Steph Curry-Backed PennyJar Leads Burnt $3.8M Round

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is convening top VCs such as Jon McNeill, Aileen Lee and Steve Jang to discuss how AI founders must demonstrate defensibility, unique value and operational plans to win investment. Some investors, including Yorai Fainmesser, say VCs should provide operational support and favor vertical, use-case-driven startups—especially in text-heavy and logistics sectors. Practical AI startups are already attracting capital: Burnt, a YC-backed company using AI agents to automate messy back-office workflows in perishable food supply chains, raised a $3.8 million seed round led by PennyJar Capital, which is backed by Steph Curry. At the same time, AI-powered valuation tools are being used to analyze large datasets and risk factors, speeding and data-driving company valuations and influencing funding decisions. Together these trends point to a maturing AI ecosystem where specialized, operationally focused startups and data-driven financing tools improve founders’ chances of securing investment.