Ben Sun

Enjoyed participating in a discussion on mobilizing investment to deliver a net-zero economy at the #JapanEnergySummit. The biggest barrier constricting VC capital flow is the potential for"death-by-pilot" where start-ups fail to secure the necessary funding required to support multiple iteration and scale-up phases often with moving goalposts from customers and partners. Contrary to popular belief, it is often commercial inertia that extends these timelines, not fundamental technology issues. While commercial partners need to manage risk, start-ups need to find partners where the highest levels of management see the vision for future alignment and are not just tinkering. And start-ups need to be able to give confidence to investors by striking early commercial deals with these partners that are subject to performance milestones and show real skin in the game.

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AI and Med Tech in Focus   AI System Developed to Identify Pathology in Tissues Engineers at Washington State University have developed an AI tool that uses images of human and animal tissue to detect abnormalities faster and more accurately than people. The AI algorithm was trained using images from past studies that involved kidney, testes, ovarian, prostate, breast and lymph node abnormalities. The new model detected disease in minutes—current processes take humans several hours and require specialized teams to check each other’s work. It was also found to be more accurate, sometimes detecting instances that humans had missed. The engineers designed the system to handle the processing load of the high-resolution gigapixel images by breaking them down into smaller tiles but still retaining the overall context of the tissue sample—akin to the zoom feature on a microscope or phone camera. Aside from getting diagnostic results more accurately and quickly, the new system also shows promise in epigenetics (the study of molecular processes that change gene behavior without changing underlying DNA). Epigenetic researchers can perform analyses and get results that used to take a year or more in just a couple of weeks. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

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Faster inference is on the way.

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ATTN SF STARTUP and VC FRIENDS -- we have your hookup for a great networking event TOMORROW, Wednesday April 17 at Nixon Peabody's (amazing) offices in 1 Embarcadero Center. Hosted by Lior Zorea of Nixon Peabody, the panel includes Roger Lang of Smart Society Ventures, Clayton Bryan of 500 Global, Gady Nemirovsky of Inspiration Ventures, Peter Walker of Carta, and Chris Abato of Woodside Capital. Thanks Tord Olav Dønnum for the connect. Peter Walker from Carta will provide a “State of the Union” and then topics will include: +Startup formation trends +What key factors and metrics are investors looking at in 2024? +What tech verticals are “hot” (other than AI)? +What is the funding and M&A outlook for 2024? Registration link in the first comment 👇 See you there! #startups #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #siliconvalley

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APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN for Healthworx Accelerator! Are you a healthcare entrepreneur of a pre-seed or seed stage company who wants to connect with payers and providers like CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to further hone your product and business? Do you want to learn about all the best practices in procurement, data security, claims, contracting, and the other nitty gritty details that might make or break your business? This is the iteration of 1501 Health, and includes all of our best practices and lessons learned to support even more entrepreneurs! If you have questions, please reach out to Soo Jeon or any of our alumni who can share the transformation that's possible when you connect innovators with experts!

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AI and Med Tech in Focus   AI System Developed to Identify Pathology in Tissues Engineers at Washington State University have developed an AI tool that uses images of human and animal tissue to detect abnormalities faster and more accurately than people. The AI algorithm was trained using images from past studies that involved kidney, testes, ovarian, prostate, breast and lymph node abnormalities. The new model detected disease in minutes—current processes take humans several hours and require specialized teams to check each other’s work. It was also found to be more accurate, sometimes detecting instances that humans had missed. The engineers designed the system to handle the processing load of the high-resolution gigapixel images by breaking them down into smaller tiles but still retaining the overall context of the tissue sample—akin to the zoom feature on a microscope or phone camera. Aside from getting diagnostic results more accurately and quickly, the new system also shows promise in epigenetics (the study of molecular processes that change gene behavior without changing underlying DNA). Epigenetic researchers can perform analyses and get results that used to take a year or more in just a couple of weeks. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

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Worth reading: Situationsl Awareness by Leopold Aschenbrenner PDF : https://lnkd.in/gkxQ3yMD Web site: https://lnkd.in/gyJUCBhb Interesting perspective, time of course will tell.

