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Luminar lines up  million bidder for its lidar business | TechCrunch

Luminar lines up $22 million bidder for its lidar business | TechCrunch

Luminar has reached a deal to sell its lidar business to a company called Quantum Computing Inc. for just $22 million, unless it receives better offers by a deadline of 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday.

The lidar-maker, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December, already announced plans to sell its semiconductor subsidiary to Quantum Computing Inc. for $110 million. The deals have to be approved by the bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of Texas before they are finalized.

Luminar founder and former CEO Austin Russell has signaled interest in submitting a bid for the lidar assets and tried to buy the whole company in October, before it filed for bankruptcy. The company is currently trying to serve him with a subpoena for information stored on his cell phone, as Luminar evaluates whether it wants to make any legal claims against him related to the board-run ethics inquiry that led to his resignation last May. It’s not known how many other bids Luminar might receive by Monday’s deadline.

Quantum Computing Inc. has been designated as a “stalking horse bidder,” which helps establish a baseline for the value of the assets and helps prevent low-ball bids. Luminar has said it wants to move through the bankruptcy case quickly, as its largest creditors — mostly financial institutions that loaned the company money over the last few years — are helping fund the proceedings.

Even if Luminar receives a higher offer, the stalking horse bid represents a monumental fall from the company’s peak market cap in 2021, when it was worth around $11 billion. That valuation was propped up by the promise that Luminar’s lidar sensors were going to become widely adopted by major automakers like Volvo, which at one point planned to buy more than 1 million of them before ultimately walking away from the deal in 2025. Other deals with Mercedes-Benz and Polestar fell apart along the way, too.

Quantum Computing Inc. was founded in 2001 as a company called Ticketcart that sold ink-jet cartridges, according to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It bought a beverage company in 2007, went through its own restructuring process ten years later, and pivoted to making optic technology for the budding world of quantum computing. The company raised more than $700 million by selling shares in 2025, though its revenue for the first nine months of last year was just $384,000.

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#Luminar #lines #million #bidder #lidar #business #TechCrunch

Five-year-old European military drone startup Helsing is reportedly close to raising a new $1.2 billion round at about an $18 billion valuation. The round is expected to be led by Dragoneer and co-led by existing Helsing investor Lightspeed, the Financial Times reported.

Helsing last raised just under a year ago, in June 2025, in a deal that was led by billionaire Spotify founder Daniel Ek. That was a €600 million investment at an estimated €12 billion valuation ($14 billion USD). So this new round is a step-up.

While Helsing isn’t the only European unicorn defense tech, it is by far the one that investors deem the most valuable. For instance, German drone maker Quantum Systems raised €180 million in November, which valued it at more than €3 billion. And a year ago, Lisbon-headquartered Tekever raised £400 million at a valuation above £1 billion. Amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the proving ground for new technologies, autonomous defense startups have become a hot area for VCs.

Helsing, Dragoneer, and Lightspeed could not be immediately reached for comment.

#Daniel #Ekbacked #defense #tech #Helsing #raise #1.2B #18B #valuation #TechCrunchdrones,Fundraise,helsing">Daniel Ek-backed defense tech Helsing to raise .2B at B valuation | TechCrunch
Five-year-old European military drone startup Helsing is reportedly close to raising a new .2 billion round at about an  billion valuation. The round is expected to be led by Dragoneer and co-led by existing Helsing investor Lightspeed, the Financial Times reported.

Helsing last raised just under a year ago, in June 2025, in a deal that was led by billionaire Spotify founder Daniel Ek. That was a €600 million investment at an estimated €12 billion valuation ( billion USD). So this new round is a step-up.







While Helsing isn’t the only European unicorn defense tech, it is by far the one that investors deem the most valuable. For instance, German drone maker Quantum Systems raised €180 million in November, which valued it at more than €3 billion. And a year ago, Lisbon-headquartered Tekever raised £400 million at a valuation above £1 billion. Amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the proving ground for new technologies, autonomous defense startups have become a hot area for VCs.

Helsing, Dragoneer, and Lightspeed could not be immediately reached for comment.


#Daniel #Ekbacked #defense #tech #Helsing #raise #1.2B #18B #valuation #TechCrunchdrones,Fundraise,helsing

Helsing is reportedly close to raising a new $1.2 billion round at about an $18 billion valuation. The round is expected to be led by Dragoneer and co-led by existing Helsing investor Lightspeed, the Financial Times reported.

Helsing last raised just under a year ago, in June 2025, in a deal that was led by billionaire Spotify founder Daniel Ek. That was a €600 million investment at an estimated €12 billion valuation ($14 billion USD). So this new round is a step-up.

While Helsing isn’t the only European unicorn defense tech, it is by far the one that investors deem the most valuable. For instance, German drone maker Quantum Systems raised €180 million in November, which valued it at more than €3 billion. And a year ago, Lisbon-headquartered Tekever raised £400 million at a valuation above £1 billion. Amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the proving ground for new technologies, autonomous defense startups have become a hot area for VCs.

Helsing, Dragoneer, and Lightspeed could not be immediately reached for comment.

#Daniel #Ekbacked #defense #tech #Helsing #raise #1.2B #18B #valuation #TechCrunchdrones,Fundraise,helsing">Daniel Ek-backed defense tech Helsing to raise $1.2B at $18B valuation | TechCrunch

Five-year-old European military drone startup Helsing is reportedly close to raising a new $1.2 billion round at about an $18 billion valuation. The round is expected to be led by Dragoneer and co-led by existing Helsing investor Lightspeed, the Financial Times reported.

