Startups & Ventures

🔺 Ranked: Top 12 Countries by Millionaire Population Growth

A recent UBS Global Wealth Report forecasts the growth of millionaire populations in the top 12 countries from 2023 to 2028, with several emerging markets and a few developed economies expected to see increases of over 20%. Taiwan leads the ranking, projected to surpass one million millionaires by 2028, largely due to its robust microchip industry and the immigration of wealthy individuals.

Türkiye ranks second, anticipating a 43% increase in millionaires, fueled by its expanding tech sector, which includes six unicorn startups. Conversely, the report highlights that the Netherlands and the UK are expected to lose millionaires by 2028, with projections of a 4% decline in the Netherlands and a 17% drop in the UK. This aligns with estimates suggesting nearly 10,000 millionaires may leave the UK in 2024.

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🔸 Yahoo cybersecurity team sees layoffs, outsourcing of ‘red team,’ under new CTO

Yahoo has laid off approximately 25% of its cybersecurity team, known as The Paranoids, losing around 40 to 50 employees from a total of 200 since the beginning of 2024. This reduction includes the complete elimination of the red team, which conducted cyberattack simulations to identify vulnerabilities.

The layoffs are part of broader changes across Yahoo’s technology unit, as announced by CTO Valeri Liborski in a recent email to staff. Yahoo confirmed the layoffs, stating that they are transitioning offensive security operations to an outsourced model to enhance their security program.

Last year, Yahoo laid off over 1,600 employees, about 20% of its total workforce, with CEO Jim Lanzone indicating that these layoffs would improve the company's profitability and allow for investment in other areas.

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🚨 Fleet Space raises $100M to scale satellite-enabled mineral prospecting tech

Despite a decline in late-stage deals in the space sector, Fleet Space Technologies secured a $100 million Series D funding round. Based in Adelaide, Australia, Fleet aims to enhance its ExoSphere platform for real-time mineral prospecting from space. The company operates two satellites in low Earth orbit that work with ground sensors to provide predictive insights using AI. Additionally, Fleet plans to send a payload to the moon in 2026 to gather seismic data, aiding research on lunar minerals.

The latest funding round, which values the company at $525 million, was led by Teachers’ Venture Growth and included contributions from existing investors like Blackbird Ventures and Horizons Ventures. Fleet's valuation has more than doubled since its Series C round last year.

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💠 Carta is making it too difficult to cancel subscriptions, some founders say

Running a startup can be costly due to numerous subscriptions, including expensive cap table management software. Carta, the leading provider in this sector, faces criticism from founders like Sudarshan Sridharan and Adam Ryan, who claim it is difficult to cancel subscriptions. Sridharan noted that a cancellation meeting was only available after his renewal date, prompting him to dispute the charge with his credit card company. Carta attributed these scheduling issues to a "one-time staffing challenge" and emphasized the importance of these meetings for a smooth cancellation process.

Competitors like AngelList and Pulley allow customers to cancel subscriptions easily, without requiring appointments. Despite the criticism, many founders still praise Carta’s product. However, the company has faced scrutiny in the past, including allegations of mishandling private cap table data.

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✨ Upvest, a stock trading API used by N26, Revolut and others, raises $105 million

Upvest, a Berlin-based fintech startup, provides a white-label investment platform used by major European companies like Bunq, N26, and Revolut, reaching over 50 million users. The company has announced a €100 million Series C funding round, led by Hedosophia and joined by Sapphire Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, and BlackRock. Although Upvest hasn't disclosed its new valuation, it states it is significantly higher than its previous valuation after a €42 million Series B round.

Upvest's platform allows clients to offer fractional stock trading and access to various financial products, with plans to expand into crypto, derivatives, and bonds. In 2024, Upvest processed 20 million orders, with recent activity averaging about one million trades per week. The startup has also received authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate in the U.K.

Recognizing the need for localized investment solutions, Upvest plans to support products like France's PEA and the U.K.'s ISA and SIPP accounts, which offer tax advantages. This focus on geographic customization could create competitive barriers as Upvest aims to attract an additional 50 million customers.

