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aVenture is in Alpha: aVenture recently launched early public access to our research product. It's intended to illustrate capabilities and gather feedback from users. While in Alpha, you should expect the research data to be limited and may not yet meet our exacting standards. We've made the decision to temporarily present this information to showcase the product's potential, but you should not yet rely upon it for your investment decisions.
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From TechCrunch
By Frederic Lardinois
July 23, 2024
Cyabra, a Tel Aviv-based startup that helps public and private organizations detect and fight mis- and disinformation campaigns by finding fake accounts on social media, on Tuesday announced that it plans to merge with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Trailblazer Merger Corporation I and list on the NASDAQ.
Founded in 2018, some of Cyabra’s investors include the likes of OurCrowd, which led the company’s $5.6 million Series A, as well as Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, Harpoon Ventures, Alabaster, Accomplice, Red Shepherd Ventures, Summus Z, TAU Ventures and Capital Y Management.
The transaction values Cyabra at $70 million, and the company expects the merger to close by the end of the year.
SPACs, which were all the rage only a few years ago, have become quite rare. These days, when you hear about them, it’s mostly because companies that went public via a SPAC went out of business. The SEC recently adopted new rules that will soon turn the process into something that is more akin to a traditional IPO. Still, though, there are clearly some startups left that want to make this process work for them.
Cyabra says that over the last 12 months, it worked with 19 governments to help them protect their elections.
Some of its corporate clients include Warner Media, and Warner is a good example for how Cyabra is used. For the release of “Wonder Woman 1984” in 2020, Warner used Cyabra to identify fake profiles that talked about the movie on social media — and which represented a threat to its brand reputation. Armed with that knowledge, it could then report those profiles and get them removed. At the same time, this process also allowed the company to identify real influencers and focus its efforts on them.
Elon Musk also worked with Cyabra to analyze bot activity before his Twitter acquisition.
“Our proprietary technology developed by senior veterans from the Israeli special operations command (SOCOM), allows us to use sophisticated algorithms and advanced data analytics to determine when automated bots are being used to spread lies across social media platforms,” said Cyabra CEO and co-founder Dan Brahmy. “We have corporate customers and governments worldwide using our product today to identify when an attack is occurring, providing them with the information needed to mitigate or even prevent any damage and protect their citizens and brands from the increasingly sophisticated spread of disinformation.”
Earlier this year, former CIA director and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined the company’s board. “Cyabra is a crucial partner in the fight against disinformation,” Pompeo said in a statement. “Their capabilities in uncovering inauthentic accounts, false narratives, and manipulated AI content are vital for protecting democracy and safeguarding national security. Cyabra’s dedication to these goals makes them an essential ally in our efforts to defend against threats to our nation.”
After Shopify bought his last startup, Birk Jernström wants to help developers build one-person unicorns
Sam Altman and “his tech CEO friends” have a betting pool on the year we will see the first one-person billion-dollar company. The idea of a single person reaching a billion-dollar valuation for a startup would have been unthinkable without AI. But single-person, AI-first businesses have been sprouting all over the tech industry and Birk Jernström, CEO of Polar, a “monetization platform to empower one-person unicorns,” is standing by to help them get there. Polar hopes to stand out from other
Jun 18, 2025
A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs
The tech layoff wave is still kicking in 2025. Last year saw more than 150,000 job cuts across 549 companies, according to independent layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi. So far this year, more than 22,000 workers have been the victim of reductions across the tech industry, with a staggering 16,084 cuts taking place in February alone. We’re tracking layoffs in the tech industry in 2025 so you can see the trajectory of the cutbacks and understand the impact on innovation across all types of companies.
Jun 17, 2025
Unlock purpose-driven growth at TechCrunch All Stage, and get $210 off for 6 more days
T-minus 6 days until TechCrunch All Stage ticket prices rise. From now until June 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT, founders save $210 and investors save $200 on passes. Are you ready to push your startup to the next level? Or are you an investor looking to back the next big breakthrough? Join TC All Stage on July 15 at SoWa Power Station in Boston for the founder summit built for traction and breakout growth. Give your startup a competitive edge. Secure your pass now and save up to $210. Why attend TC All
Jun 17, 2025