Tech Patrol

Etiket: startups

  • # Japanese Startup Craif Secures $22M to Revolutionize Early Cancer Detection with Urine-Based AI

    ## Japanese Startup Craif Secures $22M to Revolutionize Early Cancer Detection with Urine-Based AI

    Cancer remains a global health crisis, with the National Cancer Institute reporting nearly 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022 alone. Projections indicate a significant rise, reaching nearly 30 million new cases by 2040. Addressing this urgent need, Craif, a Japanese startup specializing in non-invasive early cancer detection, has announced a $22 million Series C funding round. This investment will fuel the company’s expansion into the U.S. market and support further research and development of its innovative platform.

    Craif, a spin-off from Nagoya University founded in 2018, is leveraging the power of microRNA (miRNA) and artificial intelligence to develop a groundbreaking early cancer detection software. The Series C funding, led by existing investor X&KSK, values the company at just under $100 million, bringing Craif’s total funding to $57 million. The round also saw participation from U.S.-based Unreasonable Group (marking their first investment in a Japanese startup), TAUNS Laboratories, Daiwa House Industry, and Aozora Bank Group.

    The motivation behind Craif stems from a deeply personal experience. Co-founder and CEO Ryuichi Onose witnessed the devastating impact of cancer firsthand, with both his grandparents diagnosed with the disease. This inspired him to co-found Craif with Takao Yasui, an associate professor at Nagoya University, just a month after they met. Yasui had developed a novel method for early cancer detection using urinary biomarkers.

    Traditional cancer diagnostic methods, such as blood tests, can be invasive, deterring some individuals from regular screening. Furthermore, access to medical facilities can be limited in certain areas, posing a challenge for convenient cancer testing. Craif aims to overcome these obstacles by offering a non-invasive, urine-based test capable of detecting cancer at its earliest stages, including Stage 1.

    “The test can be conducted from the comfort of a patient’s home and is powered by advanced microRNA analysis, making early detection more accessible and effective,” explains Onose. “Our users are health-conscious individuals who are concerned about cancer but find it challenging to commit to conventional screenings due to time, cost, and accessibility constraints.”

    Craif distinguishes itself from competitors like Grail, Freenome, DELFI Diagnostics, and Clearnote Health by utilizing microRNA as a biomarker instead of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and by focusing on urine as the sample source.

    “miRNA, which gained heightened recognition after being linked to the 2024 Nobel Prize, is known for its deep involvement in cancer biology even at the earliest stages,” Onose explained. “Unlike cfDNA, miRNA is proactively secreted by early cancer cells, making it particularly suitable for early cancer detection.”

    The use of urine provides numerous advantages, including ease of collection, non-invasiveness, and fewer impurities compared to other samples, leading to clearer biomarker signals and reduced measurement errors.

    Craif’s flagship product, miSignal, is already generating revenue in Japan. This test detects the risk of seven different cancers – pancreatic, colorectal, lung, stomach, esophagus, breast, and ovarian – using urinary miRNA. Distribution channels include clinics, pharmacies, direct-to-consumer sales, and corporate wellness programs.

    The company currently partners with over 1000 medical institutions and approximately 600 pharmacies in Japan, serving around 20,000 users. With a team of 73 employees, Craif reported $5 million in revenue in 2024 and projects $15 million by the end of this year. The revenue model includes both single tests and subscription packages, with a strong uptake of the latter.

    Looking ahead, Craif plans to expand miSignal’s scope to include ten different cancer types this year. The startup is also exploring the use of its technology for the early detection of non-cancerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders like dementia.

    With an existing R&D lab in Irvine, California, Craif intends to open another office in San Diego to manage its business operations. The new funding will play a crucial role in the company’s U.S. market entry, with plans to complete trials around 2029 and subsequently seek FDA approval. Craif has already initiated collaboration with 30 medical institutions across 15 U.S. states to collect pancreatic cancer samples, underscoring its commitment to revolutionizing early cancer detection on a global scale.

