Oct 21 Week Newsletter

Hello, Biz Enthusiasts!
Remember when the Ikea furniture assembly was a weekend-long nightmare? Now, a startup is flipping that on its head—literally—and turning furniture into fortunes. Let’s dive into the world of new business models and startups making waves this week!

New Business Models Spotted!

Material10: Gaming Gets a Reboot
Material10 is the startup rewriting the rules in the gaming industry. Its model? A subscription service that puts gamers in control of updates and patches, allowing for a fully personalized gaming experience. No more “one size fits all” approach! This shift means more engaged players and fewer rage quits. Oh, and did we mention they’re also bypassing traditional game publishers? Read more here.

Unspun: Fashion Without Waste
Imagine a fashion industry with zero inventory. Sounds impossible, right? Enter Unspun. Their mission is to create custom-fit jeans using 3D scanning, ensuring no wasted fabric and no surplus stock. This could be the game-changer fashion needs in the sustainability space. Dive into the future of fashion here.

Crai: Close to Home, Sustainable Shopping
Crai, an Italian supermarket chain, is launching a new business model focused on proximity and sustainability. Their new approach emphasizes local sourcing and eco-friendly packaging, aiming to reduce both carbon footprints and the distance between consumers and products. Explore Crai’s green revolution here.

Sell Buddy: Flipping Furniture for Profit
What started as flipping couches turned into a full-blown business. Sell Buddy helps furniture resellers build a booming business by providing the tools to source, refurbish, and sell items online. Forget garage sales—these guys are helping you turn your home into a mini marketplace. Learn how they did it here.

New Startups to Keep an Eye on!

Sam Altman’s New AI Startup: Eye-Scanning Tech
Sam Altman is back with a sci-fi twist. His latest venture aims to scan your eye to verify your human identity in a world where AI fakes are growing. With privacy concerns skyrocketing, this tech could be our line of defense against deepfakes and fraud. Get the full scoop here.

Mira Murati’s New AI Revolution
Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati is on a new mission—raising capital for her AI startup that promises to change the way we interact with machines. Think of it as the next leap in human-AI collaboration, and she’s already got the backing of major investors. Check out the details.

Neuralink Co-founder’s Brain-Computer Startup
Neuralink’s co-founder is at it again, launching a startup selling brain-computer toolkits. This could potentially accelerate how quickly we merge with machines. We’re not saying we’re turning into cyborgs, but this might be a step closer. Read more here.

AI Labs Fragmentation: The Ego War
Fragmentation in AI labs due to ego clashes is leading to a wave of new startups, all competing to make AI smarter. This is where AI powerhouses break apart, and new stars rise. Explore the drama here.

Growing or Shrinking? (Market Movements)

What’s Growing:

• Data Center Cooling Fans market is expected to grow by a whopping 200% over the next decade, thanks to increasing AI data center demand. Source.

• Holiday Spending is projected to rise this year, though at a slower pace compared to last year’s boom. Inflation? Perhaps. Source.

• Netflix continues its climb, hitting an all-time high thanks to record subscriber growth and international expansion. Source.

What’s Shrinking:

• EV Market Share is seeing a historic decline, despite record sales. The EV revolution might be stalling sooner than expected. Source.

• Luxury Goods Sales are slipping, sending signals that the high-end market might be headed for a rocky road ahead. Source.

• LVMH is feeling the heat as it battles for market share, facing fierce competition in the luxury sector. Source.

• Etsy is in trouble—Goldman Sachs just downgraded the platform to “sell” as it struggles with market share losses. Source.

• S&P 500 returns are expected to see minimal growth over the next decade. If you're looking for strong market returns, it might be time to look elsewhere. Source.

• Home Sales are headed for their worst year since 1995. The housing market’s struggles continue as interest rates and inflation weigh down buyers. Source.

What's Buzzing (Headlines)

SpaceX Nails Rocket Catch—Boosters with Chopsticks?

