Patronus AI lands $50M to build ‘digital worlds’ that stress-test AI agents

Agent testing startup Patronus AI, founded by former Meta AI researchers, is experienced nearly insatiable demand, its investor says.

Valor Equity Partners looks to raise a $2.5B Fund VII, per Bloomberg

New details have emerged about Valor’s latest fund, which last year announced it was raising an unspecified amount of capital.

How to invest when everything is moving too fast

TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC evening in Los Angeles late last week brought together two of the more straight-talking investors working in AI right now. They were as entertaining as they were illuminating.

After betting the firm on Anthropic, Menlo Ventures raises victorious $3B fund

Menlo has created a solid rep for itself as an AI investor, all based on one gutsy $750 million move in 2024.

The founder conference built for growth: TechCrunch Founder Summit pass rates increase June 26

Save up to $190 on your pass to TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 by June 26, 11:59 p.m. PT. Designed for founders first on November 4 in Boston. Register here.

Seedcamp raises $320M for its new fund to expand its US footprint

After 18 years of focusing on Europe, early-stage investor Seedcamp said that it has raised $320 million for its latest fund which will see it expanding its presence in the United States.

The 11 standout startups from YC’s Demo Day, according to VCs

TechCrunch spoke to investors to find the hottest startups in the Spring 2026 YC batch. Some of them commanded valuations of over $175 million, VCs said.

Chi-Hua Chien saw Facebook coming; now he says the real AI winners won’t be selling AI

Chi-Hua Chien has spent more than two decades as a venture capitalist, but he thinks like a cultural anthropologist.

Roelof Botha joins SpaceX’s board of directors

The former Sequoia Capital leader is filling an “existing vacancy” on SpaceX’s board, days after the company went public in the largest IPO ever.

NEA’s Tiffany Luck says enterprises are still figuring out their AI ROI

Tokenmaxxing was the hottest trend in Silicon Valley earlier this year, with CEOs encouraging employees to push AI usage as far as it would go. Then the bill came due. Uber reportedly blew through its annual AI budget in a…