Authentic Kills AI: Why Real Content Wins

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Six bullets of updates

1. 🗳️ Here's how entrepreneurs can leverage election season insights to understand human behavior in business better.

2. 🥡 Rappi, the Colombian delivery platform, acquired Indian AI company Fountain9 to strengthen its logistics capabilities. 

3. 👭 Women-owned businesses can stand out with certifications, overcoming barriers like the 31% capital access issue.

4. 🔍 SoftBank’s European partner Sumer Juneja reveals the European AI startups it’s got its eyes on.

5. 🌎 UK's quantum sector seeks sustained funding and less regulation to thrive, aiming to be a global leader.

6. ⚡ With years of proving their technologies, hardware companies dominate a list of promising climate tech startups.

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Real faces, real results: How authenticity boosts conversion rates

As companies increasingly turn to AI-generated content and stock footage for quick, polished results, they may be sacrificing something critical: authenticity. While these tools offer convenience, the data shows a significant difference in effectiveness. Content featuring real people generates a 35% higher conversion rate than AI-generated or stock visuals. This suggests consumers value authentic, relatable content that builds trust and connection.

Standing out requires more than surface-level appeal. Consumers can detect when content lacks authenticity, which can erode trust, loyalty, and engagement over time. Companies that prioritize real stories, showcasing genuine people and experiences, tend to resonate more deeply with their audience, leading to stronger brand relationships.

The hidden cost of convenience in content creation goes beyond immediate savings in time or budget. Brands miss the opportunity to highlight their unique story and human connection, which artificial solutions can’t replicate. By focusing on authenticity, companies can build lasting, impactful connections with their audience, differentiating themselves in a competitive market. Read more!

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Startup Events and Deadlines

1. mHUB MedTech | Deadline: September 12 | Chicago

2. Antler Singapore | Deadline: September 16 | Singapore

3. Village Capital | Greentech Europe | Deadline: September 16 | Washington, D.C. 

4. Financial modeling bootcamp for startup founders | September 16-20 | Bootcamp, Live

5. Dreamforce San Francisco | September 17-19 | San Francisco

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These companies just raised money

1. 🍛 Swiggy may inject $150M into its upcoming $1.4B IPO, heating India's food delivery market.

2. ☁️ Form3, a significant player in UK fintech, raises $60M at a $570M valuation to expand its cloud-native platform.

3. 🚕 Gringo, a Brazilian app that simplifies bureaucratic processes for drivers, raised $12.4M in a Series C. 

4. 🖥️ Stackgen lands $12.3M for its infrastructure-from-code service, making cloud infrastructure a breeze.

5. 🇪🇨 Ecuadorian lending-as-a-service fintech Altscore raised a $8.5M Series A led by Haymaker Ventures. 

6. 🐕 Vetwork, a management platform for veterinary clinics and pet stores in Brazil, raised $3.6M from SRM Ventures.

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Cybersecurity warning: Rising attacks threaten U.S. energy grid 

According to Check Point Research, cyberattacks targeting U.S. utilities have risen by almost 70% in 2024 compared to last year. As the nation’s power grid rapidly expands and becomes increasingly digital, utilities are exposed to heightened risks. Many use outdated software, making them prime targets for hackers. Although no attack has yet crippled a U.S. utility, experts warn that a coordinated cyber assault could have severe consequences, affecting essential services and causing significant financial damage.

The energy sector, in particular, is highly vulnerable to these threats, as demonstrated by past incidents such as the Colonial Pipeline shutdown in 2021. With the integration of IoT technology and a growing number of connection points, the grid faces more potential attack vectors. Industry experts believe stricter cybersecurity measures are essential to prevent future breaches, especially as election years tend to spike in malicious cyber activity. Read more!  

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Top 6 (Funded) Startups That DESERVED to Burn