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🟥 Hyundai’s electric air taxi startup Supernal is moving its HQ from DC to California

Hyundai's electric vertical takeoff and landing startup, Supernal, is relocating its global headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Irvine, California, affecting about 35 to 40 employees who are being asked to move. This change impacts most of the 45 employees based in D.C., where Supernal had recently established a new office intended to foster employee comfort and collaboration.

Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal, stated that the move aims to enhance teamwork, although the D.C. office will continue to focus on policy and regulatory matters. Supernal, which has grown to about 700 employees since its spin-off in 2021, remains committed to launching its eVTOL service by 2028. The eVTOL industry faces challenges, with some companies struggling while others, like Joby Aviation, are receiving significant investments for upcoming launches.

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💠 A new wave of desalination startups argues that deeper is better

Only about 3% of the world’s water is fresh, with an even smaller portion readily accessible. As droughts intensify in arid regions, there is increasing interest in desalination—the process of removing salt from ocean water. While traditional reverse osmosis desalination has been used for over a century, it is energy-intensive, requiring significant electricity to operate.

A promising alternative, deep sea reverse osmosis (DSRO), involves deploying reverse osmosis systems at depths of 1,300 to 2,000 feet, where natural pressure aids the process, reducing energy needs. Although this idea has existed since the inception of reverse osmosis, it has gained traction due to advancements in deepwater technology spurred by the oil and gas industry.

Recent innovations have made powering underwater systems more efficient, transitioning from hydraulic to electric pumps, which are cheaper and easier to operate. DSRO systems are designed to minimize harm to marine life and produce less concentrated brine compared to traditional methods.

Despite high initial costs for installation and infrastructure, companies like Flocean and OceanWell are optimistic about the technology's potential, projecting energy savings of 30% to 50% compared to onshore methods. Recent funding rounds have attracted investor interest, with these companies planning deployments in regions like the Mediterranean and Red Sea. As global water crises worsen, these technologies aim to provide solutions to millions at risk of water scarcity.

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🚨 Amazon is officially in the online car sales business

Amazon has launched Amazon Autos, an online platform for customers to find, order, and buy new cars, trucks, and SUVs from dealerships. Initially partnering with Hyundai, the service is available in 48 U.S. cities, including major locations like New York and Los Angeles. This expansion follows Amazon's announcement to start selling vehicles in 2024, with plans to include more cities and manufacturers in 2025.

Amazon Autos allows shoppers to search for vehicles by various criteria and offers features like financing and e-signing paperwork online. Local Hyundai dealers will act as the sellers, and the platform will also manage trade-ins. Unlike competitors such as AutoTrader and Carvana, which primarily sell used cars, Amazon Autos focuses exclusively on new vehicles.

The service aims to attract consumers with transparent pricing that eliminates negotiation, ensuring the displayed price at checkout includes all taxes and fees.

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2025 startup ideas 💡

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🌐 These Were The Winners And Losers In A Boring Year For Startup IPOs

In 2024, the tech startup IPO landscape has been relatively dull, with few U.S. tech unicorns going public and biotech offerings falling short of previous highs. Aftermarket performance has been mixed, with some companies seeing significant gains while others remain flat or decline.

Top Tech Performers:
- Reddit: Shares up 332% since its March IPO, with a market cap of around $26 billion.
- Astera Labs: Shares increased by 214% since debuting in March, valued at around $18 billion.
- Other notable performers include Life360, Rubrik, and Serve Robotics.

Tech Underperformers:
- Webtoon Entertainment: Shares down about 33% since its June IPO.
- Gauzy: Shares lost roughly 50% since debuting in June.
- Ibotta: Down 17% from its offering price and 34% from its all-time high.

Top Biotech Performers:
- CG Oncology: Shares up 90% since its January IPO due to positive clinical trial results.
- Ceribell: Shares increased by 70% since its October IPO.
- Other successful biotech IPOs include ArriVent BioPharma and Septerna.

Biotech Underperformers:
- Metagenomi: Shares down over 80% since its February IPO.
- FibroBiologics: Shares lost more than two-thirds of their value since its January direct listing.
- Fractyl Health: Shares dropped more than 80% since debuting in February.

