Photo-sharing app Locket is banking on a new celebrity-focused feature to fuel its growth
Celebrity Lockets is a new feature where celebrities can engage with their most loyal followers on their home screens.
Final call: TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 ticket savings end tonight
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 marks 20 years of shaping the startup world â and tonightâs your last chance to save up to $675 on your ticket. From October 27â29, Disrupt returns to Moscone West in San Francisco. Join 10,000+ tech innovators, founders, VCs, and ecosystem builders for three days of high-impact programming, networking, and startup energy. […]
Clay confirms it closed $100M round at $3.1B valuation
The AI sales automation startup raised fresh funds, led by CapitalG, just months after its last round.
Three weeks after acquiring Windsurf, Cognition offers staff the exit door
Cognition is also laying off 30 employees. Those who take the buyout are expected to work 80+ hour weeks.
Crack the code to startup traction with insights from Chef Robotics, NEA, and ICONIQ at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Finding product-market fit isnât a milestone â itâs a messy, make-or-break journey. And at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a founder whoâs been through the fire and two investors whoâve helped startups hit escape velocity will break down how to do it right. On the Builders Stage, Rajat Bhageria (Founder & CEO, Chef Robotics), Ann Bordetsky (Partner, […]
Only 2 days left to save $675 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 ticket
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 marks 20 years of driving the startup world forward â and youâve got just two days left to join the movement and save up to $675 on your ticket. From October 27â29, Moscone West becomes the home base for over 10,000 movers and makers in the tech world. Join us in San […]
Uzbekistan’s first unicorn, Uzum, leaps to a $1.5B valuation
Uzbekistan's Uzum has raised $65.5 million in a new funding round co-led by China's Tencent and the New York- and London-based VR Capital, with participation from U.S.-based FinSight Capital.
Jeh Aerospace nets $11M to scale the commercial aircraft supply chain in India
Indian startup Jeh Aerospace has secured $11 million in a new funding round to help ease global supply chain bottlenecks.
A top designer was banned from Dribbble. Now he’s building his own competitor.
Dribbble is enforcing its terms of service that lets it take a cut of designers' work, and kicking out those who don't comply. One top designer has had enough, and is building his own startup instead.
OpenMind wants to be the Android operating system of humanoid robots
OpenMind is building humanoid robot operating software designed for robots that interact with people and other robots.
Lina Khan points to Figma IPO as vindication of M&A scrutiny
A surprising figure is celebrating Figmaâs successful IPO: Lina Khan, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, who said the offering demonstrates the value of "letting startups grow into independently successful businesses."
Anthropic cuts off OpenAIâs access to its Claude models
Anthropic has cut off one of its biggest competitors, revoking OpenAIâs access to its Claude family of AI models.
What founders should think about if looking to raise a Series C
And it starts with a reality check, according to Sapphire Ventures partner Cathy Gao.
Google bets on STAN, an Indian social gaming platform
Google has backed STAN, an Indian social gaming mobile platform that connects gamers with creators, communities, and publishers.
Term sheets, traction, and truth bombs: inside the Series A mindset at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27â29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, weâre getting real about what it takes to land a Series A in todayâs market â no smoke, no mirrors, just the unfiltered perspective from the people signing the checks. Series A has changed â hereâs how to win in 2026 […]
The new face of defense tech â Ethan Thornton of Mach Industries â takes the AI stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Autonomous weapons, decentralized strategy, and startup speed â this isnât the future of defense, itâs the now. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Ethan Thornton, CEO and founder of Mach Industries, steps onto the AI Stage to talk about how next-gen defense is being built from the ground up with AI at its core. Inside the AI […]
Handwave lends a hand to retailers with its European alternative to Amazon’s palm payments
Latvian startup Handwave aims to compete with Amazon palm payments by offering an independent alternative.
Female-founded semiconductor AI startup SixSense raises $8.5M
SixSense offers an AI-powered platform that helps chip makers prevent defects. It landed backing led by Peak XVâs Surge (formerly Sequoia India & SEA).
Figma’s stock soars in its highly anticipated IPO, market cap instantly hits $45B
There has been so much demand for this stock that people on X are posting funny pictures of their orders being fulfilled.
How founders are ditching VC norms and finding capital on their own terms at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27â29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, a candid conversation is coming to the Builder Stage â one that unpacks what startup funding looks like beyond the venture capital echo chamber. Funding routes that donât start in the Valley Founders today have more capital paths than ever. But how […]
Waymoâs Tekedra Mawakana on the truth behind autonomous vehicles at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Autonomous vehicles have long been touted as âjust around the corner,â but the reality of what it takes to bring self-driving cars to the streets is anything but simple. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27â29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana joins the Disrupt Stage for a wide-ranging conversation on […]
Figma’s IPO price hit a $19.3B valuation out of the gate
In what should be a surprise to no one, Figma priced its IPO shares above its already increased previously announced range.
Germ brings end-to-end encrypted messages to Bluesky
Germ's new app lets users send end-to-end encrypted messages on Bluesky. TechCrunch speaks with the Germ founders to hear why they came up with the idea.
Ramp hits $22.5B valuation just 45 days after reaching $16B
In 2025, Ramp keeps raising money at increasing valuations as its CEO pursues an AI-powered future.
How a New Jersey startup found an electrifying way to slash copper costs
Still Bright is now loaded up with $18.7 million in seed money to build out its demonstration unit.
PlayerZero raises $15M to prevent AI agents from shipping buggy codeÂ
PlayerZero landed angel investors like Databricks' Matei Zaharia, Dropbox's Drew Houston, Figma's Dylan Field, and Vercel's Guillermo Rauch, its founder says.
How 2 UC Berkeley dropouts raised $28 million for their AI marketing automation startup
A marketing automation startup called Conversation has a founding story that sounds like it could have been an episode of the HBO show âSilicon Valley.â
AIR lands $23M to bring its eVTOLs to the US
Israel-based eVTOL startup AIR has raised $23 million to scale production of both its piloted and uncrewed cargo aircraft, and enter the U.S.
Nvidia AI chip challenger Groq said to be nearing new fundraising at $6B valuationÂ
AI chip startup Groq is in talks to raise a fresh $600 million at a near $6 billion valuation, sources tell Bloomberg, although the deal isnât yet final and terms could change.Â
Anthropic reportedly nears $170B valuation with potential $5B round
The new round is being led by Iconiq Capital, with the possibility of a co-lead investor joining.
Get inside Disrupt: Volunteer at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Weâre looking for curious, driven volunteers to join our team at Moscone West from October 27â29, and help power one of the most iconic startup events in the world.
Fed up with brands that use corn syrup and skim milk, this mother developed her own âcleanâ baby formula
Nara Organics is a new organic, whole milk baby formula brand that's free from palm oil, soy, corn syrup, maltodextrin, and GMOs.
Golden Dome may not be the golden ticket Silicon Valley is hoping for
Golden Dome, the White House's next-gen missile defense system, is a huge opportunity for startups that can successfully collaborate with incumbents.
This founder left Silicon Valley to challenge U.S. defense supremacy from Athens, and investors are paying attention
Delian Alliance Industries recently raised $14 million in funding to continue building its defense products, which include surveillance towers, and concealed sea drones.
AI data analyst startup Julius nabs $10M seed round
The seed round for Julius AI was led by Bessemer Venture Partners.
