Investors have been pouring billions into AI companies over the past few years, as the technology continues to hold sway in the Valley and thus the world. But not all AI companies are grabbing investor attention.

Indeed, even as it seems every company these days is rebranding to include “AI” in its name, some startup ideas are just no longer in favor with investors. TechCrunch spoke with VCs to learn what investors aren’t looking for in AI software-as-a-service startups anymore.

Popular SaaS categories for investors now include startups building AI-native infrastructure, vertical SaaS with proprietary data, systems of action (those helping users complete tasks), and platforms deeply embedded in mission-critical workflows, according to Aaron Holiday, a managing partner at 645 Ventures. 

But he also gave a list of companies that are considered quite boring to investors these days: Startups building thin workflow layers, generic horizontal tools, light product management, and surface-level analytics — basically, anything an AI agent can now do. 

Abdul Abdirahman, an investor at the firm F Prime, added that generic vertical software “without proprietary data moats” is no longer popular, and Igor Ryabenky, a founder and managing partner at AltaIR Capital, went deeper on that point. He said investors aren’t interested in anything, really, that doesn’t have much product depth. 

“If your differentiation lives mostly in UI [user interface] and automation, that’s no longer enough,” he said. “The barrier to entry has dropped, which makes building a real moat much harder.” 

New companies entering the market now need to build around “real workflow ownership and a clear understanding of the problem from day one,” he said.  “Massive codebases are no longer an advantage. What matters more is speed, focus, and the ability to adapt quickly. Pricing also needs to be flexible: rigid per-seat models will be harder to defend, while consumption-based models make more sense in this environment.” 

Jake Saper, a general partner at Emergence Capital, also had thoughts on ownership. To him, the differences between Cursor and Claude Code are the “canary in the coal mine.” 

“One owns the developer’s workflow, the other just executes the task,” Saper continued. “Developers are increasingly choosing the execution over process.” 

He said any product dealing with “workflow stickiness” — meaning trying to attract as many human customers as possible to continuously use the product — might find themselves in an uphill battle as agents takeover the workflow.

“Pre-Claude, getting humans to do their jobs inside your software was a powerful moat, but if agents are doing the work, who cares about human workflow?” he told TechCrunch.

He also thinks integrations are becoming less popular, especially as Anthropic’s model context protocol (MCP) makes it easier than ever to connect AI models to external data and systems. This means someone doesn’t need to download multiple integrations or build their own customer integrations; they can just use the MCP. 

“Being the connector used to be a moat,” Saper said. “Soon, it’ll be a utility.”

Also, no longer en vogue include the “workflow automation and task management tools that enable the coordination of human work become less necessary if, over time, agents just execute the tasks,” Abdirahman said, citing examples, mainly public SaaS companies whose stocks are down as new AI-native startups arise with better, more efficient technology. 

Ryabenky said the SaaS companies struggling to raise right now are the ones that can easily be replicated, he said.

“Generic productivity tools, project management software, basic CRM clones, and thin AI wrappers built on top of existing APIs fall into this category,” he said. “If the product is mostly an interface layer without deep integration, proprietary data, or embedded process knowledge, strong AI-native teams can rebuild it quickly. That is what makes investors cautious.”

Overa, what remains attractive about SaaS is depth and expertise, with tools embedded in critical workflows. He said companies should right now look into integrating AI deeply into their products and update their marketing to reflect that, Ryabenky continued.

“Investors are reallocating capital toward businesses that own workflows, data, and domain expertise,”  Ryabenky said. “And away from products that can be copied without much effort.” 

Lenovo can make a robot, too. Alongside proof-of-concept foldable gaming PCs and modular laptops, it introduced the AI Workmate Concept at MWC 2026. With its own Intel Core Ultra processor, 64GB of memory and its own Pico projector, it’s an AI-laced “workmate” meant to streamline office tasks and collaboration. And it has an LCD face.

For now, it’s a proof of concept, musing on how to integrate voice commands and LLMs (large language models) into workplace settings. It’s meant to sit on your desk, but preferably also near a wall – more on that later.

