Startups (opens original source in a new tab)TechCrunchNikita Bier steps down as X’s head of productThe serial entrepreneur is stepping down a little over a year after taking the "24/7 job" of overseeing X. (opens original source in a new tab)Sean O'Kane·5 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)Breaking DefenseFirst Trump-class battleship could cost more than $23B: CBOThe Congressional Budget Office estimates that 15 nuclear-powered battleships would cost $275 billion. (opens original source in a new tab)Diana Stancy·5 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)TechCrunchMeta launches Muse Code, an AI agent for large code basesMeta expanded its AI coding offerings with a new agent that, it promises, can handle complex tasks with complex software. (opens original source in a new tab)Lucas Ropek·5 August 2026
Industry News (opens original source in a new tab)IPWatchdogThe Patent Enforcement Economy Is Leaving Inventors Behind/ IPWatchdog UnleashedThe patent system makes a promise that has become increasingly conditional. An inventor discloses an invention to the public and, in return, receives a limited right to exclude. On paper, that bargain remains intact. In the real world, however, a patent owner often discovers that functionally the right is only defensible if the infringement is large enough (but not too large), the damages are high enough (but not too high), the portfolio is deep enough, and somebody is willing to finance years o (opens original source in a new tab)Gene Quinn·5 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)TechCrunchTrump’s DOJ gains oversight of OpenAI’s green-card employee sponsorshipsThe DOJ alleged that OpenAI did not meaningful attempt to hire U.S. citizens before seeking permanent residence for Visa-holding employees. (opens original source in a new tab)Julie Bort·5 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)TechCrunchMoove raises $250M to become the backbone of the robotaxi industryMoove is scaling up the autonomous vehicle fleet management side of its business and plans to someday own, not just manage, Waymo robotaxis. (opens original source in a new tab)Kirsten Korosec·5 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)TechCrunchHow Lightspeed found its newest hire … via Instagram DMLightspeed partners Josh Machiz and Claire Zau stopped by the Equity studio to talk about the strategies behind their growing social media presence and their podcast, Lightwork. (opens original source in a new tab)Dominic-Madori Davis·5 August 2026
Startups (opens original source in a new tab)TechCrunchWhy Lightspeed is going all-in on creator-led venture capitalVenture firms are turning to creators to build trust with the next generation of founders before a check is ever written. It’s a trend that’s been building with a16z’s acquisition of Erik Torenberg’s Turpentine podcast and OpenAI’s acquisition of TBPN. Lightspeed Venture Partners just made its own notable hire in that vein, bringing on Claire Zau, a seed investor with a major following on Instagram and […] (opens original source in a new tab)Theresa Loconsolo·5 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)ElectrekTesla Megapacks power Ørsted’s big new Texas grid batteryTesla Megapacks are now helping support the Texas grid at Ørsted’s new 250 MW/500 MWh Old 300 battery storage project. (opens original source in a new tab)Michelle Lewis·5 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)STAT NewsSTAT+: Takeda’s narcolepsy drug approved by the FDA, seen as a boon for new class of treatmentsThe FDA approved a novel type of treatment for narcolepsy made by Takeda, backing a new drug class that scientists hope can be used to treat other conditions. (opens original source in a new tab)Elaine Chen·5 August 2026
(opens original source in a new tab)Breaking DefenseNRO issues 3 SAR satellite data providers ‘rigorous’ new contractsThe new Radar Commercial Augmentation contracts reflect the companies’ successful demonstration of their capabilities under previous NRO study contracts, according to the spy satellite agency. (opens original source in a new tab)Theresa Hitchens·5 August 2026