Why Dispo’s co-founder made the leap from social media to steelmaking
Daniel Liss, co-founder of the social network Dispo and the dating app Teaser AI, is convinced heâs onto the next big thing: steelmaking. It all started, incongruously, with a few op-eds he wrote for TechCrunch about anti-trust enforcement in social media. The commentaries apparently caught the attention of some folks in Washington D.C., Liss told […]
Do startups still need Silicon Valley? Hear from the founders and funders challenging old assumptions at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
As the startup world descends on San Francisco for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 â happening October 27â29 at Moscone West â one question looms large: does building in Silicon Valley still give founders an edge? With 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gathering for this milestone Disrupt, the conversation around access, geography, and opportunity has never been […]
Meet the minds shaping AI: TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 AI Stage revealed
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the AI Stage comes alive with the voices shaping the future of technology, creativity, and security. Top VCs reveal what it takes to win funding in a rapidly evolving landscape, as they place bets on the next wave of AI founders. Hear groundbreaking insights from leaders at visionary startups like Apptronik, […]
Dating safety app Tea breached, exposing 72,000 user images
Tea, an app that allows women to post anonymous comments about men theyâve supposedly dated, announced Friday that it has suffered a data breach, with hackers gaining access to 72,000 images.
Index Venturesâ Jahanvi Sardana shares the truth about TAM and what founders should focus on instead
Early-stage founders just canât get away from TAM â the concept of having a total addressable market for their startup to disrupt and conquer. But Index Ventures partner Jahanvi Sardana has a reminder for all those founders worried about finding TAM for their product or service: many startups have emerged from markets that, at the […]
How a Y Combinator food-delivery app used TikTok to soar in the App Store
The internet trend is simple: A friend or family member looks into the camera and tells viewers, in a slightly aggressive tone, that they are about to witness a presentation and that they better be nice. Thatâs what Kendall, the sister of Lucious McDaniel IV, did, and after she stepped aside, her brother pitched his […]
Chime backer Lauren Kolodny bets on AI to revolutionize estate processing
Acrew Capital's Kolodny led a $20 million Series A in Alix, a startup that uses AI to automate estate processing.
This industrial AI startup is winning over customers by saying it wonât get acquired
In red-hot acquisition market, this CVector founders answer this key question in its first conversation with prospective customers.
Preston Thorpe is a software engineer at a San Fransisco startup. Heâs also serving his eleventh year in prison.
A senior software engineer for Turso, Thorpe is part of an experimental program in the Maine state prison system that allows incarcerated people to work remote jobs from custody.
Former Y Combinator, a16z experts hold invite-only summit for founders
An invite-only startup event hosted by former YC and a16z staff will help founders learn to pitch press and run their own social media.
Avalanche Energy hits key milestone on the road to a desktop fusion reactor
Seattle-based Avalanche recently operated its desktop fusion machine for hours on end while maintaining 300,000 volts.
How TRIC Robotics is reducing pesticide use on strawberries using UV light
TRIC Robotics just raised a $5.5 million seed round for its tractor-sized robots that help eliminate bacteria and pests on strawberry plants.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: First full agenda reveal for the brand-new Going Public Stage
We recently unveiled the Going Public Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 â a new destination for founders navigating the complexities of company building, from early traction to IPO and beyond. Today, weâre excited to announce additions to the agenda that bring even more insight and firepower to the stage. Joining the speaker lineup are Eric […]
Eight months in, Swedish unicorn Lovable crosses the $100M ARR milestone
Less than a week after becoming Europeâs latest unicorn, Swedish vibe coding startup Lovable has now crossed the $100 million annual recurring revenue mark.
NetZeroNitrogen wants bacteria to replace synthetic fertilizer on farm fields
NetZeroNitrogen's bacteria approach has attracted investors and $6.6 million in seed funding.
National security meets next-gen tech at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025âs AI Defense panel
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is where breakthrough ideas meet the real-world challenges that define the future â and with over 10,000 startup and VC leaders converging, thereâs no better place to have the hard conversations. One of the most urgent? How artificial intelligence is reshaping national defense, security, and critical infrastructure in real time. Enter AI […]
On stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: How AI is forcing late-stage startups to rewire GTM â or be left behind
AI isnât just disrupting products â itâs upending how companies sell, scale, and succeed. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27â29 in San Francisco, weâre diving deep into how late-stage startups are navigating this shift. Catch this dynamic panel on the Going Public Stage, where three seasoned leaders will explore how AI is transforming go-to-market […]
Amazon backs programmable optics startup Lumotive
Lumotive reopened its February Series B round to add Amazon's Industrial Innovation Fund and ITHCA Group, increasing the size of the round to $59 million.
