TechCrunch Industry News

Latest Episodes:

Remember Moviefone? Well, it’s back. May 13, 2025

Show notes

For millions of movie enthusiasts in the ’90s, Moviefone’s 777-FILM number was the go-to source for obtaining showtimes. Now, under new ownership, Moviefone is trying to make a comeback. On Friday, as part of its 35th anniversary celebration, Moviefone announced the relaunch of its mobile app and a new nationally syndicated broadcast TV series.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Microsoft employees are banned from using DeepSeek app May 13, 2025

Show notes

Microsoft employees aren’t allowed to use DeepSeek due to data security and propaganda concerns, Microsoft vice chairman and president Brad Smith said in a Senate hearing today. “At Microsoft we don’t allow our employees to use the DeepSeek app,” Smith said, referring to DeepSeek’s application service (which is available on both desktop and mobile.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greek revival you’re not watching (but probably should be) May 12, 2025

Show notes

Much of the world isn’t paying close attention to Greece right now. That may be a mistake. Best known for its stunning islands, sun-soaked cities, and deep historical roots, Greece has been quietly laying the foundation for something far less expected: a modern, resilient tech economy.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rove, founded by a 22-year-old, is helping Gen Z earn airline miles without credit cards May 12, 2025

Show notes

During his junior year study abroad, Max Morganroth, traveled to 30 countries, primarily flying in business and first class. His jet setting was funded almost entirely by airline points he collected through strategic credit card applications and miles redemptions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI data startup WisdomAI nabs $23M with a smart way to avoid hallucinations May 09, 2025

Show notes

Rubrik co-founder Soham Mazumdar has a new data startup called Wisdom AI. It offers an agentic data analyst that works with structured, unstructured, even “dirty” data.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Employer.com scoops up another fintech in purchase of MainStreet.com May 09, 2025

Show notes

Employer.com has acquired MainStreet.com for an undisclosed amount, the latest fintech startup to get snapped up by the workforce management company. In a post on X, Employer.com Chairman and co-founder Jesse Tinsley said the two companies were “merging forces to simplify business back office solutions into one powerhouse platform.”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Energy Star program getting scrapped, Ford raising prices due to tariffs, and Mark Zuckerberg’s AI ad tool sounds like a social media nightmare May 08, 2025

Show notes

The Energy Star program's signature yellow labels appear on appliances and electronics for sale throughout the U.S.; Ford is raising the price of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and popular entry-level Maverick pickup by as much as $2,000 due to the import taxes President Donald Trump is placing on vehicles made in Mexico, according to Reuters. Higher prices could make it harder for traditional automakers like Ford to sell their EVs; Tech executives have long talked about how AI is going to revolutionize the advertising industry. In particularly, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been quite vocal about how exactly he wants his company to lead the transformation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cnaught wants to make carbon credits easy for businesses small and large May 08, 2025

Show notes

Cnaught is a market maker seeking to ease the pain of buying carbon credits for companies without dedicated teams.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MoneyFellows raises $13M to take its group savings model outside Egypt May 07, 2025

Show notes

While most African digital lenders depend on working capital to fuel growth, MoneyFellows has quietly done what few others have: lend billions of Egyptian pounds with almost no debt or balance sheet exposure.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pinterest updates visual search with more AI-powered features May 07, 2025

Show notes

Pinterest is upgrading its visual search feature with a handful of new capabilities. On Monday, the company announced it’s rolling out new functionality to improve its feature that allows users to search using an image instead of text.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices