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- From Social Media Shakeups to Zenfull Soaks
From Social Media Shakeups to Zenfull Soaks
Bluesky’s Meteoric Rise, AI-Powered Browsing, Healthcare Game-Changers, and the Future of Self-Care Innovation
Welcome to another issue of Going on a Venture, your front-row seat to the boldest moves, groundbreaking innovations, and the fascinating twists reshaping the startup and VC universe.
Whether you’re a founder chasing the next billion-dollar idea, an investor scouting the next big thing, or a curious mind hungry for future-shaping stories, you’re in the right place.
No fluff, just the good stuff. Let’s dive into the stories making waves today!
NEWS
Bluesky: The New Social Media Hero Rising from Twitter's Ashes
Let me tell you about Bluesky, the fresh-faced contender in the social media ring that hails from the Twitter family tree (you know, back when it was just “Twitter” and not “X” — who doesn’t love a good rebranding?).
As users bolt from the increasingly toxic vibes of X, it seems Bluesky has swooped in at just the right time, and boy, has it made a splash!
In less than a fortnight, their user base leaped from 14 million to a whopping 20 million, talk about a growth spurt!
Bluesky is all about giving the power back to the people, and CEO Jay Graber is leading this charge with a big ol' banner that reads “user empowerment and transparency.”
The goal here? They want to dodge the traditional social media pitfalls by having the community pitch in for moderation and content verification.
But wait, there’s a twist… As Bluesky continues to soar, it faces that classic conundrum of growing fast without losing its open-hearted soul.
Bluesky is like a shiny new toy in the social media playground, with a business model that prioritizes user engagement over ads. Finally!
This raises some eyebrows about how it plans to keep the lights on as it courts interest from venture capitalists.
Surfing the Web with AI: OpenAI's Ambitious Browser Vision Unveiled
In a twist that’s got the tech world buzzing, OpenAI is dipping its toes into the web browser pool, potentially shaking things up for Google Chrome.
Now, before you start picturing a browser powered by ChatGPT that cracks jokes while you browse, let’s clarify: we’re in the early brainstorming phase here.
The buzz suggests that this new browser might just sprinkle some ChatGPT magic into the mix for a more interactive experience.
OpenAI is already on the recruiting trail, pulling in talent from the Chrome team, because who else would know their way around a browser better than Google?
They’re also eyeing partnerships with various businesses to beef up those search features across different sectors. This endeavor mirrors their earlier foray with SearchGPT, hinting at OpenAI’s serious ambition to turn the traditional web browsing experience on its head.
As we watch these plans come to life, it’ll be fascinating to see how OpenAI stirs the pot in the competition against Google and the larger digital landscape. Buckle up, it’s going to be an interesting ride!
Healthcare Game Changer: TailorMed's $40 Million Investment to Simplify Medication for All
TailorMed, just snagged $40 million in a financing round, courtesy of Windham Capital Partners and a lineup of heavy-hitters like the Citi Impact Fund and Samsung Next.
With this newfound treasure, TailorMed is set to supercharge their mission of making medications more accessible, affordable, and easier to stick with, because let’s face it, medication management shouldn't feel like rocket science.
Their platform is like a well-oiled machine, streamlining the medication journey for everyone: patients, providers, and pharmacies alike.
By taking charge of patient support programs and syncing up with manufacturer assistance programs, TailorMed is all about smoothing the bumps in the road to better health.
This funding is a nod to a larger trend in healthcare, where technology is stepping up to improve outcomes and trim those pesky costs.
Sounds promising, right?
Investors Bet Big on AI: MatX Secures $80 Million to Revolutionize Chip Technology
MatX is making waves in the chip world!
This chip startup, crafted by a couple of brainiacs who once pumped out code at Google, just got funded with $80 million in their Series A funding round.
With that kind of cash flow, their valuation has soared past the $300 million mark, pretty impressive for a company that was only a toddler a year ago, having raised $25 million in its seed round.
So what’s the big idea? MatX is diving headfirst into the AI chip game, aiming to become the superhero of processors that can tackle those large language models while also helping to put a dent in the current chip shortage.
Co-founders Mike Gunter and Reiner Pope claim their chips can outshine even the powerful NVIDIA GPUs, especially when it comes to complex AI tasks.
It’s a great time to be in the startup scene, especially for those dabbling in the realms of AI hardware.
From Osaka with Love: Experience the Zen of the Human Washing Machine"
In a delightful twist of innovation straight from Japan, a clever little company named Science has rolled out a quirky prototype: the "human washing machine," officially dubbed Mirai Ningen Sentakuki.
It's like a high-tech cockpit where you can relax in a cozy bath while this device keeps an eye on your vital signs, adjusting the temperature to suit your comfort levels.
As if that’s not enough to immerse you in tranquility, a transparent cover serves up some visuals that are sure to enhance your zen vibes.
Currently, this fascinating unit is gearing up for a limited-time showcase in Osaka, where lucky attendees will get to kick back for short sessions.
Plans are in the works for a home version that aims to rejuvenate you physically and mentally, because who wouldn’t want to feel like a brand-new person after a good soak?
Honestly, if this doesn't make you perk up and think about the future of self-care, what will?
Money Matters: Generational Perspectives on Achieving Financial Success
A recent survey by Empower has uncovered some fascinating yet concerning views on success among different generations in the U.S.
So, while Baby Boomers are still hanging on to that classic $1 million net worth dream like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party, the younger crowd is raising the stakes significantly.
Gen X thinks they need about $5.3 million to feel like they’ve “made it,” Millennials are shooting for around $5.6 million, and Gen Z is eyeing a jaw-dropping $9.5 million.
When it comes to annual salaries, the average American believes $270,000 is the magic number for success. But guess who’s raising the bar even further?
Yep, Gen Z, who thinks they need nearly $588,000 to truly bask in the glow of accomplishment. Just for reference, Millennials are okay with about $180,865, and Baby Boomers seem to think around $100,000 will do the trick.
What’s really interesting is that despite these sky-high expectations, a lot of Americans, especially the younger folks are feeling pretty optimistic about hitting those financial milestones in their lifetime.
Only time will tell…
SUMMARY
Bluesky: Gained 6M users in just two weeks, aiming to redefine social media with community-driven moderation and user empowerment.
OpenAI: Exploring a new web browser with ChatGPT integration, aiming to revolutionize online interactions and challenge Google Chrome.
TailorMed: Secured $40M to enhance medication accessibility and management, streamlining patient support for better health outcomes.
MatX: Secured $80M in Series A funding to revolutionize AI chip technology, surpassing a $300M valuation.
Empower's survey reveals generational shifts in financial dreams, with Gen Z aiming for a staggering $9.5M to feel successful.
Science: Unveiled the "human washing machine," Mirai Ningen Sentakuki, merging wellness tech and experiential design for a rejuvenating bath experience.
That’s it for today’s edition of Going on a Venture! We hope you enjoyed diving into the latest breakthroughs and bold ideas shaping the future.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more exciting stories and insights from the startup and VC world. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you, just hit reply to share your thoughts, feedback, or ideas.
H