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Medium
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How Colonization Changed Native Peoples: 10 Eye-Opening Facts
- Colonization has had a significant impact on indigenous cultures across the world.
- Effects of colonization on indigenous peoples include forced displacement, language loss, introduction of new diseases, and changes in traditional foods.
- Colonizers imposed their languages, religions, and governance systems, leading to clashes with traditional practices.
- Despite challenges, many indigenous cultures exhibit resilience by preserving traditions and sharing them with the world.
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Medium
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Last Week in ConTech — 12 May 2025
- In construction, having the best solutions is useless without proper training on how to use them effectively.
- Many companies struggle with adopting AI due to lack of knowledge on where to start and how to utilize it.
- Mid-sized firms can bridge the gap by outsourcing AI training to startups, which often offer onboarding sessions for workforce exposure.
- Safety1Breadcrumb, an Australian startup, raised $4.5m for a workforce and process management platform for safety documentation.
- WearablesTended in the UK secured £2m for developing wearables in construction and rail that map safe work zones.
- Lightsonic, a Norwegian startup, raised €3.3m for infrastructure monitoring using fiber optic networks.
- Scalera in Switzerland received $6.5m for an AI-based tender assistant to streamline bidding processes.
- Quantum Systems in Germany secured €160m for drones and intelligence systems used in various applications.
- P-1AI in San Francisco raised $23m for an AI system automating cognitive tasks in engineering.
- Trump administration releases funds for low-income HVAC program; various other updates on energy, infrastructure, and policy changes worldwide.
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Siliconangle
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Perplexity reportedly near $500M funding round at $14B valuation
- Perplexity AI Inc. is reportedly in talks to raise $500 million from investors at a $14 billion valuation, led by Accel.
- The company's flagship offering is a search engine using large language models, with approximately 15 million monthly users as of last April.
- Perplexity generates revenue through paid versions of the service for individuals and organizations, and has expanded into the developer tooling market with the launch of Sonar.
- The new funding round could help Perplexity further expand its developer tooling portfolio and consumer business, with an annual recurring revenue of just under $100 million according to CNBC.
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Medium
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A Week with PRENDETE in Silicon Valley: Seven Days of Argentine Innovation in the World’s Startup…
- A group of Argentine innovators conducted a week-long tour in Silicon Valley, visiting various tech labs and startups run by Argentines in the US.
- Insights shared during the tour included the importance of data quality, cloud-GPU usage, and merging domain-specific data for innovation.
- The team learned valuable lessons in areas like autonomous driving, AI robotics, and the impact of technology on various industries.
- The visit emphasized the significance of California's ecosystem in nurturing startups and enhancing execution culture.
- Innovative strategies discussed ranged from software-defined operations to blended squads combining engineering and design.
- Practical takeaways included advice on budgeting, legal and financial setup, design-driven development, and global market penetration.
- The importance of storytelling, pitching, and user experience in startup success was highlighted among the key learnings.
- Critical insights on securing funding, engaging mentors, and leveraging university resources were also shared during the tour.
- The need for a strong technical narrative, clear value proposition, and effective risk management were recurring themes.
- Lessons on utilizing AI responsibly, ensuring compliance, and fostering innovation through collaboration were emphasized.
- The journey reinforced the idea that innovation transcends borders and requires a collaborative, disciplined approach for success.
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Medium
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7 Steps to validate your idea before building.
- Determine if the issue has been resolved before and define the unique selling proposition of your solution.
- Engage in direct conversations with potential clients and list the main issues they are facing.
- Create a sign-up page and advertisement for your proposed solution and seek feedback.
- Adjust your idea based on the feedback received from potential clients and continue validating until you see positive engagement.
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Medium
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From Vision to Execution: How Smart Project Oversight Builds Better Businesses
- Projects often face breakdowns when lacking real-time direction or performance benchmarks, hindering execution and alignment with broader strategy.
- Successful founders prioritize execution by establishing clear metrics, accessible data, and defined workflows for every initiative.
- Centralized project oversight tools like AAK Tele-Science streamline project management, task assignment, performance tracking, and funding within a single ecosystem.
- Platforms such as AAK Tele-Science connect operational execution with external opportunities, providing real-time insights and enhancing productivity without micromanagement.
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Medium
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Why Fundraising Needs a Gearbox, Not a Megaphone
- Fundraising for startups should be approached like building a scalable, repeatable machine, rather than a one-off event.
- Effective founders treat fundraising like a product launch or a continuous pipeline, focusing on relationship-building and processes.
- Treating fundraising like enterprise sales with a structured process can significantly reduce the time needed between rounds.
- Having a well-defined process also helps manage expectations internally and externally, providing confidence to investors.
- Starting early, investing in tools, and developing habits for fundraising can lead to better outcomes and increased confidence.
- Transforming ad-hoc fundraising approaches into repeatable systems can distribute responsibilities and align the team towards a shared goal.
- By building the fundraising engine correctly, future fundraising efforts can feel smooth and well-prepared, rather than stressful and last-minute.
- Fundraising should be seen as a systematic function that demands structured processes and preparation.
- A well-structured fundraising process increases efficiency, morale, and alignment within the team.
- Approaching fundraising like switching gears in a well-built engine can lead to smoother and more successful fundraising efforts.
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Alleywatch
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Stash Raises $146M to Enhance Financial Guidance with its AI-Powered Platform
- Stash has raised $146M in a recent Series H round to provide accessible financial education and investing tools for everyday Americans.
- Their platform offers innovative features like the Stock-Back® Card and Smart Portfolio to help users begin their wealth-building journey.
- The newly launched Money Coach AI provides personalized financial guidance to democratize expert advice previously reserved for the wealthy.
- Stash targets Americans earning between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, offering a subscription-based model starting at $3/month for a full suite of financial tools.
- With 1.3M paying subscribers and over $4B in assets under management, Stash has shown success in helping customers build wealth over time.
- The company's focus on personalized guidance, automation, and real-time advice differentiates it from traditional financial institutions.
- Stash prioritizes customer growth and engagement, aiming to simplify financial decisions and make investing accessible for everyone.
- In the next six months, Stash plans to expand capabilities of Money Coach AI and enhance the Stock Rewards program that offers fractional shares to customers.
- Focusing on resilience and providing value to existing customers, Stash is prepared for potential economic slowdowns with strong cash reserves and steady revenue streams.
- Stash CEO advises companies in New York to prioritize unit economics, leverage local talent, focus on customer and team satisfaction, and refine their story for investors.
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Saastr
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Where AI Will, and Won’t, Replace Sales Reps in 2026
- AI is increasingly outperforming human sales reps in certain areas, such as transactional sales and customer support, especially for deals under $10K.
- It is predicted that AI will continue to excel in handling tasks like answering technical questions and providing efficient solutions for lower-value activities.
- In contrast, AI is not yet capable of replacing humans in building deep, trust-based relationships, strategic negotiations, and creative problem-solving that often characterize enterprise sales.
- The future of sales in 2026+ is expected to involve a hybrid model where AI handles routine tasks while human salespeople focus on aspects that require emotional intelligence and creativity.
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Medium
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Watch Out As Venture Capital Goes Mainstream
- Retail investors are finding it challenging to navigate the venture capital landscape without proper preparation and understanding of the complexities involved.
- The increasing interest from retail investors in VC deals is reshaping the traditional dynamics, with asset managers introducing new offerings to tap into this growing trend.
- Online platforms are reducing barriers to entry for retail investors, enabling them to access alternative investments like venture capital with lower minimum investments.
- Regulatory changes, such as the JOBS Act, are expanding eligibility for retail investors to participate in private markets, driving further growth in this sector.
- Millennials and Gen Z, who are poised to inherit significant wealth, are showing a keen interest in VC and alternative investments, fueling the shift towards retail capital in the industry.
- While retail investors can provide valuable capital and networks to startups, their short-term focus and liquidity expectations may clash with the long-term goals of institutional VCs.
