I took a deep breath as I entered the concert space and presented a ticket barcode on a three-inch, square display.

“If it fails, I can try another option,” I quickly noted, anxious that the barcode might not function. But as promised by Meadow founder Shreyas Narlanka, the code I scanned into the startup’s sleek phone that morning worked perfectly.

“Nice phone,” remarked the bouncer, guiding me in.

I had succeeded. With Meadow’s simple smartphone, I had called an Uber, listened to Apple Music during the journey, and gained entry to the event. Not once did I need to touch my iPhone, which I had only brought along as a fallback if the ticket scan failed.

“With countless basic phones, the Brick, and such, the message is, ‘Take a breather, focus on your tasks’ or something similar,” explains Narlanka, detailing why his firm opted to create a minimalist phone. “But what sets us apart is our emphasis on encouraging outdoor activities, disconnecting, and having an amazing social life.”

Online, there’s an increasing volume of content and feedback from individuals worldwide feeling overwhelmed by their continuous connection through smartphones and social media. This is leading to the emergence of a new category of devices offering a break. Some, like the Light Phone, require users to completely abandon their smartphones for simpler alternatives. Others, like the Wisephone, provide a modern touchscreen interface with a minimal user experience and limited applications. Yet others are adopting more tactile designs, such as the Commodore Callback, a flip phone equipped with a touchscreen.

In contrast, Meadow is choosing a balanced approach, designed to complement your existing device. Operating on Android, it supports applications like Maps, Strava, Uber, Apple Music, and Spotify. It also features built-in applications for utilities like the camera, voice memos, notes, text messaging, calling, location sharing, and ticket scanning. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to use 3.5mm headphones via a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter.

“I was aware there would be instances where I would need my phone,” Narlanka remarked. “I didn’t desire a complete replacement.”

However, you cannot make calls or send texts using your primary phone number — you must establish a new plan through Meadow’s subscription service, which provides a distinct number to use while out.

Narlanka encourages customers to utilize the iPhone’s “driving” focus feature, which automatically informs your most contacted individuals that you are on the road — instead, he suggests customizing the message to indicate you are out with Meadow. This way, while you may miss some updates from your group chats, anyone who needs to get in touch urgently will still be able to do so.

“We’re not Luddites claiming, ‘Streaming’s wrong, and this is bad,’” he stated. “It’s simply that we wish to avoid social media, web browsing, and similar distractions.”

This mindset is becoming more widespread. Individuals often discuss minimizing their screen time as something universally regarded as beneficial, akin to eating healthy or flossing. Even ADÉLA, the artist whose concert I went to, used her manager’s phone to announce a celebratory post after her debut album scaled to No. 4 on the Billboard charts.

“I deleted social media to maintain my sanity!” the 22-year-old pop star expressed on Instagram.

Her supporters hold a different perspective — I noticed multiple attendees capturing the entire show on their iPhones. (There’s nothing amiss with taking a few pictures or a short clip for Instagram, but filming the whole concert?)

Regarding cameras, the one on the Meadow performed adequately during daylight, but the images were not impressive when I attempted to capture pictures at the concert.

The camera application also operates differently than typical smartphone options: You can take as many photos and videos as desired, but your images are only viewable after returning home and accessing them through the Meadow app on your primary smartphone. Instead of a front-facing camera, the Meadow features a small mirror beside the lens to help you ensure you’re positioned correctly for selfies.

The screen brightness and battery life posed no challenges while using the Meadow — in fact, the brightness can occasionally be excessively high in dim environments, but that ensures it remains easily visible outdoors.

In your hand, the compact, square device feels slightly unusual, yet adequately functional. This isn’t a device that Meadow wants you to rely on continuously, so it’s not a concern that it feels less comfortable than an iPhone.

Meadow is still in its early stages; it has only completed its first major shipment to preorder customers thus far. I encountered a few minor issues, such as a glitch that indicated my Uber ride hadn’t concluded for a while after I got out (I briefly feared I had inadvertently booked another Uber). Narlanka, however, informs me that this issue has since been resolved.

In summary, if you’re able to navigate the inconvenience of managing a secondary phone number, Meadow serves effectively as a device that encourages you to disconnect without leaving you entirely off the grid.

