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Venture Capital News
Medium
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Savvy’s Thought of the Day™: On Measurements
- Yogi Berra's quote applies to startups as well - having reliable processes and clear metrics is crucial for success.
- The OKR framework, introduced by John Doerr, can help startups introduce metrics and set ambitious yet achievable objectives.
- OKRs have been widely used by leading VCs and companies like Google to facilitate goal alignment and accountability.
- To effectively implement OKRs, it is important to align them with company-wide priorities and regularly review progress against tracked performance.
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HardTech Reads: The AI & Robotics Revolution vol. 23
- Japanese startup Sakana AI made history by producing the first AI-generated peer-reviewed scientific paper, marking a breakthrough in autonomous scientific discovery.
- TSMC is investing heavily in U.S. chip manufacturing, with plans for additional fabs and substantial financial backing.
- London-based Humanoid introduced the advanced HMND 01 robot for industrial and service environments, aiming to work alongside humans.
- Odense Robotics highlights key automation trends for enhancing resilience in robotics amidst rising uncertainty.
- NASA equipped its Venus probe with an advanced heat shield for exploring signs of life in Venus’ atmosphere in collaboration with MIT.
- Tech giants like Microsoft and Google are investing in nuclear power to meet the growing energy demands of AI.
- The updated ISO 10218 safety standard for industrial robotics is set to improve workplace safety in automation-heavy industries after eight years of development.
- Google DeepMind's Gemini Robotics integrates AI to enable robots to understand, reason, and interact with their environments, marking a significant advancement.
- Project Europe, led by Harry Stebbings, aims to tackle hard technical problems through substantial investment and mentorship.
- Lila Sciences raises $200M for AI-driven laboratory automation to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in life sciences, chemistry, and materials research.
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The Mind Cannot Live Without The Body — Or Can It?
- The author proposes the preservation of consciousness outside the body through quantum means.
- The approach is connected to Quantum Stream Theory and suggests saving consciousness to allow subjective experiences to continue.
- Preserving the mind instead of the physical body is the objective.
- The author encourages those who resonate with the idea to get in touch for further discussions.
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All In on AI Agents: The VC Billion-Dollar Bet, Key Players, and Where the Money Is Flowing
- The report analyzes the funding landscape for AI agent startups, highlighting investment figures, key players, and valuation trends in 2024–2025.
- VC investment in AI agents surged in the past year, with numerous startups securing significant funding rounds.
- Many startups achieved unicorn status quickly, reflecting intense investor enthusiasm in the AI agent sector.
- Generative AI companies raised over $20 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, indicating continued investment growth in AI agents.
- AI agents are one of the fastest-growing segments within the broader AI domain, attracting substantial funding across various industries.
- Top investment areas for AI agents include enterprise productivity, sales and marketing automation, customer support, business operations, and security/compliance.
- Investors see AI agents as transformative, envisioning significant efficiency gains, generational opportunities, real traction, and scalable revenue models.
- Challenges for AI agent startups include overused buzzwords, technical scalability, monetization uncertainties, trust/safety issues, and regulatory concerns.
- Investors worry about competition from tech giants, market adoption obstacles, and the risk of being outpaced or acquired by incumbents in the AI agent space.
- Overall, the sector holds promise but faces hurdles that range from technical complexities to market dynamics and regulatory uncertainties.
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India’s Agritech Sector: Trends, Innovations, and Lessons Learned
- India's agritech sector has experienced rapid investment growth, with a focus on upstream innovations and biotech advancements.
- Investment in agritech startups has increased by 50% YoY in 2022, with a decline of 37% YoY in downstream agritech solutions.
- Biotech advancements are playing a crucial role in agriculture sustainability, enabling higher-yielding and climate-resilient crops.
- Digital agrimarketplaces like Ninjacart and e-NAM are connecting farmers directly to buyers, increasing farmer incomes and reducing food waste.
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Capital on Your Terms: Why Smart Founders Reject Catch-All VC
- Different businesses require different capital approaches.
- Taking venture capital can push mission-driven founders away from their mission.
- Village Capital pioneers 'purpose-suited capital' to align funding with specific needs and impact goals.
- Entrepreneurs are utilizing alternative financing mechanisms and support organizations to access capital.
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This Week’s Fusion News: March 14, 2025
- The fusion energy sector relies on a complex network of suppliers and stakeholders.
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasizes the need to expedite fusion energy development in the U.S. to maintain energy leadership, given China's advancements.
- The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Eni are constructing an advanced tritium fuel cycle plant at UKAEA's Culham campus to address challenges in tritium handling and processing.
- Nuclear physicist Liu Chang leaves Princeton University to contribute to China's fusion energy efforts, highlighting the global competition for scientific talent in sustainable fusion energy development.
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The Perfect Match: Finding Your Ideal Funding Path from Bootstrapping to Series A and Beyond
- Bootstrapping: Suitable for service-based businesses, consulting firms, and niche product companies with early revenue potential.
- Angel Investors: Best for tech startups, innovative products, and marketplaces in their infancy.
- Venture Capital: Ideal for high-growth technology companies, scalable platforms, and disruptive innovations.