Voice commands aside, the concept bot supports writing, voice and gestures with on-device AI processing. While it can answer the usual voice assistant questions, it can also scan and summarize documents (both digitally and physically) and even assist with creating a PowerPoint presentation – though you might want to check its work.

The 3.4-inch 480 x 480 screen doesn’t seem to offer any data visualization or numbers. During my demo, it only seemed to show the bot’s eyes and facial expressions: it’ll sip coffee as it listens (with a moustache), cup a floating hand to the side of its face when it needs you to repeat a command, or twinkle when it’s processing more complicated tasks, like that fictional PowerPoint presentation.

With its articulated head, which houses the projector, cameras and LCD face, you can ask it to project images or documents on either the desk in front of it or a wall nearby. No need to flip around your monitor or laptop to share with colleagues. In one example, a spokesperson asked for a postcard. The Workmate then projected a (Lenovo-branded) image of Barcelona onto the desk. The rep laid paper down, then signed the ‘postcard’ and got the robot to scan it (with two downward-facing 5-megapixel cameras), and then send the file to a nearby printer.

In theory, this sort of flow could transition to document signing or adding notation to images and files. However, one caveat here is whether those of us who work in offices want the extra workplace noise of a chatty robo and the person barking orders at it.

Lenovo says this concept (and it has a few at MWC) is meant to demonstrate the company’s “exploration of spatial and physical AI experiences” that integrate “seamlessly into professional environments.” Hopefully, further evolutions offer a text-based way to make using it a little less noisy.

Lenovo was also showing a simpler AI work device, the AI Work Companion Concept. It’s a completely different premise, despite the name being a little too close to the AI Workmate Concept.

The AI Work Companion is not a robot, but a handsome chunky desk clock, with a solid, satisfying dial on the top and programmable buttons. The front is almost entirely display, able to show calendars, task lists and other work-centric dashes. It runs independently, plugging into a USB-C port for power and pulling data down wirelessly, while also acting as a port hub for charging other accessories and devices.

It’s certainly not as high-concept as the robot, but there are some AI smarts inside.

The Work Companion’s “Thought Bubble” uses AI to sync a user’s tasks and daily schedule across devices, synthesizing a daily action plan. It will even suggest times to break up bursts of work and attempt to monitor screen time to better manage burnout.

According to the press release, Lenovo says it also has “playful interactions with the user” and will, kind of bleakly, offer an end-of-week celebration report of tasks completed. It’s lucky it’s a good-looking desk clock.

Chevrolet pushed the Corvette C8 mid-engine architecture to its limit with the ZR1X. Engineers basically plugged in the ZR1’s 1,064 horsepower twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 and added a front-axle electric motor modified from the E-Ray but customized here. That motor adds 186 horsepower and 145 pound-feet, for a total of 1,250 horsepower, which is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a compact 1.9-kWh battery pack situated right in the center of the car. The front motor remains active all the way up to 160 mph, which is useful for dragging the strip from a stop, as only rear-drive takes over beyond that.

Acceleration strikes you like a ton of bricks, with Chevrolet claiming a blazing 1.68 seconds from 0-60 mph and an 8.675 second quarter-mile at 159 mph on a prepared surface. The stats are even reasonable when the car is untuned on standard road asphalt, with 2.1 seconds to 60 mph, 4 seconds to 100 mph, and a 9.2 second quarter-mile at 155 mph. They placed it in the same class as the world’s fastest production automobiles, even outperforming a few rare multi-million-dollar hypercars. Top speed? Around 225 mph, but depending on the aero setup, it can reach 233 mph without the high-downforce wing.

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The way power is delivered appears to be somewhat well-behaved rather than absolutely out of control. The electric engine provides some traction straight off the mark and helps you haul your nose through the curves, decreasing understeer and allowing you to press the foot to the floor sooner. On wet courses, the all-wheel drive and traction management allow you to deliver power sooner while keeping the back end stable. The brakes, gigantic 16.5-inch carbon-ceramic rotors held by ten-piston front and six-piston rear calipers, can slow this behemoth down from high speeds without a hiccup, stopping from 70 mph in 139 feet and 100 mph in 259-267 feet.