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Over the years, we at GFR Fund have solidified our investment thesis, which is that we invest in "emerging digitally native communities." These communities can be built around games, social media, and any consumer applications. Now, founders have many easy-to-use tools to build user communities, such as Discord, X/twitter, Instagram, etc, and we believe the founders should start building communities even before they launch a product. The communities can help founders: - reach PMF faster - acquire users cheaper - retain and engage users longer - build better UX/UI, and - hire early employees Below, you can see how RTFKT and Omeda Studios built the community and then worked with them to create a product the users really wanted. We would love to talk to the founders who think the community is essential in building a product!

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Great to see Robert Gunn share his experience of going through the Northern Gritstone & Deeptech Labs Inaugural NG Studio Programme. Auxetec Limited have developed an advanced elastomer material that offers delamination protection, impact protection and shock absorption, as well as strength & durability. It is highly tuneable, transparent and easily manufactured. The leadership team at Auxetec have so many ways to commercialise this new generation material across a wide variety of high-growth applications. But which path should they take? Which markets should they serve? What should be their business model and how should they go to market? How and when should they build out their team, develop & package their technologies and what funding will they need? Who are the best investors to help them on their journey? Throughout a 3-month programme, Robert and his team had access to 60 deeptech experts who helped them figure the right way forward. They now have an absolute clarity of vision, and a clearly defined pathway to success.. at scale. Auxetec will be coming to market to raise their Seed round over the coming weeks This is what we do: we crowd-in expertise and investors to help turn brilliant scientific breakthroughs into brilliant - and highly investible - high growth ventures. Faster. We're super-excited to start Cohort 2 in Manchester next week! Northern Gritstone I The University of Sheffield I The University of Manchester I University of Leeds

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San Diego investor event: Aquillius Medical Devices & Diagnostics Symposium, taking place on Wednesday, May 15th, from 12:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This exclusive event brings together leading industry experts, groundbreaking startups, and prominent investors like yourself. Here's what you can expect: Expert Insights: Gain valuable knowledge from renowned speakers on topics critical to medtech success, including design for manufacturing, intellectual property protection, regulatory navigation, and fostering successful startups. Early Access to Innovation: Witness the future of healthcare firsthand as promising Aquillius incubees showcase their innovative medical device and diagnostic solutions during a dedicated startup showcase. Networking Opportunities: Connect and build relationships with other investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders shaping the medical technology landscape. This is a unique opportunity to: Identify promising investment opportunities in the medtech sector. Gain valuable insights from leading experts. Network with a community of like-minded investors and industry professionals. Space is limited, so RSVP today! Medical Devices Symposium (Investor Registration) Tickets, Wed, May 15, 2024 at 12:30 PM | https://lnkd.in/gjWDU9pz

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Building on the success of Rocket Studio with Simon Kirby and Pivotal with Dominic Joseph we decided to merge with Impact Counsel, led by the awesomely talented John D., Erim Jones and Robert Fok earlier this year. We’ve combined our significant and complimentary skills, experience and passion for growing amazing businesses to create a new breed of VC - Creative Capital Ventures Group (CCV). Fund 1 is focused on Sports, Media & Entertainment. Joining us on this exciting journey is media titan Tom Rogers (ex CEO Tivo & CNBC). We have also assembled a mighty team of Venture Partners bringing their expertise into our team, with the legendary Harvey Goldsmith leading our Immersive Entertainment category, and Cam Blackwood (Platinum award winning record producer) and his team at Rezonate heading up Music Rights acquisition. Creative Capital Ventures is designed to disrupt traditional VC models and accelerate the growth of innovative start-ups. We’ve already secured €18 million in commitments and are raising €35 million in total to fuel the next generation of game-changing businesses. What makes CCV different? •⁠ ⁠Founder-Led Expertise: Our team comprises serial entrepreneurs and operators who have built, scaled, and exited successful companies. We know what it takes to drive rapid growth. •⁠ ⁠Speed Scaler: Through our unique venture studio model, we’re not just funding companies—we’re actively accelerating their growth, shrinking the timeline from seed to exit. •⁠ ⁠Industry Focus: CCV focuses on high-growth sectors like Sports, Media, Entertainment, and Lifestyle, with a unique emphasis on IP acquisition to drive returns in stable asset classes. If you're interested in learning more about how CCV is reshaping the venture capital landscape, let’s connect!  More updates to follow! #VentureCapital #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #ScalingFast #CreativeCapitalVentures https://lnkd.in/eiuWVtvT

