Helion Energy Secures $500M to Advance Fusion Power

Daily Crunch: November 5, 2021

Greetings and welcome to Daily Crunch for November 5th, 2021. The workweek has concluded, and we wish everyone a happy Friday. Remember to register for our forthcoming Space event before the opportunity passes!

A Note from Alex

Don't delay in securing your place for the Space event, as registration will close soon. A restful weekend is deserved by all of us, as we are all feeling somewhat fatigued.

Wishing you all a pleasant and rejuvenating break. — Alex

TechCrunch's Leading Three Stories

Here's a look at the top three stories covered by TechCrunch, offering insights into the latest developments in the technology sector.

Cruise's Path to Commercial Robotaxis

The widespread adoption of robotaxis remains a challenge. Many are questioning why fully autonomous vehicles aren't yet a common sight on our roads.

Achieving this goal is proving to be more complex than initially anticipated. Cruise is focusing on advanced simulators and the development of custom silicon to overcome these hurdles.

The success of Cruise's approach is eagerly awaited, particularly by those, like ourselves, who find driving less than enjoyable.

HashiCorp's IPO and the Open Source Movement

HashiCorp’s recent IPO filing highlights the growing importance of open source in the startup landscape.

Open source development, once considered unconventional, is now a mainstream practice. Many new companies are building their foundations on openly available code.

HashiCorp’s journey to an IPO demonstrates the potential for success within this evolving model.

Helion Energy's Fusion Funding

Helion Energy has secured over $500 million in funding to advance its fusion energy research.

An additional $1.7 billion is potentially available, contingent upon achieving specific performance milestones.

A key question remains: can Helion Energy generate more energy from its fusion technology than is required to operate it? TechCrunch is closely monitoring their progress.

Like self-driving cars, fusion energy represents a significant technological undertaking with the potential to reshape our future.

Startups and Venture Capital Updates

Recent observations indicate that venture capitalists are deploying capital at an accelerated pace, securing smaller equity positions in startups globally. A key question arises: is the rate of growth commensurate with this increased investment?

Funding Rounds and Developments

Let's examine some specific recent events in the startup ecosystem.

• Lime Secures Pre-IPO Funding: Following Bird’s entry into the public market, its competitor, Lime, is preparing for its own initial public offering. The company has successfully raised $523 million in a new funding round, which includes $418 million in convertible debt. It remains to be seen if Lime can successfully navigate the IPO process.
• Momenta Gains $500 Million for Autonomous Driving: Significant investment continues to flow into self-driving technology. Momenta, a Chinese autonomous driving technology firm, has added $500 million to its funding, extending a previous $300 million round. This brings the total investment in tackling this technological challenge potentially above $100 billion.
• DJI Mavic 3: Advanced, but Pricey: Drone technology has seen substantial advancements. A review by Matt Burns highlights the improvements in the new DJI Mavic 3. However, its price point, exceeding $2,000, places it beyond the reach of many consumers.
• Thirteen Lune and Target Partnership: Thirteen Lune, a direct-to-consumer beauty platform, is expanding its reach through a partnership with Target. This collaboration has garnered attention from TechCrunch, highlighting the company’s funding and overall progress within the beauty market.
• MilkRun: A Notable Startup Name: MilkRun offers a subscription service delivering weekly grocery staples sourced from local farms. The company has secured a $6 million Series A funding round and experienced a 15x revenue increase in 2020, signaling strong growth potential.
• Venture Capital Data on Female Founders: A recent TechCrunch podcast provides insights into venture capital data specifically concerning female founders.

Key Takeaways

The current venture capital landscape is characterized by rapid deployment of funds and a focus on innovative technologies. Startups in sectors like autonomous driving, micro-mobility, and direct-to-consumer retail are attracting substantial investment.

The increasing investment in these areas suggests a continued belief in their long-term potential, despite the challenges associated with scaling and achieving profitability. The success of companies like Lime and Momenta will be closely watched as indicators of the overall health of the VC market.

Preparing for the Holiday Shopping Rush: Insights from Growth Marketers

The peak holiday shopping period is rapidly approaching, with just three weeks remaining. Miranda Halpern consulted with a number of growth marketing professionals to determine how they are guiding their clients in anticipation of potential supply chain interruptions.

