Estonian VC firm Darkstar is challenging the conventional dual-use requirement in defense tech investing by focusing on purely military applications emerging from Ukraine. Founded by Ragnar Sass, Darkstar aims to rearm Europe with combat-proven solutions.

Darkstar targets pre-seed and seed rounds with investments between €500k to €1 million, having already invested in FarSight Vision, which specializes in geospatial analytics, and Deftak, which develops ammunition for drones.

The firm takes a hands-on approach, assisting startups with access to military customers and setting up compliant entities in NATO countries. Sass, a veteran of the Estonian startup ecosystem, emphasizes the urgency of defense tech innovation in light of Russia's ongoing aggression, noting that elite Ukrainian units are highly innovative and adaptable.

Darkstar completed a first close of €15 million backed by European entrepreneurs and SmartCap. The firm plans to invest in autonomous systems, air defense, cybersecurity, and other critical areas, providing support through bootcamps and leveraging its deep connections within Ukraine's defense community.

Jeff Williams, Apple's COO, will retire later this month.

Sabih Khan, currently SVP of Operations, will become the new COO.

Williams, after three decades at Apple, wants to spend more time with family.

He will continue to report to Tim Cook and oversee the design team and Apple Watch until his retirement.

The design team will then report directly to Cook.

Williams played a key role in the iPod, iPhone, and Apple Watch development.

Waymo has launched teen accounts in Phoenix, allowing teenagers aged 14-17 to book their own autonomous vehicle rides. This service mirrors similar offerings from Uber and aims to provide a safer transportation option for teens.

Parents can link their accounts to their teen's profile, enabling them to track trips. Waymo emphasizes safety, citing specially trained support agents available 24/7 to assist teens during rides and contact parents if needed.

The expansion addresses the higher risk of traffic accidents faced by teenagers. Waymo plans to extend teen accounts to other cities where its app is available, including potential integration with network partners like Uber in locations such as Austin, Atlanta, Miami and Washington D.C.

Rivian is now accepting orders for its 2026 Quad Motor pickup truck and SUV, highlighting the power and software advancements of these EVs. The quad-motor system delivers 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds.

• Kick Turn: A new feature allows the vehicle to spin about its center on dirt, enhancing off-road maneuverability.
• RAD Tuner: Drivers can customize driving dynamics through the central touchscreen, adjusting balance, stability, and ride height.
• Launch Cam: Automatically captures videos of "Launch Mode" with real-time stats like speed and distance.
• NACS Charging: The 2026 models include the North American Charging Standard, granting access to Tesla's Supercharger network.
• Trip Planner Update: The EV charging trip planner now reflects NACS station compatibility.

Rivian's second-generation overhaul aims to reduce manufacturing costs and improve EV performance by integrating in-house hardware and software.

ByteDance is reportedly planning to launch a U.S.-specific version of its popular video editing app, CapCut.

This move is speculated to be in response to a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to divest from its U.S. assets, including TikTok, or face a ban.

CapCut has achieved over 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store and is currently the top video app on the iOS U.S. App Store.

ByteDance is also said to be developing a new version of TikTok for U.S. users ahead of a potential sale.

The plans for U.S.-specific apps for ByteDance's other services, Lemon8 and Gauth, remain unknown.

Bookshop.org, an independent online bookseller, is holding an Anti-Prime Day sale to coincide with Amazon's Prime Day. The sale aims to attract customers who want to support independent bookstores instead of Amazon.

In a pointed move, Bookshop.org mocked the graphic design of Jeff Bezos' recent $50 million wedding invitations, which were criticized for their lo-fi, childish design reminiscent of Microsoft Word clip art.

Bookshop.org's promotional message reads: "Enjoy free shipping and the knowledge that your money will go toward supporting independent bookstores, not billionaires," highlighting the contrast between supporting independent businesses and contributing to the wealth of billionaires.

Marks & Spencer chairman Archie Norman refused to disclose whether the company paid a hacking group following a ransomware attack earlier this year. The company confirmed that hackers stole customer data, including names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and order histories, disrupting operations for weeks. Norman stated that recovery efforts are ongoing and expected to continue until October or November.