🕶️ Talk techy to me: OpenAI’s voice mode is the next BIG thing

Six bullets of updates

1. 📏 VCs weigh in on fund sizing in 2024: What’s happening with fund sizes, and how are VCs strategizing?

2. ⛓️‍💥 A female-led startup raises $1.85M to develop metal foam for cooling data centers, which could consume over 460TWh by 2026.

3. 🎞️ Despite technological advances in CGI and AI, digitally resurrecting actors is still a terrible idea. 

4. 🍾 In DevOps 2024, prioritize automation over AI to address bottlenecks—Forrester says 57% of developers skip unit tests.

5. ♊ Google unveils Gemini Live, its latest AI model, challenging OpenAI with a 70% reduction in compute power. 

6. 🧠 Robot coaches reading brain signals boost stroke rehab, aiding 80% with upper limb impairments.

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Why are series A to C AI investments challenging VCs?

Venture capitalists (VCs) are finding it more accessible to invest in early-stage AI companies, where innovation and the right talent drive decisions. However, according to Suranga Chandratillake of Balderton Capital, the Series A to C rounds present significant challenges.

The difficulty lies in assessing these companies' true potential, as they may have high valuations and vital sales metrics. Still, there's uncertainty about whether their growth and customer retention are sustainable or just experimental. This makes investing in these rounds difficult and complex, especially when large sums of money are at stake.

This sentiment reflects a broader concern among VCs about whether AI companies can deliver the expected growth and revenues as they transition through these critical stages. While the AI sector is buzzing with excitement and potential, identifying which companies will succeed long-term is proving difficult. Read more! 

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Startup Events and Deadlines

1. How to close a Funding Round (it’s not just the pitch deck) | August 28 | Webinar

2. How to close a Funding Round (it’s not just the pitch deck) | September 4 | Webinar

3. Product-Led Summit | September 4 | Conference

4. Crash Course in Financial Modeling | September 11 | Webinar

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These companies just raised money

1. 🪁 Kiteworks raises $456M at a $1B valuation, aiming to secure sensitive data with their cutting-edge technology.

2. 🦠 Halda Raises $126M toward Precision Cancer Treatments in their process of directly killing cancer cells.

3. 🤝 Jeff Bezos' brother's firm Hipstr launches a $100M debut VC fund to back early-stage startups.

4. 🌍 African e-commerce giant Jumia completes secondary share sale, raising $99.6M to fuel its expansion plans.

5. 🐇 Coderabbit raises $16M to revolutionize code reviews with AI, enhancing developer productivity by 30%.

6. 📺 AI social media vetting startup Ferretly raises $2.5M and launches election personnel screening tool.  

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OpenAI's new voice mode is a game-changer

OpenAI's new voice mode transforms interactions by enabling users to have natural phone conversations. This isn't just a leap for convenience but a potential paradigm shift in user interfaces, promising broader applications in virtual assistance and customer service.

Just in case, as journalist Maxwell Zeff says: “OpenAI’s newest feature, currently in a limited alpha test, doesn’t make ChatGPT any smarter than it was before. Instead, Advanced Voice Mode (AVM) makes it friendlier and more natural to talk with.” 💬

For startups, this could mean enhanced user engagement and streamlined operations. With AI voice interfaces becoming more intuitive, founders should explore integrating similar technologies to stay competitive. Read more here! 

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Beyond the Pitch Deck: Master Storytelling for Closing Rounds Webinar

Learn how to craft a pitch deck that captivates investors! This webinar is tailored for entrepreneurs eager to strengthen their startups. 🪡🧵 It covers topics like mastering the core elements of a killer pitch deck and developing compelling narratives that resonate 😎 Subscribe here!