Proposed “Kill Switch” for AI Raises Concerns for Emerging Fund Managers
Episode Overview
In this episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, our new hosts introduce themselves and dive into the latest news in startup land. From Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet announcing her departure to two funding deals straddling the lines of crypto and social media, fintech, and blockchain-based social protocols, we’ve got it all covered.
Introducing Our New Hosts
Meet Mary Ann Azevedo, Rebecca Bellan, and Haje Jan Kamps, our new hosts who will be bringing you the latest news and insights in the world of startups. With over 20 years of business reporting experience, Mary Ann brings a wealth of knowledge on fintech and financial services. Rebecca covers transportation for TechCrunch and is interested in all things micromobility, EVs, AVs, smart cities, AI, sustainability, and more. Haje has founded several companies to varying degrees of success and has been a journalist and TV producer since the dawn of his career.
The News
Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet Announces Departure
Just weeks after TechCrunch reporter Dominic-Madori Davis published an in-depth investigative article on what’s been going on behind the scenes at the accelerator, Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet announced she is leaving the company. The Equity team breaks down what this means for the startup ecosystem and why it’s a significant development.
Two Funding Deals
The team digs into two funding deals that straddle the lines of crypto and social media and fintech. They discuss the implications of these deals on the industry and what they say about the current state of venture capital.
Farcaster Raises $150 Million
Rebecca brings up Farcaster, a blockchain-based social protocol that invites developers to build other apps on top of it. The startup raised a $150 million round, leaving the Equity team asking, "Is crypto back?"
Immigrant Banking Platform Majority Secures $20 Million in Funding
Mary Ann digs into immigrant banking platform Majority securing $20 million in funding after notching an impressive $40 million in ARR as of April. They discuss what this means for the fintech industry and why it’s a significant development.
The Proposed AI ‘Kill Switch’
While we felt the news was mostly positive, we are skeptical about the proposed AI ‘kill switch.’ What does this mean for emerging fund managers? Why is it challenging for them to navigate the current environment?
Challenging Environment for Emerging Fund Managers
We’re surprised at just how many emerging fund managers there are! The team discusses why it’s tough for them to succeed and what they can do to improve their chances.
Conclusion
That’s it for this week, but we’ll be back bright and early Tuesday morning with more tech and startup news. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads at @EquityPod.
Senior Reporter, Fintech
Mary Ann Azevedo has more than 20 years of business reporting and editing experience for publications such as FinLedger, Crunchbase News, Crain, Forbes, and Silicon Valley Business Journal. Prior to joining TechCrunch in 2021, she earned numerous awards including the New York Times Chairman’s Award.
Bio
Mary Ann is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience in business reporting and editing. She has worked for top publications and has won several awards for her work.
Senior Reporter, Transportation
Rebecca covers transportation for TechCrunch and is interested in all things micromobility, EVs, AVs, smart cities, AI, sustainability, and more. She has a passion for storytelling and loves to share her insights on the latest developments in the transportation industry.
Bio
Rebecca is a seasoned journalist with a focus on transportation. She has a passion for storytelling and loves to share her insights on the latest developments in the industry.
Senior Reporter, General Tech
Haje has founded several companies to varying degrees of success and has been a journalist and TV producer since the dawn of his career. He is interested in all things tech and loves to share his insights on the latest developments in the industry.
Bio
Haje is a seasoned entrepreneur and journalist with a passion for storytelling. He has a keen eye for spotting trends and loves to share his insights on the latest developments in the tech world.
Don’t miss out on our next episode! Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads at @EquityPod.
