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SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users’ trust in news; plus, Loop wants to build supply chain AI that predicts disruptions Apr 20, 2026

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Users are fed up with misinformation and AI slop cluttering their feeds. SaySo is a new short-form video app that delivers news from vetted creators and journalists.

Also, Loop, the San Francisco startup, closed a Series C funding round led by Antonio Gracias' firm Valor, which is a major backer of xAI.

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Amazon-backed X-energy files to raise up to $800M in IPO; plus, a simulation startup wants to be the Cursor for physical AI Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Nuclear startup X-energy hit the road today to sell prospective investors on its initial public offering.

Also, Antioch raised a $8.5 million seed round to create simulation tools for a new generation of robot builders.

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Can AI judge journalism? A Thiel-backed startup says yes, even if it risks chilling whistleblowers Apr 16, 2026

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Objection, a Thiel-backed startup, aims to use AI to judge journalism, letting users pay to challenge stories. Critics warn it could chill whistleblowers and reshape how media accountability works.

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AI data center startup Fluidstack in talks for $1B round at $18B valuation Apr 15, 2026

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Fundraising is reportedly flowing for Fluidstack after it secured a $50 billion deal to build data centers for Anthropic.

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OpenAI has bought AI personal finance startup Hiro Apr 14, 2026

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The acquisition indicates a capability that OpenAI is building into ChatGPT: financial planning.

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Slate Auto raises $650M to fund its affordable EV truck plans Apr 13, 2026

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Slate Auto's latest funding round was led by existing investor TWG Global, a firm run by LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

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Ex-Tesla engineer’s startup taps Pronto to help automate a copper mine; plus, Collide Capital raises $95M fund to back fintech Apr 10, 2026

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Pronto's autonomous haulage trucks are about to start operating at Mariana Minerals's Utah copper mine -- the first such deal since Pronto got acquired by Travis Kalanick's Atoms Inc.

Also, Collide Capital, founded by Brian Hollins and Aaron Samuels, announced Thursday the close of a $95 million Fund II.

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TC's Julie Bort can’t help rooting for tiny open source AI model maker Arcee; plus, Databricks co-founder wins prestigious ACM award Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Arcee is a tiny 26-person U.S. startup that built a high-performing, massive, open source LLM. And it's gaining popularity with OpenClaw users.

Also, Matei Zaharia has won the top honor from the Association for Computing Machinery. Now he's working on AI for research and says AGI is simply misunderstood.

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AI startup Rocket offers vibe McKinsey-style reports at a fraction of the cost; plus, Hermeus raises $350M to build unmanned hypersonic fighters Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Rocket's new AI platform combines strategy, product building, and competitive intelligence, aiming to move beyond code generation.

Also, the defense aviation startup is coming off two successful flight demonstrations, and with the next one, it's aiming to go supersonic.

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Spain’s Xoople raises $130 million Series B to map the Earth for AI Apr 07, 2026

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The company is also announcing a deal with L3Harris to build the sensors for Xoople's spacecraft.

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