Techin' Geek

EA is collaborating with Stability AI to integrate generative technology into game development, with the goal of assisting artists in crafting worlds more quickly while maintaining creative autonomy. This alliance emphasizes AI tools capable of generating lifelike materials, pre-visualizing 3D environments, and enhancing production efficiency for upcoming EA games.

Reputable investors Accel and Prosus have introduced a new investment collaboration aimed at supporting Indian startups from the outset, focusing on founders creating large-scale solutions intended to benefit the masses in the South Asian country.

Revealed on Monday, this partnership signifies the first instance of Prosus investing at the inception stage. The two firms will jointly invest from the earliest phases of a startup, concentrating on companies addressing fundamental challenges across various sectors including automation, energy transition, internet services, and manufacturing.

India, the world’s most populous nation with over 1.4 billion residents, is experiencing fast growth in its digital economy. The country boasts more than a billion internet users and over 700 million smartphone users, positioning it as the second-largest smartphone market globally, following China. Platforms backed by the Indian government such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar have established a digital framework that allows startups to develop and expand services rapidly. However, much of India’s startup activity thus far has centered on modifying global business models, with fewer enterprises addressing significant domestic issues. The Accel–Prosus partnership aims to rectify this.

This collaboration enhances Accel’s early-stage founder initiative, Atoms X, which was launched in July to support what the firm terms “leap tech” startups — businesses focused on large-scale, systems-driven challenges.

“We believe the time has come for the Indian startup ecosystem to transition from adapting global models to establishing Indian frameworks that assist India in advancing its journey towards becoming a developed nation,” stated Pratik Agarwal, a partner at Accel, in an interview.

He mentioned that startups pursuing population-scale solutions frequently find it challenging to secure adequate initial funding, considering their extended development timelines and the risk of significant dilution before achieving substantial traction.

“We hope to provide them with much more early capital at the right moment so they can make significant strides without experiencing numerous rounds of false starts before they advance,” he expressed to TechCrunch.

Under this partnership, Prosus has pledged to match Accel’s investment in each startup, with initial contributions ranging from $100,000 to $1 million — a figure that could grow over time.

“We could easily continue to operate independently in this area, but considering the vast ambitions of these founders and the complexity of the issues they are addressing, it was logical for us to combine our resources,” remarked Ashutosh Sharma, head of the India ecosystem at Prosus.

Historically, Prosus has concentrated on late-stage investments globally. The Amsterdam-based firm includes Swiggy, Meesho, and PayU among its prominent investments in India.

While Prosus has committed to matching Accel’s investment in this alliance, Sharma indicated that it is not seeking a corresponding equity stake.

“For us, acquiring that equity in the initial round is not a priority at all,” he conveyed to TechCrunch. “If we can genuinely identify a Swiggy, a Meesho, an iFood, or a Tencent of tomorrow — today — that is already a significant success.”

This partnership also expands the activity scope of Accel and Prosus in India. Recently, both firms have co-invested in startups such as AI-driven tutoring platform Arivihan and affordable internet service provider Wiom.

“Due to the AI-led disruption occurring around us, certain countries will disproportionately benefit from this — while others may end up as disproportionate net, net losers,” Sharma stated. “Two nations that appear well-positioned to benefit from this are the U.S. and China. In this global order and narrative, what will be India’s role? And can India, as part of this ‘leap tech’ revolution, secure its rightful place, not just in AI but beyond it, is another aspiration we have with this initiative.”

This alliance emerges in the context of rising geopolitical strains that have disrupted capital movements, technology supply chains, and market accessibility — pushing global investors to reevaluate where to deploy capital safely and effectively. With a substantial domestic market, improving digital infrastructure, and a growing pool of technical talent, India is being regarded as a strategic focus in this scenario.

“India’s role in the global economy and geopolitical framework necessitates that it maps out and accelerates its journey like a self-sufficient, independent, developed nation,” Agarwal shared with TechCrunch.

Accel has already supported over 40 startups via its early-stage program, Atoms. More than 30% of these have successfully secured subsequent funding from external backers, with Accel itself leading over half of these funding rounds.

