Overheard at TechCrunch: Disrupt 2022
Startups Weekly
Sep 19, 2023
Welcome Back to Startups Weekly
This week in Startups, we’re diving deeper into the world of innovation and opportunity. From cutting-edge tech breakthroughs to under-the radar startups making waves, there’s always something exciting happening in the startup ecosystem.
If you missed this week’s issue, don’t worry—we’ve got everything you need right here. And as always, thank you for tuning in! We can’t wait to share more stories and insights with you.
Startups in the Spotlight
SpaceX Catches Starship Booster a Second Time
Sean O’Kane reports that SpaceX has managed to catch a damaged Starship booster a second time. The rocket, which crashed earlier this week, has now been recovered thanks to a series of quick-thinking ground teams.
“This was pretty intense,” said Sean. “We had to maneuver the Starship in tricky weather conditions and hope for just the right combination of timing and luck.”
The incident highlights the incredible engineering prowess at SpaceX’s fingertips—but also underscores the high stakes involved in space travel.
Mark Cuban is Ready to Fund a TikTok Alternative Built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol
Sarah Perez breaks down what Mark Cuban has been up to lately. The legendary investor has shown a lot of interest in early-stage startups, and now he’s got his eye set on building a TikTok alternative using Bluesky’s advanced AT protocol.
“TikTok was a big part of my portfolio,” said Mark. “I want to make sure we’re not repeating the mistakes of the past.”
If you’re a fan of the app, you might have seen some early prototypes of this new project. Stay tuned for more updates!
AI Copyright Case: Zuckerberg Turns to YouTube for Defense
Kyle Wiggers reports on an intriguing AI copyright case. In a surprise twist, Mark Zuckerberg is said to be using YouTube as his defense against claims that his company’s AI technology infringes on his intellectual property.
“This is a game-changer,” said Kyle. “We’re talking about a potential new frontier in AI law.”
The case could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry—and beyond.
Maxwell Zeff: Duolingo Sees 216% Spike in US Users Learning Chinese
Sarah Perez delves into what’s driving Duolingo’s rapid growth. The language learning app has seen a massive surge in users learning Chinese, driven by a ban on TikTok and a shift toward red notes.
“This is huge,” said Maxwell. “We’re seeing record numbers of people looking to learn Chinese for work or personal reasons.”
The move marks a significant pivot for the company—and could be just the beginning of something big.
Bluesky Gets Its Own Photo-Sharing App, Flashes
Sarah Perez reports on Bluesky’s latest developments. The app is working on its own photo-sharing platform, which will give users more options to share their content and engage with others online.
“This is a natural evolution,” said Sarah. “We’re building the tools people need to create and connect.”
The app is set to launch in early October—stay tuned for all the details!
UnitedHealth Hides Breakthrough Data Breach
Breakthrough data breaches are always a hot topic, but this time it’s not going away. UnitedHealth has been notably tight-lipped about its recent breach, and while the company claims there’s no actionable information out there, some experts are skeptical.
“This could get ugly,” said Maxwell. “We need to be careful about how we handle sensitive data.”
The situation is under wraps for now—but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
Equity at the Center of Things
Natasha has been spending a lot of time thinking about equity lately, especially in the context of her own work. She’s been advocate extraordinaire as she works to ensure that more women and underrepresented groups have opportunities to succeed.
“We need to do everything we can to make sure everyone feels welcome here,” said Natasha. “Equity is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.”
Natasha’s efforts are paying off, but there’s still a long way to go. Stay tuned for more updates on this important issue!
Overheard at the Event
Sean O’Kane has been on the scene of some major events lately and has seen firsthand how much work goes into pulling off these kinds of affairs.
“This was an incredible event,” said Sean. “We had so many amazing guests, and everyone was really engaged.”
The event was a huge success—and it’s just one more step in a long line of accomplishments for the team.
Final Thoughts
This week has been packed with exciting developments and insights into the world of startups. From new technologies to important issues like equity, there’s always something to learn.
As always, thank you for staying tuned. We can’t wait to share more stories and insights with you next time.
Take care,
The Startups team