- Revenue-Based Financing: Suited for e-commerce, SaaS companies, and businesses with predictable revenue.
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Hormonal Health — Unlocking Innovation in Personalized, Preventative, and Digital Hormone Care
- Undiagnosed & Misunderstood Conditions
- Reactive vs. Proactive Care
- Limited Consumer Access
- Impact on Women’s Longevity & Mental Health
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Medium
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The Trillion-Dollar Algorithm: Inside 2025’s Historic AI Investment Surge
- The AI investment surge is diverse, with funding for Asian AI startups jumping 145% compared to last year, and European companies benefiting from balanced regulatory approaches.
- Money is flowing into foundation model development and specialized AI applications in various sectors, with a significant increase in AI infrastructure investment.
- However, warning signs of potential market correction and talent shortage are emerging, and concerns are raised about industry consolidation and power dynamics.
- Investors are becoming more selective, favoring companies solving real-world problems and showing clear paths to innovation, while international collaboration and competition continue to influence investment patterns.
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The Secrets Inside Google Cloud’s Unstoppable Growth with Sarah Kennedy, Vice President Google Cloud Marketing
- Google Cloud's rapid growth is attributed to its AI-first approach, flexibility, and customer empowerment for migration.
- AI plays a pivotal role in Google Cloud's market share gains, positioning the company as a leader in AI within the cloud space.
- Developers are key influencers in AI adoption, driving decisions and leading the charge towards AI implementation.
- Google Cloud's partnership with Salesforce highlights the increasing importance of AI security and data governance in enterprise solutions.
- Cost-efficient advancements in AI, such as lightweight models and energy-efficient infrastructure, are making AI more accessible for widespread adoption.
- AI is reshaping workflows across departments, enhancing automation, decision-making, and human productivity in various functions.
- Google Next 2025, with a significant developer presence, serves as a platform for AI exploration, learning, and networking within the cloud ecosystem.
- The event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Google's AI capabilities and their impact on SaaS growth and innovation.
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Insider
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This project is betting on Gen Z to help Europe catch up with US tech. Here's what it's looking for in applications.
- Project Europe, a collaboration between 20VC, Adjacent, and Point9 Ventures, has launched with the goal of supporting young founders in Europe's tech startup ecosystem.
- The initiative offers a €200,000 investment and mentorship to enterprising founders under 25.
- CEO Kitty Mayo emphasizes the need to nurture and accelerate talent in Europe and change the approach to entrepreneurship.
- The program is looking for hyper-ambitious founders under 25 with technical skills and contrarian ideas, and encourages concise and authentic pitch decks.
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No, There Aren’t That Many Deals Where the VCs Make Millions and The Founders Make Nothing
- Liquidation preferences in venture capital deals may not always result in VCs making a ton of money while founders make nothing.
- While in theory VCs could take all the money if a startup sells for less than what is raised, it rarely happens in practice.
- Founders often receive consideration in acquisitions, and the acquirers want them to stay and continue growing the company.
- Instead of worrying about VC terms, focus on increasing the valuation of your startup during an exit to ensure everyone benefits.
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The Future of Finance is Embedded
- Embedded finance, integrating financial services into non-financial platforms, is a major trend in fintech.
- This shift is happening now, offering significant opportunities for fintech investors.
- Instead of standalone fintech apps, the focus is on making finance seamless and integrated into everyday platforms people already use.
- By embedding financial services, companies can access users through various platforms without the need for customer acquisition.
- Fintech winners of the future will be platforms and infrastructure players enabling embedded finance.
- Embedded finance offers seamless experiences like automatic investing and lending within trusted platforms.
- BaaS providers like Synapse and Unit enable companies to integrate financial services quickly through APIs.
- Tech platforms are evolving into financial ecosystems by integrating payment processing and lending directly.
- Leading companies in embedded payments include Stripe, Square, and PayPal.
- Embedded lending simplifies financing by offering credit options directly within commerce and business tools.
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Startups and Corporate Governance: What’s Missing?
- The lack of regulation and monitoring in the governance of startups, especially in Africa, allows them to operate with minimal oversight compared to larger corporations.
- The African startup ecosystem experienced a surge in investments following the success of unicorns like Flutterwave, ChipperCash, and Opay, attracting more investor interest.
- Easy access to capital led to some founders mismanaging funds, exemplified by Dash, a Ghanaian fintech startup that closed after raising substantial investment.
- The speed of execution in startups is attributed to their loose structure, providing an advantage over larger, more bureaucratic corporations.
- Arguments exist against early-stage startup governance, suggesting it may stifle innovation and speed in achieving product-market fit and growth.
- Investors are increasingly concerned about protecting their interests, recognizing the risks associated with startups beyond traditional market-related challenges.
- One overlooked risk in startups is corporate governance in resource allocation, particularly regarding founder compensation impacting company finances.
- Investors in early-stage startups have historically disregarded the need for strong corporate governance, allowing founders autonomy in decision-making.
- Implementing effective corporate governance in startups presents challenges due to cost and time constraints, highlighting the need for tailored structures for different growth stages.
- Open discussions around creating practical corporate governance frameworks for startups are crucial to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and financial protection.
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