🕶️ Bluesky’s Dilemma: Free Speech or Safe Space?

Six bullets of updates

1. ❌ Some founders say Carta makes it tough to cancel subscriptions; meetings only available after renewal dates.

2. 🇪🇺 BeReal faces a GDPR complaint for alleged 'dark patterns' pressuring EU users into ad tracking consent.

3. 🍦 From a $5K ice cream truck to nearly 70 scoop shops: Van Leeuwen's journey is all about quality and resilience.

4. 💡 21-year-old Koko Xs raises $17.5M solo VC fund, aiming for 1% in $10B firms with bold, neurodivergent founders.

5. 🔥 Explore the 51 most disruptive startups of 2024, with innovative ideas and over $1.95B in funding raised.

6. 📈 ServiceTitan's IPO jumps from $71 to $105, signaling potential opportunities for fintech IPOs on the horizon.

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Bluesky's Dilemma: A Cloudy Future?

Bluesky, the burgeoning social media platform with 25 million users, is at a crossroads as it grapples with a growing controversy surrounding journalist Jesse Singal. Singal, accused by many users of holding anti-trans views and engaging in platform harassment, has become the most blocked individual on Bluesky. This contentious dynamic has led to a petition with over 18,000 signatures calling for his removal, threatening to fracture the platform’s community.

Bluesky faces a high-stakes decision: enforce a ban on Singal to uphold its reputation as a safe, inclusive space, or risk alienating its core user base by prioritizing free speech principles, potentially opening the door to backlash from conservative voices. This isn’t just a moderation challenge—it’s a pivotal moment that reflects broader societal debates on balancing free expression with the need for safe digital environments.

The outcome here could define Bluesky’s identity moving forward. Does it double down on being a sanctuary for marginalized voices, even at the expense of courting controversy? Or does it opt for a looser approach, preserving neutrality but risking the alienation of its most passionate users?

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Startup Events and Deadlines

1. Founders Running Club: New York | Today! | New York

2. Founder Hike | Today! | Los Angeles

3. Open Forum: Startup Mastermind Sessions | Dec 17 | Online Event

4. Founders Run & Coffee! | Dec 17 | Chicago

5. Startups and Business Networking Event NYC | Dec 18 | Meetup

6.  Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator | Deadline: Jan 1 | New York

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4. 🚀 Humba Ventures has raised $40 million to invest in deep tech and defense tech startups.

5. 🌱 A Finnish startup, Aisti, raises €29 million to drive the decarbonization of a specialized building material.

6. 🛡️ Refute, a UK startup combating AI-driven disinformation, raises £2.3M to protect companies from reputational harm.

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GM Hits the Brakes on Robotaxis, Pivots to Personal Autonomy

General Motors is stepping back from its ambitious robotaxi plans, refocusing on integrating autonomous technology into personal vehicles. After investing over $10 billion in its self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, since its 2016 acquisition, the company has decided to pivot from chasing the competitive and capital-intensive robotaxi market.

Instead, GM is doubling down on its advanced driver-assistance system, Super Cruise, aiming to achieve Level 3 autonomy—a more practical and scalable approach in the near term. This shift aligns with growing consumer demand for semi-autonomous features and also positions GM to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving market without the high stakes of robotaxi commercialization.

By prioritizing efficiency and gradual autonomy, GM expects to save over $1 billion annually post-restructuring, projected to be completed by mid-2025. While the decision marks the end of its robotaxi dreams, it could be a smart recalibration in a space where even tech giants have struggled to make headway.

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