mayor's comments come after the entertainment giant's data breach last year, which exposed James Dolan's surveillance. Read More Apple restricts dating apps and AI companions to users 18 and up: Apple's new App Store rules will require 18+ ratings for dating apps and AI companions that offer sexual or romantic content. Read More Researchers warned of North Korean hacking tactics years before record $6.3B Binance heist: Cybersecurity experts have long warned of the persistent and patient threat from North Korea's long-running hacks. The world's largest crypto exchange was still caught off-guard. Read More Last but Not Least Google will let schools disable its AI tools, but not without sacrificing Search: Schools choosing to restrict AI altogether will no longer be able to access Google Search, as AI features are now integrated into the search engine. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107