Zoom In:
While the rest of us were trying to catch footballs over Thanksgiving, SpaceX was busy catching something a little bigger—a booster rocket. SpaceX successfully returned the “Super Heavy” booster from its Starship craft to a launchpad, using enormous mechanical arms nicknamed “chopsticks” to secure it. This booster first shot the Starship vehicle over 60 km into the atmosphere before making its way back to Earth, reigniting its engines just a kilometer above the ground to guide it home.

What’s Behind All of This?
This marks a key step in SpaceX's mission to revolutionize space travel by making rockets reusable, a move that could dramatically slash costs. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which is partially reusable, has already reduced launch costs by a factor of ten, according to Citigroup. Making rockets fully reusable could bring the price down even further, opening up new possibilities for more frequent and affordable space travel.

What’s Next?
Next on SpaceX’s checklist? They’ll need to perform the same trick with the Starship craft itself, eventually testing the system with astronauts onboard. This all plays into the larger goal of not just sending humans back to the moon, but also making space travel as routine as flying across the globe.

The Bottom Line:
Catching boosters with “chopsticks” might sound like science fiction, but SpaceX is turning it into science fact. Each successful catch brings us closer to making space travel as common (and affordable) as a quick trip across the Atlantic. Read more here.

Lasers: The Next Big Thing in Drone Defense?

Zoom In:
After years of being stuck in the sci-fi realm, laser weapons are making a grand entrance into the real world. The U.S. Army recently used lasers to shoot down hostile drones in the Middle East, proving that these futuristic weapons are no longer just a concept. Countries like the U.K. and South Korea are also jumping on board, developing laser tech that can zap drones out of the sky with pinpoint precision.

What’s Behind All of This?
As drones become a bigger part of modern warfare, traditional defense methods like missiles are proving too costly and inefficient. Lasers offer a faster, cheaper alternative that never runs out of ammo—just as long as you’ve got power. The U.K.'s DragonFire laser, for example, costs less than $13 a shot, making it an attractive option for military use. However, lasers still have limitations: they require huge amounts of energy, have limited range, and struggle in bad weather. But advancements, like fiber lasers, have made them more viable for combat.

What’s Next?
Militaries are continuing to invest heavily in laser technology. The U.S. and its allies are testing lasers mounted on vehicles and ships, while nations like Israel and Russia boast of systems capable of taking down targets from miles away. But there’s still a long road ahead—issues like energy requirements and weather interference remain hurdles to overcome.

The Bottom Line:
Lasers are no longer just sci-fi—they’re becoming real-world solutions for defending against the growing threat of drones. As the technology improves, expect lasers to play a bigger role in future combat scenarios. Read more here.

How San Francisco Learned to Love Self-Driving Cars

Zoom In:
Just a year ago, San Francisco residents were demanding that robotaxis hit the road—out of town. Fast forward to today, and Waymo’s self-driving cars have become as much of a local staple as the Golden Gate Bridge itself. Waymo has rapidly expanded its presence, clocking in over 100,000 rides per week across major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, making it the clear front-runner in the robotaxi race. The cars have gone from sci-fi spectacle to tourist attraction, drawing curious passengers and delighting locals.

What’s Behind All of This?
Waymo’s rise wasn’t without its bumps. A year ago, San Franciscans were skeptical, but a mix of relentless marketing and improved performance has changed minds. Offering a luxurious, driverless experience (hello, Jaguars!) and cutting-edge tech, Waymo has become the go-to for both locals and tourists. Not having to make awkward small talk with drivers? A bonus for many. The company’s steady growth is also helped by Uber’s partnership, allowing users to hail a Waymo through the Uber app in Phoenix—and soon, Austin and Atlanta. Meanwhile, competitors like Cruise have stumbled, losing their permits due to safety incidents.

What’s Next?
Waymo isn’t stopping at the Bay Area. They’re expanding to new cities like Austin and Atlanta, with international ambitions in Europe on the horizon. To scale even further, they’re planning to introduce cheaper vehicles, such as Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUVs, and customized cars from Geely, which will help reduce costs and attract even more riders. Waymo is also eyeing partnerships with local players to support their operations globally.

The Bottom Line:
What started as a bumpy ride has turned into a smooth cruise. Waymo’s driverless cars have officially won over San Francisco, and the company’s rapid expansion signals that the age of robotaxis is no longer a futuristic dream—it’s very much here. Read more here.

