This digest compiles the latest from TechCrunch.
Today’s TechCrunch Roundup
Luminar lines up $22 million bidder for its lidar business
12 Jan 2026, 3:28 pm by Sean O’Kane
The bid comes from Quantum Computing Inc., which already lined up to buy Luminar’s semiconductor division. Luminar founder Austin Russell has also expressed interest.
Meta hires former Trump advisor Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chair
12 Jan 2026, 2:58 pm by Aisha Malik
Before joining Meta, Powell McCormick was working as deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump.
Harmattan AI raises $200M Series B led by Dassault Aviation, becomes defense unicorn
12 Jan 2026, 2:00 pm by Anna Heim
French defense tech company Harmattan AI is now valued at $1.4 billion after raising a $200 million Series B round led by Dassault Aviation, which is best known for making the Rafale fighter jet.
These Gen Zers just raised $11.75M to put Africa’s defense back in the hands of Africans
12 Jan 2026, 8:00 am by Dominic-Madori Davis
African defense company Terra comes out of stealth with a $11.75M round led by Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC.
inDrive turns to ads and groceries to diversify revenue
12 Jan 2026, 5:30 am by Jagmeet Singh
Advertising on inDrive is being rolled out across its top 20 markets following mid-2025 tests.
Motional puts AI at center of robotaxi reboot as it targets 2026 for driverless service
12 Jan 2026, 12:10 am by Kirsten Korosec
Motional says it will launch a driverless robotaxi service in Las Vegas before the end of 2026.
End of today’s TechCrunch roundup.