  • # StrictlyVC Takes on Europe: Athens and London to Host Exclusive Tech and VC Events

    ## StrictlyVC Takes on Europe: Athens and London to Host Exclusive Tech and VC Events

    TechCrunch’s exclusive event series, StrictlyVC, is expanding its reach across the Atlantic this May with highly anticipated stops in London and Athens. These boutique events promise insider conversations for VCs and startups looking to tap into the burgeoning European tech scene.

    The European leg of StrictlyVC kicks off in Athens on May 8th at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. The event will feature a special appearance by the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who will discuss Greece’s growing role as a hub for innovation and investment. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into the policy reforms, global partnerships, and future prospects fueling Greece’s tech momentum.

    Panels at the Athens event include “Why Greece, Why Now: Betting Big on the Country’s Next Wave of Founders,” featuring Myrto Papathanou (Partner, Metavallon VC), Apostolos Apostolakis (Founding Partner, Venture Friends), Panos Papadopoulos (Partner, Marathon Venture Capital), and Dimitris Kottas (Co-founder and CEO, Delian Alliance Industries). “Built in Europe: Scaling Ambition from the Ground Up” features Konstantina Psoma (Founder and CEO, Kaedim), Haris Pylarinos (Co-founder and CEO, Hack The Box), and Simon Schaefer (Founder / Co-Initiator, Factory / EU Inc. petition). Coen Jonker (Co-Founder of Tyme) and John Tsioris (Founder and CEO, Revotech) will be speaking at “A Tale of Two Emerging Markets.”

    Following the Athens event, StrictlyVC moves to London on May 13th, taking place at MidCity Place. The London event will delve into the investment and financial strategies shaping Europe’s tech ecosystem. Attendees can expect insightful discussions on scaling innovation, building resilient tech ecosystems, and identifying Europe’s next global tech leaders.

    Featured speakers in London include Nazo Moosa of Paladin Capital Group, who will share insights on investing in cybersecurity, AI, and deep tech. Sonali De Rycker of Accel will discuss how to identify tomorrow’s global winners, and TS Anil of Monzo will delve into the strategy behind Monzo’s rise to become a fintech powerhouse.

    For startups considering global expansion or VCs looking to understand the European investment landscape, the StrictlyVC events in Athens and London are not to be missed. Both events offer a unique opportunity to connect with leading voices and gain valuable insights into the future of European tech.

    **Event Details:**

    * **StrictlyVC Athens:** May 8th, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
    * **StrictlyVC London:** May 13th, MidCity Place.

    **To learn more and secure your spot, visit:**

    * [StrictlyVC Greece Event Page](https://techcrunch.com/events/strictlyvc-greece/?utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=svcgreece&utm_content=ticketsales&utm_source=tc&promo=post_svcglobal_04282025&display=)
    * [StrictlyVC London Event Page](https://techcrunch.com/events/strictlyvc-london-2025/?utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=svclondon&utm_content=ticketsales&utm_source=tc&promo=post_svcglobal_04282025&display=)

  • # StrictlyVC Mayıs Ayında Avrupa’ya Açılıyor: Yunanistan Başbakanı ve Önde Gelen Teknoloji ve VC Sesleri Sahne Alacak

    ## StrictlyVC Mayıs Ayında Avrupa’ya Açılıyor: Yunanistan Başbakanı ve Önde Gelen Teknoloji ve VC Sesleri Sahne Alacak

    TechCrunch’ın yatırımcılar (VC) ve girişimler için düzenlediği, özel davetli ve üst düzey etkinlik serisi StrictlyVC, Mayıs ayında Avrupa’ya açılıyor! Seri, 8 Mayıs’ta Atina’da ve 13 Mayıs’ta Londra’da düzenlenecek etkinliklerle Avrupa’nın yükselen teknoloji ve yatırım dünyasına odaklanacak.

    **Atina’da Yunanistan Başbakanı ile Teknoloji Hamlesi Masaya Yatırılacak**

    8 Mayıs’ta Atina’da düzenlenecek etkinlikte, Yunanistan Başbakanı Kyriakos Mitsotakis özel bir konuşma yapacak. Mitsotakis, Yunanistan’ın bir inovasyon ve yatırım merkezi olarak nasıl konumlandığını, hükümet politikalarından küresel ortaklıklara kadar ülkenin teknoloji alanındaki yükselişini destekleyen faktörleri ve sınırların ötesine geçmeyi hedefleyen girişimler için gelecekteki fırsatları değerlendirecek. Etkinlik, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’da gerçekleşecek.