Although Narlanka is merely 25 years old, Meadow is not his inaugural startup. He left UC San Diego in 2020 when his previous firm, Scoutapp AI, began to gain traction. This inventory management platform for online commerce was eventually acquired by the fashion resale service StockX.

Meadow marks Narlanka’s first venture into hardware, though his prior achievements have garnered him support from investors. The company secured funding in December 2024, led by Alana Goyal of basecase capital. Angel investors, including Terrence Rohan, Discord’s founding CMO Eros Resmini, Vercel founder Guillermo Rauch, and Diagram founder Jordan Singer, also contributed.

You have just 24 hours remaining to secure up to $200 off your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket before price increases take effect. As our countdown concludes, the focus shifts to what you can achieve by condensing months of analysis, discussions, and choices into three days at San Francisco’s Moscone West from October 13-15.

Make sure to register before midnight to claim savings of up to $200. Additionally, enjoy a further 50% discount when you buy a second pass of the same type.

Reason No. 5: Momentum

Establishing a business, securing your next investment, entering a new sector, or making a substantial technology choice requires time. Advancement seldom emerges from a single dialogue or an individual piece of intel. Instead, it arises from assembling sufficient of the right elements to clarify the subsequent steps. TechCrunch Disrupt gathers over 10,000 founders, investors, and operators in one location. Three days. Countless discussions. One chance to accelerate progress.

Achieve a year’s worth of connections and insights in just three days

Consider everything that can linger on a to-do list for several weeks. Examine the market. Gain insight into what competitors are developing. Identify potential investors. Assess technologies. Connect with prospective partners. Converse with potential clients. Learn how other founders are tackling similar obstacles. Determine which trends merit attention and which do not.

At Disrupt, many of these activities can occur concurrently. Transition from one of the 250+ sessions in the market where you begin a dialogue with someone already operating within it. Witness a new breakthrough on one of the six industry stages and then engage with the company behind it. Grasp how an investor perceives a category and utilize that knowledge in your forthcoming fundraising discussions. Each engagement can build upon the previous one.

Claim your pass to stay at the forefront of the tech landscape and ensure your savings. Savings up to $200 will disappear as soon as today ends.

Depart Disrupt ahead of where you began

TechCrunch Disrupt is not about attempting to resolve every matter in three days. It’s about generating sufficient momentum that Monday offers a fresh perspective. A meeting evolves into a follow-up. A question transforms into a choice. A company catches your attention. An idea matures into something to experiment with. A discussion evolves into an opportunity. And once momentum is initiated, the subsequent step typically accelerates.

Thus, come prepared with something you wish to advance. A company. A fundraising. A product. An investment strategy. A partnership. A decision. Utilize the three days to discover how much further you can progress.

24 hours remain to save up to $200 on your pass

The current TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket savings conclude when the clock strikes midnight. Register now to benefit from discounts of up to $200 on your ticket, along with a second ticket of the same type at 50% off. Groups of four or more can enjoy savings of up to 30%.

Just one day remaining. Reason No. 5: Generate momentum. Depart further advanced than you arrived.

Lightspeed is refining its India approach concerning AI, aiming for $250 million for a new early-stage fund as the venture firm anticipates that technology will spearhead the next generation of startups in one of the largest markets globally.

The Silicon Valley venture capital firm is already a significant investor in AI firms such as Anthropic, xAI, and Databricks. In the Indian market, it has supported Sarvam AI, a foremost developer of large language models in the country, and a startup chosen by the Indian government to aid in the creation of sovereign AI models.

The forthcoming fund, Lightspeed India Partners V, will be half the size of its $500 million predecessor raised in 2022, having already garnered commitments for 80% of its $250 million target, according to a letter sent to investors on Thursday and reviewed by TechCrunch.

In late April, Lightspeed revealed the new fund in a U.S. regulatory filing, although the filing did not disclose its target amount. Previous reports from Indian media indicated that the firm was aiming to raise between $300 million and $350 million for this vehicle.

Lightspeed intends to start investing from the new fund within two months and has structured it around an investment horizon of approximately two and a half years, as per the letter. Until then, it will continue to finalize investments from the current fund.