Venture capital funding in India dropped by 25% year-over-year to $4.8 billion in the first half of 2025, according to Tracxn, with late-stage investments falling 27% to $2.7 billion and early-stage funding decreasing by 16% to $1.6 billion.

Nonetheless, India continues to be a primary focus for global investors, driven by its vast population and increasing digital adoption. In September, eight U.S. and Indian VC and private equity firms — including Accel, Blume Ventures, Celesta Capital, and Premji Invest — formed a coalition to support deep tech startups with commitments exceeding $1 billion. The Accel–Prosus partnership represents the latest example of how global VCs maintain long-term investments in India.

Users of Apple Maps may begin encountering advertisements within the application as early as next year, based on a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

In a manner similar to Google Maps and various other navigation applications, Apple intends to enable restaurants and other businesses with physical locations to pay for promotional visibility in search results, according to Gurman. Although Apple already places ads in the App Store, this could form part of a broader initiative to incorporate additional advertising within iOS.

Reportedly, Apple will seek to set itself apart from competitors by offering an enhanced interface and utilizing AI to display pertinent results. 

The concern, according to Gurman, is whether users of Apple devices will begin to push back as Apple’s devices and applications increasingly resemble advertisements urging them to invest in more Apple offerings.

The timer is nearly at its end — tomorrow marks the event! In under 24 hours, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will commence at Moscone West. From October 27–29, 10,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and pioneers will converge in San Francisco for three days of creation, networking, and deal-making.

We are just moments away from live demonstrations of groundbreaking technology and high-stakes presentations as startups strive for the $100,000 prize.

The venues are being prepared. Stands are illuminating. Founders are perfecting their pitches. Investors are marking their schedules. Once the excitement begins, the endless discussions, demonstrations, and transactions will unfold.

These are the last moments to save up to $444, bring a guest for 60% off, or secure group discounts of up to 30%.

Each discussion shapes what’s ahead 

Across every platform, a single truth resonates: innovation transcends any specific role or designation. Entrepreneurs are in search of investors. Investors are on the lookout for insights. Creators are devising what comes next. 

At Disrupt 2025, these realms merge — in one-on-one meetings, live discussions, and ancillary events where unexpected encounters transform into collaborations. Whether you’re pitching, securing funds, scaling, or reinventing, this is the hub where the global startup landscape converges to catalyze progress. Discover your ticket options.

Entrepreneurs: learn, pitch, fund, repeat 

Each entrepreneur attending Disrupt comes armed with a unified objective — refine the narrative, connect with the right investors, and depart empowered. Discover how proactive AI is reshaping the startup blueprint, techniques to become a standout amid competition, and innovative methods to fund your next phase, along with IPO guidance.

Be sure to attend “When Should a Startup Remain Private?” — a fast track to understanding timing, autonomy, and growth on your own terms. Join Startup Battlefield 200, where nascent founders present live to elite VCs, and connect through Braindate sessions designed for the meaningful funding discussions that truly impact progress.

On the Going Public Stage, observe how AI is redefining late-stage expansion, what it entails to be sustainable, and crucial insights before an exit — featuring leaders from Kodiak AI, CapitalG, Nextdoor, Zoom, and Chime. Review the complete agenda.

Investors: seek out the next significant opportunity

At Disrupt, deal flow is not just a concept — it unfolds in real-time. Every dialogue, pitch, and casual chat has the potential to reveal your next standout investment.

Engage through Side Events that transform Disrupt into a continuous investor circuit — from happy hours and pitch evenings to private dinners where discussions extend late and opportunities emerge rapidly.

At the Deal Flow Café, delve beyond superficial excitement: investigate deep-tech innovations, shifts in liquidity, and where funds are genuinely concentrating next. On the AI Stage, witness “Who’s Shaping the Future of AI in 2025?” as the AI Disruptors 60 are unveiled — the essential startups to watch for shaping the upcoming era. Then don’t overlook “From Digg to Deals: Kevin Rose on Reinvention and Investment,” offering an insider’s perspective on how outstanding investors perceive what others overlook.

