We partied with VCs at an astrology app launch. On the menu: anxiety, love, and manifesting money.
THE SO WHAT
VCs showing up for an astrology app launch framed around anxiety, love, and money is a tell that ‘emotional infrastructure’ products still clear the bar for funding. If you’re building AI in consumer, don’t underestimate how much of the spend will chase mood regulation and identity rather than productivity.
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MORE FROM THE WIRE
I was laid off by Google, then asked to come back. I gave up a 6-figure salary and unvested stock to bet on my startup.
Stories of ex-FAANG talent walking away from six-figure offers and unvested equity to build AI startups are a reminder that the real constraint is founder-quality teams, not capital. If you’re an incumbent, assume your next competitor is a former insider who already understands your infra, pricing, and politics—and adjust retention and spinout strategies accordingly.
Startups & VentureA look at the wave of Google DeepMind researchers who have exited recently to launch their own AI startups focused on alternatives to LLMs
Senior DeepMind talent spinning out to build non-LLM architectures is a real diversification of the AI thesis, not just another wave of wrappers. If you’re allocating R&D or venture dollars, keep a small but explicit budget for “post-LLM” bets—this is where contrarian alpha may live over a 5–10 year horizon.
Startups & VentureBillionaire Charoen’s Asset World Targets $1 Billion REIT IPO
A $1 billion Thai REIT IPO is a reminder that yield-seeking capital is still comfortable in physical assets with predictable cash flows. For operators in more speculative tech, this is the bar you’re competing against—your risk-adjusted story has to clear stable real estate returns.
Startups & VentureMark Wahlberg is coming to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, and he wants to talk about your work, not his
Celebrity operators on the Disrupt stage are a reminder that capital and attention are flowing toward brand-driven, consumer-adjacent plays in health and wellness. If you’re building in those categories, expect investor questions about distribution and narrative, not just product and tech.