The hottest Funding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Pippa Passes: SVB, Alien Motherships, Mathematical Constants, New Physics, Manhattan Project v2, CBDC, and Indra’s Net

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 29 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
💼 Business Funding
  1. The financial world has issues with captive models, where banks raise money for clients and hold it, leading to potential risks like re-hypothecation.
  2. Start-ups, especially in Silicon Valley, faced challenges with raising capital and high failure rates, raising questions about the funding and support system for these businesses.
  3. There is a need to better understand the difference between having a brilliant product and building a successful business, as many founders struggle to make that transition.

It's a DARPA-filled Week

The Good Science Project • 18 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🔬 Science Funding
  1. Recent articles are discussing the different perspectives on the ARPA funding model for research.
  2. Eric Gilliam is starting a comprehensive project analyzing past DARPA projects, aiming to create a resource for funders in similar organizations.
  3. This week is filled with DARPA-related content for those interested in ARPA initiatives.

Walking On a Tightrope

Superfluid • 13 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Funding
  1. In the startup world, founders must balance irrationality and rationality for success. It's about believing in big ideas but also making data-driven decisions.
  2. As a startup evolves, founders need to shift from irrationality to rationality, showing a clear path to profitability.
  3. Recognizing when to embrace irrationality and when to be rational is key for successful founders. It's a valuable skill that can build trust and credibility.
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A new US National Laboratory for What?

Critical Mass • 18 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Funding
  1. The Biden administration is proposing a new national laboratory to study climate change's impact on disadvantaged communities.
  2. Current global climate models lack the resolution to tailor plans to local needs.
  3. Improving infrastructure and access to services in poor communities may be more important than creating a new National Laboratory.

Garuda Ventures' New $31M Fund

Tippets by Taps • 14 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
💼 Business Funding
  1. Garuda Ventures raised a $31 million fund to support exceptional founders at an early stage.
  2. They focus on four core themes in their investments: Intelligent Applications, Commerce Infrastructure, The New Perimeter, and Climate 2.0.
  3. Garuda Ventures emphasizes the importance of empathy, candor, and operating excellence when supporting founders.

Lessons Answer.AI can learn from history’s greatest R&D labs

FreakTakes • 11 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Learn from the past: Draw lessons from historical R&D labs like Edison's Menlo Park Lab and the Early GE Research Laboratory.
  2. Focus on application: Aim to build practical, impactful technology rather than just pursuing theoretical breakthroughs.
  3. Embrace innovation: Be bold, think long-term, and run your own race free from competition.

How to equitably resolve the Black Lives Matter funding scandal using Ethereum: a lesson for future movements.

Activist Futurism • 19 implied HN points • 08 Mar 21
🔮 Crypto Funding
  1. Imagine a movement token whose value increases with the perceived social impact of the movement, a new way to fund protests.
  2. Activists in the Black Lives Matter movement are demanding equitable distribution of funds after a significant amount was revealed to have been amassed by the foundation.
  3. A potential solution to the funding scandal is presented using Ethereum and a new funding model that rewards early movement builders and aims to fairly distribute resources among a movement's participants.

What is Pika Labs?

Machine Economy Press • 11 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Pika Labs emerged as a key player in generative AI video creation.
  2. Pika Labs raised $55 million in funding with support from various investors.
  3. Pika Labs introduced Pika 1.0, a powerful generative AI video editing platform.

How to attract and keep greentech investors

The Green Techpreneur • 16 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💼 Business Funding
  1. When looking for investors, focus on what you care about and stand out in your pitch.
  2. Establish clear communication and expectations with investors to manage the relationship effectively.
  3. Consider unintended consequences and balancing vision with commercial foundations in greentech innovation.

DeepMind's 3D Gaming AI, Pixel 9's Tensor G4 Chipset, Covariant's Robot Revolution, & More

HackerPulse Dispatch • 8 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Google DeepMind introduced SIMA, an AI agent trained in multiple video games capable of following natural-language instructions, showcasing the potential for adaptable AI systems.
  2. Covariant unveiled RFM-1, an AI platform enabling robots to comprehend language and make decisions, promising advancements in robotic cognition for various industries.
  3. Google's upcoming Pixel 9 series will feature the Tensor G4 chipset, enhancing user experience with improved heat and power management, aligning with Google's vertical integration goals.

