For an article we’re publishing on her last day at TechCrunch, Natasha Mascarenhas reached out to four investors to find out if FOMO encourages them to jump on the AI train.
“Some are hiring talent to jump headfirst, others are happy to support the spin-outs of ‘ChatGPT for wrote.
Full TechCrunch+ articles are only available to members
Use discount code TCPLUSROUNDUP to save 20% on a 1-year or 2-year subscription
Here’s who she spoke to:
- Charles Hudson, Managing Partner/Founder, Precursor Ventures
- Jason Lemkin, Managing Director, SaaStr Fund
- Cathy Guo, Partner, Sapphire Ventures
- Navin Chadha, Managing Director, Mayfield Fund
Congratulations, Natasha; I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
Thank you for reading,
Walter Thompson
Editor-in-Chief, TechCrunch+
@yourprotagonist
Making fundamental models accessible: The battle between closed-source and open-source AI
Photo credit: JESPER KLAUSEN / SCIENTIFIC PHOTO LIBRARY (opens in a new window) /Getty Images
The amount of data required to train AI models comes at a cost: you need a lot of money to buy powerful GPUs and the scientists and engineers who manage the work, not to mention the power consumption and associated carbon emissions .
Given the enormous barriers to entry, is it worth considering whether open source foundational models could level the playing field and also address privacy and bias concerns?
“We have now entered a critical phase in AI where the question of who gets to build and operate these powerful models has become a major point of discussion, especially as ethical issues arise,” writes Jae Lee, CEO and co-founder of Twelve Labs .
Deciphering the M&A code: 5 factors that can make (or fail) a deal
Photo credit: mjrodaphotography (opens in a new window) /Getty Images
A merger or acquisition is the beginning of a new relationship, which is why most people approach exits with optimism.
“But all is not rosy in the M&A world,” writes Frank Roe, CEO of SmartBear, which has completed eight acquisitions in less than five years.
“It’s a complex and extremely risky decision, not for the faint of heart. It is important to approach the decision and the process with care and forethought.”
In this TC+ guest post, he shares “five must-have elements to consider for a successful M&A journey” and reminds readers that “there is no ‘secret formula'”.
Pitch Deck Teardown: Fibery’s $5.2M Series A deck
Photo credit: Fibrous (opens in a new window)
Cyprus-based workflow and knowledge management platform Fibery raised $5.2 million in Series A funding in September 2022.
Haje Jan Kamps analyzed the winning presentation and shared his suggestions for improving the company’s 15-slide deck:
- cover film
- problem slide
- solution slide
- Market size slide
- participant slide
- Competitive analysis slide
- product slide
- Building blocks slide.
- Feedback/Customer Validation Slide
- Go-to-market strategy slide
- Business model slide
- traction sled
- Milestones so far
- team slide
- The question slide
Ask Sophie: Can I apply for an EB-1A without first getting an O-1A?
Photo credit: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch
Dear Sophie,
What do you think about immediately applying for an EB-1A without first using the O-1A as a stepping stone?
Thanks!
— Extraordinary engineer in Escondido
3 key metrics for cybersecurity product managers
Photo credit: Tetra images (opens in a new window) /Getty Images
Cybersecurity product managers typically measure conversion rates, detection accuracy, and usage/engagement to glean customer insights, but these metrics “may not be what they seem,” writes Ross Haleliuk, an investor who is also product lead at LimaCharlie.io.
“Context is very important, and the realities of different organizations, regions, cultures and market segments have a major impact on what can be measured and what actions can be taken based on those observations.”