Disrupt 2025 is where deal flow is perpetually active. Secure $444 off your entry or 60% off a guest pass before the deadline expires.

Creators: discover frameworks for expanding what’s next

Building constantly evolves, but the most astute builders recognize when to redesign. Confront the challenging aspects head-on: securing a Series A in 2026, crafting for the AI era, and scaling teams that adeptly manage both speed and complexity. Obtain tested frameworks for expansion, achieving product-market fit, and fostering resilient engineering cultures — directly from those who have succeeded.

Sessions like “AI at the Edge: Tactical Guide for National Security” dissect innovation at the intersection of power and regulations. And “The Builders’ Manual: Surviving — and Thriving — in a Downturn” imparts valuable insights from founders who have scaled amidst uncertainty. Secure your Disrupt pass to witness it all.

On the Builders Stage, professionals from OpenAI, Sentry, Pebl, Figma, and Google Cloud reveal their tools — illustrating how they build, launch, and scale rapidly.

Innovations don’t emerge from being overly cautious

Not every story from Disrupt begins with a startup — some initiate with a grand vision. In “Moonshots, AI, and the Future of Alphabet,” Astro Teller shares the journey of transforming seemingly unachievable concepts into groundbreaking innovations. 

“Made in Space: Constructing the Next Major Supply Chain Beyond Earth” delves into how startups are revolutionizing the supply chain — beyond our planet. Additionally, “Storming the Gates: Scaling Consumer AI,” features Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni (Phia) speaking on how sustainability and purpose are propelling the next significant rise in consumer AI. Check out the lineup of featured speakers and grab your discounted ticket.

It starts tomorrow — last hours to secure up to $444 in ticket savings

Disrupt 2025 opens in just 48 hours — and the opportunity for late-bird savings will close permanently.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is where the next phase of innovation kicks off, live at Moscone West. The countdown is on — purchase your tickets before prices escalate at the entrance.

According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the United States and China are prepared to advance on a TikTok agreement.

Last month, Bessent mentioned that the two nations had established a “framework” for a deal during talks in Madrid, and subsequently, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to facilitate the arrangement.

In a Sunday morning segment on CBS’ Face the Nation, Bessent stated that a “final deal on TikTok” has been achieved between the U.S. and China.

“We finalized one in Madrid, and I believe that as of today, all aspects are resolved, and that will be for the two leaders to finalize that deal on Thursday in Korea,” Bessent remarked. He refrained from detailing the agreement but noted, “My responsibility was to secure Chinese approval for the transaction, and I think we successfully achieved that in the last two days.”

Trump has consistently prolonged the deadline set by a law mandating that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance either divest the application or face a ban in the United States. 

As per his executive order, the U.S. operations of TikTok — including its recommendation algorithm, source code, and content moderation — will be managed by a new board of directors, with Oracle tasked with overseeing security operations.

Reportedly, Oracle (headed by Trump supporter Larry Ellison), Fox Corp (owner of Fox News), Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake Management are investors in the newly formed joint venture, with Trump’s remarks seemingly verifying Fox’s involvement.

Today’s remarks by Bessent were made from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where both Chinese and American trade negotiators also indicated they had developed a framework for an agreement regarding tariffs and other trade matters.

U.S. trade negotiator Jamieson Greer informed reporters that rare earth minerals were part of the discussion, although he did not provide specifics. (China has indicated it will impose tighter export controls on these minerals, which are essential for semiconductor and other technology product manufacturing.)

“We discussed extending the truce, we covered rare earths, and naturally, we went over a variety of subjects,” Greer stated.

It’s great to see you again at TechCrunch Mobility — your go-to source for updates and analysis on the next generation of transportation. To receive this directly in your inbox, subscribe for free by clicking TechCrunch Mobility!

I know you’re eager to find out the results from last week’s survey. (Quick reminder: Subscribe to the Mobility newsletter to take part in our surveys!) Here’s the question I posed: “What do you think is the most effective business model for autonomous vehicle technology? (Consider profitability.)”

