Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle build its first factory

Plus more of TechCrunch's top stories to start your morning

View this email online in your browser  September 22, 2026 TechCrunch Top 3 Meta deal will help plastics recycling startup MacroCycle build its first factory: Meta is giving plastic recycling a boost in a new deal with startup MacroCycle, which is building its first commercial plant. Read More Nscale’s IPO will test Wall Street's appetite for concentrated AI bets once again: The British AI data center developer depends on tech giants Microsoft and Anthropic for most of its revenue. Read More Meta's Muse is outpacing ChatGPT’s early mobile launch: Meta’s new AI agent Muse has racked up more downloads and daily active users in the U.S. and Canada than ChatGPT did over the same period after its mobile debut, according to new estimates from Appfigures. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events 4 days left to save up to $200 at Disrupt Four days until Disrupt savings end. Get access to 250+ speakers, 200+ sessions across six industry stages, roundtables, and breakouts, plus make connections with AI-powered matchmaking and ad hoc meetings to help move your startup forward. Register by September 25. Register now Morning Must-Reads OpenAI forms math advisory group as its AI resolves more than 100 open problems: The group won't be given leeway to slow down or redirect OpenAI's ongoing mathematical research. Read More Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy bets these 21 startups will shape energy’s future: To the investors at Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, the coming wave of electrification will make data center energy demands look quaint by comparison. Here's how they're preparing. Read More Singapore’s Nexstrom wants to bring 2D semiconductors to chip fabs: Singapore-based Nexstrom has raised new funding to develop equipment that could help chipmakers manufacture 2D semiconductor materials at scale. Read More The man who built Apple's stores doesn't buy Silicon Valley's bet on AI shopping: Apple Store architect Ron Johnson says Apple's secret sauce has always been its people. Read More TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Aaron Edsinger brings Hello Robot’s Stretch 4 to life onstage: Hello Robot CEO and co-founder Aaron Edsinger will bring Stretch 4 for a live demo on the Real World AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register before September 25 to save up to $200, plus get a second pass at 50% off. Read More A message from TechCrunch Events Extended: Get your Disrupt exhibit table by Sept 30 Missed the original deadline? 10 more tables have been added to the Expo Hall. You have more time to get your company in front of 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt 2026. Demo your product, meet potential customers and partners, connect with VCs and build your pipeline from the center of the event. Secure your table by Sept. 30, while inventory lasts. Book now Last but Not Least Kairos Power gets up to $100M from Samsung group to build nuclear reactor for Google: Future Google supplier Kairos Power inked a deal with Samsung C&T to help build its first 50-megawatt nuclear power plant. Read More Check out some of our other newsletters: StrictlyVC TechCrunch Events TechCrunch Mobility Want to adjust your daily newsletter schedule? You can do it right here Got a tip? Get in touch securely. Want to advertise on TechCrunch? advertise@techcrunch.com Has this been forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe to this newsletter. Unsubscribe Member Center Privacy Policy Copyright © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC 501 2nd Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94107