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Welcome to Daily Crunch, September 24, 2021. Keep going, everyone! Although it was a hectic week, the TechCrunch team continues to cover the startup world. The Equity podcast crew can help you catch up on Battlefield's winners. Let's get started! Alex
TechCrunch Top 3
China bans crypto again: If you've been paying attention to the wider world of cryptocurrency, then you are probably familiar with the bad news coming out of China. China has been putting a more restrictive blanket around its position in the global crypto economy over the last few years. China's continued behavior was enough to make the value of major cryptos a little less attractive. This is a disappointing note to end the week on, unless you are Robinhood or Coinbase.
You are probably familiar with the bad news coming out of China if you've been paying attention to cryptocurrency world. China has become a more marginalized country in the global crypto economy over the last few years. Today's China news was enough to make the value of major cryptos drop. This is not a good way to end your week if you are Robinhood or Coinbase. SoftBank triples its focus on Latin America: It is a global battle to find the next great tech company. And few regions are more hot than Latin America. SoftBank has provided a large amount of capital to LatAm, which has helped it do so well in recent quarters. We learned this week that SoftBank, the Japanese mega-investor in startup and telcos, has billions more available for Latin American startups.
It is a global battle to build the next big tech company, and Latin America is no exception. A large influx of capital from SoftBank has been one reason why LatAm has performed so well in recent quarters. We learned this week that SoftBank, the Japanese mega-investor in startups and telcos, has billions more available for Latin American startups. It's a great time to start a business: TechCrunch looked back at Disrupt panels about alternative fundraising, going public, and other topics. There are more options for startups to make capital than ever before, so the need for venture capital may be declining for some startup types despite rising global venture capital numbers.
Startups/VC
Are Noops's customers going to say no to Noops? Noops, a plant-based pudding company, hopes so. After raising $2 million a few months back, it just raised $2million. Alt-milks are in high demand. Oat milk puddings may be the next big thing in oat milk. Lerer Hippeau provided new capital.
Noops, a plant-based pudding company, certainly doesn't hope so. After raising $2 million a few months back, it just raised $2million. Alt-milks are in high demand. Oat milk puddings may be the next big thing in oat milk. Lerer Hippeau provided new capital. Avenue is introducing OpsObs. Avenue believes that operations observability will be a hot topic. Last week, Avenue announced that it had raised $4 million. According to TechCrunch, Avenue's goal is to give operations tools that allow them monitor their teams through a command center. This will be a huge business, as I have never seen a chart in a UI that I didn't like to read.
Avenue believes that operations observation is a hot topic. The startup launched its product last week and announced that it had raised $4 million. According to TechCrunch, Avenue's goal is to give operations tools that allow them monitor their teams through a command center. This will be a huge business, and I doubt I've ever seen a chart in a UI that I didn't like to read. Ukio raises $9M to support longer-stay rentals. Airbnb saw a trend during the pandemic: While short-stay rentals were gaining popularity, they weren't as popular as long-term rentals. Ukio, a startup that offers units for rent with terms up to a month, is betting on this observation. Do you want to work in Spain for one month? Ukio may be the right place for you.
Ryan Reynolds masters authentic marketing
Ryan Reynolds is most well-known for his films. However, Mint Mobile, a mobile network operator, also holds a majority of Ryan Reynolds' stake. Mint Mobile has seen a remarkable growth rate of more than 50,000% over the past three years. He also invested in Aviation Gin, which he sold for $600 million last fiscal year.
Maximum Effort is also his creation. This marketing agency promotes the Deadpool franchise and Aviation Gin. Mint Mobile is the viral Match.com ad that features Satan and 2020 as a match made only in hell.
Jordan Crook was interviewed by him about how startups can use his concept of fast-vertising as a way to harness real-time cultural moments to build their brand buzz.
Reynolds said that when we are creative and have an idea or inspiration, we can get very aggressive and make it infectious.
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Big Tech Inc.
U.S. gives $1.2 billion to underserved internet connectivity. Are you tired of all the bad news around the world? We are, too. The good news is that the U.S. regulatory agency responsible for domestic internet connectivity has released large funds to help school districts get more students online. It is difficult to do homework online or attend remote school without an internet connection. Not all children have one. TechCrunch says that there is more money in the future.
Are you tired of all the negative news around the world? We are, too. The good news is that the U.S. regulatory agency responsible for domestic internet connectivity has released large funds to help school districts get more students online. It is difficult to do homework online or attend remote school without an internet connection. Not all children have one. TechCrunch says that there is more money in the future. Is the U.K. willing to fund its ambitious AI strategy. The U.K. wants the island nation AI leader. It's a good idea. However, questions remain as to how much it will cost and whether the government will put up the duckets. One only needs to be the leader in the global AI race by beating out China, the United States, and the EU. Let's see what Boris has in mind.
The U.K. wants the island nation AI leader. It's a good idea. However, questions remain as to how much it will cost and whether the government will put up the duckets. One only needs to be the leader in the global AI race by beating out China, the United States, and the EU. Let's find out what Boris has in mind. Amazon introduces Prime Video Channels in India: Indian Amazon customers now have the option to subscribe to eight digital channels in India, including Discovery+ for $4 per year, Mubi $27 and Hoichoi $8.2, DocuBay $6.8, ErosNow #4, Lionsgate Play $9.5, manoramaMax $9.5, and ShortsTV 4 according to TechCrunch. Amazon's digital media ambitions seem unaffected. TechCrunch reports that they expect to continue with this theme in the coming quarters, from both India and other markets.
Chris Pratt will apparently be playing the role of Mario, the digital character. We dont get it either.
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