Overwhelmingly, participants believe that longer-distance delivery is the best option, with 40% of responses favoring it. Robotaxis followed at 25.5%, while tech licensing to automakers garnered 19.1% and last-mile delivery received 14.9%. One reader reached out to mention that I missed including warehouse uses like autonomous forklifts. The longer-distance delivery category could be analyzed further, which we’ll address in this week’s newsletter.

Among the many justifications for a $1 trillion compensation scheme, controlling a fleet of robots certainly wasn’t what crossed my mind. However, this was precisely the case Elon Musk presented during Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call. 

Here’s the summary: On November 6, shareholders will decide whether to sanction a compensation plan proposed by the board that would allow Musk to acquire up to 12% of Tesla’s shares. If the company’s market value reaches $8.6 trillion, that package would equate to roughly $1 trillion. 

The board and Musk have dedicated weeks to convince shareholders to endorse this plan, despite recommendations from proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis urging investors to reject it. Musk is currently adopting an aggressive stance, evident at the close of the earnings call when he branded those firms corporate terrorists and made his concluding appeal. His argument concerning the robot army revolves more around influence and authority than purely financial gain. Although, it must be said, financial resources can provide both.

“My main worry line: If we develop this robot army, do I wield strong influence over that robot army? I wouldn’t feel secure about creating a robot army without having that strong influence,” Musk articulated during the earnings call. He referred to Tesla’s Optimus robot initiative, using it to illustrate the products he desires to control fully. 

This argument is unlikely to sway Musk’s detractors, especially in light of his position heading the Department of Government Efficiency. However, Musk may not feel compelled to persuade his increasing number of critics, unless they happen to be Tesla shareholders.

A little bird

This week, General Motors made the decision to terminate the BrightDrop electric van initiative after just four years. It wasn’t entirely unexpected; after all, numerous unsold vans have been left dormant in yards across Michigan and Canada for quite some time. (One little bird informed us that many are parked in a lot in Flint, Michigan.) GM pointed to a slower-than-anticipated market for commercial electric vans, but didn’t elaborate on why BrightDrop struggled so significantly.

Another little bird has provided some insight, however. The vans are expensive yet well-regarded and are expected to save money for fleet owners over time. Electric drivetrains fit perfectly with last-mile delivery. However, according to one insider, it seems GM overlooked the infrastructure aspect. The company heavily relied on external partnerships to establish depot charging instead of including it as part of fleet purchases, which turned away several potential clients and led to various complications.

Have a tip for us? Reach out to Kirsten Korosec at [email protected] or connect via Signal at kkorosec.07, or email Sean O’Kane at [email protected].

Deals!

The major highlight this week revolves around EVs and AI data centers. Yes, there’s a link. 

Redwood Materials successfully raised $350 million in a Series E funding round led by venture capital firm Eclipse, which also saw a new strategic investment from Nvidia’s venture arm, NVentures. Although the company’s valuation wasn’t disclosed, a knowledgeable source indicated to TechCrunch that it has reached approximately $6 billion, a billion higher than its last valuation.

A portion of this investment will be allocated to Redwood’s new energy storage sector, repurposing retired EV batteries that still have significant life remaining, bypassing the recycling phase. The company connects these decommissioned EV batteries with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, or the grid, to supply power to AI data centers or industrial facilities.

Other deals that caught my attention this week …

Avride attracted strategic investments and commitments totaling up to $375 million, with backing from Uber and Nebius. When I inquired whether it was purely equity, none of these firms provided details. However, one insider suggested paying attention to the “other commitments” component, indicating it may not represent a straightforward cash inflow.

Spiro, based in Dubai and focused on electric motorcycle production in Africa, secured $100 million in funding led by the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development branch of Afreximbank. This marks the most substantial funding round for African e-mobility to date.

Notable reads and other tidbits

General Motors made several announcements at a recent event in NYC, showcasing its intended direction. Of course, AI is a central aspect. Before AI could take center stage, GM declared it will revamp the electrical and computational frameworks of its forthcoming vehicles. The automaker will introduce a new electric architecture and centralized computing system in its new offerings, beginning with the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028. This foundation will permit faster software delivery, more advanced automated driving features, including hands-free driving, and a bespoke conversational AI assistant.

