Startups & Business

Michael Polansky’s startup now offers a platform that keeps human skin tissue alive ex vivo for weeks, letting AI models test skincare compounds directly on living material. This could dramatically speed up ingredient discovery by providing more realistic data than traditional in‑vitro or animal assays.

Google’s new “Preferred Source” button lets readers instantly flag a publisher as a trusted outlet across Search, Discover, and Google News, giving those sites a boost in visibility. By harnessing explicit user preferences, the feature aims to offset the traffic dip caused by AI‑generated answers that bypass original webpages.

VCs want founders who can translate their vision into clear, discipline‑driven numbers. Showcasing spotless bookkeeping, precise KPIs and a proactive fundraising timeline signals that you understand the financial reality of your business—and gives you the leverage to secure better terms.

Researchers claim that OpenAI has abruptly terminated their participation in the limited‑access “Trusted Access for Cyber” program, cutting off their ability to use advanced AI models for vulnerability discovery. The revocation threatens to slow down bug reporting and remediation, forcing security teams to seek alternative channels for early disclosure.

Don’t miss the chance to grab a $300 discount on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass before the August 21 deadline. Lock in your ticket now to secure a spot at the October 13‑15 event in San Francisco and keep extra cash for travel, demo prep, or hiring.

Silicon Data is building the first market‑grade tools that let Wall Street price and hedge AI compute, turning a murky cost niche into a transparent, tradable benchmark. By creating compute‑price indices and futures‑style contracts, the startup gives AI‑heavy firms and investors a way to lock in GPU and cloud expenses and manage cost volatility. This could reshape capital allocation and risk management across the rapidly expanding AI ecosystem.

Google has integrated AI‑driven study tools into both Search and the Gemini model, positioning Gemini as the go‑to assistant for students. By embedding these features directly in Search, Google aims to simplify on‑demand academic help and strengthen its foothold in the education‑focused AI market.

Fairphone 6+ finally lands in the United States, bringing the company’s modular, repair‑friendly design to the midrange Android market. By offering a phone that can be easily fixed and upgraded, Fairphone gives consumers a sustainable alternative to the costly, sealed flagships that dominate the US market.

Peacock is set to hike the monthly fees on every subscription tier, though the company has yet to reveal the exact amounts. The increase is framed as a move to fund continued investment in diverse, genre‑spanning content and keep the service competitive in the crowded streaming market.

Apple is replacing its per‑install charge with a flat 5 % commission on apps sold outside the App Store across the EU, and it is relaxing the restrictions that previously hindered developers from operating alternative marketplaces. This overhaul gives developers a simpler, more predictable fee structure while opening the European market to greater competition among app distribution platforms.

Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass when you book before August 21. Lock in the discounted ticket now and secure your spot at the October 13‑15 startup summit in San Francisco.

Spotify’s new **Playlist Notes** let anyone add a short explanation to each track they add, turning ordinary playlists into personal narratives. Editors of flagship lists like RapCaviar will also use the feature, giving fans insight into the curatorial choices behind the hits.