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Bradley Tusk says VC is dead. But the ‘fixer’ in him is just getting started

According to Bradley Tusk, co-founder and managing partner of Tusk Venture Partners () , venture capital has been “effectively dead for the last four years.” A self-proclaimed “Fixer () ,” Tusk recently made the decision not to raise a fourth fund. Instead, he decided to go back to his roots and launch an equity-for-services firm…

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According to Bradley Tusk, co-founder and managing partner of Tusk Venture Partners () , venture capital has been “effectively dead for the last four years.” A self-proclaimed “Fixer () ,” Tusk recently made the decision not to raise a fourth fund. Instead, he decided to go back to his roots and launch an equity-for-services firm aimed at helping early stage startups navigate tech policy and regulation.

Today on Equity () , Rebecca Bellan sat down with Tusk to explore his pivot from traditional VC to equity-for-services, when it’s worth the risk to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, and why he’s dedicated to scaling mobile voting.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about:

• The limitations of the current VC model and its lack of liquidity.

• How Trump’s tariffs and other measures have spooked the markets. 

• Tusk’s experience advising early-stage founders on regulatory climates, including the crucial role he played in Uber’s early growth.

• Insights into his mobile voting project aimed at increasing voter turnout through secure, open-source technology.

Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. 

Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts () , Overcast () , Spotify () and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X () and Threads () , at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here () .

Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We’d also like to thank TechCrunch’s audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we’ll talk to you next time.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ()

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CNET

iCloud Storage Full? Do This First Before Paying Apple

If your iCloud storage is full, there’s an easy way to clear space on your iPhone before resorting to paying for more storage. CNET’s Bridget Carey’s quick tips target the largest videos and photos first. 1:21 How to get big video files off of your iPhone and iCloud 2:31 Move videos and photos from your…

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July 3, 2026

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If your iCloud storage is full, there’s an easy way to clear space on your iPhone before resorting to paying for more storage. CNET’s Bridget Carey’s quick tips target the largest videos and photos first.

1:21 How to get big video files off of your iPhone and iCloud
2:31 Move videos and photos from your iPhone to a portable hard drive
3:26 Clear duplicate photos and screenshots
3:52 Free up iCloud space: how to clear out old screenshots
4:16
4:38 Delete photos and videos from your iCloud forever
5:06 iOS 27 Siri app
5:44 Image Playground
6:19 Apple One family sharing

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#apple #storagesolutions

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Science & Technology

Inside the Fundraise l Build Mode

Startup fundraising is harder than ever, and Season 3 of Build Mode is here to help. Whether you’re raising a seed round, preparing for Series A, pitching venture capital firms, negotiating a term sheet, or exploring alternatives to VC funding, this season is packed with practical advice from founders and investors who have successfully navigated…

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July 2, 2026

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Startup fundraising is harder than ever, and Season 3 of Build Mode is here to help. Whether you’re raising a seed round, preparing for Series A, pitching venture capital firms, negotiating a term sheet, or exploring alternatives to VC funding, this season is packed with practical advice from founders and investors who have successfully navigated the fundraising journey.
Hosted by TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Editor Isabelle Johannessen, Build Mode is the TechCrunch podcast where founders, investors, and startup operators share honest conversations about what it really takes to build and finance a company. This season features Charles Hudson (Precursor Ventures), Andrew Dai (Elorian), Ashley Tyrner-Dolce (FarmboxRx), Kristina Subbotina (Lexsy AI), Sydney Sykes (NVIDIA), Xavier Chi (Mbodi), Jack Groetzinger (SeatGeek), Sasha Orloff (Puzzle), Everette Taylor (Kickstarter), Manan Mehta (Unshackled Ventures), Julia Hartz (Eventbrite), and more. Together, they cover topics including avoiding down rounds, raising capital in today’s venture market, working with corporate venture capital, crowdfunding, startup financial readiness, fundraising as an immigrant founder, IPO lessons, and how to deliver a winning startup pitch.
If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, investor, or operator looking for actionable fundraising advice, this season is your playbook. New episodes begin July 9 and release every week on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Subscribe now and learn how to raise capital, grow your startup, and build with confidence.

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CNET

I Tried a $4,500 Robotic Exoskeleton and It Gave Me Super Ankles

The future of wearable tech isn’t just on your wrist—it’s on your legs. In this hands-on look, we test the Dephy Sidekick, a consumer-powered bionic footwear system designed to give you a literal boost with every step. At $4,500, this powered ankle exoskeleton claims to offload your calves and make walking effortlessly easy. Read more…

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2 days ago

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July 2, 2026

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The future of wearable tech isn’t just on your wrist—it’s on your legs. In this hands-on look, we test the Dephy Sidekick, a consumer-powered bionic footwear system designed to give you a literal boost with every step. At $4,500, this powered ankle exoskeleton claims to offload your calves and make walking effortlessly easy.

Read more about it on CNET.com
Nike’s New Robotic-Powered Footwear System: What to Know

0:00 Taking the Dephy Sidekick for a Walk
0:24 What is the Dephy Sidekick
1:13 Military Testing and Focusing on the Ankles
2:18 Is This a Growing Market?
2:49 Who Is Dephy Sidekick For?

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#exoskeletons #robotics #walkingaid

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