Katheleen Eva

Spent a wonderful week in Canada with family! Now back to business.. Here's your weekly AI update: 🔙 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬: 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 Week 51 | August 5 - August 11 The OpenAI Brain Drain Industry: 🚨OpenAI co-founder John Schulman leaves for Anthropic; President Greg Brockman is taking extended leave through the end of year. What's interesting is that three of their most technical co-founders (Ilya Sutskever, John Schulman, Andrej Karpathy) have all left the company now. This then begs the question - is this a result of natural silicon-valley attrition, or is there something deeper going on here? And moreover, how will this impact the technical moat that OpenAI has built over the years? (https://lnkd.in/gztRKhwV) 🚨Google announced that new Gemini AI-powered features will be incorporated in a variety of home devices, such as Google Home and Nest (https://lnkd.in/gV2QacAQ?). It also announced a significant reduction in token cost of Gemini 1.5 Flash (https://lnkd.in/gbNe6yNU?) 🚨Figure releases Figure 02, it's newest humanoid robot. Figure has been actively testing robots with BMW at a manufacturing plant. Figure last raised $675M Series B in February 2024, valuing the company at $2.6 billion. (https://lnkd.in/gZnPSke4) 🚨Mark Zuckerberg said on Meta's Q2 earning call that to train Llama 4, the company will need 10x more compute than what was needed to train Llama 3. (https://lnkd.in/g5pEPrTw?) 🚨Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, renewing claims that the company is betraying its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. (https://lnkd.in/gAk5grU6) Financing and M&A: 🚨Groq raises $640m in Series D at a $2.8B valuation. The round was led by Blackrock Private Equity Partners with participation from other investors such as Neuberger Berman, Type One Ventures, Cisco, KDDI, and Samsung Catalyst Fund. (https://lnkd.in/gRtKQKvW?) 🚨Hugging Face acquires Seattle data storage startup Xethub. The HF team plans to integrate Xethub's backend storage technology, enabling developers to host more large models and datasets than currently possible. CEO Clem Delangue 🤗 confirmed this was the largest acquisition the company has made thus far. (https://lnkd.in/g8fJ-BjT) 🚨OpenAI is leading a $60m Series B funding round for Opal Camera, a maker of professional-grade webcams(https://lnkd.in/gMT9dkTG) 🚨ProRata.ai a company that has invented an attribution technology to properly compensate content owners, has raised a $25m Series A, led by Prime Movers Lab, Mayfield Fund and Revolution Ventures. (https://lnkd.in/gumjbWmj) R&D: 🚨Alibaba Group releases Qwen2-math, a SOTA model for math-specific tasks. (https://lnkd.in/g8Jh3M7T?) Other Interesting Resources: 🚨 Between May and August, more Humane AI Pins were returned than purchased (https://lnkd.in/gy56qpKm?). 😯

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Are you a B2B software startup founder at the very start? Then you have to meet this early-stage investor! This week's findfunding.vc spotlight is on Dominic Lau from Ripple Ventures. He: 🇨🇦 Is Vancouver and Toronto based 🎣 Loves to fish 🎶 Founded the RippleX Fellowship - a platform to help underrepresented founders access mentorship, intros, and the tools to get from idea to revenue to funding Amongst founders, Dominic and his team at Ripple Ventures, including Matt Cohen, are known for being hands-on partners who open valuable networks, navigate challenges together, and assist in closing crucial revenue and funding deals. Make sure to: ✉️ Pitch him at [email protected] 👀 Look into the RippleX Fellowship - they take 10 companies 2x a year through the Founder Fellowship program and also back companies through the Fellow Fund For more, check out our funder spotlight card below along with Ripple Ventures' profile on findfunding.vc (link in comments).

