Rudina Seseri

The Information has breaking news of Amazon Web Services (AWS) mirroring Microsoft‘s #AI #Licensing deal with Adept. Could this be the second of many more to come as acquiring companies try to avoid the complexity and regulatory risk of Department of Justice review whilie still providing investors and employees upside and an off ramp as the cost of scaling these #AI #Unicorns really hits home? What do you think? #management #venturecapital #capitalmarkets #aifunding #privateequity https://lnkd.in/gyrQndYr

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Massachusetts is a powerhouse when it comes to innovation ecosystems. With strengths in key sectors like education, healthcare, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and fintech, the state is at the forefront of transformative advancements. Emerging collaboration, creativity, and growth trends continue to define its ecosystem, supported by a rich history, an innovative environment, and abundant investment opportunities. It’s no surprise that Massachusetts remains a global leader in driving innovation. #InnovationEcosystem #Massachusetts #TechInnovation #Collaboration #CleanEnergy #Fintech #Biotechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #EconomicGrowth #FutureOfTech

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📚 Holiday weekend reading: “Plurality.” This philosophical approach applies open technologies to foster diverse collaboration and coordination and solve our societal challenges. Technology can and will bring diverse viewpoints together with the transparent debates needed to come to coordinated solutions. These open technologies today encompass the powerful capabilities in our innovation systems today: open source #AI models, permissionless #blockchain, community #web3tokens, interoperable #metaverses, among the many public goods enabled by emerging technologies. Our social relationships provide the universal values and effective direction for such innovations to impact our world towards positive sum growth. “Plurality” is the central subject of a new book by Microsoft’s internal economist Glen Weyl and Taiwan’s former Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang. That book collects ideas in a donation supported ebook.

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Wonderful article about Emily Knight and the whole The Engine Accelerator team on the amazing work their doing changing the world with #ToughTech!

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Just finished reading "The Next Giant Leap" by Space Capital - a pioneering VC investing in the emerging Space Economy. The report speaks to how SpaceX’s Starship is more than just the most powerful rocket ever built—it is poised to reshape the global space economy in profound ways. With its immense payload capacity, reusable design, and lower cost per launch, Starship will unlock entirely new industries and transform existing business models. But how should industries and businesses evolve to align with this paradigm shift? 📈 Rethinking Business Strategies & Supply Chains - For businesses, Starship represents an era of mass-production over precision engineering. This means moving away from the focus on mass efficiency toward cost-effective, redundant, and scalable production. - In terms of supply chains, this opens opportunities for new players in manufacturing, materials, and space components. The demand for off-the-shelf parts and non-aerospace suppliers will rise dramatically. 💡 New Use Cases & Opportunities   The opportunities Starship unlocks go beyond launching satellites. - In-space manufacturing of high-value products like pharmaceuticals and advanced materials that cannot be created on Earth. - Mega-constellations of satellites for global broadband, expanding on what Starlink has already begun. - In-orbit assembly and servicing, allowing for larger space structures like telescopes or even habitats to be built in orbit, radically reducing costs. - Lunar infrastructure and resource extraction will become more viable, paving the way for sustainable human presence on the Moon and, eventually, Mars. 📊 What Should Businesses Do Now?   1. Embrace Redundancy & Scale – Instead of focusing on one-off, high-cost solutions, businesses should embrace redundancy and mass production.    2. Simplify Design – With Starship’s payload capacity, there is less pressure to optimize for mass efficiency. Simplified, scalable designs will allow for faster production and iteration cycles, akin to how SpaceX rapidly tests and evolves Starship itself. 3. Develop Strategic Partnerships – Collaborating with forward-thinking space startups, suppliers, and even non-aerospace sectors will be essential to capitalize on the opportunities Starship provides. 🌌 A New Era of Innovation   Starship will democratize access to space, lowering the barriers for businesses to create and scale. The next decade will witness breakthroughs in scientific exploration, energy production, and in-space transportation that we can only begin to imagine today. #SpaceEconomy #Starship #Innovation #SupplyChain #Manufacturing #SpaceTech #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfSpace https://lnkd.in/gNdbwXdq

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Extremely practical advice from McKinsey & Company for companies pursuing - or considering pursuing - automation. Great job by Jonathan Tilley, Julian Salguero, and Jacob Achenbach in highlighting a methodology for approaching automation, keeping in mind the need for ROI and the benefits - and challenges - of process transformation (business case) while not underestimating the impact of automation on the organization (people, training, and implementation).   "A smarter, more flexible, and more holistic approach to automation could be a powerful way to address talent challenges. As research from the McKinsey Global Institute has found, when applied at scale, modern automation has two distinct effects on labor and skill requirements. On one hand, it can significantly reduce the number of the low-skill roles companies find hardest to fill, while eliminating many of the tedious, repetitive, and strenuous tasks that drive high labor-turnover rates. On the other, extensive automation can change the nature of the workplace, easing recruitment and retention by creating new technical roles with pay, opportunities, and working conditions that compare favorably with options in other sectors." Simply put, successful automation on a company-wide level requires a commitment from the top. "Successful companies tend to do three things well: they develop a robust, holistic business case for their automation investments; they adopt agile methods to accelerate technology development and implementation; and they invest in their people to nurture the right capabilities and culture." This has been an important factor in our success at Cambridge Security Seals. Manufacturing companies who approach modern automation with a long-term investment perspective need to focus on the investment in people as much as the investment in technology. Ultimately, those who automate most effectively while retaining and expanding the expertise and creativity of their workforces will be the ones who dominate their segments. National Association of Manufacturers - NAM #automation #manufacturing #americanmanufacturing #robotics #technology #manufacturingtech #workforce #modernmanufacturing #madeinusa #americanmanufacturing #employment #manufacturingjobs