This startup thinks email could be the key to usable AI agents
Startup Mixus has built an AI agent platform that not only keeps humans in the workflow, but also allows those humans to interact with agents directly from their email or Slack.Â
Robot guard dogs help Asylon raise a $26M Series B
DroneDogs can be sent to places unsafe for humans or real dogs and can do tasks like dangerous chemical detection.Â
Figmaâs Dylan Field will cash out about $60M in IPO, with Index, Kleiner, Greylock, Sequoia all selling, too
Figma is allowing existing shareholders to sell even more stock than the company will in its IPO.
AI voice company Hyper raises $6.3M to help automate 911 calls
Hyper hopes to use the fresh capital to help scale across the country, integrate more into existing 911 systems, hire a head of engineering, and build its next product.
Anduril alums raise $24M Series A to bring military logistics out of the Excel spreadsheet era
Rune Technologies raised $24 million to advance deployment of TyrOS, AI-enabled predictive software for military logistics that can run on the ground without internet connection.
Figma looks to raise nearly $1 billion as it kicks off its IPO roadshow
Figma looks to offer more than 36 million shares with an expected price range between $25 and $28 a share.
From idea to first check: Raising pre-seed and seed capital with Charles Hudson and Navin Chaddha at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
More than 10,000 founders, investors, and tech insiders will convene at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27-29 for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 â one of the yearâs most anticipated tech conferences. Of the 250+ tech leaders taking the stage, donât miss this standout panel on the Builders Stage featuring two of the most respected […]
Donât miss your chance to exhibit at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is just around the corner, and with more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders heading to Moscone West in San Francisco this October 27 to 29, the Expo Hall is where connections get made and business gets done. If youâve been thinking about showcasing your company, consider this your nudge â exhibitor […]
Astronomer CEO resigns following Coldplay concert scandal
Andy Byron, the startup executive at the center of an extraordinary social media furor, has resigned as CEO of data operations startup Astronomer. Byron, who is married, was captured on a Coldplay concert âkiss camâ with his arms around the companyâs chief people officer Kristin Cabot. After Byron and Cabot quickly tried to hide from […]
Windsurf CEO opens up about âvery bleakâ mood before Cognition deal
Days after AI coding startup Windsurf announced that itâs being acquired by Cognition, Windsurf startup Jeff Wang took to X to offer more details about the drama and uncertainty around the deal. Windsurf was previously reported to be in acquisition talks with OpenAI, but that deal fell apart, with Google DeepMind instead hiring the startupâs […]
The perfect pitch: This NEA partner says every founder should answer these 5 questions
Tiffany Luck, a partner at NEA, outlined what she looks for in a pitch, during a presentation at TechCrunchâs All Stage event in Boston.
Why a Y Combinator startup tackling AI agents for Windows gave up and pivoted
Pig.dev was working on a problem that could have been revolutionary: agent tech for controlling Windows desktops.
Cursor snaps up enterprise startup Koala in challenge to GitHub Copilot
Cursor-maker Anysphere is snapping up top talent from AI enterprise startups in an effort to compete with Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.
What is Mistral AI? Everything to know about the OpenAI competitor
Mistral AI, the French company behind AI assistant Le Chat and several foundational models, is officially regarded as one of Franceâs most promising tech startups and is arguably the only European company that could compete with OpenAI. But compared to its $6 billion valuation, its global market share is still relatively low. However, the recent […]
CaaStle founder charged with fraud, turns herself in
The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment against Christine Hunsicker, charging her with wire fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and lying to financial institutions.
‘Utopian’ city California Forever announces huge tech manufacturing parkÂ
Solano Foundry is a 2,100-acre manufacturing park that can host 40 million square feet of advanced tech manufacturing space.