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As a founder, have you ever been curious about this whole angel investing thing? This week's findfunding.vc spotlight is on an investor who's an expert in it you simply have to know: Matt Wilson, MBA from Allied Venture Partners. He: 🇨🇦 Is Calgary based 😇 Manages one of Canada's largest angle investor syndicates (now at 1,800+ members!) 🏒 Worked as a professional ice hockey referee, which he says shares remarkable similarities with investing Amongst founders, Matt Wilson, is known for bringing empathy and perspective as a former founder himself. Aside from financial support, his goal is to be the 'right' investor - one that aligns with a founder's vision, shares his network, and provides strategic insights when asked. ✉️ Make sure to pitch him, invest, scout, advise and more at https://linktr.ee/alliedvc For more, check out our funder spotlight card below along with Allied Venture Partners' profile on findfunding.vc (link in comments).

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Check out this epic interview.

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If you are a #Canadian #startup frustrated by the lack of #investment opportunities and wondering if #SiliconValley is worth the trip ... I wanted to share a few notable comments from #startups that recently participated in our CELS - Canadian Entrepreneurs in Life Science Showcase. To the companies that participated, I won't drop the F bomb and risk being banned from LinkedIn 😆 but feel free to chime in and share, in your own words, why you think your peers need to take a leap ✈️ and visit #SiliconValley. It's really close to 🇨🇦 but in so many ways, a 🌏 apart. ✍️ "A lot of the people we met with will be relevant in the future. CELS made the introduction. We now have to build the relationship." 💰 "Everyone we met with had a friend or a contact that is relevant to us, even if they were not in our space, so basically everyone we met with was relevant!!" 🚀 "The biggest take away was the different mentality. Risk taking is seen positively here! Innovation is seen as a value driver. Investors want to see the BIG idea!" 🎙 "The Showcase format allowed us to have meaningful conversations. There was lots of time for real networking. Everyone asked, 'what is your ask?'. That was so refreshing!" ⏰ "It's just more sophisticated here. Time to market is faster in the US. We didn't have to spend our time explaining the tech and it felt like conversations got progressively better". So the next opportunity to leverage Connection Silicon Valley to build your network here is May 14th to 16th - open to #FemaleFounders. Don't let fear stop you. If you are looking for global capital, #SiliconValley is where you need to be to build the right connections. Register here - https://bit.ly/48SDuzF Or DM me to chat!

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💡 Why Every New Founder Needs to Hear This: Real Talk About the Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship I had an amazing time on the latest episode of Collisions YYC with Jade Alberts and Tyler Chisholm! There’s something truly special about having real conversations with these two—discussing both the highs and the lows of being an entrepreneur. 🎢 In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to navigate the rollercoaster of startup life—how to manage those big wins, like landing a new client, and how to push through the tough moments, like missing payroll. We shared some hard-earned lessons on avoiding the common mistakes founders make, staying grounded through the chaos, and most importantly, knowing when to keep going and when it’s time to pivot. 🌱 For all the new founders out there: This journey isn’t easy, but it’s totally worth it. Prepare yourself for the challenges, and keep in mind that the highs and lows are all part of the adventure. 🚀 🎧 Tune in to hear these raw, real, and invaluable insights from Team Awesome: https://lnkd.in/e6CKrASG 💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts—what challenges have you faced as a founder? And how did you know when it was time to pivot or keep pushing through? #TeamAwesome #KeepBeingAwesome #Koridor #Entrepreneurship #FoundersJourney #CollisionsYYC #StartupLife #YYCFounders

