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We are pleased to welcome you to Daily Crunch, Thursday, September 2, 2021. TechCrunch will be mostly offline tomorrow due to a panYahoo corporate reprieve. Don't worry though, all systems will continue working while we recharge for the next chapter in TechCrunchs rich history of corporate ownership. Alex
TechCrunch Top 3
China hacks U.S.-based Uyghurs. China's government continues its campaign to eradicate Uyghur culture, and weaken the Uyghur population within its borders. For example, the Chinese state has been hacking Uyghurs on their travels. The FBI today reported that the Chinese Communist Party was doing the same inside the United States borders.
China's government continues its campaign to eradicate Uyghur culture, and to undermine the Uyghur population within its borders. For example, the Chinese state hacks Uyghurs on their travels. The FBI today reported that the Chinese Communist Party was doing the same inside the United States borders. SEO is not dead. A $55 million round of funding for startup Botify shows that the era is still alive and well. According to the company, even though organic traffic is growing faster than paid or first-party results, it's still increasing. Everyone wants to be part of this clickstream.
The new funding round of $55 million for startup Botify shows that the age of search engine optimization is not over. According to the company, even though organic traffic is growing faster than paid or first-party results, it's still increasing. Everyone wants a piece. Europe is where net neutrality still lives: TechCrunch reports that Europe's top court has ruled against zero rating. Zero rating refers to the practice of internet providers not counting certain content against bandwidth limits. This gives certain materials a head start. Open-internet advocates are against this practice, and the EU seems unwilling to change their mind.
Startups/VC
We have a massive digest of our Y Combinator coverage for you to peruse a few hundred startups tomorrow in Daily Crunch. We couldn't resist including a teaser. This headline is from Fintech startup Jeeves: It raises $57M and goes from YC valuation to $500M valuation within one year. That's a rapid valuation creation process for an early-stage startup.
Another round of capital for neobanks. Point Challenger Bank has raised $46.5 million in Series B. This will fuel the startup's goal to create a debit card with credit-card-level perks. Although points service is not free, it could be a good way to go for those who don't want to use high-interest consumer credit accounts.
Point Challenger Bank has raised $46.5 million in Series B. This will help fuel the startup's goal to create a debit card with credit-card-level perks. Although points service is not free, it could be a good option for those who don't want to use high-interest consumer credit accounts. Shepherd raises $6.2M to purchase construction insurance: TechCrunch is currently tracking several B2B neoinsurance businesses, including Shepherd. This startup will offer construction companies excess liability insurance and incorporate data about building technology usage into its underwriting models. It's an interesting idea. Procore contributed capital to the financing round.
TechCrunch monitors a variety of B2B Neoinsurance companies, including Shepherd. This startup plans to offer construction companies excess liability insurance, incorporating technology usage data into its underwriting models. It's an interesting idea. Procore contributed capital to the financing round. Homelight raises $100M: This real estate tech startup wants to connect buyers with sellers and provide title and escrow services. Its latest funding round netted it $1.6 billion. HomeLight managed to raise such a large round, after projecting that its revenue will triple to more than $300 million by 2021.
This real estate tech startup aims to connect buyers with sellers and provides title and escrow service. Its latest funding round netted it $1.6 billion. HomeLight was able to manage such a large round because it projected that its revenues would triple to more than $300 million by 2021. The Edtech boom isn't over: TechCrunch reports that General Atlantic contributed $60 million to Panorama Education. This platform provides K-12 education software. Edtech startups saw a significant boost in 2020 as schools all over the globe went remote. This wave is yet to peak.
All the reasons you should open a debit or credit card
The current fintech revolution continues the level playing field that legacy companies have dominated in startups' favor.
Many startups offer credit and debit cards to customers in order to compete with banks. Developer-friendly APIs make it easy to issue the cards and provide tools for managing processes such as KYC.
Ryan Lawler was interviewed to learn more about the low entry barriers and the inherent challenges involved in creating a unique card offer.
Michael Spelfogel, founder, Cardless
Anu Muralidharan, COO, Expensify
Peter Hazlehurst is the founder and CEO of Synctera
Salman Syed is SVP and GM North America, Marqeta
(Extra Crunch) Our membership program that helps founders and startups get ahead. Sign up here
Big Tech Inc.
Googlebot, hail! Our own Brian Heater reports that Alphabet has created an exoskeleton. It is quite impressive. It's easy to forget that Alphabet still has a lot of skunkworks work, even though it is best known for its Android mobile application, ad technology, and online document editing services.
Alphabet has created an exoskeleton. Brian Heater reports on it in his Actuator series. It is quite impressive. It's easy to forget that Alphabet still has a lot of skunkworks work, even though it is best known for its Android mobile app, ad technology, and online document editing services. Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight is coming soon: Virgin Galactic has sent some people to space and near-space in the past month. Now, Virgin Galactic is getting ready to do commercial work. According to the company, this mission could be completed in October or later in the month. It is good news for shareholders. Learn more
Today in Tesla: Elon-world has two things to share with you today. Tesla was told to share Autopilot data the United States Traffic Safety Agency. Tesla's super-quick Roadster car may not be available until 2023. Next question: When will Cybertruck be available?
Elon-world has two things to share with you today. Tesla was told to share Autopilot data the United States Traffic Safety Agency. Tesla's super-quick Roadster car may not be available until 2023. The Cybertruck will be available when the Cybertruck is ready. Finally, some news from India. Eight Indian banks are soon launching an accountaggregator system that will allow consumers to consolidate their financial data. TechCrunch reports that India's banking industry relies on interoperable UPI lines.
TechCrunch Experts: Growth Marketing
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Community
Mary Ann Azevedo and Danny Crichton will be speaking with Jonathan Metrick on Tuesday, September 7th at 3:00 p.m. PDT/6:00 p.m. ET on Twitter Spaces. They'll discuss fintech and growth marketing.
