The tooth fairy just got reimagined for the tech-savvy generation; also, Lemon Slice nabs $10.5M from YC and Matrix to build out its digital avatar tech

12/23/2025

TechCrunch Startup News

0:00

8:28

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

More episodes from "TechCrunch Startup News"

The tooth fairy just got reimagined for the tech-savvy generation; also, Lemon Slice nabs $10.5M from YC and Matrix to build out its digital avatar tech
vor 8 Stunden
8:28
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
As EU waters down 2035 EV goals, electric startups express concern
vor einem Tag
5:50
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
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Yann LeCun confirms his new ‘world model’ startup, reportedly seeks $5B+ valuation
vor 2 Tagen
5:25
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
OpenAI is reportedly trying to raise $100B at an $830B valuation; also, Krafton hikes India bet with new $670M fund
12/19/2025
6:50
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
Vibe-coding startup Lovable raises $330M at a $6.6B valuation
12/18/2025
4:00
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
Weeks after raising $100M, investors pump another $180M into hot Indian startup MoEngage
12/18/2025
5:31
The deal valued MoEngage at "well over" $900 million post-money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Radiant Nuclear raises $300M for its semi-sized 1 MW reactor
12/17/2025
4:47
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
Nuclear startup Last Energy raises $100M for its steel-encased micro reactor
12/17/2025
4:51
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
VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power; plus, Whole Foods to install smart food waste bins from Mill
12/16/2025
6:09
The next consumer tech revolution may require an introduction of a new personal device. Plus, the food waste startup founded by Nest alumnus Matt Rogers also received an investment from Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mirelo raises $41M from Index and a16z to solve AI video’s silent problem; First Voyage raises $2.5M for its AI companion that helps you build habits
12/16/2025
8:23
Mirelo, a German startup that is building AI to add synced sound effects to videos, has raised a $41 million seed round led by Index Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. Also, First Voyage has raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round from a16z speedrun, SignalFire, True Global, and other investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The tooth fairy just got reimagined for the tech-savvy generation; also, Lemon Slice nabs $10.5M from YC and Matrix to build out its digital avatar tech

TechCrunch Startup News

More episodes from "TechCrunch Startup News"

The tooth fairy just got reimagined for the tech-savvy generation; also, Lemon Slice nabs $10.5M from YC and Matrix to build out its digital avatar tech

As EU waters down 2035 EV goals, electric startups express concern

Yann LeCun confirms his new ‘world model’ startup, reportedly seeks $5B+ valuation

OpenAI is reportedly trying to raise $100B at an $830B valuation; also, Krafton hikes India bet with new $670M fund

Vibe-coding startup Lovable raises $330M at a $6.6B valuation

Weeks after raising $100M, investors pump another $180M into hot Indian startup MoEngage

Radiant Nuclear raises $300M for its semi-sized 1 MW reactor

Nuclear startup Last Energy raises $100M for its steel-encased micro reactor

VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power; plus, Whole Foods to install smart food waste bins from Mill

Mirelo raises $41M from Index and a16z to solve AI video’s silent problem; First Voyage raises $2.5M for its AI companion that helps you build habits