Helsing last raised just under a year ago, in June 2025, in a deal that was led by billionaire Spotify founder Daniel Ek. That was a €600 million investment at an estimated €12 billion valuation ($14 billion USD). So this new round is a step-up.

While Helsing isn’t the only European unicorn defense tech, it is by far the one that investors deem the most valuable. For instance, German drone maker Quantum Systems raised €180 million in November, which valued it at more than €3 billion. And a year ago, Lisbon-headquartered Tekever raised £400 million at a valuation above £1 billion. Amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the proving ground for new technologies, autonomous defense startups have become a hot area for VCs.

Helsing, Dragoneer, and Lightspeed could not be immediately reached for comment.

#Daniel #Ekbacked #defense #tech #Helsing #raise #1.2B #18B #valuation #TechCrunchdrones,Fundraise,helsing
OPPO Find X9 Ultra. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.

OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”

OPPO Launches Filmmaker Accelerator Program in India With Discovery
	
Mobile photography used to be about taking the least muddied photo, but that’s not the case anymore. Smartphone photography is getting better every year, thanks to phones like the OPPO Find X9 Ultra. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.



OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”






This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression. 



The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.



Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said




At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.




The biggest winner gets:




₹5 lakh cash prize



An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone



An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year



Official recognition across OPPO India platforms




To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.





#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo

This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression.

The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.

Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said

At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.

The biggest winner gets:

  • ₹5 lakh cash prize
  • An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone
  • An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year
  • Official recognition across OPPO India platforms

To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.

#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo">OPPO Launches Filmmaker Accelerator Program in India With Discovery
	
Mobile photography used to be about taking the least muddied photo, but that’s not the case anymore. Smartphone photography is getting better every year, thanks to phones like the OPPO Find X9 Ultra. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.



OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”






This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression. 



The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.



Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said




At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.




The biggest winner gets:




₹5 lakh cash prize



An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone



An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year



Official recognition across OPPO India platforms




To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.





#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo

. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.

OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”

OPPO Launches Filmmaker Accelerator Program in India With Discovery
	
Mobile photography used to be about taking the least muddied photo, but that’s not the case anymore. Smartphone photography is getting better every year, thanks to phones like the OPPO Find X9 Ultra. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.



OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”






This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression. 



The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.



Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said




At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.




The biggest winner gets:




₹5 lakh cash prize



An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone



An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year



Official recognition across OPPO India platforms




To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.





#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo

This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression.

The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.

Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said

At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.

The biggest winner gets:

  • ₹5 lakh cash prize
  • An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone
  • An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year
  • Official recognition across OPPO India platforms

To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.

#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo">OPPO Launches Filmmaker Accelerator Program in India With Discovery

Mobile photography used to be about taking the least muddied photo, but that’s not the case anymore. Smartphone photography is getting better every year, thanks to phones like the OPPO Find X9 Ultra. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.

OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”

OPPO Launches Filmmaker Accelerator Program in India With Discovery
	
Mobile photography used to be about taking the least muddied photo, but that’s not the case anymore. Smartphone photography is getting better every year, thanks to phones like the OPPO Find X9 Ultra. And OPPO clearly wants to be at the center of that movement in India. The company has now announced a new Filmmaker Accelerator Program, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, as part of its newly launched OPPO LUMO Creator Program. The initiative is aimed at emerging Indian creators and focuses heavily on short-form mobile storytelling.



OPPO Wants Creators to “Meet Culture Anew”






This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression. 



The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.



Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said




At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.




The biggest winner gets:




₹5 lakh cash prize



An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone



An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year



Official recognition across OPPO India platforms




To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.





#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo

This year marks the third edition of OPPO’s Culture in a Shot initiative. Previous themes focused on documenting traditions and celebrations, but the 2026 edition shifts toward something broader. The new theme, “Meet Culture Anew, Make Your Moment,” focuses on how younger creators reinterpret culture through everyday moments, fashion, food, travel, and digital expression.

The centerpiece here is the Filmmaker Accelerator Program, which OPPO and Discovery are positioning as a proper mentorship pipeline for young creators. Selected participants will receive guidance from industry professionals across storytelling, filming, and post-production. OPPO will also provide access to its latest smartphones and creator grants.

Speaking on the matter, Goldee Patnaik, Head of Communications at OPPO India, said

At OPPO, we believe technology should empower people to tell stories that matter.‘Culture in a Shot’ reflects our belief that culture is living, evolving, and best expressed through real people and everyday moments. With the introduction of a dedicated video category this year, we aim to inspire a new generation of creators to tell powerful stories through short-form visual content and share them with the world.

The biggest winner gets:

  • ₹5 lakh cash prize
  • An OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone
  • An opportunity to direct a collaborative short film with OPPO x Discovery later this year
  • Official recognition across OPPO India platforms

To participate, creators need to upload original videos on Instagram, 30 seconds to 10 minutes long, using hashtags such as #OPPOxDiscovery, #CultureInAShot, and #ShotOnOPPO. The contest runs from May 5 to July 15, 2026.

#OPPO #Launches #Filmmaker #Accelerator #Program #India #DiscoveryOppo

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