A naukri.com initiative
Funding News
Insider
4w
285
Image Credit: Insider
Women are getting wealthier — and they don't invest the same way as men
- Women's share of retail financial assets in the US and EU is projected to reach 40% to 45% by 2030.
- Factors contributing to this trend include declining marriage rates and higher earnings.
- Commentators note that women tend to invest more cautiously, focusing on goals and values.
- A report by McKinsey reveals that women currently control about a third of retail financial assets in the US and EU, expected to rise by 2030.
- Global wealth increased by 43% between 2018 and 2023, with a 51% increase for women.
- Women's growing control of assets is driven by factors like declining marriage rates and increased earnings.
- Women tend to be more risk-aware and less likely to invest emotionally compared to men.
- Women often invest towards specific goals rather than pursuing the highest returns.
- Many female investors prioritize philanthropy, values-based investing, and a desire for a positive impact.
- Starting to invest early is emphasized, considering women's longer life expectancy and potential caregiving responsibilities.
- Long-term financial planning and expert guidance are considered essential for successful investing.
- Consistency and diversification are highlighted as key strategies for investment success.
- Practice and time are seen as crucial components in gaining investment knowledge.
- Investing regularly, diversifying investments, and seeking expert advice are recommended strategies for long-term financial growth.
- Both caution and opportunity are highlighted in women's investment approaches, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making and expert guidance.
- The changing landscape of wealth shows women as key players in the financial markets, reshaping traditional investment behaviors and priorities.
Read Full Article
17 Likes
TechCrunch
4w
397
Image Credit: TechCrunch
Last day to save on your TechCrunch All Stage pass — prices go up tonight
- Last day to save on TechCrunch All Stage pass - prices go up tonight, June 22, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
- TechCrunch All Stage event happening on July 15 in Boston, bringing together founders, investors, and operators for a day of strategy and startup momentum.
- Sessions at TC All Stage focus on action, providing insights into fundraising, scaling, and leadership in today's market.
- Speakers shaping the event include Ellen Chisa, Charles Hudson, Cathy Gao, Tiffany Luck, Jennifer Neundorfer, Mo Jomaa, Chris Gardner, Nikki Parker, and more.
- Opportunities to connect at roundtables, pitch competitions, and Side Events hosted in Boston.
- Join TC All Stage to be part of a tech-forward community and save up to $210 if you secure your pass before midnight.
- TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 event visuals at SoWa Power Station including breakout sessions and Fidelity Investments exhibition.
Read Full Article
23 Likes
Medium
4w
145
Image Credit: Medium
TAM, SAM, SOM: The Most Misunderstood Slide in Your Pitch Deck
- Entrepreneurs often misuse TAM, SAM, SOM in their pitch decks by either inflating the numbers or lacking a clear understanding of their significance.
- SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market) represents the portion of SAM that can be captured in the next 1-3 years.
- Investors focus on SOM as it demonstrates a credible plan for gaining traction and sustainable growth.
- A bloated TAM without a realistic SOM indicates superficial research, while a well-supported SOM with growth assumptions showcases market understanding.
- It is crucial to align SOM with the go-to-market (GTM) strategy, ensuring it corresponds to sales and marketing efforts.
- Start by focusing on one segment of SOM, executing it effectively before expanding further.
Read Full Article
8 Likes
The Robot Report
4w
98
Voliro brings in $23M to accelerate inspection drone development
- Voliro, a Swiss aerial robotics developer, secured $23 million in funding to expedite the development of its autonomous aerial inspection robots designed for infrastructure maintenance and industrial safety.
- The company's Voliro T platform, featuring a patented tiltable-rotor design with interchangeable sensor payloads, offers a scalable, data-driven system for safer and more sustainable operations.
- The funding includes an $11 million extension of Voliro's Series A round, led by Cherry Ventures and involving new participation from noa and a debt facility from UBS.
- The technology enables efficient inspection of hard-to-reach infrastructures like wind turbine blades and storage tanks, catering to sectors such as energy, chemicals, and renewables.
- Voliro claimed to facilitate significant time and cost savings in inspections, particularly in the wind industry, by offering faster inspections and reducing downtime without manual access.
- With over 40 global customers in 17 countries, including Chevron and Holcim, Voliro has demonstrated success in performing over 100 contact inspections monthly across various industrial environments.
- Voliro addresses the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and workforce shortages in inspection fields, aiming to improve industrial resilience, enhance safety, and assist in climate adaptation and energy transition.
- The company emphasizes the importance of proactive maintenance, early issue detection, and frequent automated inspections to prevent costly failures and ensure asset integrity.
- Traditional inspection methods involving scaffolding and manual access are identified as risky, costly, and reactive, pushing the need for advanced technology solutions for inspections.
- Voliro's technology is positioned to disrupt the industrial inspection sector by providing reliable, data-driven, and automated inspection solutions for aging and new assets, offering a valuable alternative to traditional approaches.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
Economic Times
4w
348
Image Credit: Economic Times
Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab raises $2 billion seed round at $10 billion valuation
- Thinking Machines Lab, an AI startup founded by Mira Murati, raised $2 billion in a seed round, valuing the company at $10 billion.
- The funding round was led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from Conviction Partners.
- The company focuses on developing a next-generation AI platform for human-AI collaboration.
- Founded in February 2025, Thinking Machines Lab has hired former OpenAI researchers and employees from other tech companies.
- John Schulman, co-founder of OpenAI, has joined Thinking Machines Lab as chief scientist.
- Barret Zoph, a key hire, previously worked at OpenAI.
- Thinking Machines Lab is part of a trend of AI model companies founded by ex-OpenAI executives.
- Other companies in this space include Anthropic and Safe Superintelligence Inc.
- The exodus of talent from OpenAI has led to the emergence of competing AI labs attracting significant investments.
- Investors are eager to support the development of new general-purpose AI models.
Read Full Article
20 Likes
Medium
4w
201
Image Credit: Medium
My Journey from Designing Experiences to Crafting Strategies and Embracing Product Management
- Ifunanya Marriette Okeke, known as marrietify, shares her transition from product designing to product management.
- She was a passionate product designer focusing on user experiences and interfaces.
- After three years, she desired a broader impact and transitioned to product management.
- Marriette wanted to shape product strategy, collaborate with teams, innovate, and drive product success.
- Her interest in product management sparked from wanting more significant responsibilities.
- She received support and guidance from mentors and a professional network.
- Connecting with experienced product managers and attending events helped her grow in her new role.
- Through reflection, Marriette feels proud of her accomplishments and looks forward to the future.
- She expresses readiness for the next career chapter in product management.
- Marriette is confident in her ability to influence digital products and make a lasting impact.
Read Full Article
12 Likes
Hackernoon
4w
388
Image Credit: Hackernoon
Numbers Don’t Lie But They Can Quietly Kill Your Startup Pitch
- Knowing your startup numbers is crucial for a successful pitch as it demonstrates a deep understanding of your business's financial health.
- Key numbers include Burn Rate, CAC, LTV, Gross Margin, Runway, MRR/ARR, Churn Rate, Payback Period, EBITDA, and Valuation.
- Investors focus on metrics like LTV being 3x or more than CAC, a healthy Gross Margin, growing MRR/ARR, and low Churn Rate.
- Understanding financial concepts like EBITDA and Valuation is essential to showcase your company's true value.
- A lack of financial awareness can lead to missed funding opportunities and a perception of not being a serious business.
- Founders need to own and understand their numbers to instill confidence in investors and show the sustainability of their business.
- Success lies in knowing the mechanics and financial foundation of your startup, not just impressing with ideas or charisma.
- Having a strong grasp of startup metrics is key to long-term success and attracting investment for growth.
- The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of founders being well-versed in their financial data to build fundable companies.
- Acknowledge the significance of understanding startup metrics and finances to ensure the viability and longevity of your venture.
- Taking ownership of your startup's financial health is fundamental in building a sustainable and successful business.
Read Full Article
23 Likes
TechCrunch
4w
308
Image Credit: TechCrunch
2 days left to save up to $210 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass
- Time is running out to save up to $210 on TechCrunch All Stage pass. The regular bird pricing ends on Sunday, June 22, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
- TechCrunch All Stage event is set to take place in Boston at SoWa Power Station on July 15, with a focus on founders, investors, and startup operators.
- Attendees can expect tactical sessions, real conversations, and curated connections at the event.
- The event aims to provide practical insights and valuable connections for attendees.
- Sessions at TC All Stage include topics like 'How to Actually Raise Right Now' and 'Scaling with Soul' among others.
- Speakers at the event include industry experts such as Ellen Chisa, Charles Hudson, and Cathy Gao, offering firsthand insights into building and scaling companies.
- In addition to on-stage discussions, the event features roundtables, networking opportunities, and pitch sessions for startups.
- Attendees can save over $200 by registering before the deadline on June 22.
- This event promises to provide strategies, workshops, and connections for attendees to build, scale, and connect effectively.
- Don't miss out on the chance to connect, grow, and scale at TC All Stage before prices increase in 2 days.
Read Full Article
18 Likes
Medium
4w
156
Image Credit: Medium
Execution Is Culture: Lessons from a Biotech Startup at the Edge of Science and Software
- In the early years of building Ordaos, issues arose due to lack of clarity on the end user and success criteria.
- A cross-functional team built a product without aligning on the actual end user, resulting in a product that didn't meet any real need.
- The Scrum Master applied Agile Methodologies and Scrum to the machine learning team, but it didn't work well for building proteins from scratch with AI.
- Introducing a Kanban board and daily stand-up led to improved teamwork and a shift towards focusing on 'good enough' rather than perfection.
- A workshop focused on thorough planning and debriefing after each mission brought about a company-wide shift towards learning and reflection.
- Building a high-safety, high-trust culture where honesty and learning are encouraged was seen as essential for a serious scientific organization.
- Culture in startups is crucial for how people work, make decisions, and respond to challenges, and it impacts execution directly.
- Execution and culture are intertwined, requiring clear priorities, shared language, and habits to keep a team aligned for effective delivery.
- Scaling execution in science necessitates systems that accommodate uncertainty while fostering shared momentum and delivering meaningful outcomes.
- Building a team that can deliver what is truly essential entails understanding the connection between execution and culture.
Read Full Article
9 Likes
Guardian
4w
452
Image Credit: Guardian
Investing apps: which offer the most for beginners?
- The rise of DIY tools and mobile apps has made investing easier for beginners, with options like robo-advisers offering automated online investment platforms.
- Robo-advisers typically offer ready-made investment portfolios based on individual preferences determined through a short questionnaire.
- Apps like Nutmeg, Moneybox, Dodl, Wealthify, and Moneyfarm provide different investment choices, risk levels, and fees for users.
- Nutmeg, one of the first robo-advisers, offers fully managed and fixed allocation options with transparent performance tracking and guidance.
- Moneybox stands out with round-ups feature and minimal investment options while Wealthify focuses on simplicity and jargon-free approach.
- Dodl, owned by AJ Bell, offers a simpler process with the option to invest by theme, such as robotics companies.
- Moneyfarm, originating in Italy, provides investment options with varying risk levels and management fees, catering to different investor preferences.
- Before choosing a robo-adviser, ensure the company is regulated by the FCA and a member of the FSCS for consumer protection.
- Consider opening a stocks and shares Isa, which allows tax-efficient investing up to £20,000 annually, and be mindful of fees based on invested amount and minimum charges.
Read Full Article
26 Likes
Pymnts
4w
152
Image Credit: Pymnts
Polestar Secures $200 Million Equity Investment and Prepares to Launch New Electric Vehicles
- Polestar, a Swedish electric vehicle brand, secures a $200 million equity investment from PSD Investment, controlled by Geely Holding Group Founder Shufu Li.
- The investment will be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, according to a press release.
- Polestar manufactures electric cars in North America and Asia, plans to expand production in Europe, and operates in 28 markets globally.
- Geely Holding Group, with interests in Polestar, Volvo, and Lotus, has invested in the automotive sector.
- Polestar, like other electric vehicle makers, required additional funding due to market conditions and competition.
- Volvo reduced its stake in Polestar and ceased financial support in 2023 to focus on its own innovations and production.
- Polestar aims to launch three new vehicle models, including a four-door GT, a roadster, and a compact SUV, supported by the investment.
- In the first quarter, Polestar reduced its net loss by 31% and secured over $900 million financing during the quarter.
- First-quarter sales increased by 76% year over year to 12,304 units, with revenue rising by 84%.
- Polestar attributes its growth to new model uptake, higher volumes, and a shift to higher margin models.
- The company's CEO, Michael Lohscheller, noted progress in commercial operations, improved margins, positive gross margin at 7%, and reduced net loss.
- Polestar continues to enhance its sales operations and reduce costs.
- The news was reported by PYMNTS.com.
- Polestar aims to expand its offerings in the electric vehicle market with the funding secured.
