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Apolink, a Y Combinator-backed space-tech startup, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to establish a real-time connectivity network for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Founded by Onkar Singh Batra, the company aims to address the issue of satellite downtime caused by dead zones.
Apolink's solution involves a constellation of 32 satellites equipped with lasers and radios, ensuring 24/7 connectivity for LEO satellites. The company's technology is backward-compatible and doesn't require specific hardware on the user end.
Apolink plans to launch its initial demo mission in Q2 2026 via a SpaceX rideshare, with a commercial constellation rollout expected in 2028. The startup has already secured over $140 million in letters of intent from various companies.
The seed round was supported by investors including Y Combinator, 468 Capital, Unshackled Ventures, and several angel investors.
Recruit Holdings, parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor, is laying off approximately 1,300 employees as part of a restructuring plan.
The restructuring involves integrating Glassdoor's operations into Indeed and increasing the focus on using AI to streamline hiring processes.
The job cuts will primarily affect R&D, tech, HR, and sustainability divisions in the U.S., but will impact all functions across all countries.
Glassdoor's CEO, Christian Sutherland-Wong, is departing, as is LaFawn Davis, Indeed's chief people and sustainability officer.
The move aligns with a broader trend of tech companies cutting jobs and re-evaluating sustainability initiatives to invest in AI integration.
Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona, aiming to expand its robotaxi service to the Phoenix Metro area. The company contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin the certification process, expressing interest in both testing with and without a driver. A decision is expected by the end of the month. Tesla's move follows the launch of a limited robotaxi service in South Austin. The company is also seeking regulatory approvals to launch robotaxis in the Bay Area. Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, already operates a driverless robotaxi service in the Phoenix Metro area and holds the necessary permits in Arizona and California.
Developer Maurice Kleine launched Mockly, a user-friendly web app for generating believable fake conversations on various platforms like iMessage, Discord, Instagram, X, Tinder, and WhatsApp.
Unlike many older, less user-friendly fake message generators, Mockly stands out with its usability and support for 13 platforms at launch, surpassing alternatives like Postfully, which only supports iMessage.
While some templates are more convincing than others, Mockly primarily replicates web-based conversation layouts, not mobile versions. Despite potential misuse, the app's imperfections and general awareness of fake DM capabilities may limit its impact in the age of AI-generated disinformation.
Slate Auto, an EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos, emerged from stealth in April 2025, aiming to produce a customizable, affordable electric pickup truck. The company's unique approach and backing garnered attention, with prototypes appearing in California. Slate's business model focuses on customization and affordability, targeting a wide audience with a starting price under $20,000 (before tax credit changes). The company plans to manufacture its trucks in a former Indiana printing plant and has already received over 100,000 refundable reservations.