Earnings season is here, and this quarter I’m closely observing data and executive commentary to gauge how tariffs and the expiring EV tax credit are impacting the automotive industry. I don’t have any solid insights yet — and likely won’t until the next quarter. 

Tariffs are affecting profits, as indicated by Q3 reports from GM and Ford. For example, GM anticipates that tariffs will diminish its profits by $2.3 billion in 2025, while Ford has projected a $2 billion hit to its finances. However, both forecasts are significantly better than what the automakers had predicted earlier this year, and they are optimistic about mitigating those costs. CEOs from both companies expressed gratitude to President Trump for extending a tariff relief measure concerning auto parts sourced from Canada and Mexico. 

In other GM and Ford updates: Ford will continue to halt production of its F-150 Lightning trucks as it focuses on its gas and hybrid F-Series models to recover from a fire at its main aluminum supplier Nevolis. Meanwhile, GM CEO Mary Barra informed the Verge’s Decoder podcast that the company will phase out support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all its vehicle lines. Additionally, it’s worth noting that GM has laid off 200 salaried employees from its Warren Tech Center.

Tesla achieved a record vehicle delivery count in the third quarter of 2025, driven by U.S. customers who capitalized on the approaching expiration of the federal EV tax credit. Unfortunately, this didn’t translate into higher earnings. Tesla’s profit for the third quarter was $1.4 billion, reflecting a 37% decrease from the same quarter last year. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated an investigation following footage from early October showing a Waymo autonomous vehicle navigating around a stopped school bus that was discharging children in Atlanta. 

Rivian is experiencing a shake-up that includes letting go of 600 employees (marking its third layoffs this year), while its founder and CEO is also assuming the role of chief marketing officer. This week, Rivian agreed to pay $250 million to resolve a class-action shareholder lawsuit that emerged after the company unexpectedly raised prices for its R1 pickup truck and SUV in 2022.

In the meantime, I spent time in the Bay Area with executives from Rivian’s micromobility spinoff company Also. They unveiled three new products, and if Also president Chris Yu and Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe (who is also on the Also board) are to be believed, there’s much more on the horizon. For now, they offer a stylish modular pedal-assist e-bike and two pedal-assist quad vehicles — including the delivery van version that Amazon has already committed to purchase. The key narrative here centers on vertical integration and software.

OpenAI is developing a new application that would create music from text and audio prompts, as reported by The Information.

This application could potentially enhance existing videos with music or provide guitar accompaniment for pre-recorded vocal tracks, sources indicated. The timeline for the launch of such a tool by OpenAI remains uncertain, as does the possibility of it being offered as an independent product rather than as part of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and video application Sora.

A source shared with The Information that OpenAI is collaborating with students from the Juilliard School to annotate scores, which would serve to generate training data.

Although OpenAI has introduced generative music models in the past, they emerged before ChatGPT’s debut; more recently, the organization has been progressing with audio models concentrating on text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities. Other entities with generative music models include Google and Suno.

TechCrunch has contacted OpenAI for a response.

A high school pupil in Baltimore County, Maryland was allegedly handcuffed and searched after an AI security system flagged his bag of snacks as a potential weapon.

Taki Allen, a learner at Kenwood High School, informed CNN affiliate WBAL, “I was just holding a Doritos bag — it was two hands and one finger out, and they said it resembled a gun.” However, Allen remarked, “They made me get on my knees, put my hands behind my back, and cuffed me.” 

In a message communicated to parents, Principal Katie Smith stated that the school’s security team had assessed and retracted a gun detection alert, while Smith (who didn’t immediately notice the alert had been retracted) informed the school resource officer, who contacted the local authorities.

Omnilert, the firm managing the AI gun detection system, conveyed to CNN, “We regret that this incident took place and wish to express our concern to the student and the broader community affected by the subsequent events.” Nevertheless, Omnilert asserted “the process operated as intended.”