Family offices, known for their direct investments in startups, are increasingly active in the startup ecosystem. In a recent session, Eti Lazarian from Elle Family Office and Bruce Lee from Keebeck Wealth Management discussed trends in family office investing. They highlighted the importance of taking calculated risks and emphasized that no two family offices are the same.
Bastian Lehmann, founder of Postmates, has launched a new fintech startup called Tiptop. The company aims to unlock the monetary value of things you already own by providing an instant trade-in program at checkout. Retailers can integrate Tiptop as a payment option, which handles quotes, payouts, and fraud prevention.
Google has launched a Certified Refurbished Program, offering popular Pixel phone models at up to 40% off. The program includes devices like the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro, which are thoroughly inspected and tested to ensure premium quality. The refurbished phones come with a one-year warranty and genuine Google parts, providing peace of mind for buyers.
MabLab's Improved Drug and Drink Testing Strips Aim to Enhance Public Safety
MabLab, a startup company, has developed an improved drug and drink testing strip that can detect five common additives simultaneously. The new strip can identify fentanyl, methamphetamine, benzodiazepine, xylazine, and methadone in minutes, making it a valuable tool for public safety.
Renowned investor Vinod Khosla spoke candidly about the upcoming US election, expressing concerns over misinformation and the impact on democracy. During a TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 interview, he criticized Elon Musk for spreading false information and supporting Trump. Khosla emphasized the importance of shared facts and condemned Trump's "depraved values." He also highlighted the role of social media in perpetuating misinformation.
A U.S. Army veteran, Clark Yuan, created a startup called Stitch3D to address the challenge of sharing 3D scans of large files, such as those used in lidar technology. This was inspired by his experience with the Navy's 3D modeling systems and the difficulties he faced when trying to share lidar scans of a burnt naval ship. Stitch3D is a browser-based platform that allows users to view, share, annotate, interact with, and manage large 3D files.
The startup has received funding from the Air Force and aims to develop its technology in a secure way. The Air Force plans to use Stitch3D to measure coastal erosion and assess airfield damage. However, Yuan sees the platform's potential beyond military applications, including industries such as forestry, mining, architecture, land surveying, oil drilling, and more.
Gmail expands "Help me write" feature on web, adds AI-powered email drafting and editing tools. Users with Google One AI Premium or Workspace can generate and refine emails using Gemini AI. The feature will roll out gradually starting today.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282103/gmail-help-me-write-email-web-ai-gemini
"Rust-based Static Site Generator Marmite Enters the Scene
Marmite, a simple static site generator written in Rust, has been released on GitHub. This tool aims to simplify the process of generating static websites by eliminating the need for extensive setup. With just a directory of Markdown files and a single command, users can create their blog or website quickly.
The developer, Rochacbruno, emphasizes the simplicity of Marmite, stating that it only handles one simple task: generating or copying static files to the output directory. The tool is easy to install using Cargo or by downloading the pre-built binary from releases.
For those looking for more features and customization options, there are other excellent static site generators available. Marmite's simplicity may not suit everyone's needs, but it provides a unique solution for those seeking a straightforward approach.
Learn more about Marmite at its GitHub page: https://github.com/rochacbruno/marmite"
A recent article has sparked debate on Steve Ballmer's tenure as CEO of Microsoft. Some argue that he was an underrated CEO, with Microsoft's market value now exceeding $1 trillion, surpassing Google's valuation. Critics, however, point to the company's lack of innovation and slow adaptation to changing technologies.
Source: https://danluu.com/ballmer/
Get ready to upgrade your TV game with Sony's Bravia X90L 4K LED TV! This top-notch model is now on sale at Best Buy, with discounts ranging from $100 to $3,000 off various sizes. According to ZDNET, the X90L boasts exceptional color accuracy, brightness, and motion smoothness, making it one of the best TVs on the market.
Apple's Magic Mouse has received a USB-C update, but it still retains its bottom-plug charging design. While some may see this as a step forward, others may find the ergonomic issues and lack of comfort in using the mouse while charging frustrating. ZDNET recommends considering an alternative option, such as the Logitech MX Master 3S, which offers improved ergonomics and a more practical charging design.
Three venture capitalists share insights on scaling in crypto market
A recent video interview with three venture capital investors - Morgan Beller, Will Nuelle, and Haseeb Qureshi - has sparked discussions on the future of the cryptocurrency market. The panelists, who have backed notable projects in the space, shared their perspectives on the current state of the industry. They highlighted the need for scaling solutions to accommodate growth, citing a more favorable regulatory landscape as a positive factor.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/video/three-venture-capitalists-try-to-find-the-consensus-of-crypto-vc/
Legendary investor Vinod Khosla shares his perspective on AI's future at Disrupt 2024. He discusses groundbreaking opportunities and seismic disruptions AI will unleash. Listen to the entire conversation for a unique insight.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/video/vinod-khosla-legendary-vc-looks-into-the-past-to-see-the-future-of-ai/
Startups are revolutionizing virtual fan experiences with innovative solutions like VRTL. Founded by Courtney Jeffries, a "recovering sports executive," VRTL provides an enterprise platform for entertainment companies to engage fans remotely. Unlike traditional video conferencing services, VRTL's proprietary features include autograph signing and exclusive events. Clients like the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have seen a 60% conversion rate to paying customers. VRTL aims to make virtual fan events fun again by offering customized experiences that drive loyalty.
Universal Music Group has partnered with AI company Klay Vision to develop an "ethical" foundational model for AI music generation. The goal is to create a system that respects copyright, name, and likeness rights while lessening the threat to human creators. Klay plans to launch its product within months and claims it will not compete with artists' catalogs in traditional music services.
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has released a new definition for open-source artificial intelligence, requiring AI systems to provide access to their training data. This move directly challenges Meta's Llama model, which does not meet the OSI standards. While Meta disagrees with the definition, citing safety concerns and complexity, many experts see this as an attempt by the tech giant to maintain its competitive advantage.
Meta is reportedly developing its own AI-powered search engine, aiming to reduce its dependence on Google and Microsoft. The new search engine would provide AI-generated summaries of current events within the Meta AI chatbot, which currently relies on these two companies for news and event information. This move comes as OpenAI has confirmed work on its own AI search engine, SearchGPT, while Perplexity's AI search engine faces lawsuits from News Corp.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282017/meta-ai-powered-search-engine-report
Fortnite is streamlining its various battle passes, allowing players to earn XP and progress through multiple passes. The change will affect Lego Fortnite, Music Pass (formerly Festival Pass), and the main battle pass. Players can earn rewards without having to grind levels or purchase them separately. Additionally, new Music and LEGO Passes will offer free and premium rewards. Epic Games promises a unified purchasing option for all passes in the future.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282075/fortnite-streamlining-battle-passes-music-lego-festival
Jeff Bezos's Washington Post Sees Massive Subscriber Cancellations Following Non-Endorsement of Kamala Harris
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24282076/jeff-bezos-washington-post-cancellations-endorsement
The article "Why so few Matt Levines?" highlights the challenges faced by individuals who are experts in a particular field and yet decide to share their knowledge through educational newsletters or writing. The author argues that it's difficult to find people who possess the combination of expertise, teaching skills, and passion for sharing information. The article suggests that this filter has multiple layers, requiring individuals to have a deep understanding of the subject matter, be able to explain complex concepts simply, and maintain their interest without burning out.
Source: https://gwern.net/matt-levine