The weight increased somewhat to around 4,100-4,139 pounds with the addition of hybrid technology, but the balance remains quite even. The Magnetic Ride Control adjustable dampers do a terrific job of keeping the car in control over bumps and during those crazy fast direction changes. The steering is still rather precise, although it requires a little more effort at higher speeds because it is no lighter than its siblings. The optional Track Performance package includes firmer springs, a track-tuned alignment, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires to make the car even more track-ready. The Carbon Fiber Aero kit also includes a conspicuous rear wing and front dive planes, which provide up to 1,200 pounds of downforce.

The starting price is roughly $212,195, and when fully loaded, it can reach up to $260,000, but what do you get for that amount of money? You get a production automobile that can out-accelerate and out-brake almost anything else on the road while still having all of the utility of a factory car. No other production car can match its unique combination of straight-up power, all-weather grip, and a low price.
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Social community platform Discord is preparing to require users to verify their age by the second half of 2026, and users are concerned about the privacy of uploading a government ID or face scan to the network. While users can still access most features without verification, many remain uneasy giving more information to a company that suffered a breach last year that exposed the IDs of around 70,000 users. 

For some users, this is motivation enough to seek out alternative platforms that prioritize security, privacy, or simply offer a different experience. Here’s a look at the most promising Discord alternatives, from open-source and secure options to voice-first platforms built for hardcore gamers. 

Stoat

Stoat (formerly Revolt) stands out as the closest Discord alternative in both design and usability. As an open-source project, it gives users more control over their data and appeals to those who value privacy and transparency. Overall, the platform is fairly easy for Discord users to pick up, offering similar text and voice channels as well as community servers. 

However, Stoat is a relatively new platform (launched in 2021), and still faces growing pains. Recently, it experienced server capacity issues and the occasional lag during user surges. Feature support isn’t yet on par with Discord’s, and onboarding can be slow at times, especially when the platform’s popularity spikes. For those willing to trade a bit of stability for increased privacy, though, Stoat could be worth a try.

Element

For users who prioritize privacy and control above all else, Element offers a compelling alternative. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element enables users to self-host servers, maintain end-to-end encryption, and federate with other Matrix-based services. This ensures that no single company controls your data. 

While the setup and interface require a bit more technical savvy than Discord’s, Element is a good choice for users who value secure, decentralized communication.

TeamSpeak

If your primary need is high-quality, low-latency voice chat, TeamSpeak is the best alternative to Discord. While it remains popular among competitive gamers for its superior audio and private server hosting, its text chat and media sharing are quite basic. It’s also missing built-in video calls as well as emojis and gifs. So if you don’t mind not having as many features, it’s great for voice-centric groups that don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Similar to Stoat, TeamSpeak has experienced a surge in new users, prompting the platform to expand its hosting capacity. In February, TeamSpeak introduced two new regions for community creation: “Frankfurt 3” and “Toronto 1.”

Mumble

Mumble is a free, open-source voice chat application. Like TeamSpeak, it provides high-quality, low-latency audio and allows users to host and customize their own servers. However, its interface is outdated and lacks some of the features found in Discord, making it more ideal for hardcore gamers focused on voice chat rather than community building through video calls, media sharing, or screen sharing.

Discourse

Those who prefer long-form, organized discussions over rapid-fire chat may find Discourse more appealing. As an open-source forum platform, Discourse supports threaded discussions, making it ideal for educational groups, professional teams, and communities that value in-depth conversation. However, users looking for instant messaging, voice, and casual group chats may find it less familiar than Discord.

Slack, Microsoft Teams, Signal, or WhatsApp

Other notable mentions include Slack and Microsoft Teams, which serve well for professional and productivity-focused communication. Signal is also a top choice for those who want end-to-end encryption and privacy. Meanwhile, WhatsApp also offers free messaging and group voice calls, though it’s not designed for gaming or large communities.

