Blackboard founder transforms Zoom add-on designed for teachers into business tool

After struggling to retain customers at his e-commerce site Headphones.com, founder Andrew Lissimore built his own loyalty solution — and it’s now a startup called Lantern. The Shopify-native platform helps brands boost retention through customizable loyalty, referrals, and account management tools. Also, Deel says it's been profitable for three years and surpassed $1 billion in ARR, including having a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two experienced investors share their tips for founders and operators hoping to nail product-market fit at their AI startups. Also, Uare.ai, formerly Eternos, raised $10.3 million in seed funding led by Mayfield and Boldstart Ventures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Move over, Santa. Now there’s another magical character for kids to track: the Tooth Fairy. After making a personalized Tooth Fairy video for his nephew, Oliver Finel noticed a gap. While there are plenty of Santa trackers, nothing similar existed for the Tooth Fairy. Also, digital avatar generation company Lemon Slice is working to add a video layer to AI chatbots with a new diffusion model that can create digital avatars from a single image. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The future may be electric, but that future is being postponed. The European Commission, citing the need for flexibility, has softened its ambitious plan to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Renowned AI scientist Yann LeCun confirmed on Thursday the worst-kept secret in the tech world: that he had indeed launched a new startup. Although he did say he will not be running the new company as its CEO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ChatGPT maker is aiming to raise the funding by the end of the first quarter in 2026, and the company may ask sovereign wealth funds to invest in the round. Also, called the Unicorn Growth Fund, the investment vehicle is a collaboration between Krafton and South Korean internet conglomerate Naver, and investor Mirae Asset. It aims to deploy around $669.3 million over four years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lovable has seen its valuation more than triple just five months after the company's last funding round in July. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The deal valued MoEngage at "well over" $900 million post-money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Radiant Nuclear is developing a small modular reactor to replace diesel generators. The startup previously raised $165 million in May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last Energy will use the funds to build its 5 megawatt pilot reactor in Texas, which it hopes to turn on next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices