Motive to Hire Hundreds as AI Unicorns Follow Big Tech to India
Fleet management startup Motive Technologies Inc. plans to more than double its India headcount, joining a rising number of artificial intelligence unicorns from Silicon Valley expanding in the South Asian country.
The San Francisco-based startup plans to hire more than 300 people for its AI, product and engineering teams at its Bangalore development center over the next two years, Chief Executive Officer Shoaib Makani said in an interview. Valued at $2.85 billion in a 2022 funding round, Motive's tools help fleet operators manage their workers, vehicles and expenditures.
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Boston Globe
6 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
‘It's a net positive for us.' For some US manufacturers, Trump tariffs pay off
AccuRounds is exactly the kind of high-end manufacturing company that's supposed to benefit from the Trump tariffs —and right now the plan seems to be working. After a sluggish 2024, AccuRounds workers are putting in overtime as they transform steel rods into hundreds of highly specialized industrial gadgets, and the company is looking to hire. Revenues were up by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2025 and Tamasi expects the same for the current quarter. Revenues last year came to about $20 million, he said. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up AccuRounds makes precisely machined pieces of metal that mostly go inside bigger machines, ranging from commercial aircraft to industrial robots to drug manufacturing systems. For instance, one component goes into a pump that excretes the glue used to assemble iPhones. Another is a driveshaft that's found in most of the machines used worldwide to make influenza vaccines. Advertisement AccuRounds also makes surgical tools such as trephenes, the razor-sharp cookie cutters used to extract diseased corneas from human eyes during transplant procedures. AccuRounds even makes components for high-end flutes played by professional musicians. Advertisement AccuRounds is nothing like the grimy machine shops of old. It's clean and well-lit, with a multitude of computer-guided milling machines, each costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Plexiglass windows on each machine are splashed by a constant spray of cutting oil, which cools and lubricates the cutting tools and washes away metal debris. Twelve-foot steel rods are fed into the mill, where they're automatically shaped, drilled and cut into the proper shape, then dropped into a finished-parts bin. Lately the company's installed robotic arms at some of the milling machines. Made by Universal Robots, a Danish company owned by North Reading-based That doesn't mean fewer jobs, Tamasi said, just different ones. 'It's a commitment that we've made to our team here, that technology, The company's recent revenue surge began right after the re-election of Donald Trump, who'd campaigned on a promise to revive US manufacturing by levying high tariffs on imports. 'It was the end of November, early December,' said Tamasi. 'That's when we started to see things turn.' One customer who had been purchasing from machine shops in Singapore and China told Tamasi that the impending tariffs had cause a change of heart. 'They mentioned they spent a couple of years farming work out,' Tamasi said. 'Now they're looking at bringing that work back.' Advertisement Mark Curtin inspected a finished product at AccuRounds. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff It's a reminder that tariffs aren't all bad. And AccuRounds isn't the only local manufacturer to benefit. Canton-based Company president Brian Buyea said that even before Trump took office, he was hearing from customers looking to 'reshore' their supply chain with US-made circuit boards. 'Now you start to add the tariffs on top of that, it's started to give us a little more of a positive boost,' Buyea said. Because the Trump administration has so frequently raised and lowered its proposed tariff rates, Buyea couldn't predict their effect on Remtec's revenues. 'It could be anything from a 10 percent pickup for us, to, we could double our business,' he said. Even skeptics concede that import taxes can benefit domestic manufacturers by driving up the cost of products made by foreign competitors. 'These types of polices inevitably have some winners, at least in the short term,' said Scott Lincicome, economist at the To Lincicome. tariffs produce far more losers than winners, as businesses and consumers throughout the economy end up paying more for products. Either they keep buying imports, and pay the tariff, or they switch to more expensive US sources. Many domestic companies use higher tariffs as an opportunity to raise their own prices. And as domestic orders surge, some companies must invest in new plant and equipment, and their new customers will pay for it. 'Over time, you're getting slower growth and a less efficient, less productive economy,' said Lincicome. Advertisement AccuRounds derives only about 5 percent of its revenue from exports, so the company won't suffer much if foreign nations aim retaliatory tariffs at US goods. But the Trump tariffs make it more expensive for manufacturers to purchase the supplies and equipment they need. Steel tariffs are a problem, Tamasi admitted. He'd happily buy US-made steel but 'the quality and the consistency is not there,' he said. 'We've tried everyone.' So he'll keep importing the steel despite the administration's 50 percent tariff. However, AccuRounds' sales contracts stipulate that the company can pass on any increases in steel costs to the end user, shielding AccuRounds from the tariff burden. There's no way around it, said Tamasi. 'If we had to absorb all price increases,' he said, 'we wouldn't be able to compete.' An even bigger hit could come from purchasing new milling machines, priced at half a million dollars or more even before the tariffs. The only ones worth buying, Tamasi said, are made in Switzerland, Germany and Japan. No US company makes the machines he needs, Tamasi said there's no way he can pass this tariff bill directly to customers, but in the long run it could well push his prices higher. Still, if Tamasi's customers are willing to pick up the tab, AccuRounds is a likely victor of the tariff wars. AccuRounds makes specialized metal parts. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Hiawatha Bray can be reached at
