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TechCrunch Daily Roundup & Disrupt 2024 Kickoff

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Greetings from the first day of Disrupt! I’ve just finished observing the Battlefield companies present their pitches – details follow – and am now composing this update for you.

Disrupt is proceeding seamlessly, exhibiting a high level of polish, and maintaining the quintessential TechCrunch atmosphere.

Acknowledging the TechCrunch Team

While it may sound conventional, I am deeply appreciative of the efforts undertaken by the TechCrunch team for this year’s flagship event.

My sincere gratitude extends to the TechCrunch events team, the sales team, the technical support crew, the editorial staff, and all other contributors who ensure the operation of this publication, even those whose work remains largely unseen.

News Highlights – Alex

Now, let’s turn our attention to the latest news. – Alex

The Battlefield company pitches were particularly noteworthy, showcasing innovative ideas and competitive strategies. Further coverage of these presentations will be provided shortly.

The overall impression of Disrupt thus far is one of success and a strong representation of the TechCrunch brand.

TechCrunch's Featured Stories

Here's a look at the top three stories currently highlighted by TechCrunch, offering a diverse range of tech and business insights.

iPhone 14 at the Happiest Place on Earth

Matthew Panzarino, TechCrunch's editor-in-chief and Apple reviewer, recently combined his passions for photography, Disney, and technology.

He conducted practical testing of the newest iPhone model at Disneyland, providing a unique perspective on its performance in a real-world environment.

This article represents a quintessential example of Panzarino’s reporting style, blending personal interests with professional expertise.

Instacart Shoppers Voice Concerns

Thousands of Instacart shoppers are actively protesting the company's policies through a coordinated boycott.

Organized by the Gig Workers Collective, the protest urges customers to avoid reinstalling the app until specific demands are addressed.

These demands center around improvements to the tipping system, specifically requesting a higher default tip, and adjustments to the commission structure.

PayPal Launches All-in-One Financial App

PayPal is introducing a comprehensive "super app" to the U.S. market, mirroring a popular model already prevalent in Asia.

This new application aims to consolidate various financial services into a single platform.

Features include direct deposit, bill payment, a digital wallet, peer-to-peer payments, shopping tools, and integrated cryptocurrency capabilities, as detailed by TechCrunch.

Startups/VC

Let's begin by examining a selection of companies featured at Battlefield, directly following their pitches at Disrupt earlier today.

• Enlight, founded by a refugee, is developing an edtech platform designed to foster greater optimism among students.
• Luos is focused on creating an API that simplifies hardware component connections for embedded engineers.
• Hervest, a Nigerian fintech company, is dedicated to expanding financial inclusion for women across Africa.
• Tatum provides an API-based interface for interacting with various blockchains.
• Happaning is striving to become the “Google Street View” equivalent for video content.
• Folio, led by a 24-year-old founder, is building a curated online bookstore through bootstrapping.

Beyond these, several other noteworthy events transpired:

• Mirakl, a French marketplace startup, secured $555 million in funding at a $3.5 billion valuation, marking a substantial investment in its SaaS model. Silver Lake spearheaded the round.
• The organization supporting Raspberry Pi minicomputers has raised $45 million, achieving a $500 million valuation. The investment was co-led by London-based Lansdowne Partners and The Ezrah Charitable Trust.
• Just obtained $8 million in funding to improve car insurance offerings, a venture requiring significant capital and long-term commitment, as evidenced by the experiences of Root and MetroMile.
• Business Canvas, a Korean company, raised $2.5 million in seed funding for its document management service, Typed. Mirae Asset Venture Investment led this investment.
• Bilt Rewards, a fintech facilitating rewards for renters through rent payments, secured $60 million at a $350 million valuation. Wells Fargo and Mastercard took the lead, a logical partnership given the nature of the business.
• Pipe has recruited former executives from Stripe and HubSpot and is now expanding its operations into the U.K. The company demonstrates the significant market for selling recurring revenue streams for immediate cash.
• Lastly, Sorare raised $680 million at a $4.3 billion valuation. The company has pioneered a fantasy football platform utilizing NFTs. The intersection of fantasy sports and NFTs appears promising, according to SoftBank, which led this Series B funding round.

Seth Rogen Details Houseplant’s Strategy for Cannabis Branding Within Legal Boundaries

Numerous public figures have successfully transformed their passions into profitable businesses. Examples include Ryan Reynolds’ ownership of Aviation Gin, Jessica Alba’s creation of The Honest Company focused on nontoxic products, and George Clooney’s anticipated $1 billion earnings from the sale of his tequila brand.

This year saw actor Seth Rogen become a co-founder of Houseplant, a company offering cannabis, pottery, and associated accessories.

Rogen clarified, “We have distributed home goods across all fifty states to date.” This allows the company to cultivate customer relationships and build trust even in regions where cannabis remains prohibited.

During a discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt with Managing Editor Matt Burns, Rogen, CEO Mike Mohr, and chief commercial officer Haneen Davies explored the difficulties of establishing a brand identity while navigating a heavily regulated industry.

Davies stated, “The combination of ‘House’ and ‘Plant’ is instrumental in forging a brand identity that transcends the limitations imposed on cannabis communication.”

The strategy allows for broader brand recognition.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to support founders and startup teams. Registration is available here.)

Big Tech Inc.

Facebook is responding to recent negative publicity with a new hardware release: a battery-powered Portal device.

Despite ongoing reports in the Wall Street Journal questioning Facebook’s practices, the company’s hardware division continues to innovate and launch new products.

Roblox Age Verification

Roblox has introduced a new, optional age verification system.

This move is considered a positive step towards enhancing safety for younger users on the popular gaming platform, where child protection is paramount.

Tumblr's Subscription Model

Tumblr, previously acquired by Yahoo and later sold to Automattic, is now offering its subscription product in open beta.

This represents Tumblr’s latest effort to engage with and support content creators, marking its entry into the creator economy.

The history of Tumblr reflects the broader shifts in the media landscape, including Verizon’s divestiture of its media properties, such as TechCrunch.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Update

Amazon has unexpectedly released an updated version of the Kindle Paperwhite.

The new model features a larger display, reduced bezel size, and the adoption of USB-C charging for improved convenience.

This refresh demonstrates Amazon’s commitment to continually improving its e-reader lineup.

TechCrunch Insights: Growth Marketing Professionals

Image Credits: SEAN GLADWELL / Getty Images

Did you have a chance to review last week’s reporting on growth marketing strategies? You can find the previous coverage here if you missed it.

TechCrunch is currently seeking recommendations for top growth marketers. We are looking for professionals with demonstrated skills in areas like SEO, social media marketing, and content creation.

Growth marketers are encouraged to share this survey with their clients. We aim to gather feedback on positive client experiences and the value provided.

The survey will help us understand what makes a growth marketer truly effective. Client testimonials are highly valued in this process.

We are interested in learning about successful campaigns and the impact these marketers have had on their clients’ businesses.

Seeking Expertise in Key Areas

Specifically, we are looking for marketers proficient in:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• Social Media Marketing
• Content Writing and Strategy
• Data Analytics
• Conversion Rate Optimization

If you have collaborated with a growth marketer who has delivered exceptional results, please submit their name for consideration. Your input is greatly appreciated.