Big Tech Turns to Nuclear Power—Emissions-Free Energy for AI?

Zoom In:
Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are going nuclear—literally. With the booming demand for data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) operations that require massive amounts of energy, these tech giants are investing billions into nuclear power. The latest moves? Amazon and Google have both announced plans to develop and invest in small modular reactors (SMRs), while Microsoft is reviving the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear plant. The goal is to secure emissions-free energy that’s reliable 24/7, as tech’s appetite for electricity grows alongside AI's power needs.

What’s Behind All of This?
Nuclear energy is becoming more attractive to tech companies that have long relied on wind and solar but are now facing energy demands that renewables alone can’t always meet. AI requires far more power than traditional web searches or streaming services, and nuclear power provides a solution that doesn’t add to carbon emissions. Small modular reactors, which Amazon and Google are betting on, could be a game-changer—they’re smaller, cheaper to build, and promise to be safer and more flexible than traditional reactors. However, this tech is still in its infancy, with the first of these reactors not expected to be operational until 2030.

What’s Next?
Expect more tech companies to follow suit. As energy demands continue to rise, particularly with AI growth, nuclear power may become the go-to solution for tech’s sustainability goals. Companies like Microsoft are already experimenting with cutting-edge fusion technology, and we could see a surge in investments aimed at building a new generation of nuclear plants tailored for data centers and AI.

The Bottom Line:
Big Tech’s nuclear investments highlight the growing need for clean, reliable power as AI and data center operations expand at breakneck speed. If small modular reactors deliver on their promises, we might see a nuclear renaissance in the tech industry. Read more here.

Peter Todd Unmasked as Satoshi Nakamoto—But Is He?

Zoom In:
Peter Todd, a Canadian developer, has gone underground after an HBO documentary Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery named him as Satoshi Nakamoto—the elusive creator of Bitcoin. While many have been accused of being Satoshi over the years, this latest revelation has caused quite a stir. Todd has categorically denied the claim, calling it a publicity stunt by the filmmakers, but the damage may already be done. "For the record, I am not Satoshi," Todd insists, yet he’s since gone into hiding.

What’s Behind All of This?
The true identity of Bitcoin’s creator has been one of the greatest mysteries in the tech world. With billions in Bitcoin thought to be controlled by Satoshi, speculation has swirled for over a decade. Documentary filmmaker Cullen Hoback believes Todd is Satoshi, citing a forum thread from 2010 where Todd allegedly “completed” Satoshi’s thoughts—a moment Hoback claims is more than just a coincidence. Todd, however, is adamant that the accusation is baseless and made purely for marketing purposes.

What’s Next?
Despite Todd’s vehement denials, the hunt for Satoshi continues. Some in the crypto community argue that Satoshi’s identity should remain a mystery, given the risks—namely, theft, kidnapping, and extortion—that come with holding vast amounts of Bitcoin. As for Todd, he faces ongoing harassment and safety concerns, and has taken steps to protect himself from the fallout of being "unmasked."

The Bottom Line:
The search for Satoshi Nakamoto may never end, but one thing is clear: being accused of creating Bitcoin can paint a massive target on your back, whether the claim is true or not. Read more here.

Anthropic’s AI Agents Take on Complex Tasks—Watch Out, OpenAI!

Zoom In:
Anthropic, the Amazon-backed AI startup founded by former OpenAI execs, just announced a major leap in AI capabilities: AI agents that can complete complex, multistep tasks on computers—just like a human. These new AI agents are built for productivity, capable of booking flights, filling out forms, scheduling appointments, and even navigating software in real time. The race to dominate the AI world is heating up as Anthropic goes head-to-head with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google in the AI arms race.

What’s Behind All of This?
Anthropic’s breakthrough comes as AI’s potential continues to grow, with demand for AI tools capable of doing more than just answering questions. Anthropic’s AI agents, part of its two newest models, can now interact with computers like a human would—selecting buttons, entering text, and even browsing the web. This positions Anthropic as a key player in AI-powered productivity, targeting business functions that need custom AI solutions. Already, early customers like Asana, Canva, and Notion are using these agents, and Amazon had early access to the tool as part of its investment in the company.