Significant congestion is currently impacting ports, with numerous cargo vessels waiting to dock. A shortage of both shipping containers and available truck drivers to transport goods to consumers further complicates the situation. Conventional business practices are insufficient given these challenges.

The following experts contributed advice and perspectives:

• Julio Lopez, Director of Client Strategy and Retail Practice Lead at Movable Ink
• Chris Toy, CEO and Co-founder of MarketerHire
• Kristin Dick, Head of Operations and Growth Marketer at Tuff
• Dipti Parmar, Founder of Dipti Parmar Consulting

These professionals shared their strategies for navigating the upcoming season.

(TechCrunch+ is a membership program designed to empower founders and startup teams. Registration is available here.)

Navigating Supply Chain Challenges

Growth marketers are emphasizing proactive communication with customers regarding potential delays. Transparency is key to managing expectations and maintaining customer trust during this uncertain period.

Several experts highlighted the importance of diversifying shipping options. Relying on a single carrier or route increases vulnerability to disruptions. Exploring alternative logistics solutions is crucial.

Strategies for Retailers

Julio Lopez suggests leveraging personalized messaging to inform customers about product availability and shipping timelines. Dynamic content can be used to display real-time inventory updates.

Chris Toy recommends focusing on customer retention rather than solely pursuing new acquisitions. Existing customers are more likely to be understanding of potential delays.

Operational Considerations

Kristin Dick stresses the need for accurate inventory forecasting and efficient order fulfillment processes. Optimizing warehouse operations can help minimize delays.

Dipti Parmar advises retailers to consider offering alternative products or promotions to mitigate the impact of out-of-stock items. Flexibility is paramount.

The Importance of Early Preparation

The consensus among these growth marketers is that early preparation is essential. Waiting until the last minute to address supply chain issues will likely result in significant challenges.

Proactive planning, transparent communication, and a willingness to adapt are critical for success during this year’s holiday shopping season. Businesses that prioritize these factors will be best positioned to navigate the disruptions and meet customer demand.

Big Tech Inc.

It shouldn't come as a shock that Tencent is developing its own semiconductor solutions. This is according to Rita Liao, our expert covering the Chinese technology sector.

The Chinese technology conglomerate experienced a positive shift in its stock market valuation this week following the unveiling of new chips developed under its own brand.

Considering recent announcements from both Cruise and Tencent regarding silicon development, it's plausible to anticipate that companies exceeding a specific market capitalization will soon be producing their own chips.

GDPR Compliance Concerns

A leading framework utilized by Google and numerous other advertisers for obtaining user consent for targeted advertising is facing potential violations of Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This report comes from Natasha Lomas, our dedicated EU privacy reporter.

Investigations have revealed that a consent collection method intended to ensure GDPR compliance is, in fact, not adhering to the regulation’s requirements.

The core issue centers around whether the method of obtaining consent truly meets the stringent standards set forth by the GDPR.

This situation highlights the complexities involved in navigating and complying with evolving data privacy regulations.

TechCrunch Seeks Growth Marketing Recommendations

TechCrunch is currently soliciting recommendations for accomplished growth marketers. Expertise in areas like SEO, social media marketing, and content creation is highly valued.

Growth marketers are encouraged to share a survey with their clients. We aim to gather insights into positive client experiences and the reasons behind them.

Survey Purpose and Coverage

The purpose of this survey is to identify top-performing growth marketers. Feedback from clients will directly influence TechCrunch’s future reporting.

Interested in understanding how these surveys impact TechCrunch’s editorial direction? An article by Miranda Halpern on TechCrunch+ provides further details. The article, titled “The holiday shopping season is coming: How are growth marketers preparing?” explores this topic.

Areas of Expertise

TechCrunch is specifically looking for marketers with a proven track record in several key disciplines.

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• Social Media Marketing
• Content Writing
• Growth Marketing Strategy

Recommendations should highlight marketers who demonstrate proficiency in these areas. Client testimonials are particularly valuable.

This initiative allows TechCrunch to connect with and showcase leading professionals in the growth marketing field. Your contributions are appreciated.