🕶️ Remote work myths just got busted

Six bullets of updates

1. 🧦 John's Crazy Socks hits 2M+ orders, employing 34 people—22 with differing abilities—since its 2016 launch.

2. 🚗 Lucid Motors rolls out its first Gravity SUV—delivering a spacious ride with a futuristic 440-mile range.

3. ✔️ AI-powered to-do app Twos suggests actions for tasks and boasts 27 integrations, aiming to outshine Apple Notes.

4. 👜 Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby scaled Parker Thatch from their garage to an 8-figure revenue brand, all bootstrapped.  

5. 🤖 OpenAI reveals exciting 2024 ChatGPT updates, including new products, demos, and safety features. Watch live this week!

6. 🌐 Bluesky eyes revenue streams beyond ads as it grows to 24M users, while staying user-centric and open.

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Stop Blaming Remote Work—The Problem Runs Deeper

The debate over remote work vs. office life rages on, but here’s the deal: blaming remote setups for productivity dips misses the point. According to Entrepreneur, the real culprit isn’t where people work—it’s how teams work.

Productivity woes often stem from deeper issues like unclear goals, clunky communication, and outdated management styles. A toxic office culture won’t magically fix itself with in-person meetings or desk rotations. The article argues that remote work, when done right, can even boost efficiency by eliminating unnecessary distractions and commutes.

The takeaway? Whether your team is in hoodies at home or suits in a skyscraper, focus on collaboration, transparency, and processes. It’s not about location; it’s about alignment.

Remote work isn’t the enemy—it’s the mirror reflecting what needs fixing.

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Startup Events and Deadlines

1. Financial Modeling Bootcamp | Dec 9 | Webinar

2. EdTech | Dec 9 | Paris

3. From Pitch Deck to Funding | Dec 12 | Webinar

4.  Entrepreneur First Bangalore - Core | Dec 12 | Webinar

5. Networking for Tech Startups/Founders/Investors/Developers | Dec 15 | Meetup

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These companies just raised money

1.  📊 Agilize raises $9M led by AXA, with support from L4 and Stone, to enhance its online accounting platform for SMEs.

2. 🦅 Eagle Electronics secured $14M to establish an advanced manufacturing facility in Solon, Ohio.

3. 💰 Onze secures $20M in funding, led by Ribbit Capital, to enhance financial wellness programs and corporate pension solutions for medium and large companies.

4. 🚀 Fly Ventures launches €80M Fund III to back enterprise and deep tech startups, focusing on technical founders with bold, early-stage ideas.

5. 📉 MobiKwik's IPO valuation is $250M, 73% below its 2021 private valuation. It aims to raise $69M ahead of its December 11 opening.

6. 💳 CloudWalk raises $444M through a Credit Rights Investment Fund (FIDC), marking its largest funding round to date.

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Fitness Feud: Ladder Calls Out Peloton in Bold Marketing Move

Ladder, a rising star in fitness apps, has cheekily accused industry giant Peloton of copying its app with the launch of Peloton's new Strength+ feature. While Ladder isn't pursuing legal action, it's taking a bold marketing approach by highlighting the similarities through a playful ad campaign reminiscent of Apple's legendary "Get a Mac" ads. Fresh off a $105M funding round, Ladder is capitalizing on its 69% download growth to turn this rivalry into a savvy PR win.

Meanwhile, Peloton, still reeling from a 33% revenue drop and post-pandemic challenges, finds itself under scrutiny once again. This spat showcases Ladder's clever marketing chops and the intensifying competition in the fitness tech industry.

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How These 3 Pitch Decks Raised Millions (and What You Can Steal from Them)

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