Overall, while 56% of the 168 companies that went public in 2024 are trading above their offer price with an aggregate total return of around 8%, this performance lags behind the Nasdaq Composite Index, which has risen approximately 35% this year.

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⚠️ Pregnant And Pitching: How Can Startup Founders Raise Capital While Expecting?

Female founders face significant undervaluation in the startup ecosystem, receiving only 2% to 3% of venture capital despite comprising 38% of business owners. This disparity highlights persistent gender biases, compounded by challenges such as pregnancy. However, Tanya Parfenyuk, CEO of Zing, shares her experience of successfully raising Series A funding while pregnant, emphasizing that it can demonstrate commitment and team-building skills to investors.

Transparency is crucial in the founder-investor relationship, and disclosing a pregnancy fosters trust. While female founders often encounter bias—62% report discrimination during fundraising—they can view this as an opportunity to identify potential challenges early. Parfenyuk advises creating a maternity plan to reassure investors about managing responsibilities during any expected absences.

Entrepreneurship can be demanding, particularly during pregnancy, so prioritizing health is essential. While fundraising should continue, founders should take breaks and listen to their bodies to maintain productivity. Parfenyuk’s leadership at Zing has led to significant success, including over 1 million downloads and $10 million in Series A funding, and she is a strong advocate for female leadership in business.

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🔸 OpenAI Startup Fund raises $44M in its largest SPV yet

The OpenAI Startup Fund, an early-stage AI investor associated with OpenAI, has announced that it raised over $44 million for its fifth Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), marking its largest fund to date. Established in 2021, the Fund operates under a unique structure that uses OpenAI’s name despite OpenAI itself not being an investor. Initially controlled by cofounder Sam Altman, legal control was transferred to general partner Ian Hathaway this year.

The Fund has been active in 2024, launching five SPVs that collectively total $114.2 million, with funds allocated for both existing portfolio companies and new investments. Notable investments this year include Thrive Health and Unify, along with a seed investment in Anysphere, which is currently attracting significant attention due to its AI code assistant, Cursor.

Despite its recent activity, the Fund’s website has not been updated in a year and provides limited information about its investments, mentioning only a few like legal AI startup Harvey and note-taking app Mem. The Fund started with an original capital of $175.25 million raised in October 2021.

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⚙️ AI startups are snatching up San Francisco real estate as Gen Z craves office life

Noah Jackson, a software engineer, prioritized office culture in his job search at the start of 2024 after spending most of his career in remote work. He joined Tako, a visualization startup requiring employees to work in the office four days a week, reflecting a trend among early-stage tech companies in San Francisco that seek to revive pre-COVID office dynamics.

This shift comes amid a growing fatigue with remote work, particularly in San Francisco, where many tech workers prefer in-person interactions. Tako's CEO, Alex Rosenberg, noted the competitive real estate market as companies vie for office space, despite the city's overall high vacancy rate of 34.9%. The AI sector has been a significant driver of office leasing activity, accounting for 72% of San Francisco’s office leases in 2023.

Companies like Tako and Embra, another startup, emphasize the importance of in-person collaboration, believing it enhances team energy and innovation. However, the challenge remains for startups to attract talent willing to commute to an expensive city while maintaining a balance of remote work options.

Experts like Y-Vonne Hutchinson warn that enforcing strict in-office policies can erode employee trust, particularly for those with long commutes or caregiving responsibilities. Despite these challenges, some companies, like Medra, have successfully recruited talent by promoting their in-person culture, which appeals to engineers seeking collaboration and mentorship.

Overall, as the AI sector continues to grow, startups are adapting to changing workplace expectations while navigating the complexities of in-person work in a post-pandemic landscape.

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🔸 Manufacturing AI Startup Tractian Locks Up $120M Series C

Artificial intelligence funding remains strong, with Atlanta-based manufacturing AI startup Tractian recently securing $120 million in Series C funding led by Sapphire Ventures, alongside investments from General Catalyst, Next47, and NGP Capital. Tractian combines hardware, software, and AI to modernize manufacturing maintenance processes, addressing significant concerns about unplanned downtime, which costs the world's largest companies approximately $1.4 trillion annually.

