The week in New York technology, read and picked by hand. No algorithm, nothing in here because someone paid for it.
Tuesday · · 3 minute read
Mecka AI reportedly discussing $500M round
Photograph: TechCrunch
Mecka AI, a startup training humanoid robots, is reportedly nearing a round led by Sequoia Capital that would value it at about $500 million, three months after a $60 million raise.
The company pays people to record everyday tasks with body sensors and smartphones, tackling the shortage of physical-world data that holds back general-purpose robots. Co-founder Josh Gao told Fortune it was projecting a $100 million annual run rate by the end of 2026. Terms are not final.
Profound raises $180 million at $1.8 billion for AI search visibility
Photograph: TechCrunch
Profound has raised a $180 million Series D at a $1.8 billion valuation, less than seven months after a $96 million Series C. Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins led, with Lightspeed, Khosla Ventures and South Park Commons participating.
US venture market sees $18.1 billion in August funding
The US venture market recorded $18.1 billion across 333 deals in August 2026, up 123% year on year, driven by rounds such as River AI's $1.1 billion Series A and Base Power's $1.0 billion Series D.
Augmentir, the connected frontline worker platform, has launched Augie Command Center and Augie Procedure Studio, which replace traditional software navigation with natural language.
Reported by Lerer Hippeau, 16 September
Robinhood engineers charged with insider trading
US prosecutors have charged two Robinhood engineers with insider trading in crypto-linked perpetual futures.
Reported by Opening Bell Daily, 16 September
Bending Spoons co-founder steps down as CPO for a better candidate
Co-founder Matteo Danieli moved from Chief Product Officer to VP of Product after a product manager who joined later was judged the better candidate for the role.
Reported by Molly O'Shea, 20 September
Editor's note
Self regulation seems to be the current AI race. Social media self regulation failed miserably and continues to do so, but onerous regulation that the Chinese won't sign up to seems like shooting ourselves in the foot. Answers on a postcard, please.