- Venture capital offers the potential for significant wealth creation, especially with successful ventures like Stripe and Revolut outperforming other investment options over the years.
- Tax incentives and tech advancements are making VC more accessible to retail investors, although the long-term commitment and risks associated with startups remain key considerations.
- Implementing strategies like SPVs, utilizing tax-advantaged schemes, and keeping investors engaged can help startups effectively manage retail investor relationships and streamline operations.
- As retail investors increasingly participate in VC, founders need to vet these investors, communicate effectively, and align expectations to ensure a successful partnership and capitalize on the benefits of retail capital.
- While challenges exist, the evolving landscape of retail participation in VC presents opportunities for both startups and investors, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to navigate this changing environment.
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Teten
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Interviewing the CTO of PE Front Office: Alternative Investments Technology: Bridging the Gap?
- Ankur Agarwal, Cofounder and CTO of PE Front Office, shared insights on the challenges in implementing and integrating global business systems for private equity firms.
- His book, 'Alternative Investments Technology: Bridging the Gap?', addresses dilemmas faced by fund managers in technology adoption, such as automation decisions and system implementation choices.
- PE Front Office provides a specialized SaaS platform for alternative investment firms, offering services from deal origination to portfolio monitoring and investor reporting.
- While competitors like Allvue and Dynamo exist, PE Front Office sets itself apart by focusing on customized solutions without compromising scalability.
- Agarwal emphasized the importance of solving real pain points to convince conservative alternative investment firms to adopt new technologies.
- Technologies like NLP and Real-time data analytics have great potential in private markets, offering efficient data processing and reporting capabilities.
- In the next five years, real-time data aggregation, self-service analytics, and AI-generated commentary are predicted to impact GP/LP operations significantly.
- PE Front Office seeks solutions for LP onboarding, seamless KYC, automated financial data retrieval, and ESG compliance to address unmet technology needs.
- The firm focuses on improving AI-powered reporting and platform interoperability, balancing customization with scalability for PE/VC clients.
- AI is expected to transform the finance industry by assisting in deal creation, risk assessment, drafting reports, and enhancing compliance processes.
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Medium
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Jack Dorsey’s Top Advice for Founders Navigating Venture Capital
- Raising capital is a major challenge for startups, according to Jack Dorsey.
- Jack advises founders to have a tangible product or service to show to potential investors.
- Twitter and Square both had user traction before approaching investors.
- Showing investors a working prototype helps them understand the potential of the startup.
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Minis
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Databricks doubles down in India with staff hires, new R&D hub
- Databricks to expand workforce in India by 50% and open new R&D hub in Bengaluru.
- India offers business and engineering opportunities for Databricks due to data abundance and demand for analytics and generative AI.
- Databricks follows the trend of global tech firms by establishing an R&D center in Bengaluru for talent availability and competitive salaries.
- Strong interest in Databricks' offerings in India from sectors like finance, retail, healthcare, with notable customers including InMobi and Swiggy.
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Minis
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Tech experts predict tough times ahead for Silicon Valley startups
- Tech industry experts fear worst is yet to come for Silicon Valley Startups, as many startups are facing a tough market downturn, with plummeting venture capital investment and an increasing number of down rounds due to a lack of investor cash.
- Many high-profile companies, including Stripe, Klarna, and Snyk, have already taken valuation cuts.
- More startups are expected to run out of money, with down rounds projected to increase in the second half of this year.
- Investors are becoming more skeptical and driving harder bargains for every startup, even in the buzzy space of artificial intelligence.
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Minis
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VC funding in Indian startups drops by 25% in Q1 2023: KPMG report
- VC funding in Indian startups drops to $2.1 billion in March quarter due to a decline in large-ticket deals, KPMG report reveals.
- Despite companies like PhonePe and Lenskart raising millions in the same quarter, VC funding in India experiences a 25% drop from the previous quarter.
- Single rounds of $100 million or more are now classified as large ticket rounds, indicating a change in India's investment landscape.
- The number of active micro VC funds in India has increased to over 80 in 2022, according to a recent report from consulting firm Bain, which focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A deals with smaller cheques.
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