Author: GT

The Enhanced Games, a new sporting competition explicitly designed to allow performance-enhancing drugs, looks like a publicity stunt for the techno-macho era: Olympic athletes on steroids competing for million-dollar bounties in Las Vegas. But co-founder Aron D’Souza has a 90% gross margin telehealth business in mind, and a pitch to governments struggling with aging populations.  Launching in May 2026 with Peter Thiel’s backing, the Games promise $1 million bounties for breaking world records. Former Olympic athletes like sprinter Fred Kerley and swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev have already signed up to compete. The goal isn’t just to smash world records while fans cheer.…

Just three days until liftoff for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — and the Space Stage is ready to explore the future of space tech (and every other frontier of innovation). Space leaders Adam Maher (Ursa), Dr. Lucy Hoag (Violet Labs), and Dr. Debra L. Emmons (The Aerospace Corporation) will unpack how AI is transforming life in orbit. If you’re after insights, inspiration, and a front-row seat to what’s next, this is the room to be in. Save up to $444 on your pass before doors open on October 27 — plus, grab a guest pass for 60% off or get 15%…

Rivian has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action shareholder lawsuit filed after the company suddenly hiked prices on its R1 pickup truck and SUV in 2022. The lawsuit alleged Rivian had included misleading statements and figures in regulatory filings in the run-up to its 2021 IPO about the costs required to build the R1 EVs. Despite agreeing to the payment, Rivian said in a press release that it “denies the allegations in the suit and maintains that this agreement to settle is not an admission of fault or wrongdoing.” The payment still has to be approved…

On Friday, WordPress.com maker Automattic filed its counterclaims in the lawsuit initiated by hosting company WP Engine in October 2024, which had accused Automattic and its CEO, Matt Mullenweg, of defamation and abuse of power. Automattic believes that WP Engine has been abusing the WordPress trademark and has engaged in deceptive marketing practices, without properly giving back to the open source community. As a result, Automattic took action against WP Engine last year, which included calling the hosting provider a “cancer to WordPress” and sending it a cease-and-desist letter claiming WP Engine had breached its trademark usage rules. As the battle continued, Automattic banned WP Engine from…

With TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in less than 3 days, we’re loading up Moscone West with 200+ can’t-miss sessions — including breakout sessions led by top leaders across the tech and startup ecosystem. Breakout sessions are tailored for hands-on learning and tactical takeaways. These first-come, first-served rooms put you shoulder to shoulder with operators, founders, and investors building what’s next. Don’t miss your chance to pocket ticket savings and join these breakouts! Register now to save up to $444 on your pass, and get 60% off a second before prices increase when event doors open on October 27. The complete Disrupt…

With TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 right around the corner, we’re thrilled to introduce the companies hosting Side Events that will extend the buzz and excitement to the thousands of attendees and Silicon Valley locals alike. Whether it’s a fun happy hour, insightful panels, or energizing morning runs, Disrupt Week — happening from October 25-31 — offers an exciting array of Side Events organized by a diverse group of participating companies. Scroll down to explore 50+ Side Events, built so you can connect with 10,000 Disrupt attendees and the rest of the Bay Area tech scene. Make sure to register for your…

The browser wars are heating up again, this time with AI in the driver’s seat.  OpenAI just launched Atlas, a ChatGPT-powered browser that lets users surf the web using natural language and even includes an “agent mode” that can complete tasks autonomously. It’s one of the biggest browser launches in recent memory, but it’s debuting with an unsolved security flaw that could expose passwords, emails, and sensitive data.  On TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Max Zeff, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane break down Atlas’ debut, the broader wave of alternative browsers, and more of the week’s startup and tech news.  Listen to…

An investigation by EU regulators has found TikTok and Meta in breach of the Union’s rules concerning illegal or harmful online content. The European Commission (EC) said on Friday that preliminary findings show both companies are not complying with Digital Services Act (DSA) rules that require them to give researchers adequate access to public data. The Commission called Meta and TikTok’s procedures and tools for requesting access to public data “burdensome,” saying that researchers are consequently often left with partial or unreliable data, which affects “their ability to conduct research, such as whether users, including minors, are exposed to illegal…

Two years ago, former SpaceX engineers used rocket tech to develop a power plant capable of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with a small asterisk. To draw down CO2, it burned plant waste, making it a sort of “vegetarian rocket engine” for the grid. This week, Arbor Energy said it had raised a $55 million Series A led by Lowercarbon Capital and Voyager Ventures on the heels of a partial pivot. Its power plant, rather than sticking to a strict vegetarian diet, is going to be more of an omnivore, capable of burning natural gas in addition to biomass. …

Instagram announced on Friday that it will now let you go back and see your previously watched Reels thanks to a new “Watch History” feature. Rival TikTok has had a Watch History feature for a few years now. With the new feature, you can go back and find videos you might not have had the chance to save. For example, you could be watching an interesting Reel and then receive a phone call, or accidentally close the app while watching, or get distracted by something else and lose your place in the Reels feed. “Have you ever tried to get…