Startups
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Yik Yak Systematically Downvotes Mentions Of Competitors
You can say anything on Yik Yak, as long as it’s not a competing app’s name. The anonymous app has quietly built a system that downvotes any mentions of several other apps for college kids including Fade, Sneek, and Unseen until no one can see them.
By adding one downvote per minute, Yik Yak makes it look like other anonymous users dislike these posts. But tests in isolation… Read More
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Swap Your Glasses Anytime With Ditto’s New Endless Eyewear Program
Startup Ditto aims to help customers customers to find the right pair of eyeglasses. With that in mind, it recently launched a new “Netflix for designer eyewear” program called Endless Eyewear. Subscribers pay a monthly fee, choose a pair of glasses for delivery, then if they don’t like the pair or get tired of it, they can swap them out for anytime you want, with free… Read More
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Exploitation By Consent
The word exploit is harsh, even ugly. It suggests cynical manipulation, selfish misappropriation and even outright theft. And in fact, in the online world, an ‘exploit’ is all of those nasty things and then some. Yet for some reason, many startups and consumers don’t take even the most basic steps to stop their digital assets, and even themselves, from being exploited. Read More
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Rise Of The Micro-Tinders
Different strokes for different folks. But what about different apps? Tinder brought ruthless efficiency to online dating. Yet the same way people gravitate to distinct nightlife spots depending on their style, we’re seeing an explosion of niche dating apps all based on Tinder’s familiar swipes. No matter how special you are, they’ll help you find your special someone. This… Read More
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Startups, Late-Stage Valuations, And Bull
Bill Gurley, a general partner at Benchmark, makes news mostly because he says what other venture capitalists will tell you while drunk, but does so while on the record. It’s refreshing in a way. Most recently, Gurley made the point that the tech and investment industries are shoving nine and ten-figure sums of cash into startups while not enjoying a full dig into their financials. In… Read More
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Urgent.ly Is Uber For When Your Ride Breaks Down
When you break down, the assumption is that you need help urgent.ly. That’s why Urgent.ly exists. This on-demand roadside assistance app aims to be the Uber of what happens if your car can’t be used as an Uber anymore. Founded by Chris Spanos, Surendra Goel, and Luke Kathol, the service allows you to pinpoint your location and request help. Spanos, who worked as a GM of Repair.com… Read More
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Applications For The Boston And Atlanta TC Pitch-Offs Close Monday
We’re on our way to Atlanta and Boston in a few short days, and we’re ready to see the best that those tech communities have to offer.
The world-famous TechCrunch Pitch-Off will hit Atlanta on February 24 and Boston on February 26, where select startups will have 60 seconds to pitch their product live on stage to a panel of judges, including TC writers and local VCs. Read More
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Snapchat Tries Our Stories For Locals Only
Snapchat’s newest feature could turn Our Stories into hip, visual back channels by locals for locals only. The company is currently experimenting with a version of its normally public, big event Our Stories that feature Snaps from a certain location that can only be seen by people nearby. Today it’s running one called “TGIF” that only pulls in Snaps from, and shows them… Read More
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Rockbot’s Jukebox App Can Automatically Add Songs When You Walk Into The Room
When you walk into a bar, restaurant, or other venue with Rockbot, the virtual jukebox can now add one of your favorite songs to the playlist without any effort on your part. Backed by Universal Music Group, Google Ventures, and others, Rockbot actually got its start at San Francisco’s Bar Basic, one of the go-to hangout spots for TechCrunch’s SF team. The startup has already… Read More
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When You Win Dating Game The Catch, You Don’t Chat, You Go Out
You know what’s more fun than swiping and small talk on Tinder? Actually hooking up. That’s why new dating game The Catch tries to by-pass the chat phase and get you and your prospective bae to meet up. The Catch is like a digital version of the old 60’s TV show The Dating Game. It goes like this: Girls set age and location preferences, browse guys’ profiles on The… Read More
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