A spokesperson for Lightspeed declined to provide comments.

With the introduction of the new fund, Lightspeed is also aligning its India funds with the same fundraising schedule as its global funds for the first time, according to the investor letter. This alteration brings a regional venture established nearly twenty years ago more in sync with the rest of the firm.

This action follows a similar realignment by competitor Accel, which in August raised its latest $550 million fund for India alongside new funds for the U.S. and Europe and a global growth vehicle as part of a coordinated $3.5 billion fundraising initiative. It was the first instance of Accel raising all four funds at the same time.

The $250 million fund is tailored to fit how swiftly Lightspeed is currently deploying funds and its shorter investment timeframe, as outlined in the letter. Lightspeed pointed out to investors that the smaller fund size allows for a greater emphasis on individual deals rather than on fund magnitude, enabling an earlier next fundraise.

Additionally, the new fund signifies a more pronounced focus on AI within Lightspeed’s early-stage investment strategy in the region. The investment thesis presented in the letter predicts that AI will generate more value in India than the internet did, targeting AI firms across India and Southeast Asia.

So far, India has not produced a major global frontier AI model developer and has drawn significantly less investment in AI compared to the U.S. and China. However, investors are increasingly recognizing the potential for India in the application layer, leveraging the country’s extensive pool of software developers and its long-standing history as a center for software and technology services.

The new $250 million India fund is just a fraction of the capital available within Lightspeed’s global platform. The firm, which manages over $65 billion in assets worldwide, raised $9 billion across several new funds last December, marking the largest fundraising total in its history. This included a $980 million early-stage venture fund.

Lightspeed’s dedicated India and Southeast Asia funds represent only a portion of the capital the firm has deployed in the region. These funds have invested roughly $900 million, while Lightspeed’s global funds have allocated another $1.6 billion to support companies from the regional portfolio, as noted in the investor letter.

The choice to focus its newest regional fund entirely on AI also indicates a sharper thematic direction for Lightspeed in a market where it has historically invested across multiple sectors. Its India portfolio encompasses companies in areas such as quick commerce, consumer internet, software, and household services.

Lightspeed’s investments in India have included companies like the quick-commerce startup Zepto, audio platform Pocket FM, house-help startup Snabbit, rooftop solar startup SolarSquare, and various enterprise software firms.

The same team that managed Lightspeed’s previous four India funds will oversee the new fund, according to the letter.

Waymo’s expansion in commercial robotaxi services appears vast, both in terms of geographic presence and user volume. And from nearly every perspective, it is — until one considers the locations where the majority of these robotaxis are actually found.

Data from the last two years showcases the type of commercial launch one would anticipate from a well-funded entity like Waymo, which emerged from Google and retains Alphabet as its primary investor. By September 2024, Waymo was operational in merely three cities — Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Currently, it provides robotaxi services in 15 U.S. urban areas, most of which were initiated in the last year. The ridership has soared as well, with Waymo now seeing an average of 500,000 paid robotaxi rides each week.

However, a thorough examination of its fleet indicates a focus on just two states. Approximately 80% of Waymo’s approximately 4,000 robotaxis are located in California and Texas, with Texas emerging as the focal point: Waymo’s fleet there has increased by nearly 50% in the past three weeks, spurred by a newly introduced Chinese-manufactured minivan that the company believes will aid its expansion, despite tariffs increasing its expenses.

The remaining 800 or so vehicles are distributed among cities in other states, including Arizona and Florida, which is another rapidly evolving area. The majority are the well-known white Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs, but a growing proportion are the latest minivans — a customized Zeekr RT that Waymo has named “Ojai.”

Waymo’s emphasis on California is expected. With its headquarters in Silicon Valley, a significant portion of its initial testing and development activities took place there. Additionally, a segment of the population in that region is more inclined to adopt new technologies early on.

The recent growth in Texas is particularly noteworthy. Waymo has augmented its Texas fleet by 49% within the last three weeks, according to vehicle registration records and data from the Texas Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Tracker. As of September 24, Waymo had 1,102 autonomous vehicles registered in that state.

