The most interesting startups showcased at Google Cloud Next 2026

Google wants AI startups on its cloud and has showcased a long list of them at its annual conference.

Redwood Materials lays off 10% in restructuring to chase energy storage business

The company is restructuring some teams to accommodate a booming energy storage business, according to emails viewed by TechCrunch.

Apple’s Cal AI crackdown signals it’s still policing the App Store

Apple tells TechCrunch Cal AI was removed not for web payments alone, but for deceptive billing, manipulative tactics, and App Store rule violations.

What’s the key to better vegan cheese? Microbreweries, one startup says

AuX Labs says it has found a better way to make vegan cheese that tastes and feels like the real thing — and costs the same.

Cracks are starting to form on fusion energy’s funding boom

Fusion startups and investors risk deepening fissures if some key disagreements aren’t settled amicably.

Loop raises $95M to build supply chain AI that predicts disruptions

The San Francisco startup closed a Series C funding round led by Antonio Gracias’ firm Valor, which is a major backer of xAI.

Physical Intelligence, a hot robotics startup, says its new robot brain can figure out tasks it was never taught

The new model, called π0.7, represents what the company describes as an early but meaningful step toward the long-sought goal of a general-purpose robot brain.

You’ve heard of hybrid cars. Now meet a hybrid cement plant.

Why choose fossil fuels or electricity when you can have both? NOC Energy has figured out how to hybridize heavy industry.

Fashion retailer Express left customers’ personal data and order details exposed to the internet

Retail giant Express was publicly spilling customer information to the open web. The bug is now fixed after TechCrunch alerted Express, but the company would not say if it plans to notify customers.