Today’s top story comes to us from TechCrunch+ land where Jacquelyn reports on bitcoin’s price rise to nearly $35,000. Here’s why it shot up and whether that can hold. (TC+)

Meanwhile, you all had your eyes on the review of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, which Darrell writes will make you consider having an extra external camera just for vlogging.

And Kyle has a story on CentML, a company developing tools to make AI models run more efficiently. It picked up a rather large seed round. Speaking of big AI, Alex reports that AI is finally resulting in real growth for Big Tech. (TC+)

More top reads

We have another gaggle of Google news: The search engine giant is actively looking to insert different types of ads in its generative AI search. Also ad-related, Google launched AR beauty ads for lip and eye products. Then there are some tools to help users fact-check images. And finally, Google Play’s policy update cracks down on “offensive” AI apps and disruptive notifications.

We’re not going to leave out Amazon: First, AWS announces “Sovereign Cloud” to support data residency in Europe. Then we looked at Amazon’s eero Max 7 mesh Wi-Fi router. And get the kiddos ready for the launch of “Explore with Alexa.”

WhatsApp, Doc?: Sukhiba is building a conversational commerce tool for WhatsApp in Africa. Now with $1.5 million in new funding, the startup eyes expansion. Let’s talk shopping.

Don’t object: Eve, a new startup, wants to shake up the legal profession with some large language models to help lawyers be more productive. Court’s in recess.

If you’re looking for capital: We have three new funds to show you. Flourish Ventures, a “fintech venture fund with a purpose,” secures $350 million in new capital. Then for you B2B-focused software companies, Garuda Ventures unveiled its first fund. And if you went to UC Berkeley and started a company, The House Fund’s third fund wants to invest $115 million in your startup.

It’s you, but better: Grammarly’s new generative AI feature learns your style — and applies it to any text. Give your voice a profile.

Leather without the moo: Gozen raises $3.3 million from Happiness Capital, SoSV and others to scale its lab-grown leather. Read more.

Go go gadget everything: In gadget news, find out why C1 webcam maker Opal is still committed to hardware. Meanwhile, Apple Watch’s best new feature is now live.

Know where you stand: Coach’s knitwear supplier is betting that fashion is predictable and makes a $1 million investment in Jellibeans’ fashion prediction technology. Try it on.

SBF will take the stand: As Sam Bankman-Fried plans to testify, a former SDNY federal prosecutor sees the move as a Hail Mary. But will his testimony fumble or score a goal with jurors?

Even more for your Wednesday:

Blackbird backs Heidi Health’s AI platform for overworked doctors

GM and Honda punt on plan to build millions of affordable EVs together

As SBF plans to testify, former SDNY federal prosecutor sees it as a ‘Hail Mary’ (TC+)

Viso eyes no-code for the future of computer vision and scores funding to scale

Raising without a deck is more common than you think (TC+)

On the pods

This week on Equity, Alex talked to Theory Ventures founder Tomasz Tunguz on the show. As longtime readers of his work, we felt that having the former Redpoint investor on the show was a no-brainer. They got into why Tunguz left Redpoint and started his own fund, the thesis that underpins Theory Ventures’ investments, and the future of machine learning. They also discussed why Tunguz is bullish on Ethereum, as well as the value of software, the health of software companies, and why venture math still holds up at lower valuation multiples. Listen here.

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