Waymo initiated its commercial services in Austin through a collaboration with Uber in March 2025, allowing riders to hail its robotaxis via the Uber platform. Since that time, the company has extended its robotaxi services into Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Waymo’s Texas fleet remained fairly stable through the summer, gradually increasing from around 600 vehicles in June to over 700 by the end of August. Then came September, when the fleet experienced significant growth, driven by the arrival of new Ojai minivans, which now constitute about one-third of Waymo’s fleet in Texas.

Anticipate that portion to rise.

The Ojai robotaxi, outfitted with Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system, is designed to facilitate Waymo in achieving mass scalability. Its interior is constructed to endure significant usage, and it features an enhanced rider interface along with Google’s Gemini AI, serving as an in-car assistant for passengers.

Remove that technology, however, and the Ojai is simply a minivan produced by Zeekr, a brand that is part of China’s Geely Holding Group (which also owns Volvo). The Ojai is built upon Zeekr’s SEA-M platform, a shared vehicle framework intended for applications such as robotaxis and delivery vans. The basic Zeekr vehicles are transported to the U.S. without any Chinese connected-car technology installed. Upon arrival, they are sent to Waymo’s factory in Arizona, where they receive Waymo’s self-driving technology.

The Ojai is intended to reduce expenses and ultimately assist Waymo in reaching profitability. For the moment, though, tariffs are eating into any savings. Under the current U.S. trade regulations, vehicles made in China incur hefty import tariffs, increasing Waymo’s costs for every Ojai it imports.

Waymo seems prepared to bear that expense. MoffettNathanson, a New York-based research firm monitoring Ojai imports via detailed shipping data, indicated in its September analysis that Waymo is on track to import 5,100 of these vehicles into the U.S. by the end of the year.

Where will all these Ojai vehicles be deployed? Texas is certainly a key destination. However, Florida, where Waymo operates in three cities, along with emerging markets like Las Vegas, will likely receive a boost as well.

Lindsey Elliott has a deep passion for bolts. During last year’s 13th annual Bolting Symposium, she mentioned that the highlight was engaging in Bolting Bingo with the numerous self-identified “torque enthusiasts” present.

Once an engineer and planner for ExxonMobil, Elliott has devoted years to contemplating improvements for the infrastructure used to transport oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Her focus became bolts, specifically those connecting pipe sections (known as “bolted flange joints”). These bolts necessitate arduous physical effort to adjust and are a primary cause of injuries among pipefitters. Similar to various trades, there exists a labor shortage in this field.

“Those individuals become really fatigued when asked to work 12-hour shifts for three consecutive months,” she shared with TechCrunch. “I’ve conversed with pipefitters across the United States and Canada, and I’ve consistently heard that North American pipefitting productivity is notoriously low.”

The remedy Elliott devised at her startup Nexterity, as one of the Startup Battlefield 200 chosen for TechCrunch Disrupt, is a remote-operated robot designed to manage this aspect of the task. This concept could significantly transform this specific blue-collar occupation if widely implemented, enhancing both worker safety and efficiency.

Imagine: more dork, less torque.

The robot consists of two primary components that encircle a pipe. Powered by batteries, it can glide along the pipe once attached and swiftly loosen and tighten four bolts simultaneously.

Elliott mentioned that Nexterity has created several distinct configurations of the robot to accommodate various standard pipe sizes, yet they are compact enough to fit in a Pelican case and be transported by a single worker. This portability allows for easy deployment to different job sites — a crucial aspect of Nexterity’s business model, treating the robot like rental construction equipment.

Elliott explained that she arrived at this specific design following discussions she has had over recent years — not only at the Bolting Symposium but also with members from the Pressure Vessels & Piping Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

“From interactions with the individuals, the torque enthusiasts, so to speak,” she shared, “I discovered that 80% of our pipes are between two to eight inches in diameter, known as NPS2 to NPS8. With that level of uniformity, we have an excellent candidate for automation.”

It’s a relatively simple concept, but Elliott believes it holds significant potential.

“Many would be surprised by how large this market is,” she remarked. “Every day, most of us don’t consider piping infrastructure, yet virtually every sector — including water, wastewater, treatment, food and beverage, mining, nuclear, and any form of green and sustainable manufacturing facility — employs the same type of piping.”