    **Londra’da Avrupa Teknoloji Ekosistemini Şekillendiren Stratejiler Ele Alınacak**

    13 Mayıs’ta Londra’da düzenlenecek StrictlyVC etkinliğinde ise, Avrupa’nın teknoloji ekosistemini şekillendiren yatırım ve finans stratejileri derinlemesine incelenecek. Siber güvenlikten yapay zekaya, küresel bankacılık inovasyonuna kadar pek çok alanda öne çıkan liderlerin, şirketlerini nasıl büyüttükleri ve sektörlerine nasıl yön verdikleri masaya yatırılacak. MidCity Place’de gerçekleşecek etkinlikte, Paladin Capital Group’tan Nazo Moosa, Accel’den Sonali De Rycker ve Monzo’dan TS Anil gibi önemli isimler konuşmacı olarak yer alacak.

    **Neden Avrupa, Neden Şimdi?**

    StrictlyVC’nin Avrupa’ya açılması, kıtanın teknoloji ve girişimcilik alanındaki potansiyelinin fark edilmesiyle yakından ilgili. Etkinlikler, Avrupa’da küresel ölçekte büyümeyi hedefleyen girişimler ve yatırımcılar için kaçırılmaması gereken bir fırsat sunuyor. Avrupa’nın değişen inovasyon ortamı, kıtadaki yatırım fırsatları ve yeni nesil girişimciler hakkında bilgi edinmek isteyenler için bu etkinlikler önemli bir platform oluşturacak.

    **Atina’da Öne Çıkan Konuşmacılar**

    * **Kyriakos Mitsotakis:** Yunanistan Başbakanı
    * **Myrto Papathanou:** Metavallon VC Ortağı
    * **Apostolos Apostolakis:** Venture Friends Kurucu Ortağı
    * **Panos Papadopoulos:** Marathon Venture Capital Ortağı
    * **Dimitris Kottas:** Delian Alliance Industries Kurucu Ortağı ve CEO’su
    * **Konstantina Psoma:** Kaedim Kurucusu ve CEO’su
    * **Haris Pylarinos:** Hack The Box Kurucu Ortağı ve CEO’su
    * **Simon Schaefer:** Factory / EU Inc. petition Kurucusu / Eş-Girişimcisi
    * **Coen Jonker:** Tyme Kurucu Ortağı
    * **John Tsioris:** Revotech Kurucusu ve CEO’su

    **Londra’da Öne Çıkan Konuşmacılar**

    * **Nazo Moosa:** Paladin Capital Group Yönetici Direktörü
    * **Sonali De Rycker:** Accel Ortağı
    * **TS Anil:** Monzo Küresel CEO’su

    **Yerini Ayırtmayı Unutmayın!**

    Avrupa’nın önde gelen teknoloji ve yatırımcılarının yer alacağı bu özel etkinliklerde yerinizi ayırtmak için acele edin. StrictlyVC’nin Avrupa’daki ilk etkinlikleri, kıtanın teknoloji dünyasına ışık tutacak ve katılımcılara değerli bilgiler sunacak.

    * **StrictlyVC Atina:** 8 Mayıs
    * **StrictlyVC Londra:** 13 Mayıs

    Etkinliklerle ilgili daha fazla bilgi almak ve kayıt olmak için StrictlyVC’nin web sitelerini ziyaret edebilirsiniz.

  • # Beyond the Algorithm: How Ali Partovi’s Neo is Redefining Venture Capital

    ## Beyond the Algorithm: How Ali Partovi’s Neo is Redefining Venture Capital

    In the often-incestuous world of Silicon Valley venture capital, Ali Partovi has quietly built a reputation as a talent scout with a unique edge. While the Partovi brothers, including Hadi, have long been respected for their early investments in tech giants like Facebook and Airbnb, Ali’s venture firm, Neo, is now stepping into the spotlight. After eight years, Neo’s unconventional approach to finding and nurturing future tech leaders is demonstrably paying off, with investments in companies like Bluesky and Anysphere showcasing its success.

