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OpenAI seeks $90B valuation

Plus: Microsoft is going nuclear to power its AI ambitions 

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Cash Nut
September 27, 2023

In Today’s Edition

  • Farmers turn to tech as bees struggle to pollinate

  • Bun: lessons from disrupting a tech ecosystem

  • Microsoft is going nuclear to power its AI ambitions

  • OpenAI is reportedly raising funds at a valuation of $80 billion to $90 billion

  • Array Labs: 3D Mapping Earth from Space

  • Why are Cloud Development Environments Spiking in Popularity, Now?

  • Ask HN: Tips for Solopreneur?

🚀Startups Nuts

BloomX, an Israeli tech firm, has created a plant-pollinating machine that works by dislodging pollen. The mechanism is similar to how bees pollinate plants. BloomX aims to reduce farmers' dependence on commercial honeybees. Bees are said to account for 75% of the pollination of fruits, nuts, and vegetables in the US, but their populations are under pressure due to climate change, habitat loss, and the use of pesticides.

Large companies have some motivation to innovate, but also a strong disincentive as well, as innovation risks undermining existing products - Bun started with a clean slate and it can make decisions that Node doesn't have the luxury of making.

🏭Business Nuts

Microsoft plans to use next-generation nuclear reactors to power its data centers and AI ambitions. It has posted a job listing for a principal program manager to lead its nuclear energy strategy. Data centers use a ton of energy. Nuclear technology can provide the clean energy required for the company to hit its climate goals. Microsoft is specifically looking for someone who can roll out a plan for small modular reactors.

OpenAI is reportedly in discussions to sell shares. The sale could boost its valuation from $29 billion to over $80 billion. Employees will be allowed to sell existing shares. OpenAI said in late August that it expected to reach $1 billion in revenue this year.

📱Tech Nuts

A real-time 3D map of the world is the Holy Grail of Earth Observation. Such a map would enable new applications and technologies and improve climate monitoring, disaster response, construction management, and urban planning. It could confer significant strategic and economic advantages to whoever possesses it. This article looks at Array Labs, a company that thinks that it is time to build the map, and the technology required to build it.

Cloud Development Environments (CDEs) are spiking in popularity. This article looks at why CDEs are trending and what startups should look for in the space. CDEs are gaining popularity because codebases are getting larger, monorepos are getting more popular, laptop power is plateauing, connections are improving, and due to remote work. If the industry continues on this trend, most developers at large and mid-sized tech companies may be building software on remote machines within two to three years.

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🎁Miscellaneous

This Hacker News thread discusses how to navigate the startup space as a solopreneur. It covers how to sell a one-person team, setting appropriate milestones, marketing, raising funds, and the importance of location. Being on your own brings unique problems, for example, the company's success and existence depends entirely on one person, and that increases risk for potential investors. Some investors might see a one-person company as a red flag as they may question why the company hasn't hired any employees.

💡What else are we reading and seeing?

😎Fun Fact

The shortest stock market crash in history, known as the "Flash Crash," happened on May 6, 2010, and lasted just 36 minutes

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