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A few years ago, several startups with a specific focus on digital avatars appeared because of all the metaverse buzz. While that buzz died down, generative AI has given a new life to avatars as it is easier to spin up different virtual identities. Companies are trying out different use cases for avatars, including D-ID and Synthesia in the enterprise space, Zoom for meetings, Glance for fashion, Praktika for learning, and TikTok and Captions in the creator space. However, Isaac Bratzel, who created popular virtual influencers such as Lil Miquela and Amelia 2.0, thinks there is a lack of high-quality…

If you want to amplify your brand to over 1,000 AI experts and innovators, there’s no better way than by hosting a Side Event during TechCrunch Sessions: AI Week. From June 1 to June 7, TechCrunch is looking for fun and thought-provoking events to coincide with TC Sessions: AI, which takes place on June 5 in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley. Whether it be a cocktail party, an industry meetup, or a thought-provoking panel, we’re open to a wide range of Side Events. TC Sessions: AI is the event that will give you insights into the cutting-edge and ever-evolving industry…

Pakistan continued their streak of failing to reach the upper echelons of cricketing glory as the Green Shirts were absent from the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Team of the Tournament unveiled by the global governing body on Monday for the Champions Trophy. India mounted a successful chase of a doable 252-run target against New Zealand on Sunday to win the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, marking their third title of the tournament. They remained unbeaten after playing all their matches in Dubai owing to a ‘hybrid’ compromise reached after India refused to tour Pakistan for the eight-member tournament. Pakistan, on…

UAE-based Klaim, a healthcare payments solutions provider, has raised $10m in Series A equity funding and secured an additional $16m financing fund to support its regional expansion efforts, according to a report from Zawya.The funding round will help Klaim strengthen its presence in the UAE and extend its operations into Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other markets.The company aims to reshape the healthcare financial landscape by expediting medical insurance claim payments and improving cash flow for healthcare providers in the MENA region.The company’s unique approach, which allows providers to receive payments within 24 hours of submitting claims, enhances financial stability and…

The contest that saw Mark Carney emerge as Liberal Party leader and soon-to-be Canada’s prime minister has turned out to be a boring fait accompli. The drama that led inevitably, it seems, to Carney’s persuasive coronation on Sunday evening occurred late last December when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s once-reliable confidante and trusted deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, played Judas. Her surprising resignation as finance minister tipped a wounded and unpopular prime minister – inside and outside his restive caucus – over the parliamentary edge, forcing Trudeau to admit the obvious: Canada’s prince charming was no longer a prince, nor, apparently,…

FutureVault, a provider of AI-powered digital vault solutions, has secured $3m in equity financing, bringing its total funding since inception to $31m.The latest investment round saw participation from founder and executive chairman G. Scott Paterson, CEO Daniel Kenny, and a mix of existing shareholders and select new investors.FutureVault specialises in digital vault solutions tailored for financial institutions, wealth enterprises, advisors, and their clients. Its platform leverages AI and large language models (LLMs) to automate, aggregate, and centralise documentation and embedded data. This enables seamless bi-directional integrations with WealthTech providers, allowing real-time data extraction and workflow automation.The new funding will support…

SparkReceipt, a pre-accounting software provider based in Finland, has secured investment from Trind Ventures.The funding round, which remains undisclosed, also received support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund and Business Finland.The company provides AI-powered pre-accounting software designed to simplify bookkeeping for micro-businesses, with operations spanning nearly 100 countries. The platform automates receipt and invoice processing, eliminating the need for manual data entry.The new funding will be used to accelerate SparkReceipt’s international expansion.Trind Ventures partner Reima Linnanvirta highlighted the significance of the investment, stating, “With my own background in the most boring industries like accounting, legal, and tax, I…

Topline Tesla stock officially traded lower Monday than it did ahead of President Donald Trump’s November victory, wiping out what was once a 91% gain for shares of the electric vehicle company run by Trump lieutenant Elon Musk, as Tesla becomes the face of the ongoing stock market slide. Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks at a Tesla event in 2022.Getty Images Key Facts Shares of Tesla declined about 12% to $231 by early afternoon, registering their lowest share price since Oct. 23, the day before the election. Monday’s Tesla dive came as part of broader losses tied to concerns about…

Kiva, a global nonprofit that provides crowdfunded loans to individuals and entrepreneurs, has received a $100k Her Village grant from Boundless Futures Foundation.The funding aims to support women-led businesses across the U.S. that address social or environmental challenges.The grant will be used to establish a revolving loan fund featured on the Kiva platform, specifically targeting female founders and social entrepreneurs. It will also finance a co-sponsored impact study to assess the societal benefits of female-led social enterprises. Additionally, Kiva and Boundless Futures Foundation plan to collaborate on strategic efforts to address systemic barriers faced by women founders.Soon Hagerty, founder and…

Nirvana Insurance, an AI-driven commercial trucking insurer, has secured an $80m Series C funding round, bringing its valuation close to $850m.The investment follows a period of rapid growth for the company, which has surpassed $100m in premiums, more than doubling year over year.The round was led by General Catalyst, with continued backing from existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and Valor Equity Partners.The fresh capital will support Nirvana’s expansion efforts and further technological innovation within its AI-powered insurance platform.Nirvana provides AI-enhanced commercial insurance tailored for fleet operators, integrating real-time data from telematics devices to improve risk assessment, underwriting, and claims processing.…