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On May 2, 2024 REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund convened people from around the world for Supply Chain & Industrial Transformation: The Next Generation 2024 at the JP Morgan Chase Palo Alto Technology Center in Palo Alto, CA. In this showcase presentation, Moin I. of Shipday describes how "Shipday has built a simple to deploy and easy to use software platform that enables organizations of all sizes to manage every activity that is related to local deliveries. It is especially ideal for small restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail merchants since they do not need any technology or software expertise to get set up on the platform - they can be up and running in minutes." Shipday is a startup in our portfolio at REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund. Our Thesis: REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund invests in early stage startups refashioning legacy industries through Data & AI, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, & Next Generation Supply Chains; Defensible through economic moats. More in the video below, and even more in Why We Invested: Shipday (Link: https://lnkd.in/eHKQgGnn.) #SCITSV2024 #SCITSV2024Showcase

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Microsoft's launch of a dedicated decarbonization team to reduce supply chain emissions is pivotal in addressing environmental sustainability and ESG goals. This initiative emphasizes integrating carbon reduction into enterprise supply chains, driving innovation, and setting an example for the industry. As companies face increasing pressure to meet ESG standards, Microsoft's commitment highlights supply chain emissions' critical role in achieving a sustainable future. #PINCommunityAdvocate #GreenPlanet #BetterSupplychains #ESG

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Open-source models can be a strong lever for increasing gross margins at AI companies, especially those that have hefty cost structures (e.g., enterprise sales orgs that require significant customer success or implementation resources, as well forward-deployed AI services models common in healthcare and life sciences). One of many reasons to maintain a modular and flexible stack with minimal dependencies when building an AI company. More on the importance of flexibility in the AI stack: https://lnkd.in/eA2XATRk h/t Delip Rao #ai #artificialintelligence #generativeai #healthcare

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🚀 **Top 10 Technology Trends to Watch in 2025 and Beyond** 🌐  As we step into 2025, groundbreaking technologies like **generative AI**, **quantum computing**, and **advanced robotics** 🤖 are revolutionizing industries worldwide. This in-depth report from StartUs Insights dives into key trends such as **AI & automation** 🤝, **advanced connectivity** 📡, and **Digital Identity solutions** 🔒, exploring their transformative impact across **40+ industries**.  💡 What’s Inside:   - 📊 Financial forecasts   - 🛠️ Practical applications   - 🌟 Innovative startups  Stay ahead of the curve, make smarter decisions, and secure your competitive edge in a rapidly evolving tech landscape 📈 👉 You can also explore our #DigitalID & #DigitalWallets solutions via https://www.rockdoc.ai/ #Investors #BusinessAngels #VentureCapital #LPs #GPs #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #Digitalization #InnovaticGroup #DigitalIdentity #DigitalWallet #AccessControl #Authorization #Authentication #DigitalUserJourney #egovernment #GenAI InnovaticGroup. Create the Future Now innovaticgroup.com

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At Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech conference, an engaging discussion shed light on the evolving venture capital (VC) landscape. One of the key takeaways was the underscore of vibrant growth of the VC sector, with the number of firms soaring from 6,000 in 2013 to about 60,000 today. This surge in competition is driving VCs to innovate and refine their fundraising strategies, creating a dynamic environment for investment opportunities. Additionally, the session touched on how family offices provide flexible capital for smaller investments while emphasizing the thorough scrutiny required for larger funds. An emphasis on candid conversations among VCs and limited partners highlighted a commitment to fostering a more collaborative and forward-thinking investment community. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/gHjJbtr3 Fortune Allie Garfinkle Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Headline Newsletter #VentureCapital #Investment #hospitality #community Clara Shih Paulo Rosado #BrainstormTech Christine Moseley Rick Rose