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
StarRez Wins EdTech Breakthrough's 2025 'Student Safety Innovation Award'
StarRez leads the way in student safety innovation, by supporting colleges and universities worldwide in creating secure, connected, and thriving residential communities DENVER, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StarRez, global leader in housing and resident experience software that helps communities thrive - on and off-campus, today announced that it has received the 'Student Safety Innovation Award' in the 7th annual EdTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by EdTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies and solutions in the global educational technology market. 'At StarRez, we know that student housing plays a critical role in resident wellness, safety, and compliance. Across our global community, we're all working toward the same goal: creating safe, thriving communities where students can succeed,' said Travis Knipe, CEO of StarRez. 'While many solutions solve parts of the challenge, our focus is on delivering a unified platform that simplifies safety, compliance, and engagement, and drives real outcomes for our campus partners. We sincerely appreciate this recognition from EdTech Breakthrough reflects the incredible work of our team and customers. We remain committed to being a trusted partner on and off campus—helping deliver amazing experiences, reducing risk, automating operations, and ultimately improving student outcomes—all through one connected platform.' Safety is at the core of the StarRez platform, which equips housing teams with the tools to create secure, supportive living environments for students on and off campus. From housing applications and billing to roommate matching and off-campus education, StarRez streamlines the entire housing experience in one unified system. Beyond operational efficiency, the platform plays a vital role in enhancing student well-being and safety, helping students live, learn, and work with confidence throughout their academic journeys. StarRez equips housing teams with advanced tools to actively monitor and manage secure living environments. Features such as guest management, package tracking, digital ID scanning, and real-time communication enable staff to stay responsive and vigilant. The platform's Community Management solution fosters a sense of belonging while supporting student well-being, and its robust reporting and analytics surface key safety insights—helping teams identify trends, track incidents, automate follow ups, and take early action to maintain compliance and protect the campus community. As institutions around the world prioritize safer, smarter residential communities, StarRez continues to lead with measurable impact—empowering teams to enhance compliance, streamline safety protocols, and ensure secure access for every resident. Boosted Fire Safety Compliance: A EMEA-based university achieved a 95.75% compliance rate in fire safety activities by revamping their induction process using StarRez, ensuring students are well-informed and better prepared from day one. Streamlined Visitation Oversight: At the Fashion Institute of Technology, StarRez reduced in-person visitation-related office visits by over 60%, saving staff 12 hours a week. The platform empowers the Conduct and Public Safety teams with transparent tools to manage approvals, track policy violations, and enhance campus safety. Faster, Safer Access Control: The University of Central Arkansas cut housing access processing time by 86%—from 8 hours to just 1—through StarRez's automation capabilities, enabling secure, efficient door access for residents. 'Student needs have increased. They're requiring more attention and they're expecting better digital tools, especially in places like the housing portal', says Dante Brooks, Assistant Director of Housing at the University of Oklahoma. 'StarRez really lets us spend time with our residents and it lets us have really thoughtful interventions on everything from billing to assignments to resident well-being.' The platform makes it possible to embed compliance measures directly within the student booking experience. An interactive, automated system ensures students are informed before they even arrive on campus about rules and regulations such as fire safety. A pre-arrival fire safety video, post-move-in confirmation form, and in-person fire safety walks can ensure students actively engage with safety protocols. 'Beyond compliance, StarRez is creating a safer, more informed, and connected student experience. Universities are tasked with achieving widespread compliance in the face of challenging student engagement and ensuring student safety. However, traditional, fragmented approaches to compliance make safety training ineffective, unengaging, and hard to track,' said Steve Johansson, managing director, EdTech Breakthrough. 