What to know about age verification on Discord 

Discord recently announced that it will soon implement age verification measures aimed at creating a safer environment, particularly for its younger users. This initiative is designed to ensure users meet the necessary age requirements to access certain features and communities on the platform. Users may be required to verify their age through various methods, which could involve submitting an ID, completing a facial age estimation, or using a credit card. 

By default, all users will experience a “teen-appropriate” setting, and only those verified as adults will have the ability to modify certain settings or access age-restricted content. Adults will be required to verify their status to unblur sensitive content and to access channels and servers designated for an older audience. 

After recent backlash, Discord postponed the official launch to the latter half of 2026, adding that 90% of users will not require age verification and can continue using the platform without changes, as many users do not engage with age-restricted content. The platform initially planned to roll out age verification in March. 

Anthropic’s Claude has surged past ChatGPT on the App Store charts, marking one of the most dramatic shakeups yet in the consumer AI race. As reported first by CNBC, Claude jumped to the top download spots shortly after controversy erupted around AI partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defence.

The timing has raised eyebrows across the tech industry. While AI app rankings often shift based on new features or marketing pushes, this spike appears tied to public reaction and growing debate around how AI companies work with governments. The result: a sudden wave of interest in alternatives. The surge highlights how quickly public perception can influence the AI market. Just months ago, ChatGPT dominated the charts almost uncontested. Now, the rankings are becoming far more competitive.

A controversy-fueled download boost

The rise of Claude appears closely linked to the broader debate over AI’s role in defence and national security. Reports say the recent Pentagon-related controversy sparked heightened public scrutiny, pushing many users to explore alternative AI tools.

Anthropic’s positioning has played a role here. The company has repeatedly emphasised strict usage policies that prohibit domestic surveillance and lethal autonomous weapons. That message has resonated with some users looking for reassurance about how AI is deployed. At the same time, the spike in downloads shows how quickly public trust and brand perception can shift in the AI space. In fact, it has given rise to the “Cancel ChatGPT” trend on social media, which has further amplified public discussion around AI ethics and government partnerships.

Claude’s rise shows that the AI chatbot market is no longer dominated by a single player, as users now have multiple strong options and are willing to switch based on sentiment and trust. Technical performance alone is no longer enough, and transparency & public confidence matter just as much, making the AI leaderboard more volatile than ever.

The Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi is the latest flagship Android phone from Xiaomi, made this time with a deep collaboration with iconic German camera maker Leica. It’s arguably more camera than it is phone, with a large main image sensor, telephoto zoom that employs actual moving elements and a function ring around the camera unit that you can turn to control zoom or other settings. 

It’s filled with Leica-specific touches, from the red dot logo and “Leica Germany” etching on the body to the Leica color profiles in the camera — the same ones you’ll find on Leica’s actual cameras.

It’s the best camera phone I’ve ever used, though at £1,700 in the UK, it doesn’t come cheap. But then nothing with a Leica logo ever does. It won’t be officially on sale in the US but that UK price translates to $2,300. 

Prediction market users have made — and profited from — big bets around the bombing of Iran by the U.S. and Israeli military.

On Polymarket, $529 million was traded on contracts tied to the timing of the attack, according to Bloomberg. An analysis by analytics firm Bubblemaps SA found that six newly-created accounts made a profit of $1 million by correctly betting that the U.S. would strike Iran by February 28 — behavior that could indicate insider trading.

The bets might merely reflect broader speculation about U.S. intentions in Iran, but Bubblemaps CEO Nicolas Vaiman said the circulation of information “involving war or conflict,” coupled with Polymarket’s anonymity, “can create incentives for informed participants to act early.”

Back in January, analytics firm Polysights also noted an apparent spike in bets around the likelihood that Iran’s now-deceased Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would no longer hold that role by the end of March.

Responding to concerns that such bets might essentially place a financial incentive on assassination, Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said, “We don’t list markets directly tied to death. When there are markets where potential outcomes involve death, we design the rules to prevent people from profiting from death.” He added that Kalshi would reimburse all fees from these bets.