Cofounder and CEO Igor Marinelli highlighted the challenges posed by an aging workforce and a lack of younger workers, leading to gaps in expertise that hinder operational efficiency. The company positions itself as the “Industrial Copilot,” aiming to support the reshoring of manufacturing in the U.S. amid shifting supply chain strategies.

Tractian is part of a broader trend in the AI sector, which accounted for over half of the $28 billion in global venture funding last month, with AI companies across various industries attracting more than $14 billion. Since its founding in 2019, Tractian has raised over $180 million, including a $45 million growth capital round in August 2023.

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📌 Is Your Startup Ready To Work With A VC? Key Points To Consider, From Pitch To Due Diligence

Securing venture capital (VC) funding has become increasingly challenging for startups, making effective communication with investors essential. Here are key recommendations for founders seeking investment:

1. Define Funding Needs and Timeline: Assess whether your startup truly needs investment now. If yes, prioritize funding requirements and set clear, achievable goals for different funding stages (Series A, B, C, etc.). This helps predict future funding needs and negotiate with investors in advance.

2. Understand the Full Value of VC Support: Recognize that VCs offer more than just financial resources; they provide strategic guidance, industry connections, and knowledge that can significantly aid your startup's growth. Limiting your expectations to just funding can hinder your potential support.

3. Prepare for Due Diligence: Investors are conducting more thorough due diligence in 2024. Ensure your business has a solid legal structure (like an LLC or corporation), and maintain updated records including financial statements, tax filings, and client contracts. Protecting intellectual property through trademarks or patents can enhance credibility.

4. Build a Detailed Business Plan and Financial Forecast: A clear business plan that highlights your value proposition can differentiate your startup. Avoid unrealistic projections; instead, provide data-backed forecasts and outline potential challenges and their impacts on outcomes.

5. Craft a Compelling Pitch: Your pitch deck should effectively communicate the problem you're solving, your business model, and why your team is capable of success. Use data to support your narrative and showcase potential returns on investment.

In summary, thorough preparation and clear communication can help startups secure funding and build lasting relationships with VCs. Murad Salikhov, a serial investor and co-founder of Schwarzwald Capital Fund, emphasizes the importance of presenting well-defined plans to demonstrate readiness for investment.

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🔻 The four startups from YC’s Fall batch that enterprises should pay attention to

Y Combinator recently held a Demo Day for its inaugural Fall cohort, featuring 95 startups, with a remarkable 87% focused on AI technologies. This cohort, like previous ones, highlighted a significant interest in customer-service-related AI and AI agents. Four startups stood out for their innovative solutions aimed at helping companies monitor AI applications to address inaccuracies, which hinder broader AI adoption in enterprises.

1. HumanLayer: This API enables AI agents to seek human assistance when necessary, striking a balance between productivity and oversight. It ensures human input only when needed, preventing AI agents from deviating from their intended tasks.

2. Raycaster: A research agent for enterprise sales, Raycaster differentiates itself by providing in-depth insights on potential sales targets, such as specific lab equipment used or recent discussions by their CTO, allowing for more tailored and effective pitches.

3. Galini: This startup offers compliance guardrails for AI applications, helping enterprises set up controls based on internal policies and regulations. This empowers companies to manage their AI systems while assessing the effectiveness of these safeguards.

4. CTGT: Focused on managing AI "hallucinations," CTGT provides tools for actively monitoring and auditing AI models to identify abnormalities. Their technology is already being tested with Fortune 10 companies, indicating strong interest from major enterprises.

These startups are essential for enterprises looking to enhance their AI tools while maintaining oversight and compliance.

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🚨 Elon Musk donated more than $260M to elect Donald Trump

Recent campaign financing data reveals that Elon Musk contributed over $260 million to political groups in 2024, significantly aiding Donald Trump's presidential campaign and securing Musk's role as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency. According to the Federal Election Commission, Musk and his controlled entities disclosed approximately $277 million in donations this election cycle, making him the largest donor.

Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, among other ventures, views these donations as investments in the future of his companies. His contributions could benefit industries he is involved in, such as AI and space exploration, given Trump's pro-deregulation stance. Recently, Musk's xAI secured $6 billion in funding, and his net worth has increased to $361.7 billion since Trump's election win.

The majority of Musk's donations, about $238.5 million, went to the America PAC, a super PAC he founded that focused on the presidential race. This PAC has been criticized for funding misleading ads that misrepresent Democratic positions. Musk's PAC has also engaged in controversial practices, such as offering $1 million daily giveaways to voters in swing states who pledge to support free speech and gun rights, despite facing legal challenges over these giveaways.

Additionally, Musk donated $20.5 million to RBG PAC, which ran ads suggesting that the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg held views aligning with Trump on abortion—despite her strong support for abortion rights. He also contributed $3 million to the MAHA Alliance super PAC. Musk's total political donations are expected to rise further.

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🔺 Will people really pay $200 a month for OpenAI’s new chatbot?

On Thursday, OpenAI introduced a new ChatGPT Pro plan priced at $200 per month, featuring the "o1 pro mode," which promises enhanced performance for complex queries in science, math, and coding. However, the AI community has expressed skepticism about whether the improvements justify the high cost. Critics, including computer scientist Simon Willison, have called for concrete examples demonstrating the advantages of o1 pro mode over the standard version, especially given its significant price increase.

Initial assessments reveal that o1 pro mode struggles with certain tasks, such as Sudoku and optical illusions, and its performance in coding and math problems only marginally surpasses that of the standard version. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman clarified that most users would likely be better served by the free or Plus tiers of ChatGPT.

Experts are questioning the rationale behind the pricing, with some suggesting it may be a marketing misstep. The vague claims about the model's capabilities make it difficult for potential customers to see the value in the subscription. OpenAI intends to offer free access to select medical researchers, highlighting the importance of reliability in critical fields. Overall, the early response to ChatGPT Pro has been mixed, with many feeling that the high expectations set by the price are not yet met by the product's performance.

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🫶 U.S. Added 227,000 Jobs, Unemployment Stayed At 4.2% In November

Job growth in November exceeded expectations, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 227,000, surpassing the forecast of 214,000. This marks an improvement from the low growth of 12,000 reported in October, which many economists attributed to extreme weather conditions. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, in line with projections.

The Labor Department also revised job growth figures for September and October upwards, adding 32,000 and 24,000 jobs, respectively. Financial markets reacted positively, with S&P 500 futures rising 0.1% and 10-year Treasury yields dipping to about 4.15%, the lowest since October.

November marked the sixth consecutive month of unemployment above 4%, following a period from February 2022 to April 2024 when it was below that level. Average hourly earnings for private nonfarm employees reached a record high of $35.61, reflecting a 4% increase over the past year, which has outpaced the sub-3% annual inflation rate.

Despite earlier concerns about the labor market's health, particularly after an unexpected spike in unemployment in July, recent reports have shown a more stable outlook. However, mixed signals persist, as a recent ADP report indicated weaker job growth, while job openings exceeded expectations. Overall, the stock market has rebounded significantly, with the S&P 500 gaining over 15% since early August.

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🚨 Microsoft and Google are fighting over the future of Xbox

Microsoft and Google are currently in a legal dispute that could impact the future of the Xbox app on Android. Microsoft has developed a new Xbox game store for Android but is unable to launch it due to a court ruling that affects Google’s Play Store policies, specifically regarding app billing requirements. Microsoft is seeking regulatory changes to allow direct sales and streaming of games through its app without incurring Google’s 30% fee on purchases.

Google has countered Microsoft’s claims, stating that Microsoft has the ability to sell games directly through its app but has opted not to do so. Historically, Microsoft removed the purchasing feature from its Xbox mobile app in 2020 to focus on remote console streaming.

The legal battle is crucial for Microsoft's strategy to extend Xbox beyond traditional consoles, as it aims to create a more integrated gaming experience across devices. The outcome of this dispute could significantly shape the mobile gaming landscape and Microsoft's ambitions in that market.

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