🕶️ Trump’s cyber playbook might surprise you

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🤖 The integration of AI into software development is set to transform the industry in 2025, while ransomware attacks 🚨 continue to hit record levels in the US, posing a significant challenge as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

🌍 Meanwhile, the EU's groundbreaking AI Act, with compliance deadlines spanning 2024-2027, is setting the tone for global regulation and in the U.S., 44 AI startups raised $100M+ in 2024—could one of them be the next tech unicorn? 🦄

Enjoy the read!
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Six bullets of updates

  1. 💼 Innovation spotlight: 44 U.S. AI startups raised $100M+ in 2024—discover who’s leading the charge!

  2. 🌍 The EU's AI Act is setting the bar for AI regulation, with potential fines of up to 7%. Compliance deadlines span from 2024 to 2027.

  3. 🤝 Almer gets acquired by RealWear, enhancing its AR tech for industrial powerhouses like Ford and Samsung.

  4. 🚀 France goes global: Revamped tech visas are attracting talent and fintech startups, with a strategic focus on AI, quantum computing, and biotech.

  5. 🏭 Juna.ai secures $7.5M to revolutionize factories with AI agents, improving energy efficiency and slashing emissions.

  6. 🌟 Brynn Putnam launches a new social-focused startup, marking her return to consumer tech after selling Mirror to Lululemon for $500M.

AI in 2025: the game-changer Devs can't ignore

The integration of AI into software development is set to transform the industry in 2025, driving efficiency, personalization, and innovation. According to the latest GitLab DevSecOps survey, the adoption of AI in development processes has grown significantly, with 78% of respondents using or planning to use AI within two years. Intelligent AI agents will redefine applications, moving beyond static interfaces to offer adaptive, real-time interactions that learn from user behavior. These agents will enable highly personalized experiences, reshaping how software is used and designed.

AI assistants will evolve from reactive tools to proactive collaborators, anticipating developer needs and streamlining the software development life cycle (SDLC). They will enhance productivity by automating repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on strategic problem-solving and innovation. Additionally, the trend toward on-premises AI deployments will enable companies to customize models while addressing compliance and security concerns, particularly in regulated industries. See more.

Startup Events and Deadlines

  1. Tomorrow! Techstars New York City Accelerator | November 20 | NYC

  2. Tomorrow! Techstars Anywhere Accelerator | November 20 | Remote

  3. Tomorrow! Techstars San Francisco | November 20 | San Francisco

  4. Crash Course in Financial Modeling | November 21 | Webinar

  5. NYC B2B: Startup Founders & Operators Meetup | November 21 | NYC

  6. Founders Social | Supermoon Ventures & Station3 | November 22 | NYC

  7. From Pitch Deck to Funding | November 25 | Webinar

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These companies just raised money

  1. 💊 HealthKart raises $153M, boosting its valuation to $500M; Peak XV exits with 4x returns on their investment.

  2. 🎓 Pravaler secures $75M in FIDCs to boost access to student loans in Brazil, holding 80% of the market.

  3. 📉 Oyo founder proposes $65.1M investment at a $3.8B valuation—far below its 2019 peak of $10B. IPO plans loom again.

  4. 📱 Take Blip, a text-marketing firm, scores $60M led by SoftBank & Microsoft, riding high with 50M daily chats!

  5. 💼 Influur, based in Miami, raises $10M Series A to enhance influencer marketing and launch financial tools for creators.

  6. 🏦 Nicaraguan fintech Tumoni raises $2.3M to offer free money transfers, aiming for 50k users by 2025.

Trump’s cyber playbook might surprise you

The U.S. government has made significant strides against ransomware during Biden’s presidency, labeling it a national security threat and empowering agencies to disrupt ransomware networks, reclaim ransom payments, and prosecute offenders. Despite these efforts, ransomware attacks have reached record levels, posing a growing challenge as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office. Industry leaders predict changes to cybersecurity policy, emphasizing the relentless nature of cyber threats. Experts warn of potential shifts in federal strategies, with a focus on deregulation potentially impacting incident reporting and international collaboration.

Trump’s first term saw mixed outcomes in cybersecurity, including the establishment of CISA and policies encouraging offensive cyber operations. However, deregulation plans for his second term, such as dismantling DHS and altering breach notification rules, could weaken federal defenses and reduce visibility into cybercrime. While Trump may ramp up offensive cyber capabilities to combat ransomware, experts caution that reduced intelligence sharing and scaled-back regulations could leave U.S. networks more vulnerable, undoing progress made in global ransomware mitigation efforts.

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