Hadrian raises $260M to build out automated factories for space and defense parts
Hadrian wants to revolutionize American manufacturing through automation.
After raising over $3M, popular VC-backed beauty brand Ami Colé is shuttering
Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye, one of the first among the small number of Black women to raise more than $1 million in venture capital, hinted that one of the problems was tension between her and investors' expectations of a consumer retail business.
Boulevard raises $80M to power self-care boom driven by Botox and GLP-1 surge
Boulevard's revenue soared over 500% in the last three years, partly driven by a burgeoning new client segment: med spas. The company estimates that it is powering approximately 15% of all medspas in the U.S.
Mistral’s Le Chat chatbot gets a productivity push with new âdeep research’ mode
French AI lab Mistral introduced a range of new features to its Le Chat chatbot on Thursday that bring it closer to the capabilities of rivals like OpenAI and Google. The new update includes a âdeep researchâ mode, native multilingual reasoning, and advanced image editing.Â
Confident Security, âthe Signal for AI,â comes out of stealth with $4.2M
San Francisco-based startup Confident Security wants to be âthe Signal for AI." The company just came out of stealth with $4.2 million and a tool that wraps around AI models to guarantee data stays private.
Lovable becomes a unicorn with $200M Series A just 8 months after launch
Only eight months after its launch, Sweden's Lovable has raised a $200 million Series A round led by Accel at a $1.8 billion valuation.
Scale AI lays off 14% of staff, largely in data-labeling business
Scale AI is cutting 14% of the company just weeks after Meta invested $14.3 billion in the startup and hired away its CEO.
Meta acquires voice startup Play AI
Meta has acquired Play AI, a startup that uses AI to generate human-sounding voices.
UK launches £500M package to support diverse, underrepresented investors and founders
The British Business Bank, owned by the UK government, is creating a £500 million (around $674 million) economic package to help support diverse and underrepresented fund managers and founders in the country. Fifty million pounds will be set aside for female-led venture funds, which means the BBB has now committed at least £100 million (around […]
The countdownâs almost over: 2 days until TechCrunch All Stage 2025 kicks off in Boston
TechCrunch All Stage 2025 is almost here â In 2 days, the doors swing open at Bostonâs SoWa Power Station. If youâre a founder or investor, this is your last shot to lock in the lowest ticket prices before they vanish at the door. This isnât your average startup conference. TC All Stage is where […]
Just 3 days left to save before TechCrunch All Stage 2025 lights up Boston
In only 3 days, founders, investors, and operators will flood into the SoWa Power Station in Boston for TechCrunch All Stage 2025 â and if you havenât grabbed your pass yet, this is your final window to lock in the lowest prices available and save up to $475. Whether youâre a first-time founder or a […]
AI leadership development platform Praxis Labs sells to Torch
Praxis Labs, a learning development platform, announced its acquisition on Thursday for an undisclosed amount by the leadership and coaching enterprise Torch. âAs a small company with fewer than 20 people serving companies as large as Amazon, we knew we needed to build powerful partnerships, across product and go-to-market, to reach more companies,â co-founder and […]
A cloud seeding startup did not cause the Texas floods
Despite conspiracy theories, there's no way that cloud seeding operations days before the storm could have influenced the floods, scientists say.
Sarah Smith launches $16M fund, says AI can ‘unlock’ so much for solo GPs like herself
Sarah Smith, founder and managing partner of the eponymous Sarah Smith Fund, announced Thursday the final closing of a $16 million Fund I. Smith launched her eponymous fund in 2022 and is a solo GP. She said sheâs âstunnedâ by what AI can unlock for firms like hers, solo and next-generation. âI canât imagine doing […]
Goldman Sachs is testing viral AI agent Devin as a ânew employeeâ
Devin wonât replace humans developers at the bank. It will be supervised by them, CIO says.
