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Reuters reports that Democrats are preparing to investigate lucrative business deals involving Donald Trump and his family if they win control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. The move signals that oversight of the former president's financial dealings would become a priority should the party take committee power, with potential subpoenas and hearings into the family's commercial ventures.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is preparing its Starship spacecraft for its first orbit around Earth, according to a report from NewsNation. The fully reusable rocket system, designed for missions to the Moon and Mars, has undergone earlier test flights, and reaching orbit would mark a major milestone in its development programme.

A company owned by Donald Trump filed trademark applications on Friday for "MAGA" and "45-47", covering streaming apps, television broadcasting, and news and commentary on politics and current events, according to US Patent and Trademark Office records. The filing fuels speculation that Trump is preparing to launch his own media operation, following his earlier ventures into digital platforms.

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency failed to consider the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy. The case highlights growing friction between commercial space ventures and environmental concerns.

The secondary market for venture capital has grown sharply this year, with annual transaction volume reaching roughly $152 billion, according to estimates from Jefferies and Evercore. Reports from William Blair and Preqin project the market could grow to as much as $250 billion. The surge reflects investors seeking liquidity in an environment where traditional exits through IPOs remain limited, making share sales a bigger part of the venture ecosystem.

Venture investors, including figures linked to Andreessen Horowitz, are funding a new academy designed as an alternative to traditional college, according to the Wall Street Journal. The project reflects growing skepticism in Silicon Valley about the value and cost of a four-year degree, and has sparked debate over whether elite-funded programs can replace established higher education pathways.

A businessman who built his fortune selling stickers has won Donald Trump's endorsement and is now positioned to win a seat in Congress. Reporting has focused on his unconventional path to politics, with coverage highlighting the strange twists in his career and how a niche novelty-products venture became a springboard toward national office.

TechCrunch has announced the next five venture capitalists who will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at Disrupt 2026. The judges will evaluate pitches from 200 selected startups competing at the event. More judge announcements are expected as the conference lineup is rolled out ahead of next year's gathering.

A chip fabrication plant run as a joint venture between Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) and NXP Semiconductors has entered its initial production stage. The facility marks a key milestone for the partnership, which focuses on expanding chip manufacturing capacity, and is being followed closely by industry watchers tracking global semiconductor supply.

Idan Nurik, co-founder of the Israeli company Paragon, is leaving the firm to launch a new startup focused on AI infrastructure. The news, reported by Calcalist, marks the latest move by a founder stepping away from an existing venture to build in the fast-growing artificial intelligence sector. Details about the new company's products, funding or team have not yet been disclosed.

A satellite company backed by a venture fund connected to US Vice President JD Vance has won a Pentagon contract award, according to reporting by Sludge. The story is drawing attention because it highlights potential conflicts of interest between the vice president's financial ties and defense procurement decisions made under the Trump administration. Critics are questioning whether the award reflects merit or political connections.

Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla says valuations for most robotics startups will fall by 2030, according to The Information. The prediction from the prominent Khosla Ventures founder is drawing attention as investors reassess how much of the current enthusiasm around robotics and AI reflects durable business value versus hype-driven pricing.

Former Stripe employees are founding a series of new payments companies, continuing a pattern in which alumni of the payments giant go on to build their own ventures in the sector. The trend highlights how Stripe's workforce has become a breeding ground for fintech entrepreneurship, with ex-employees applying what they learned there to new payments plays.

Foxconn and Alter have formed a new joint venture, Beijing Futekang, to build a mass production platform for humanoid robots. The move ties Foxconn's large-scale manufacturing capability to the fast-growing humanoid robotics sector, positioning the partners to industrialise robot assembly much as Foxconn did for consumer electronics. Industry watchers see it as a signal that humanoid robots are moving from prototypes toward volume production in China.

Autonomous driving software firm Momenta and Stellantis' Chinese joint venture with Dongfeng have agreed to co-develop intelligent driving technology. The partnership will focus on bringing advanced driver assistance systems to vehicles sold in China, one of the world's largest but most competitive auto markets. The move underscores how global automakers are pairing with local tech suppliers to stay relevant against fast-moving Chinese competitors.

Bob Chapek, the former Disney chief executive, is advising startups and says he is open to launching or joining a private equity fund, according to Bloomberg. The move marks a new chapter for Chapek after his high-profile exit from Disney in 2022, and signals continued interest from former media executives in early-stage ventures and investment vehicles.

Modulate has raised $25 million to expand its voice modelling technology and voice analysis suite. The company builds tools around synthetic and analysed voice, and the fresh funding will support growth of its platform. The announcement was reported by TechCrunch, drawing attention from the startup and tech community.

Efforts to pass the Clarity Act, a bill to set clear US rules for crypto markets, have stalled amid political tensions tied to the Trump family's growing crypto ventures. Critics say the family's financial interests in digital assets have complicated negotiations, giving Democrats reason to resist and Republicans reason to defend, leaving the legislation in limbo on Capitol Hill.

TechCrunch has announced the next five venture capitalists who will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The judges will evaluate pitches from 200 selected early-stage startups competing at the event, where founders battle for funding and visibility. The announcement adds to the growing lineup of investors taking part in this year's conference.

The Institute for Justice, a US public interest law firm, has announced the launch of a new Education Entrepreneurship Project, timed to the back-to-school season. The initiative is aimed at supporting people who want to start their own educational ventures, such as schools, tutoring services or other learning businesses. Details about the project's programs and activities remain limited in the initial announcement.

Noa Argamani has joined Vine Ventures, according to Calcalist, taking on a role focused on helping Israeli startups expand into the United States market. The move links a widely known Israeli figure with an early-stage venture firm at a time when Israel's startup ecosystem is seeking fresh routes to American investors and customers.

New entertainment company Peanuts Entertainment has launched, announcing a feature project centered on the Mirabel Sisters as its debut offering. The launch was reported by Variety, positioning the venture as one to watch in the international film and entertainment space, though further details on the project's cast, budget or release timeline have not yet been disclosed.