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Massachusetts has firmly established itself as a leader in innovation, with three standout sectors fueling its tech-driven economy: biotech, robotics, and cybersecurity. Here’s a look at why the state excels in these fields: 🔬 Biotech: Massachusetts is at the forefront of biotech, thanks to world-class research institutions and a thriving startup ecosystem. With companies like Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.—Massachusetts continues to shape the future of healthcare, from groundbreaking vaccines to genetic therapies. Robotics: Home to pioneers like Boston Dynamics, Massachusetts has become a hub for robotics innovation. From autonomous robots to robotic prosthetics, the state’s ecosystem supports advancements that push the boundaries of human-machine interaction, transforming sectors from healthcare to logistics. Cybersecurity: Massachusetts is also a leader in cybersecurity, providing critical solutions to protect data and infrastructure in an increasingly digital world. With companies like Rapid7 driving research and product development, Massachusetts is at the heart of cutting-edge cybersecurity innovation. Together, these sectors position Massachusetts as a global tech powerhouse. #MassachusettsInnovation #Biotech #Robotics #Cybersecurity #TechEconomy #InnovationEcosystem #FutureTech #BostonTech

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Massachusetts' tech ecosystem thrives through a unique "DNA" of innovation—educational institutions, established companies, venture capitalists, and a deeply collaborative environment. With over 100 colleges and universities, including global leaders like MIT and Harvard, the region consistently ranks as one of the top innovation hubs in the world. An example of the strength of this DNA is in the biopharma industry. The 2023 Biopharma Funding & Pipeline Report stated that Massachusetts-based biopharma companies received $7.67 billion in venture capital funding, accounting for 31% of all national VC investments, second only to California. What can other states learn from what Massachusetts has created?

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Innovation and equity can align with an equilibrium that drives inclusive growth. Neil Lee’s newest book, Innovation for the Masses: How to Share the Benefits of the High-Tech Economy, emphasizes that innovation at its strongest is not just about the radical breakthroughs but rather also demonstrations of collaborative and iterative processes. As he puts it, innovation “is about teams and building on each other’s work, often in incremental ways and at different scales.” Lee draws attention to three types of institutions that contribute to the success of public innovation policy: generative, diffusive, and redistributive. 1/ Generative institutions, such as leading research universities, help spark new ideas. Capital formation through venture capital directs private funds towards innovation. 2/ Diffusive institutions, including vocational education programs, tech commercialization offices, and local business networks, spread innovation’s benefits by bridging gaps between different sectors of society and industry. Capabilities are shared acrosss domestic industries, connecting key experts. 3/ Redistributive institutions, such as labor market policies and strong public services, ensure that innovation’s gains reach the broader population. Government can have a positive and powerful role in setting the ethos and culture to inspire innovation across all generations. SSTI’s book review is below, shared by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. It’s a wonderful synthesis of his key ideas: https://lnkd.in/eTVZWuYa

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If you are in the VC space, you should know one of the early drivers of "Moneyball for VC". That's Gopinath Sundaramurthy, Ph.D Gopi partnered with the Kauffman Fellows Fund on implementing these concepts in their investment process. The results were staggering. 50% of the investments the fund made became unicorns. In Gopi's words 👇🏻 "We knew something was working, so we thought: Let's build this a little bigger." What did that look like in practice? 1️⃣ Gopi's firm uses a single ‘source of truth’ platform to centralize information, improving decision-making and consistency. 2️⃣ They maintain an even 50/50 split between data engineers and investors to ensure they leverage data to gain insights into teams, markets, and products. Want to learn more about what Gopi and the team at Ensemble VC has implemented at their firm? Check out the case study that our sponsor Harmonic published about the firm -->

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Last week, we shared the first part (1/2) of our perspectives on vertical SaaS (vSaaS), more specifically on which metrics define the performance of vSaaS businesses and outlining the benchmarks for each of these metrics. If you have not yet read the piece, give it a read here - https://lnkd.in/d94n2bgN This week we published the second part (2/2) where we call out certain strategies deployed by successful vSaaS companies like Procore Technologies Toast ServiceNow Zenoti and others that can be used to improve the metrics that matter. Read on to layer the numbers with the strats- https://lnkd.in/dPkmWFax Do reach out if you are building in the space or want to exchange notes / feedback on the perspectives. #fintech #verticaSaaS #embeddedfinance #investments

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Payments companies are increasingly acquiring software and tech firms to enhance their technology capabilities, expand their service offerings, and secure their digital operations. Recent acquisitions include Mastercard's purchases of cybersecurity firm Recorded Future and subscription management company Minna Technologies. This trend of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has accelerated in 2024, with 62 deals announced by mid-October, likely surpassing 2023's total. The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut may further boost M&A activity through 2024 and into 2025, as companies seek to strengthen their technology stacks, combat fraud, and expand into new markets. Key deals include Roper Technologies’ $1.5 billion purchase of Transact Campus, Veritas Capital’s acquisition of NCR Voyix for $2.45 billion, and Global Payments' acquisition of Yazara, a mobile payment solution. Continue Reading Here: https://lnkd.in/gKYgVYuv Payments Dive Shefali Kapadia Branded Hospitality Ventures #Ventures #Hospitality #Technology #Mergers Hospitality Headline Newsletter Ajay Banga Michael Miebach Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. Dan Schulman Hiroki Takeuchi Jason Gardner

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