Meta bought 1 GW of solar this week

Meta signed three deals this week to procure nearly 1 gigawatt of solar power as it races to power its lofty AI ambitions. The trio of agreements brings Meta’s total solar purchases to over 3 gigawatts of capacity this year. Solar is cheap and quick to build, and as a result, it has become a … Read more

What is Bending Spoons? Everything to know about AOL’s acquirer

Bending Spoons’ four cofounders this week joined the billionaire ranks. CEO Luca Ferrari’s stake in the Milan-based tech conglomerate is now reportedly worth $1.4 billion, while cofounders Matteo Danieli, Luca Querella, and Francesco Patarnello each hold stakes worth $1.3 billion, according to Forbes estimates based on shareholder data published by the Italian Business Register. The … Read more

Bluesky hits 40 million users, introduces ‘dislikes’ beta

Social network Bluesky, which on Friday announced a new milestone of 40 million users, will soon start testing “dislikes” as a way to improve personalization on its main Discover feed and others. The news was shared alongside a host of other conversation control updates and changes, which include smaller tweaks to replies, improved detection of … Read more

Scenes from TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s San Francisco event what it was — and to the 10,000 of you who filled the halls, made the connections, and left with more than you came with. Couldn’t make it? The images below offer a glimpse into what you missed. Until next year. Vinod Khosla, telling attendees … Read more

Google partners with Ambani’s Reliance to offer free AI Pro access to millions of Jio users in India

In a push to expand its AI footprint in emerging markets, Google has partnered with billionaire Mukesh Ambani–led Reliance Industries to bundle its AI Pro subscription with Jio 5G plans at no extra cost. On Thursday, Google announced a partnership with Reliance, India’s largest company by market capitalization, to offer its AI Pro subscription free … Read more

IntrCity SmartBus lands $30M at $140M valuation to deepen its grip on India’s intercity travel market

IntrCity SmartBus, a tech-enabled intercity bus platform in India, has raised $30 million in funding to expand its network across smaller cities and towns in the South Asian nation. The all-equity Series D round, led by A91 Partners, values the Noida-based startup at $140 million post-money. Intercity travel is accelerating in India as more people … Read more

India’s Snabbit valuation doubled to $180M in 5 months on its quick house-help bet

India’s appetite for instant convenience — once confined to food and grocery delivery — is expanding into house help. That shift has helped Snabbit, an on-demand home-help startup, secure $30 million in new funding and lift its valuation to $180 million, up from $80 million five months ago. The all-equity Series C round — Snabbit’s … Read more