Good Morning, Builders.

Execution is quietly winning. From robotaxis scaling abroad to old-school retail staging a comeback, today’s headlines show where momentum is really shifting, and what operators should be paying attention to as 2026 comes into focus. Let’s get to work.

London is shaping up to be the next major robotaxi test bed. Uber and Lyft plan to launch driverless ride pilots in the UK in 2026 using autonomous vehicles from China’s Baidu, pending regulatory approval. Baidu’s Apollo Go already operates at scale across multiple Chinese cities, giving it a real-world edge over many Western rivals. With the UK accelerating rules for autonomous vehicles, London is emerging as a key battleground for self-driving tech, alongside players like Waymo, and shifting momentum away from the US. (CNCB)

Google and Apple have reportedly warned employees who rely on U.S. work visas to avoid international travel due to unusually long and unpredictable visa processing delays. Immigration law firms representing both companies advised workers without valid H-1B visa stamps not to leave the country, citing stricter vetting and extended embassy backlogs. The State Department says embassies are prioritizing deeper reviews, while reports indicate hundreds of Indian professionals have faced canceled or delayed visa appointments amid expanded social media screening requirements. (TechCrunch)

A failed SpaceX Starship test flight earlier this year forced multiple passenger aircraft to divert after debris scattered through controlled airspace, according to newly released FAA documents. The uncrewed rocket exploded less than 10 minutes after launch, placing two commercial flights and a private jet carrying roughly 450 passengers at risk for up to an hour. The FAA said air traffic controllers were not immediately notified by SpaceX and instead learned of the debris from pilots already flying through the area. All aircraft landed safely without injuries. (New York Post)

Build-A-Bear’s turnaround was a result of fixing the business behind it. After years of losses and a stock slide that pushed it into penny-stock territory, CEO Sharon Price John focused on profitability first, investing in e-commerce, shifting fulfillment closer to stores, expanding beyond malls, and leaning into international franchising. Nearly all stores are now profitable, the stock is up more than 125% over two years, and annual revenue is nearing $500 million. Tariffs and softer traffic remain headwinds, but Build-A-Bear is outperforming much of retail by doubling down on something competitors can’t easily copy: a product customers feel they helped create. (CNBC)

Known, a San Francisco-based dating startup, is betting that talking works better than swiping. The app uses voice AI for onboarding, replacing profiles and forms with long, conversational interviews that average 26 minutes. That depth appears to pay off: in early tests, 80% of introductions led to in-person dates. Backed by $9.7 million from investors including Forerunner and NFX, Known aims to reduce ghosting with time-limited matches and fast date commitments, positioning itself as a pushback against swipe fatigue and the loneliness epidemic. (TechCrunch)

To the Arena,
- Founders Daily Brief Team

Know another Builder? Forward this brief.