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Last month, I talked to +35 B2B founders doing north of $3M. Turns out, most of the time, building a founder brand goes through these 5 phases: (check out the timestamps) 0:01 - founder tries do-it-yourself way We start seeing more of 'thrilled to announce...' & 'we just launched...' posts with brick-sized blocks of text. Corporate-speak is the official language. They don't put much effort in and admit defeat, and we don't get to consume all the subject matter expertize they could've shared. 0:22 - founder hires a ghostwriter Turns into a disappointed very quickly. They have to spend a similar amount of time but the outcome is even worse. Probably because the young ghostwriter learned his trade from a Linkedin guru's course and has ZERO understanding of the subject matter.... They only know how to write motivational 'being a dad taught me these 5 lessons about startups' posts, strictly following what guru prescribed. 0:53 - founder hires a ghostwriting agency The agency is founded by 2 guys that grew their following by posting memes and Twitter screenshots of truisms ('marketing is about empathy', 'talk to customers'...), and now they outsource all the work to cheap ghostwriters, so eventually, the same happens. 1:29 - founder buys a $997 course from a LinkedIn guru It may not be the same course that the young ghostwriter bought, but it's basically the same. All of them are. The course creator grew their following by talking about growing on LinkedIn and joining engagement pods and now shares advice that only works if you want to... sell a LinkedIn course. 1:53 - Raven comes and saves the day Founder realizes they have to do this themselves because this new age calls for a distribution-first founder and they make marketing their top priority. They find that they need to find message-founder fit (overlap of their lived experiences + customer jobs to be done + product offering). They improve their tactical mastery (writing hooks, structuring, better writing). They now have a peer support group and direct access to an expert. They're held accountable because all progress is tracked in a collective dashboard. Their founder brand finally starts growing. PSS. You can sign up for my founder brand community waitlist here and get 30% off when we 'go public': https://lnkd.in/d59AzBG2

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Despite a growing and robust Canadian tech ecosystem, the country has minted fewer than 30 unicorns in the past decade compared to the US's 700. Should Canadian VCs look to invest internationally? If so, what's the optimal approach to accessing global opportunities, navigating financial and cultural differences, and providing meaningful value? Alternatively, should they focus on strengthening the Canadian tech ecosystem? Is the lack of unicorns primarily a cultural, structural, or financial issue, or a combination? Can VCs play a role in addressing these challenges? Happy to participate in the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) webinar with Mana Hosseini, JD/MBA and Kim Furlong addressing these topics. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Registration link in the comments #venturecapital #startups #investing #canada

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💡 When should you pivot—and when should you quit? In today’s episode of Collisions YYC, Jade Alberts and Sepehr Shoarinejad share their unfiltered stories of entrepreneurship. Both founders reveal how to navigate the rollercoaster of startup life, from managing the highs of landing a client to surviving the lows of missing payroll. They offer actionable advice on how to avoid the most common mistakes founders make, and how to stay grounded when things get tough. 🎧 Tune in now to hear these raw, real, and invaluable insights from Team Awesome: https://lnkd.in/e6CKrASG #TeamAwesome #KeepBeingAwesome #Koridor #Entrepreneurship #SerialEntrepreneurs #YYCFounders

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The size of Canada combined with the geographic distribution of health conditions make the country ideal for multi-channel healthcare (e.g., Telehealth). Despite the significant demand for healthcare broadly, those business models haven't been able to achieve exponential growth or ideal unit economics just yet -- they've certainly grown and many are profitable, but millions of Canadians still lack primary care. It's a problem that's on the cusp of being solved (e.g., AI, integrated care) and could unlock significantly more access to care for Canadians. 

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Many founders think finding investors is a challenge. But here’s the truth: the best investors are actively looking for deals—including yours. They’re not hiding; they want to find great opportunities. Whether you're in Canada or the US, there are tons of resources that show you who’s investing in your sector. It’s all about reaching out, starting those conversations, and building the right relationships. You’d be amazed at how well buying someone a coffee can propel your business forward. Looking for guidance on finding investors? Drop a comment or DM me—I’m here to help you scale.

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Some VCs call it "diversification" when it is really just a lack of conviction.  They spread their investments in as many companies as possible and hope one succeeds—” spray and pray,” as it's called. At Bonfire Ventures 🔥, we do the opposite: Instead of chasing every shiny opportunity, we invest in fewer companies and go all in. We are a low-volume, high-conviction, high-support investor, and as Fred Wilson says, "That is who you want on your side." We invest in 8-10 deals per year, with a first check of $2-4 million each, and reserve plenty of follow-on capital. Why? Anyone can write a check. The real challenge—and the actual value—is in the subsequent and ongoing partnership. You can’t build meaningful relationships with founders, provide hands-on support, and be there for the good days and the bad if you're juggling a hundred projects. You need to know the founders, the market, and the business inside and out. That's what we do. During my investment banking days, I learned that you can’t work with every company that knocks on your door. You pick the ones you truly believe in, where you can see the potential in both the people and the product. Scopely is a prime example. We didn’t just invest in 2012. We worked closely with them and rolled up our sleeves. That partnership turned into a $5 billion cash exit in 2023. That’s what happens when you focus on quality over quantity. At Bonfire, our founders aren’t just another check in a portfolio. We’re not in the game of betting on every horse - we’re here to invest in the right ones - and then we go to work. How do you decide where to focus your energy? What drives your decisions, whether you're building a business, launching a project, or choosing investments?