'StarRez is leading the way in student safety innovation, ensuring that universities worldwide can create secure, connected, and thriving residential communities. We're so pleased to be able to recognize them with 2025's 'Student Safety Innovation Award!'' As StarRez continues to advance AI capabilities within its platform, the benefits of a unified system grow exponentially—helping institutions future-proof operations while enhancing safety and student support. To learn more about StarRez's offerings and how they are leading the way in student safety innovation, visit About StarRezStarRez is the global leader in student housing software, providing innovative solutions for housing management, resident wellness and experience, and revenue generation. Trusted by 1,300+ clients across 25+ countries, StarRez supports more than 3 million beds annually with its user-friendly, all-in-one platform, delivering seamless experiences for both students and administrators. With offices in the United States, Australia, and the UK, StarRez blends the robust capabilities of a global organization with the personalized care and service of a trusted partner. For more information, visit About EdTech BreakthroughPart of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the EdTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in educational technology products, companies and people. The EdTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough educational technology in categories including e-learning, student engagement, school administration, career preparation, language learning, STEM and more. For more information, visit Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Media contact: Caroline Hansen [chansen@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Veteran analyst who predicted quantum computing stocks rally unveils IonQ stock price target
Veteran analyst who predicted quantum computing stocks rally unveils IonQ stock price target originally appeared on TheStreet. One group of tech stocks has been surging significantly since the start of 2025, with several members rising more than 100% for the past six months. And no, it's not artificial intelligence (AI). Quantum computing is often overshadowed by AI, in part because its technology isn't as widely understood or followed. But some of the industry's most prominent names have demonstrated significant growth, catching the eye of Wall Street. 💵💰💰💵 Most companies in the space produce a type of technology that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computational tasks at a much faster rate than classical machines. They do this by using quantum bits (qubits) of information to solve problems at extremely high speeds. Now, one financial expert who has followed quantum computing stocks for a long time has a new prediction for IonQ () , one of the industry's leading names. When a stock rises from $8 per share to more than $40 over the course of a calendar year, it's hard not to notice its progress. That's exactly what happened to IonQ, a Maryland-based quantum computing company that produces both hardware and is primarily known for successfully developing and commercializing trapped ion technology, a 'type of quantum computing in which computations are performed by ionized atoms that can be precisely controlled, creating a more stable user experience.' Most recently, IonQ made headlines after announcing that it agreed to acquire Oxford Ionics, a quantum computing startup that spun out of the UK's Oxford University in a $1.1 billion all-stock deal. IONQ surged on news of the deal; several other quantum computing stocks are in the green as well. Stephen Guilfoyle, a veteran Wall Street trader who recognized the quantum computing industry's growth potential before many other investors, sees strong potential for these stocks to continue rising as IonQ maneuvers to expand its reach. 'The idea, for IonQ, is to bring together the firm's quantum computing capabilities and networking stack with Oxford's ion-trap technology on standard semiconductor chips,' he states. 'The end goal is to deliver innovative, reliable quantum computers that reflect increased power, scale, and capability.' Guilfoyle follows quantum computing stocks diligently. In December 2024, he revealed positions in both Quantum Computing Inc QUBT and D-Wave Systems QBTS, both of which have performed extremely well since then. More recently, in a post for TheStreet Pro, the analyst revealed that he remains bullish on both stocks, indicating high hopes for the industry, despite a premature exit from his D-Wave position. More Quantum Computing News: Quantum computing leader has blunt, 9-word take on Nvidia stock Nvidia, Dell announce major project to reshape AI Quantum computing news sends D-Wave Quantum's stock price surging Now, he sees potential for IonQ stock to make significant progress as well, adding: 'As of the end of the March quarter, IonQ had a cash position of $588.3 million and current assets of $637 million. The firm had no debt on the books whatsoever. At that pace, even without revenue, which hopefully is not likely, this balance sheet is in a good place.' IonQ's recent acquisition isn't the only catalyst that has pushed shares up recently. Late in May 2025, CEO Niccolo de Masi stated that he believed his company could become the 'Nvidia of quantum computing,' a move that sent IONQ stock the acquisition news, though, Guilfoyle took the opportunity to examine IONQ stock's trading habits, flagging an interesting pattern that he saw as a potentially bullish indicator. While the analyst noted that quantum computing stocks remain highly volatile overall, he added, 'the door, in my opinion, opens to prices possibly as high as $59. The stock's all-time high, set back in January, is $54.74.' As IonQ's current share price hovers around $40 per share, Guilfoyle's prediction represents significant upside potential. As he noted, the sector is still volatile and hard to predict, but IonQ is focused on growth and may be in a position to keep analyst who predicted quantum computing stocks rally unveils IonQ stock price target first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