We’re nearing the final weeks before TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 commences! To assist everyone in your network with acquiring new tech knowledge, uncovering upcoming tech, and forging impactful connections that drive progress, we’re offering a 50% discount on a second ticket for all ticket categories.

This BOGO deal is active until the Disrupt doors open on October 13 at 8 a.m. PT. Purchase one pass to Disrupt 2026 and receive 50% off a second ticket of the same type.

This is a limited time opportunity to bring someone along — and maximize your experience. Invite a colleague. A co-founder. A partner. This offer concludes when the doors to San Francisco’s Moscone West open on October 13 at 8 a.m. PT. After that, ticket prices will increase, resulting in higher costs for the same access. Secure your 50% savings on a second pass today.

You’ll gain more from Disrupt if you’re not alone

No single person can fully experience Disrupt alone. This conference is designed to welcome your co-founder, partner, colleague, or friend to share insights and connections being made.

From October 13-15 in San Francisco, over 300 showcasing startups and more than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders will gather for three days featuring over 200 tactical sessions conducted by more than 250 tech leaders across six industry stages, roundtables, and breakout sessions. Unmatched AI-driven matchmaking accelerates conversations and connections that shift fast and alter trajectories.

When you attend with a colleague, peer, or partner, you don’t just gain more — you optimize your experience of what you hear and whom you meet. You can:

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It’s a straightforward adjustment, but it significantly impacts the outcome. Find your ticket pairing for you and your companion and save up to $450.

From concept to IPO, this is where startups discover their next steps

Disrupt unites 10,000 startup and VC leaders committed to navigating what it takes to build and scale right now. Disrupt is intended for you if you’re:

• Creating a product.

• Seeking funding.

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The true value lies in connecting with individuals who are facing similar challenges and learning from those who have already navigated them. Check out the Disrupt events page to see what’s in store.

Who you bring is crucial — select the appropriate pass

This buy one, get one 50% off promotion is valid when you buy two tickets of the same type for Disrupt before October 13 at 8 a.m. PT, making it simple to involve someone from your team.

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Purchase one Investor pass and receive a second for 50% off — with potential savings of up to $450. Establish direct connections with founders, access tailored networking, and spend time where deal flow occurs. Bringing another investor or partner helps you contrast signals and act swiftly.

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Buy one Founder pass and get a second for 50% off — saving you $425. Engage with investors suited to your current stage, challenge your perceptions, and learn what’s effective from operators. Participating with a co-founder or colleague enables you to split and advance quickly.

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Purchase one Attendee pass and receive a second one for 50% off — saving you as much as $412. Tailored for product, engineering, growth, and go-to-market teams, this pass grants you access to stages, breakouts, and networking to enhance your path to revenue systems.

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Get one Non-profit pass and snag a second at 50% off — a saving of $237. Engage with builders and investors while exploring how emerging tech relates to your efforts. Bringing along a peer helps translate what you learn into actionable insights.

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Obtain one Student pass and get another for half off — a total savings of $175. Learn from founders and investors and start forming your network from the ground up. Attending with a fellow student enables you to navigate better and forge stronger connections.

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Purchase one Expo+ pass and receive a second for 50% off — saving $162. Get an insider’s look at groundbreaking startups. Use the exhibit floor to scout talent, demo emerging technologies, and secure your next position at a high-growth company while covering more ground with your companion.

You’re not just buying a ticket, you’re building momentum

The advantage of this limited-time discount extends far beyond just saving on a second Disrupt pass. It’s about strengthening relationships and maximizing the time you’ll spend in San Francisco. It distinguishes between merely attending and transforming conversations into deals, hires, and subsequent actions. 

This offer is valid for only five days. Purchase one pass and receive a second for 50% off while you can. After the offer concludes, the chance to attend together at this price will vanish as well.

Confirm both passes before Disrupt doors open on October 13

Buy one pass. Get 50% off the second of the identical ticket type. Choose who you’ll be bringing and secure your two passes before the venue opens at 8 a.m. PT on October 13. Reserve your passes now for Disrupt and enhance the value you can extract from your experience.

And if you’ll be attending solo, save up to $200 before prices rise tomorrow, September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Ensure you capitalize on these ticket savings and join one of the year’s most awaited tech conferences.