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🚀 Attention aspiring female entrepreneurs: La Visionnaire Business Idea Competition is closing soon! 🚀 Calling all visionary female entrepreneurs! ⏰ The deadline for submitting your innovative business ideas is fast approaching. Make sure to submit your entry by Monday June 3 evening to be part of this exciting opportunity. This competition is your chance to: 🌟 Showcase your groundbreaking business concept 🌟 Receive valuable feedback from industry experts 🌟 Network with like-minded entrepreneurs and potential investors 🌟 Win incredible prizes and support to help bring your idea to life Don't miss out on this chance to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level. Submit your application now and seize this opportunity to shine! 💡 📅 Competition Deadline: June 3, 2024 @23:59 🙌 Winner Announced: June 7, 2024 🎯 More Info and Link to Participate: https://lnkd.in/eDCkFyxa For any questions or additional information, feel free to reach out. We can't wait to see your innovative ideas! #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #LaVisionnaireConference #DiversityAndInclusion #StartupSuccess #Innovation #DiversityInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenSupportingWomen #FemaleEntrepreneurs #WomenLeaders #WomenFounders #BecomeAnEntrepreneur #FlexibleCareer #CareerWithPurpose #WomenManagers #LaVisionnaire

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🚀 Calling All Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs! 🚀 Our mission is to empower women of all backgrounds to have a meaningful and flexible career, so please share this with anyone who might benefit from it! 🙏 We're thrilled to announce our 🌟 La Visionnaire Business Idea Competition 🌟 where creativity meets opportunity! 💫 Are you a woman with a visionary idea and the drive to turn it into reality? If so, you’re in the right place. This competition is your gateway to not only advancing your entrepreneurial journey but also gaining invaluable resources that will propel your business forward. 📅 Competition Deadline: June 3, 2024 @23:59 🙌 Winner Announced: June 7, 2024 📍Link to Participate: https://lnkd.in/eDCkFyxa 🏆 Prize: Tailored Support Package for you to start your business including: - a FREE ticket to the upcoming La Visionnaire Conference in London on June 28 to get inspired by successful female entrepreneurs and gain practical insights on mindset, marketing & personal brand, pitching & fundraising — an event dedicated to empowering women and fostering diversity in the business world. - а private coaching session with an executive coach - a private fundraising & strategy session with a venture capital investor - 12-month membership at La Visionnaire Women’s Club to connect with like-minded women and access networking opportunities with industry experts and investors 💥Why You Should Enter: Empowerment: Elevate your business idea with tailored support and advice from industry experts. Visibility: Opportunity to present your idea in front of our audience and gain feedback from successful entrepreneurs. Networking: Connect with like-minded women who are reshaping the business landscape. 🎯 How to Participate: Fill in the form https://lnkd.in/eDCkFyxa ☑️ Judging Criteria: Innovation: How does your idea stand out from the rest? Impact: What potential does your idea have to make a difference? Feasibility: How well can you execute this idea with the resources available? Don't miss this chance to turn your vision into reality and join a vibrant community of women making waves in entrepreneurship. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand, we want to hear from you! ✅ To enter, submit your idea by June 3, 2024 23:59 at https://lnkd.in/eDCkFyxa Let’s make change happen together. We can’t wait to see your brilliant ideas! #BusinessCompetition #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #DiversityInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenSupportingWomen #FemaleEntrepreneurs #WomenLeaders #WomenFounders #BecomeAnEntrepreneur #FlexibleCareer #CareerWithPurpose #WomenManagers