Mainframes, Barlow Twins & Python 3.10

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 29 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. The AI startup scene in India is booming, even during challenging times like the pandemic. They received over $836 million in funding last year, showing strong growth.
  2. Python 3.10 continues to be an important programming language for developers in AI and machine learning. Its latest updates help make coding easier and more efficient.
  3. There is a growing interest in traditional technologies like mainframes alongside modern AI solutions. This mix indicates a diverse approach to technology in various sectors.

Know Your Cap Table

Tippets by Taps • 12 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
💼 Business Funding
  1. Know the ownership breakdown in your cap table - founders, employees, investors.
  2. Understand the financial history of your company - investments, valuations, debt.
  3. Having a clear grasp of your cap table is crucial for making informed fundraising decisions.

Milestones are meaningless for fundraising

Magid and Co • 1 HN point • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Funding
  1. Investors focus on funding outliers, not companies meeting specific milestones.
  2. Metrics matter for demonstrating progress, but milestones like revenue targets may not be necessary or sufficient.
  3. Founders should identify key barriers to building a successful company and focus on metrics that address those barriers.

LG ThinQ API, Boomi + Rivery, McDonald's Delivery Flaw

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. LG has opened its ThinQ API for developers, allowing for smarter home tech integration. This helps create innovative and connected home solutions.
  2. Boomi is set to buy Rivery to improve data management and integration. This will make it easier for companies to handle their data effectively.
  3. A serious security flaw was discovered in McDonald's delivery app, potentially allowing free orders. McDonald's acted quickly to fix the issue, showing their dedication to online safety.

Inside a grant review

Grant & Co • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 20
💼 Business Funding
  1. Grant reviewers have specific expectations and preferences when evaluating proposals.
  2. Proposals can be rejected due to various reasons, including unique excuses for missed calls.
  3. There are diverse grant opportunities available with different focuses and funding amounts.

Preconditions for Starting

Texts with Founders • 7 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Funding
  1. Having a good co-founder can make starting a company less lonely and more successful.
  2. Relying on funding or accelerators as preconditions to starting may show a lack of commitment to building a successful startup.
  3. Starting with customers before seeking investors can lead to faster validation, more successful fundraising, and show commitment to the company's growth.

Issue #90: The ASX Turns To Tata For Help With CHESS Replacement, The FCA Gives Go Head To Klarna For Payment And Credit Services, And The Definitive Podcast On Visa

Fintech Radar • 8 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💰 Finance Funding
  1. Governments are tightening regulations on BNPL services, impacting fintech firms.
  2. Consumer-facing fintech startups face challenges in a crowded market, leading to pivots.
  3. Nubank's innovative offering of transferring credit card limits for personal and business use showcases opportunities in fintech.

The Changing Nature of Pre-Seed Syndication

Venture Reflections • 6 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Funding
  1. The landscape of pre-seed investment is shifting, making it more challenging for founders to raise pre-seed rounds.
  2. Certain categories like defense tech and AI are skipping pre-seed investment due to high capital requirements.
  3. Many pre-seed investment partners are now focusing more on larger rounds with companies that have traction, resembling seed rounds.

xAI API, Qpoint $4M, Upwind eBPF Sensor

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Elon Musk's company xAI has launched an API called Grok, which allows developers to build applications using its AI capabilities. This move shows how tech giants are competing in the AI space.
  2. Qpoint secured $4M in funding for its eBPF-based tech that will help monitor data traffic and dependencies in apps, improving reliability without adding complexity.
  3. Upwind has introduced a new API security feature that automatically identifies and secures sensitive data during transmission, enhancing protection against potential breaches.

Burn Down the House?

Gideon's Substack • 9 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Funding
  1. The traditional not-for-profit regional theater model is facing challenges due to rising costs and falling revenue.
  2. One proposed solution is to have artists create their own work independently, forming partnerships and renting spaces.
  3. Direct funding of artists by foundations or government may face challenges, and alternative funding models like crowdfunding require exceptional marketing skills.

