Google releases new open LLMs, Rivian lays off workers and Sign rolls out usernames

Welcome, of us, to Week in Evaluate (WiR), TechCrunch’s common e-newsletter masking noteworthy happenings within the tech trade.

This week, Google launched two new open giant language fashions, Gemma 2B and Gemma 7B, in its continued bid for generative AI dominance. The corporate, which describes the LLMs as “inspired by Gemini,” its flagship household of GenAI fashions, made every out there for business and analysis utilization.

Elsewhere, embattled database firm MariaDB revealed that it may very well be taken personal in a $37 million deal. The nonbinding proposal comes 14 months after MariaDB went public through SPAC, Paul writes.

Heaps else occurred. We recap all of it on this version of WiR — however first, a reminder to sign up to obtain the WiR e-newsletter in your inbox each Saturday.

Information

Tragedy: Earlier this week, Marco Troper, the 19-year-old son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, was discovered useless at UC Berkeley of an obvious drug overdose.

Cake sale: The way forward for bankrupt electrical motorcycle startup Cake continues to be unsure, however the majority of its U.S. stock goes to a person in Florida, Sean reviews.

Change Healthcare hit: Change Healthcare, one of many largest healthcare tech corporations within the U.S., confirmed {that a} cyberattack on its methods occurred just lately.

Rivan layoffs: Rivian is shedding 10% of its salaried workforce in a bid to chop prices in an more and more robust marketplace for electrical autos, placing much more stress on its future, extra inexpensive EV known as the R2.

Dunzo buyout: Indian e-commerce large Flipkart has held discussions in latest weeks about doubtlessly buying Dunzo, the hyperlocal supply startup backed by Reliance Retail, Manish reviews.

More privacy: Sign now enables you to preserve your cellphone quantity personal with the launch of usernames.

YouTube triumphant: YouTube dominates TV streaming within the U.S., per Nielsen’s newest report.

Valuation cut: Byju’s says its just lately launched $200 million rights challenge has been totally subscribed, however the startup’s founder urged a few of its main traders to take part amid a rift between the edtech group and a few of its largest shareholders, Manish writes.

Funding

Lucrative grooming: France-based Planity has raised $48 million to broaden its software-as-a-service product for hair salons.

Brick-laying robots: Dutch startup Monumental landed a $25 million tranche for its robotic carts and arms that assist lay bricks for building.

Evaluation

Segment under threat: Alex and Ron check out the the reason why Phase, the client knowledge firm, may very well be put up on the market by company guardian Twilio. Activist stress has quite a bit to do with it.

Podcasts

On Equity, the crew talked about Reddit’s upcoming IPO, together with some spectacular raises for edtech startup Loora, Bioptimus and Dili.

Found dove into the large net of the marriage trade with Shan-Lyn Ma, the co-founder and CEO of Zola. Ma talked about why she determined to launch the enterprise after attempting to purchase a present for a pal and realizing that marriage ceremony registries have been nonetheless residing up to now.

And Chain Reaction had on Steve Kaczynski, co-author of the e book “The Everything Token” and co-host of the web3 morning present “Coffee with Captain.” 

Bonus spherical

New AI chip venture: SoftBank Group’s Masayoshi Son is reportedly looking for $100 billion to construct a brand new enterprise that’d compete with the likes of Nvidia within the space of AI chips.

OnePlus returns to watches: OnePlus’ upcoming Watch 2 — the corporate’s first smartwatch in years — guarantees a jaw-dropping 100 hours “in full Smart Mode.”