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Building a venture capital platform is more than just about money; it's about moving mountains. John Rikhtegar reveals the secrets to orchestrating successful fund-to-fund operations at RBCx. In today's episode of Swimming with Allocators, John shares invaluable advice for corporates venturing into fund-to-fund practices, emphasizing the critical need for alignment at the top. Tune in to learn how strategic alignment, unique value propositions, and deep integration can transform potential into success in the venture capital landscape. Learn from John Rikhtegar how to actively shape the innovation economy and lead transformative fund-to-fund practices that meet the future head-on.

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For the past two weeks, I've been on the road, traveling across Canada and the US, giving talks on the intersection of AI and biotech. On a philosophical level, I feel fortunate to work in a field that is transforming biology from a specialized craft into a standardized engineering discipline. This shift is incredibly exciting. Just as mathematics revolutionized physics by uncovering nature's rules, AI and machine learning are now deconstructing biology into an engineering science. On a professional level, computational techniques are becoming central to biotech and healthcare startups, enabling close collaboration with domain experts. This transformation compels us to rethink resources, cloud infrastructure, access models, business models, and care paradigms. It's an exhilarating time for innovation and change. On a personal level, I’ve been overwhelmed by the large, diverse crowds of professionals attending my talks. They range from recent graduates from top-tier universities to mid-career and senior professionals from various technical and social backgrounds, all seriously considering careers in this space. Yes, there is hype. It takes effort to discern which companies are genuinely substantive. However, we have made significant progress, often led by quieter yet impactful startups. Yes, data silos are a problem. However, we are seeing leaders from government, academia, industry, and the private sector work together to unlock that access in an ethical and safe way to support advances. Stay tuned for some exciting news I'll be sharing soon :) #synbio #bioengineering #compbio #startups #biotech #venturecapital #artificalintelligence #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #AICommunity #StartupEcosystem

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If you want to see the power follow the money. Dragoneer Investment Group Dragoneer Investment Group, founded in 2012 by Marc Stad, is a San Francisco-based investment firm specializing in technology investments globally across public and private markets. As of 2024, the firm manages approximately $22.6 billion in assets under management (AUM) and employs 83 professionals. Dragoneer's investment strategy focuses on growth-oriented opportunities, partnering with companies with strong potential for expansion and market leadership. The firm's portfolio includes notable investments in Airbnb, Alibaba Group, Atlassian, DoorDash, and Roblox. In the public markets, Dragoneer manages long-only strategy funds that invest in technology companies. For private markets, the firm manages private growth equity funds that provide funding to private technology companies. Dragoneer often employs innovative fundraising methods, such as secondary stock sales or convertible debt notes, to support its investment activities. As of June 30, 2024, Dragoneer's top holdings included Global-E Online Ltd., Atlassian Corporation, Roblox Corporation, Coupang Inc., and PDD Holdings Inc. These investments reflect the firm's focus on high-growth technology companies with significant market potential. By following Dragoneer's investment activities, one can gain insights into emerging trends and influential players within the technology sector, highlighting the firm's role in shaping the industry's landscape.

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Canada's Brain Drain is undeniable! 🌍 Why are ambitious Canadian startup founders flocking to the US? 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 The US economy is 12.5x larger but its VC industry is 30x larger. In 2023, US VC deals were $150-200 billion while Canada was ~$6 billion. 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 In the US, speed and risk-taking reign supreme. It's a dynamic environment where ideas rapidly transform into reality, unlike the more cautious pace in Canada. 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 With an economy 12.5x the size of Canada’s, the US offers unprecedented reach and potential for growth. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 Although not the main factor, higher taxes in Canada add to the challenges. Recent hikes in capital gains taxes have not helped. For Canada to thrive in the innovation economy, it's time to tackle these hurdles head-on. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  Excerpt from a discussion I had with Mark Nashman. Link to the full video in the comments. #startups #venturecapital #investing #Canada #culture

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