    Neo’s core philosophy revolves around identifying exceptional individuals, often before they’ve even launched a company. Unlike traditional VC firms that focus on specific market trends or established teams, Partovi and his partners, Suzanne Xie and Emily Cohen, prioritize the potential of individual talent. This approach is embodied in the “Neo Scholars” program, which provides a $20,000 grant for college students to take a gap semester and explore their entrepreneurial ideas, without requiring any equity in return. Each year, thirty individuals are selected.

    A key element of Partovi’s evaluation process is a deceptively simple coding test. As exemplified by the story of Michael Truell, co-founder of the AI-powered coding editor Cursor, these tests aren’t about rigid assessments. Instead, they serve as a catalyst for deeper conversations, allowing Partovi to gauge technical aptitude, entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Truell’s company, Anysphere, is now valued at a staggering $10 billion, potentially becoming one of Neo’s most successful ventures.

    This focus on individual potential mirrors Y Combinator’s emphasis on early-stage support but takes it a step further. Neo invests in people, not just companies, providing mentorship and guidance to help them develop their ideas and build successful businesses. Partovi describes his role as “coaxing” founders to take risks and aim higher than they initially envision.

    The results speak for themselves. Beyond Anysphere and Bluesky, Neo’s portfolio boasts impressive companies like Cognition (valued at $4 billion), Pika Labs (valued at $700 million), and Chai Discovery, all founded by Neo scholars. Impressively, every new graduate hired by OpenAI last year came from the Neo Scholars program.

    Partovi looks for four key qualities in potential “superstars”: technical ability, entrepreneurial inclination, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and magnetism. Technical ability, he believes, is crucial for clear thinking, citing examples of tech titans like Jeff Bezos and Larry Ellison who have computer science backgrounds. Prior entrepreneurial experience demonstrates a willingness to take risks and a passion for building products that resonate with users. Challenging the status quo signifies a founder’s capacity to question fundamental assumptions. Finally, a founder’s “magnetism” – their ability to attract talented friends to their ventures – is a crucial indicator of future success.

    As Neo’s success becomes more apparent, competition to join its programs is intensifying. Applications have doubled annually, but Neo is committed to maintaining selectivity over scaling. This philosophy also extends to its fund size; Neo recently closed on $320 million in fresh capital, only slightly more than its 2023 fund, with Partovi himself significantly increasing his personal investment.

    While the market faces a challenging exit landscape, Partovi advises his founders to focus on building enduring value and serving others. He believes that money is the result of creating a product that people love, not the primary goal. In a world often driven by fleeting trends and short-term gains, Neo’s commitment to identifying and nurturing long-term potential sets it apart, demonstrating that betting on people is, in fact, a winning strategy.

  • # Startup Deals Endure, But Valuation Scrutiny Intensifies: This Week in Tech Funding

    ## Startup Deals Endure, But Valuation Scrutiny Intensifies: This Week in Tech Funding

    Despite ongoing global uncertainties, the startup ecosystem demonstrates resilience, with deals and IPOs continuing to move forward. However, as this week’s news confirms, a new reality is setting in: price and valuation are under intense scrutiny. Here’s a breakdown of the most interesting developments in the startup world this week, focusing on funding, acquisitions, and shifting market dynamics.

    **Acquisition Activity & Shifting Strategies**

    While tariff turmoil initially cast a shadow over the M&A landscape, this week brought signs of life. However, the context is crucial.

    * **Price Matters:** Anysphere, the company behind the AI coding assistant Cursor, is experiencing such rapid growth that a potential acquisition by OpenAI is now reportedly off the table. The focus might shift towards Windsurf, another AI coding assistant competitor, highlighting the increasing competition and potentially driving down acquisition costs.
    * **Strategic Acquisitions:** Datadog strengthened its AI capabilities by acquiring Metaplane, an AI-powered data observability startup. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, this acquisition demonstrates the continued importance of AI in bolstering existing tech platforms.
    * **Acqui-hires:** a16z welcomed Erik Torenberg, the creator of the Turpentine podcast network, as a new partner through an acqui-hire, demonstrating the value placed on content creation and thought leadership within the VC space.