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Our partner Eddie Eltoukhy has identified these opportunities in Biotech. Eddie has a PhD in bioengineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and over a decade experience as an operator. Reach out to him if you are working on these areas of biotech. Pear VC - Technology-Driven Therapeutic Platforms Companies developing therapeutic assets with a core product engine Proprietary tool, workflow, or samples leading to novel biological data sets Preference for omics platforms or high throughput screening / engineering workflows First-in-class or best-in-class drugs - Next-Generation Therapeutic Modalities Technologies to improve the efficacy, safety, access, or reach of next-gen modalities including the following: Genomic medicines (gene tx & gene editing) Cell therapies Targeted protein degraders Antibody-drug conjugates Radiopharma - Precision Medicine New technologies supporting the discovery of novel biomarkers and the generation of proprietary data sets for applications in: Disease screening Therapy selection Recurrence monitoring - Life Sciences + AI Software Platforms Software & AI-driven platforms to improve all aspects of life sciences R&D, including: Target discovery and validation Drug design and optimization Manufacturing Regulatory Clinical development

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If you work in tech transfer this is a good read-in on how our diligence tech can assess and evaluate assets with minimal inputs. The best way to learn more is to see it live! Reach out to me directly to learn more!

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🌟 Investing in the Future of Healthcare with Edge AI 🌟 At August Global Partners, we're excited about the potential of Edge AI in revolutionizing healthcare. As Wen H. Hsieh, Ph.D., insightfully notes, "AI has huge utility for all edge applications... training is a cost, inference is revenue" ... and more ... Why Edge AI in Healthcare? - Real-Time Monitoring: Wearables equipped with Edge AI provide continuous health data, empowering proactive health management and early disease detection.    - Post-Operative Care: These devices enable remote monitoring from home, reducing hospital stays and enhancing recovery by detecting complications early. - Preventive Healthcare: By providing real-time insights, wearables help prevent health issues before they escalate, optimizing patient outcomes Edge AI is transforming healthcare into a more efficient and patient-centered system. We're committed to investing in these innovations that promise better health outcomes and value. Join us as we embrace the edge of healthcare innovation. The future is here, and it's happening now. #EdgeAI #HealthcareInnovation #PostOperativeCare #AugustGlobalPartners

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Video from our KBW Panel on future of DEXs just came out - if you want to learn more about what needs to be built for DEXs to compete with CEXs - check it out! https://lnkd.in/gxGrA_rQ

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"Digital health is no longer the future; it is the present, reshaping our healthcare landscape in real-time." Excited to be part of the UCSF Digital Health Hub Foundation's Quarterfinalist Party! As a past board member, I'm honored to celebrate the outstanding quarterfinalists. As we reflect on the state of digital health in 2024, it's evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally transformed healthcare delivery. The rapid adoption of telemedicine during the crisis has become a permanent fixture, with over 60% of physicians continuing to utilize this technology. The sprint towards smarter healthcare, catalyzed by necessity, has shattered preconceptions about digital-first health experiences. Virtual care is no longer a stopgap but an integral part of a seamless, anytime, anywhere health ecosystem. 🌍 We're witnessing the rise of B2B2C models in remote consultations, with companies like Teladoc Health and Amwell partnering with insurance providers to integrate their services into health plans. Public sector collaborations, like eConsult Health 's partnership with the NHS in the #UK, underscore the potential for remote consultations to enhance efficiency and accessibility at a national level. The digital health landscape is evolving rapidly, with advancements in remote consultations, mental health support, at-home diagnostics, and patient monitoring. AI and generative AI transform care delivery, making it more efficient, personalized, and patient-centric. 🤖 Yet, challenges remain. While venture capital funding for digital health has stabilized after the pandemic boom, it remains below its 2021 peak. Sectors like digital therapeutics face reimbursement hurdles, and we've seen major players like Walmart and Optum close telehealth businesses. Looking ahead, we anticipate further consolidation in digital health, driven by acquisitions to create broader ecosystems encompass telemedicine, mental health, and other specialized services. As healthcare leaders, we must leverage these digital advancements to improve access, enhance patient outcomes, and drive efficiency in our healthcare systems. The future of healthcare is digital, and the time to embrace this transformation is now. Congratulations to all the finalists! 🎉 Looking forward to the grand finale at #HLTH2024 in #LasVegas! 🙌 By the way, the pink drink that we were holding was delicious—and nonalcoholic! The Digital Health Hub Foundation - Digital Health Awards #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalHealth #UCSFHealthHub #Networking #HealthTech #Entrepreneurship #LasVegasFinale Walter Greenleaf, PhD Daniel Kraft, MD Unity Stoakes StartUp Health University of California, San Francisco UCSF Innovation Ventures American Association for Precision Medicine (AAPM) WISE World Investors & Entrepreneurs Society #AAPMhealth #aapm_health

