Bedrock Energy, a startup co-founded by Jocelyn Lai, aims to decarbonize climate control in large commercial buildings by installing geothermal heating pumps. Buildings generate about a third of the US carbon pollution, mostly from heating and cooling.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Manish Lachwani, former founder of HeadSpin, was sentenced to prison and fined for lying to investors, allowing the company to raise $100 million in funding. Lachwani's fraud was uncovered, and he will serve time for his actions.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Perplexity, an AI search engine startup, is raising at least $250 million in funding at a valuation of $2.5-3 billion. This follows two previous fundraises, including a $74 million raise in January at a $540 million valuation, and a March raise. The company's valuation has increased significantly in the past four months.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Apple has scheduled an online event for May 7, titled 'Let Loose', with details to be revealed later. The event will likely focus on one or two select products, possibly smaller in scale due to its online-only format.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Framework Computer was founded in 2019, delivering its first product, the Framework 13, in 2021. The company sells repairable laptops in 13 countries across North America, Europe, and Taiwan. It was ahead of the curve, as 20 US states explored right to repair bills.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Campus, an online community college, received a $23 million investment. The college aims to improve transfer rates, with only 16% of community college students receiving bachelor's degrees within six years. Adjunct professors at top universities, including UCLA, Princeton, and NYU, often earn low salaries, with a quarter qualifying for government assistance.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Matterport, a digital twin platform, agreed to be acquired by Costar in a cash-and-stock deal worth $5.50 per share, valuing the company at $1.6 billion. The offer represents a 212% premium over Matterport's last closing share price. The deal was announced on April 22.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Fintech Fundid, a business finance startup, was shut down due to rising interest rates and a strained cap table. Founder Stefanie Sample raised $3.25 million in seed funding in 2022, but the company ultimately failed. The startup is now being wound down.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Easel, a new AI startup founded by two former Snap employees, is developing an app that generates images from iMessage conversations. The app allows users to create images of themselves and friends doing cool things directly from their conversations.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/