    **Funding Highlights: Vibe Coding and Beyond**

    Venture capital continues to flow, with particular interest in certain sectors while the focus shifts to more measured valuations.

    * **Vibe Coding is Hot:** Supabase, an open-source database startup capitalizing on the “vibe coding” trend, secured a massive $200 million Series D round, pushing its valuation to $2 billion, just seven months after its previous funding round. Reflecting the trend, Adaptive Computer, which focuses on vibe coding for non-programmers, landed a $7 million seed round.
    * **AI-Powered Solutions Attract Investment:** Several startups leveraging AI in different ways secured substantial funding. Manychat raised $140 million for its AI-enabled business messaging platform, while Endor Labs, focused on AI-generated code vulnerability scanning, secured $93 million. Noxtua, a legal AI startup, garnered $92.2 million to develop AI tools tailored for the German legal system.
    * **Fintech and Cybersecurity Remain Attractive:** Fintech API brokerage startup Alpaca picked up $52 million, and virtual CISO provider Cynomi raised $37 million, indicating ongoing investor confidence in these sectors.

    **Adjusting Expectations: IPOs and Emerging Markets**

    This week revealed some recalibration of expectations in the IPO market and a renewed focus on established models in emerging markets.

    * **IPO Size Trimming:** Ather Energy, an Indian EV startup, scaled back its IPO size and target valuation, citing current market conditions. This reflects a broader trend of companies adjusting their IPO aspirations to align with investor sentiment.
    * **Replicating Success:** Fluent Ventures is distributing $40 million to international founders aiming to replicate proven business models in emerging markets. This strategy indicates a shift towards lower-risk investments and a focus on scalability in these regions.

    **Accelerator Updates:**

    Techstars joined Y Combinator in updating its deal for startups accepted into its program. Techstars will now invest $220,000.

  • # Girişimcilik Dünyasında Son Durum: Teknoloji Halka Arzları ve Anlaşmalar Devam Ediyor, Ancak Fiyatlar Kritik Öneme Sahip

    ## Girişimcilik Dünyasında Son Durum: Teknoloji Halka Arzları ve Anlaşmalar Devam Ediyor, Ancak Fiyatlar Kritik Öneme Sahip

    Teknoloji dünyasında girişimcilik ekosistemi hızla gelişmeye devam ederken, halka arzlar (IPO’lar) ve şirket birleşmeleri (M&A) gibi büyük anlaşmalar da gündemdeki yerini koruyor. Ancak, son haftalarda yaşanan gelişmeler, fiyatlandırmanın bu tür anlaşmalarda giderek daha önemli bir faktör haline geldiğini gösteriyor. İşte girişimcilik dünyasında bu hafta öne çıkan gelişmeler:

    **Anlaşmalar Devam Ediyor, Ancak Fiyatlar Gözden Geçiriliyor**

    Zorlu ekonomik koşullara rağmen, şirketler hala stratejik hamleler yapmaya devam ediyor. Ancak, piyasa koşulları, değerleme ve fiyatlandırma konusunda daha dikkatli bir yaklaşım gerektiriyor. Bu durum, hem alıcılar hem de satıcılar için pazarlık süreçlerini daha karmaşık hale getiriyor.

    **Haftanın En İlginç Girişimcilik Hikayeleri**

    * **Fiyat Bilinci:** Kodlama asistanı Cursor’ın arkasındaki şirket Anysphere, o kadar hızlı büyüyor ki, OpenAI tarafından satın alınması şimdilik rafa kaldırıldı. OpenAI’ın Windsurf’ü satın alıp almayacağı henüz kesinleşmese de, iki yapay zeka kodlama asistanı arasındaki rekabet giderek kızışıyor.

    * **Uçan Bakış:** Datadog, yapay zeka destekli veri gözlemleme girişimi Metaplane’i satın aldı. Y Combinator mezunu olan Metaplane, bugüne kadar yaklaşık 22.2 milyon dolar yatırım almıştı. Anlaşma şartları açıklanmadı.

    * **Transfer:** Erik Torenberg, a16z’nin yeni ortağı oldu. Girişim sermayesi firması, Torenberg ve podcast ağını satın alarak bünyesine kattı. Turpentine isimli podcastlerin yayınlanmaya devam edeceği belirtildi.

