Friday, 15 March 2024

It’s true: Funding is flowing to startups fighting disinformation

Plus, cybersecurity M&A shows signs of life

March 15, 2024

Hi, Agen. Going online to find accurate information these days can seem futile between AI-generated spam, deepfakes and deliberate disinformation. Sifting through what’s true, kinda true and downright false can be frustrating and time-consuming — which of course means there are startups hoping to tackle the issue. Increasingly, Crunchbase data shows, venture investors are backing companies working on ways to combat disinformation and misinformation. Plus, cybersecurity M&A shows signs of life with two back-to-back deals.

πŸ™Š It’s true: Funding is flowing to startups fighting disinformation

Between the rise of generative AI, a fraught U.S. presidential election and multiple wars raging around the world, the incentives and means for bad actors to spread inaccurate information are only growing. Enter: A slew of funded startups that are working to tackle everything from online disinformation to AI-enabled fraud.

Related Crunchbase Pro list: Funded Companies Fighting Disinformation

πŸ” Cybersecurity M&A shows signs of life with back-to-back deals

For the second day in row, a cybersecurity startup with Israeli roots has been bought by a big fish in the security pond. Do the two deals signal that the dealmaking market for companies is on the verge of an uptick?

Pondering a capital raise or sale? There’s a third option, too

Like many startup entrepreneurs, you might currently find yourself at a difficult crossroads. Your company has raised decent funding, identified product market fit, and has solid and growing revenue. But the clock is ticking: Projections point to profitability in 12 months, but your runway is drying up in nine. So, what choices do you have? Startup adviser Itay Sagie walks you through three options.

πŸ€– Why more nonprofit AI startups are launching

There are scores of AI-focused nonprofits out there and most of them expect they will neither need nor be capable of raising billions of dollars to scale. As OpenAI’s drama continues to unfold, we thought it would be timely to touch base with Kevin Barenblat, co-founder of nonprofit startup accelerator Fast Forward, about how the next crop of AI-focused nonprofits is likely to scale.

πŸ€” Why LatAm founders should take a practical, pessimistic approach

A few years ago, Latin America was the fastest-growing region in the world for venture investment. Now, with signs that a flood of capital could again be imminent after a tough funding drought, guest author Héctor Jirau Colón cautions LatAm founders to avoid the pitfalls of excessive optimism.

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