What’s Next?
Anthropic isn’t slowing down. Their AI agents are in public beta for developers, and in the coming months, they aim to expand access to consumers and enterprise clients. The company’s strategy is to move beyond virtual assistants and create “virtual collaborators” that can do far more complex work. Expect more powerful use cases—like automating entire workflows—as Anthropic competes fiercely with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s AI efforts.

The Bottom Line:
Anthropic’s AI agents are taking productivity to the next level, offering businesses tools that can handle complex tasks on their behalf. As the AI race continues, Anthropic’s innovative approach is putting them in a strong position to compete with the big players. Read more here.

Quick Takes

• Netflix Adds 5 Million Subscribers in Q3, Beats Expectations
  Netflix added 5 million subscribers in Q3 2024, bringing its total to 282.7 million global users. The company reported revenue of $9.83 billion and an operating margin of 30%, both beating Wall Street estimates. While Netflix is expanding its content and advertising, it downplayed ads as a key revenue driver in 2025. Looking ahead, Netflix forecasts 2025 revenue to hit $43 billion-$44 billion. Source.

• New AI Algorithm Cuts Power Consumption by 95%
  Engineers at BitEnergy AI have developed an algorithm, Linear-Complexity Multiplication (L-Mul), which replaces power-hungry floating-point multiplication with simpler integer addition. This breakthrough could reduce AI power consumption by up to 95%, offering massive energy savings. While current hardware like Nvidia's GPUs can't yet support the algorithm, future systems could drive AI efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. Source.

• Tesla Surprises With Strong Q3 2024 Earnings, Profit Up 17%
  Tesla reported a 17% increase in profit for Q3 2024, with net income reaching $2.2 billion. Strong sales of regulatory credits and its energy business helped offset lower car prices. CEO Elon Musk confirmed the cancellation of the $25,000 electric car in favor of more affordable models under $30,000. Tesla’s operating margin hit 10.8%, with growth expected in 2025, including the rollout of autonomous vehicles. Source.

• Microsoft Set to Gain Substantial Equity in OpenAI
  Microsoft could end up with a significant equity stake in OpenAI, as the two firms negotiate the tech giant’s share following its $14 billion investment. As OpenAI transitions to a for-profit public-benefit corporation, discussions are also addressing governance rights and employee equity. With OpenAI currently valued as the second-most valuable U.S. startup, the stakes are high for both companies. Source.

• Apple Vision Pro Struggles with Slow App Growth and Low Sales
  Apple's Vision Pro headset has faced slower-than-expected app development and disappointing sales in its first year. Developers are hesitant to build for the $3,499 device, with many users returning it due to a lack of compelling use cases. Vision Pro shipments were cut to 400,000-450,000 units, and resale prices have dropped as early adopters struggle to integrate the device into their lives. Source.

• Starbucks Shifts Focus to Mobile and Drive-Thru, Redefining Its “Third Place”
  With 70% of sales now coming from mobile and drive-thru orders, Starbucks has transformed from a cozy sit-down spot into a fast-paced takeout counter. As fewer customers linger in stores, the chain is “reimagining the third place” with investments in efficiency and mobile tech. However, some worry this shift has reduced the brand’s personal touch. Source.

• Countries Cash In on Top-Level Domain Names
  Countries like Anguilla, Tuvalu, Libya, Montenegro, and Colombia are reaping financial rewards from their unique top-level domain names. From Anguilla’s .ai, fueled by the AI boom, to Tuvalu’s .tv benefiting from streaming, and Colombia’s popular .co, these domains have turned into valuable resources, generating millions in revenue. Source.

• Nvidia Fixes Design Flaw in Blackwell AI Chips
  Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced that a design flaw in the company's new Blackwell AI chips, which had delayed production, has been resolved with the help of TSMC. Despite the setback, Nvidia plans to ship the chips in Q4 2024, which are 30 times faster at AI tasks. The delay had impacted customers like Meta, Google, and Microsoft. Source.

That’s it for today! We’ll be back next week with more exciting news, trends, and maybe a rocket or two. Stay inspired!

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