🛰️ Your guide to AI: February 2024

Guide to AI • 6 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. The newsletter covers important developments in AI policy, research, industry, and startups
  2. The geopolitics of AI, including international cooperation and challenges with foundation model providers
  3. Updates on hardware advancements in AI, such as new chip restrictions and AI infrastructure investments by big tech companies

Coforge + Nylas, Blues $25M, IPinfo Core

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Mistral AI has launched an Agents API that helps automate complex tasks for businesses. This can make workflows smoother by letting different AI agents work together.
  2. Coforge and Nylas have teamed up to improve communication in Salesforce with new APIs. This will help companies manage their messaging and scheduling more effectively.
  3. Blues, a company specializing in IoT solutions, raised $25 million to grow and innovate. They aim to turn regular products into smart devices with better connectivity.

Blume Ventures: Nice guys who are winning

Kaul Center • 6 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
💼 Business Funding
  1. Venture capital success often comes from being contrarian and right.
  2. Blume Ventures took a risk on GreyOrange, which paid off despite initial doubts from other VCs.
  3. Blume's reputation was built on doing right by founders and nurturing relationships over years.

Issue #85: Goldman Sachs Regrets The Apple Card, The CFPB Proposes A s1033 Uplift, And Australia Outlines A Licensing Regime for Crypto Exchanges

Fintech Radar • 6 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
💰 Finance Funding
  1. CFPB is proposing a rule to accelerate the shift towards open banking for consumer data control and protection.
  2. Australia is planning to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges by requiring them to hold financial licenses.
  3. Goldman Sachs is regretting its Apple Card partnership due to financial challenges and is considering exiting consumer lending.

Exclusive: British government funded a plan for international censorship of critiques of NATO

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 6 HN points • 25 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Funding
  1. A leaked report reveals a British government-funded plan for international censorship of critiques of NATO.
  2. The plan includes redefining disinformation to include factual criticism of the U.S. military and NATO.
  3. Recommendations include exerting coordinated action to pressure social media and digital market actors to moderate such speech.

Google SQL Translator API, StackOne €3.3M, Salt Security Developer Portal

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Google introduced a unified SQL translator API for BigQuery, aimed at enhancing efficiency in translating jobs and supporting various SQL dialects.
  2. StackOne secured €3.3M in seed funding to improve its AI-powered unified API for SaaS enterprises, acknowledging its potential in streamlining SaaS integrations.
  3. Salt Security launched a Developer Portal as a centralized resource to automate API security, focused on improving developer experiences and enabling secure API integrations.

Germany's giroAPI, MoneyHash $5.2M, BeyondTrust Compromised API Key

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. DeepSeek is under investigation for using OpenAI's models inappropriately, raising concerns about data security and ethical AI practices.
  2. Germany launched giroAPI, a new standardized API aimed at improving payment systems in Europe and enhancing financial technology competitiveness.
  3. BeyondTrust faced a security breach due to a compromised API key, which highlighted the importance of strong security measures in API management.

Gemini OpenAI Compatibility, Qpoint $4M, Ollama's Security Flaws

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Cybercriminals are manipulating the Docusign API to send fake invoices to businesses, making them look real to trick users. This highlights the potential risks in API security that could extend to other services too.
  2. Qpoint has raised $4 million in funding to help companies manage their external APIs better. Their goal is to give teams more control and insights over the apps they rely on.
  3. Ollama's AI framework has been found to have serious security flaws, which can lead to data theft and DoS attacks. This underlines the importance of strong security measures in AI technologies.

Breaking down Databricks $500 Million Funding Raise

Machine Economy Press • 3 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
💼 Business Funding
  1. Databricks raised over $500 million with a valuation of $43 billion in a Series I funding round.
  2. Nvidia is backing multiple AI startups with significant investments, including Databricks, showcasing its commitment to the future of AI.
  3. Databricks, a mature and profitable startup founded in 2013, is likely to go public in 2024 or 2025, competing with Snowflake in the enterprise AI space.

What AI ethicists get wrong – and right – about AI safety

More is Different • 4 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Funding
  1. Two camps raise concerns about AI: AI safety focuses on future risks, AI ethics on present-day issues.
  2. AI safety efforts, funded by Effective Altruism, are critiqued for possibly contributing to the rise of dangerous AI systems.
  3. Billionaires funding AI safety raise concerns about their motivations, but their contributions are viewed as overall positive in advancing AI alignment.