Medium’s CEO explains what it took to stop losing $2.6M monthly
Medium CEO Tony Stubblebine announced on Friday that the publishing platform has remained profitable since August of last year, when it first achieved this milestone. In a post, Stubblebine detailed what it took to achieve this goal, which involved a combination of product changes, an investor restructuring, renegotiated loans, unloading office space, layoffs, and other […]
Startups Weekly: Still running
Welcome to Startups Weekly â your weekly recap of everything you canât miss from the world of startups. Want it in your inbox every Friday? Sign up here. This newsletter took a break for the Fourth of July, and maybe you did, too, but the news didnât. Even the biggest startups are still running after […]
Julie Wainwright is building what comes nextâ Join her fireside chat at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 returns to Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27â29, uniting over 10,000+ startup founders, VCs, and tech leaders for the ultimate look at whatâs next. One of this yearâs must-see conversations on the premier Going Public Stage features iconic entrepreneur and e-commerce trailblazer Julie Wainwright, in a candid fireside chat on […]
Humanoids, AVs, and whatâs next in AI hardware at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 hits Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27 to 29, bringing together 10,000+ startup and VC leaders for three days of bold ideas, groundbreaking tech, and future-shaping conversations.
Helios wants to be the AI operating system for public policy professionals
Helios, a startup aiming to build an AI-powered operating system for policy professionals, has raised $4 million in seed funding.
Just 4 days until TechCrunch All Stage kicks off in Boston â and the lowest ticket prices vanish
Timeâs running out. In just four days, TechCrunch All Stage 2025 touches down at Bostonâs SoWa Power Station on July 15 â and your chance to lock in savings of up to $475 disappears. This one-day summit isnât built for spectators. Itâs designed for the doers â the founders, builders, and backers who are shaping […]
Where AI meets design: Runway co-founder Alejandro Matamala Ortiz takes the AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is the epicenter where 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gather to explore the future of innovation â and this year, two AI Stages bring the intersection of design and machine learning into sharp focus. Weâre thrilled to welcome Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, co-founder and chief design officer at Runway, to one of the […]
How to actually raise a seed round: Actionable advice from top investors at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
This isnât your typical venture panel. Expect sharp insights on how to cut through the noise, structure your raise, and build relationships that last beyond a term sheet. Whether you're gearing up for your first round or advising a founder who is, this is the TC Disrupt session you donât want to miss.
5 days until TechCrunch All Stage â save up to $475 before prices rise
In just five days, startup leaders from across the country will descend on Bostonâs SoWa Power Station for TechCrunch All Stage 2025 â and your chance to lock in the lowest ticket prices will be gone.
Knox lands $6.5M to compete with Palantir in the federal compliance market
While highly sought after, federal software contracts frequently come with a hidden cost: Achieving government SaaS security compliance, known as FedRAMP, can take years and require substantial resources. Achieving this certification typically takes up to three years and costs more than $3 million, covering everything from security operations engineer salaries to security audits, according to […]
Why Cluely’s Roy Lee isn’t sweating cheating detectors
Cluely, the startup that until recently marketed itself as a "cheat on everything" tool, is moving away from cheating.
Pinecone founder Edo Liberty explores the real missing link in enterprise AI at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, the AI conversation goes deeper than just the latest models. On one of the AI Stages, Edo Liberty, founder and CEO of Pinecone, will deliver a session that challenges one of the most persistent assumptions in the field â that raw intelligence alone is enough. With 10,000+ startup and VC leaders […]
Get your exhibit table at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Time is running out to secure your exhibit table at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, October 27-29, at Moscone West in San Francisco. This is your chance to get your startup in front of 10,000+ startup pioneers, VC leaders, and tech enthusiasts. Learn more and grab your table here before your competitor does. Maximum exposure for your […]
Learn how to avoid the pitfalls that stall startup fundraising at TechCrunch All Stage on July 15
Thereâs no shortage of capital out there, but thereâs even less room for error. Join a powerhouse panel at TechCrunch All Stage on July 15 in Boston for âFundraising Mistakes That Will Kill Your Round, and How to Avoid Them.â This Scale Stage breakout session is built specifically for early-stage founders who want to sidestep […]