Tech News Today — July 25, 2026

As we delve into the latest developments in the tech world, it's clear that innovation and disruption are continuing to shape the industry. The upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 conference is set to highlight the intersection of fintech, payments, AI, and other emerging technologies on its new Smart Money Stage, showcasing the potential for these fields to transform the way we live and work. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating about a potential breakup between Waymo and Uber, which could have significant implications for the future of autonomous transportation and the competitive landscape of the tech industry.

At the same time, a new generation of founders is emerging, with many under the age of 20 building and launching their own startups in a highly public and often unforgiving environment. The challenges and pressures of being a young founder are very real, with the risk of failure always looming large. Furthermore, European researchers are sounding the alarm about Big Tech's alleged efforts to block access to their data, raising important questions about the balance of power between tech giants and the research community. As these storylines intersect and evolve, it's likely that we'll see significant advancements and challenges in the tech world, and we'll be keeping a close eye on these developments as they unfold.

Today's signal:
• TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s new Smart Money Stage explores fintech, payments, AI, and everything between (techcrunch.com)
• Waymo reportedly mulling a breakup with Uber (techcrunch.com)
• Build in public, fail in public: what it’s like to be a founder under 20 right now (techcrunch.com)
• European Researchers Say Big Tech Is Blocking Access to Their Data (wired.com)