    * **Boyutlandırma:** Halka arz olmayı planlayan Hintli elektrikli araç girişimi Ather Energy, piyasa koşullarını gerekçe göstererek halka arz boyutunu ve hedef değerlemesini küçülttü.

    **Haftanın En İlginç Girişim Sermayesi ve Fonlama Haberleri**

    * **Vibe Kodlama:** Açık kaynaklı veritabanı girişimi Supabase, vibe kodlama araçları etrafındaki heyecandan faydalanarak, son yatırım turundan sadece yedi ay sonra 200 milyon dolarlık D Serisi yatırım aldı. Şirketin değeri 900 milyon dolardan 2 milyar dolara yükseldi.
    * **Adaptif Bilgisayar:** Vibe kodlama girişimi Adaptive Computer, Pebblebed liderliğindeki tohum turunda 7 milyon dolar yatırım aldı.
    * **Çok Fazla Sohbet:** İşletmelerin birden fazla mesajlaşma kanalı üzerinden konuşmaları yönetmelerine ve otomatikleştirmelerine yardımcı olan Manychat, Summit Partners liderliğinde 140 milyon dolarlık B Serisi yatırım aldı.
    * **Hataları Yakalamak:** Yapay zeka tarafından oluşturulan kodlardaki güvenlik açıklarını tarayan araçlar geliştiren Endor Labs, DFJ Growth liderliğinde 93 milyon dolarlık B Serisi yatırım aldı.
    * **Egemen Yapay Zeka:** Daha önce Xayn olarak bilinen Berlin merkezli hukuk yapay zeka girişimi Noxtua, hukukla ilgili kullanım durumları için egemen yapay zeka geliştirmeye odaklanarak 92.2 milyon dolarlık B Serisi yatırım aldı.
    * **Brokerlik:** Fintech API brokerlik girişimi Alpaca, uluslararası alanda daha da genişlemek için 52 milyon dolarlık C Serisi yatırım aldı.
    * **Sanal CISO:** Londra ve Tel Aviv merkezli Cynomi, SMB’lere yapay zeka destekli “sanal CISO” sağlayan girişimi, Insight Partners ve Entrée Capital liderliğinde 37 milyon dolarlık B Serisi yatırım aldı.
    * **Süper Güçler:** 150.000 kişilik bekleme listesi oluşturduktan sonra, sağlık teknolojisi girişimi Superpower halka açıldı ve birçok ünlü tarafından desteklenen 30 milyon dolarlık A Serisi yatırım aldığını duyurdu.
    * **Borç Finansmanı:** SMB’ler için borç finansmanı platformu geliştiren İsveçli fintech girişimi Froda, İsveç fonu Incore Invest liderliğinde 22.7 milyon dolarlık B Serisi yatırım sağladı.
    * **Hile Kodu:** İş görüşmesi hile aracı geliştirdikten sonra uzaklaştırılan Columbia öğrencisi Chungin “Roy” Lee, her şeyde “hile yapmak” için yapay zeka aracı sunan girişimi Cluely için 5.3 milyon dolarlık tohum fonu topladı.
    * **Kopyala-Yapıştır:** 75’ten fazla unicorn kurucusu ve VC tarafından desteklenen Fluent Ventures, gelişmekte olan pazarlarda kanıtlanmış iş modellerini kopyalayarak uluslararası kuruculara 40 milyon dolar dağıtıyor.

    **Son Olarak…**

    Techstars yakın zamanda standart anlaşmasını güncelledi. Artık üç aylık programına giren girişimlere 220.000 dolar yatırım yapacak. Bu, önceki miktardan 100.000 dolar daha fazla ve yeni anlaşma şartları Y Combinator’ınkini yansıtıyor.

    Girişimcilik dünyası, zorluklara rağmen canlılığını koruyor. Şirketler, inovasyon ve büyüme için fırsatlar aramaya devam ederken, değerleme ve fiyatlandırmanın önemi giderek artıyor. Bu hafta öne çıkan gelişmeler, piyasanın dinamik yapısını ve girişimcilik ekosisteminin sürekli evrimini gözler önüne seriyor.