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🐺🚨🚀Three years ago, we launched Pack Fund I. Today, we launch Fund II with some big news from U.W.!🚨🚀🐺 We are now a Preferred Venture Partner of the University of Washington and CoMotion at University of Washington! After three years of hard work, during which we backed 29 startups, mentored on campus, and sponsored entrepreneurship clubs and competitions in the UW Foster School of Business and Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, we are thrilled to be taking our collaboration with U.W. to the next level! On the back of this news and early successes, we are hosting a webinar for accredited and interested L.P.s to learn about joining Fund II - https://lu.ma/pbwih7xa What Is the Latest On Fund I? - 26 companies backed in 3 years - 12 have raised additional funding at higher valuations - $135M+ in additional funding and grants - Invested alongside Madrona, FUSE, Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator, Pioneer Square Labs, Trilogy Equity Partners, Cercano, Washington Research Foundation, and dozens of other top investors. - Supported founders in Software, Life Sciences - Recognized as a top 5 most active life science investor in the PNW in 2022 - 80+ L.P.s supported our vision How is Pack Fund II Starting? - Ti Zhao joined full-time - let's go!!!! - Agreement (M.O.U) signed with U.W., making us a preferred venture partner - 2 investments alongside top VCs - 50+ L.P.s already joined - Fund II is larger than Fund I already - Hundreds of companies reviewed already See the news from U.W. here -https://lnkd.in/girhA3BM GeekWire and Taylor Soper covered our vision masterfully here - https://lnkd.in/gHYFAxzY Thanks to all of the Pack members and founders who have been on this journey with us!

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Really enjoyed my conversation with Johnny Wu on the AAAIM High Emerging Leaders in Investment podcast. AAAIM is doing so much important work in highlighting the disparity and challenges Asian Americans face in the finance and investing world. Being an emerging fund manager, I am seeing it firsthand myself now. Their studies have found substantial AAPI underrepresentation at the ownership level – only 2.4% of firms, 1.8% of funds, and .3% of AUM in the US are AAPI-owned. When looking at AAPI women in particular, a staggeringly low .01% of US AUM is managed by AAPI women. This is all despite the fact that AAPI-owned funds outperform non-AAPI-owned funds across most asset classes on a capital-weighted average basis. Nearly half of AAPI-owned PE funds appear in the top performance quartile; over 50% of AAPI-owned VC funds achieve top quartile performance as well. AAPI-owned hedge funds yield monthly returns of .50%, significantly outpacing the .19% monthly returns of their non-AAPI-owned counterparts. I look forward to meeting other Asian American investment managers at AAAIM Elevate next week in Los Angeles to discuss these challenges and how we can overcome them as a community.

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Startup Founders: here is a SUPER interesting list of emerging and first-check VC firms, many of them new or under-the-radar. Why should you care? Because... 1) emerging VCs are often easier to get in front of and, 2) since they are still building their track record, they will often hustle harder to make your startup a success. (Excellent work, Anne Gherini! :) #startups #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

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