Read Full Article
9 Likes
TechCrunch
4w
95
Image Credit: TechCrunch
Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab closes on $2B at $10B valuation
- Thinking Machines Lab, an AI startup founded by Mira Murati, closed a $2 billion seed round, valuing the company at $10 billion.
- The company's focus and projects are currently undisclosed, but it has attracted investors due to Murati's reputation and contributions of high-profile AI researchers.
- Andreessen Horowitz led the funding round, supported by Conviction Partners.
- Mira Murati, OpenAI's former CTO, departed the organization last September after spearheading projects like ChatGPT and DALL-E.
- Several ex-OpenAI colleagues, including co-founder John Schulman, have joined Murati at the new startup.
- Mira Murati is among the executives who departed OpenAI over concerns about CEO Sam Altman's leadership.
- In 2023, following Altman's removal by the board and subsequent return, Murati briefly served as interim CEO.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
Mit
4w
357
Image Credit: Mit
Researchers present bold ideas for AI at MIT Generative AI Impact Consortium kickoff event
- The MIT Generative AI Impact Consortium (MGAIC) initiated in February under MIT's Office of Innovation and Strategy and managed by the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing called for proposals to study high-impact applications of generative AI models.
- Over 180 submissions were received from nearly 250 faculty members representing all MIT schools, culminating in 55 project grants from MGAIC and additional funding from industry partners.
- More than 30 recipients presented their proposals at an event on May 13, led by Anantha P. Chandrakasan, the consortium's head, highlighting a broad array of innovative ideas.
- Projects showcased included AI-driven tutors for literacy education, real-time collaborative music improvisation with AI, and generative intelligence for urban sustainability.
- The consortium aims to bridge gaps in various fields through generative AI applications, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and pushing boundaries in technology.
- Vivek F. Farias and Tim Kraska from MIT Sloan School of Management and CSAIL respectively are the faculty directors leading the initiative.
- The MGAIC event concluded with closing remarks by Georgia Perakis, the MIT Sloan School of Management interim Dean, reflecting on MIT's role in shaping the future of generative AI with purpose and excellence.
- The overwhelming response to MGAIC's call for proposals reflects the growing interest in AI applications and showcases MIT's commitment to innovation and collaboration.
Read Full Article
21 Likes
Economic Times
4w
98
Image Credit: Economic Times
Campus Fund launches $100 million third fund
- Campus Fund, specializing in student-led startups, launched its $100 million third fund, the largest yet, with over $50 million already raised.
- Fund III has secured investments from various entities, including family offices and notable individuals like Kanwaljit Singh and Asha Jadeja Motwani.
- The fund plans to invest in 60–80 startups over four years, providing initial cheques between Rs 21 crore and Rs 28 crore, with 50% earmarked for follow-on investments.
- Campus Fund CEO Richa Bajpai emphasized the potential of student founders to innovate globally, highlighting investments in companies like Serendipity Space.
- Previous Campus Fund initiatives include Rs 7 crore in 10 startups in 2020 and a $10 million second fund in 2022, supporting companies like Digantara and D-Nome.
- The focus extends beyond funding, with an emphasis on achieving successful exits for investors, as mentioned by Richa Bajpai.
- Ullas Kammath, a supporter of Campus Fund, highlighted the fund's role in guiding startups through challenges from inception.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
TechCrunch
4w
438
Image Credit: TechCrunch
Startups Weekly: Fast and furious
- The startup ecosystem saw rapid developments this week with notable acquisitions and funding rounds.
- Wix acquired Israeli startup Base44 for $80 million, and Ramp's valuation jumped to $16 billion in just three months.
- Meta's deal to acquire 49% of Scale AI for $14.3 billion revealed new details, while OpenAI severed ties with Scale AI.
- The U.S. Department of Defense awarded a contract worth up to $200 million to OpenAI, potentially affecting its relationship with Microsoft.
- Applied Intuition secured a $600 million Series F, Helsing closed a €600 million investment, and Coralogix became a unicorn after a $115 million Series E.
- Mach Industries raised $100 million, Aspora closed a $50 million Series B, and Sword Health received $40 million funding, delaying its IPO plans.
- Multiplier Holdings raised $27.5 million, Grifin secured $11 million in a Series A round, and Polar raised $10 million in a seed round.
- Endeavor Catalyst aims to raise $300 million for its fifth fund to invest in fast-growing startups in emerging markets.
- Fintech investor Alexa von Tobel anticipates Fintech 3.0, emphasizing deep product reinvention to meet changing economic needs.
Read Full Article
26 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app