Applied Computing wants to give oil and gas operators an AI model for the entire plant, plus, AI-powered travel agency Fora hits unicorn status

Applied Computing wants to give oil and gas operators an AI model for the entire plant, plus, AI-powered travel agency Fora hits unicorn status

Author: TechCrunch July 20, 2026 Duration: 7:31
Applied Computing has raised a $20M Series A to build a foundation AI model for the oil, gas and petrochemical industry. Also, travel agency Fora announced a $60 million Series D round led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, valuing the company at $1 billion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder what it sounds like when the daily churn of Silicon Valley gets a voice? That’s what you’ll find with TechCrunch Startup News. This isn't just a reading of headlines; it's a curated audio dive into the most compelling stories from TechCrunch's own reporters, delivered directly by the people who wrote them. Each episode focuses on the human drama and high-stakes decisions behind the startup world. You'll hear the specifics-which company just secured a surprising funding round, which founder is navigating a tricky exit, and which seemingly small idea might actually be poised to disrupt an entire industry. The pace is quick and the insight is direct, mirroring the breakneck speed of the ecosystem it covers. For anyone who wants to stay current without staring at a screen, this podcast turns essential tech journalism into an efficient listen. It’s like having a seasoned editor walk you through the must-know deals and dramas, providing context and clarity on the forces shaping our future. Tune in to get the narrative behind the news, straight from the source.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

TechCrunch Startup News
Podcast Episodes
Discovered Materials is playing AI whack-a-mole to hunt cooler chips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:29
Discovered Materials raised $9 million to fund the hunt for more novel materials to build more efficient chips. Plus, embattled hedge fund Situational Awareness invests $400M in chip startup Source Foundry. Learn more ab…