Latest news with #AIAge
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Singapore's New Friend in the Block Redefines Venture Capital
New Friend in the Block: An Evolution of Venture Capital for the AI Age Valven Studio is a Singapore‑based venture studio redefining VC. Instead of making many bets, it invests in a few high‑conviction startups and embeds its partners in the team. A rigorous three‑stage diligence and scorecard choose founders; then playbooks for product or distribution guide growth. Matthew Chew, Michel Padrón and Juan Roldán provide hands‑on product, growth and tech expertise to help founders go from 0.5 to 1. Singapore - 13 August, 2025 - Valven Studio, a venture studio headquartered in Singapore, announces its arrival as a new alternative to venture capital. Born from the frustrations of the traditional VC model—where more than 75 % of VC‑backed startups never return capital and founders are often left without operational support (1) — Valven offers a founder‑friendly partnership that blends capital with hands‑on execution. 'We're not here to spray and pray; we're here to build,' said Matthew Chew, General Partner and Product Visionary. 'Our approach embeds experienced operators directly into the startup team to turn data into decisive action and tackle overlooked problems.' Beyond VC: How the Model Works Valven's model starts with a structured diligence process to evaluate potential partners. The three stages include: Findings from the diligence process feed into the Valven Scorecard, which quantifies factors such as founder excellence, business model maturity, distribution readiness and technical foundation (3). Opportunities with strong scores move forward into one of two operational playbooks: Unlike typical VCs that make dozens of bets and hope a few hit, Valven invests in fewer ventures and commits deeply. Venture studios worldwide show that studio‑backed companies have about 30 % higher success rates than typical VC‑backed startups, with average IRRs of 53–60 % versus 21–22 % for traditional funds. Valven's approach aims to replicate these outcomes in Southeast Asia. Hands‑On Partners, Not Just Investors Valven's general partners bring complementary expertise honed through building and scaling ventures: From 0 to 0.5 Is Easy – Valven Takes You from 0.5 to 1 Many accelerators and incubators help founders build a minimum viable product. Valven focuses on the messy 0.5–to–1 phase—where companies have an MVP and initial customers and need to scale quickly (4). By embedding its partners directly into the team, Valven provides technical leadership, go‑to‑market strategy and funding architecture, giving founders a co‑builder rather than just a cheque. The firm's resource deployment model emphasises deep integration and shared accountability: Valven team members work alongside founder teams, sharing both the risk and the upside. Structured Yet Flexible Engagement After a playbook is selected, Valven helps founders secure the capital necessary for execution. Playbook A typically requires US$50K–US$250K for marketing, growth hiring and infrastructure; Playbook B needs US$100K–US$400K to hire engineers and build a robust product (5). Funding may come from existing company capital, a bridge investment from Valven's partners or an orchestrated angel round. Before fully engaging, a five‑stage engagement sequence ensures both sides are ready—covering diligence and vote, funding plan, letter of intent, capital confirmation and definitive agreements. This sequencing protects resources, validates readiness and aligns expectations. A Catalyst for Singapore's Startup Ecosystem Singapore has long been a hub for venture capital and innovation, yet many founders remain underserved by traditional investors. Valven Studio aims to bridge the gap between early traction and scalable success, bringing an AI‑enabled venture studio model that prioritizes diversity, founder empowerment and operational excellence. By investing in fewer, higher‑conviction bets and providing hands‑on operators, Valven offers investors a more thorough due‑diligence process and founders a partner who will build alongside them. The team invites ambitious founders and forward‑thinking investors to learn more and explore detailed insights in Valven's Diligence Process, Partnership Evaluation and Playbook Execution series. Disclaimer: Media Contact Company Name: Valven Studio Contact Person: Michel Padrón Email: Send Email Country: Singapore Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Singapore's New Friend in the Block Redefines Venture Capital
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Modives and Venn Launch First All-Digital, 360° Insurance Coverage Solution for Multifamily Housing
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Modives, the leader in live insurance verification, monitoring, and remediation, has partnered with Venn, the intelligent resident operating system, to create the first comprehensive insurance coverage solution for multifamily homes. "We're not just verifying insurance, we're reducing risk," said Modives CEO Frederick Waite. The groundbreaking collaboration connects Modives' CheckMy Resident platform with Venn's operating system, allowing renters insurance to be verified and monitored instantly through direct carrier data. If a coverage gap is found, residents can enroll in a master liability or renters insurance policy on the spot without leaving the platform. Because this functionality is built into the same interface residents and property teams already use, adoption is high and workflows remain unchanged. Property managers gain real-time compliance monitoring, while residents get seamless access to coverage options. "We're not just verifying insurance, we're reducing risk," said Modives CEO Frederick Waite. "Our integration with Venn turns compliance into a value-add, protects every property, and eliminates the historical friction around insurance between residents and management." Insurance compliance has long been a broken process in property management, with antiquated systems relying on manual review of mailed notifications. Current offerings are often plagued with delays and unreliable data. CheckMy Resident brings insurance verification and monitoring into the AI Age, directly addressing these challenges by delivering instant verification of live insurance data straight from the source, coupled with ongoing monitoring throughout the entire lease term. The automated process reviews whether renters' coverage is active, accurate, and adequate, all through CheckMy Resident's compliant and secure platform. When coverage lapses, Modives empowers residents with clear options: they can easily upload a new policy, purchase renters insurance quickly through embedded digital options, or be automatically enrolled in a master liability program, ensuring continuous protection for both residents and properties. This partnership perfectly aligns with Venn's mission to power the resident journey from first touch to long-term retention—with data, automation, and seamless experience across the board. By embedding crucial insurance workflows directly into its intelligent resident operating system, Venn eliminates administrative burdens for property managers and offers residents an easy, transparent path to compliance and protection. "At Venn, we believe in the power of thoughtfully designed integrations," says Oz Ganon, Head of Partnership at Venn. "When we partner with the right technology providers, like Modives, we're not just adding features, we're creating a shared ecosystem that drives exponential growth. By embedding the best solutions seamlessly into the resident journey, we enable faster adoption, higher engagement, and greater value for everyone involved."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TechCrunch Sessions: AI begins tomorrow — today's your last chance to save on tickets
Tomorrow, the doors open at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall. What happens next isn't just another AI conference — it's the one you need to be at. gathers the most influential builders, investors, and researchers in artificial intelligence for a day of clarity in an industry clouded by hype. If you're leading a company, allocating capital, or building with code, this is where you need to be. Today's your last chance to lock in low rates. Save $300 on your ticket, and score a second one for half off. Or, test your AI knowledge for a shot at winning 2-for-1 passes. After today, only full-price tickets will be available at the door. We're not interested in AI tourism. We've invited the people shaping policy, deploying real systems, and funding the frontier. Hao Sang, Startups Lead, OpenAI, will explore how startups can gain an edge by partnering with OpenAI — offering insights, tools, and influence straight from the source. Iliana Quinonez, Director, Google Cloud — Infrastructure deep dives for AI startups. Jared Kaplan, co-founder of Anthropic, joins for a fireside on frontier model safety and scaling. Kanu Gulati, partner at Khosla Ventures, lays out what the next fundable moment looks like. Ion Stoica, Databricks co-founder and UC Berkeley professor, explains what's actually required to build infrastructure at AI scale. They'll be joined by executives from Google DeepMind, Accel, Amazon, Cohere, SAP, CapitalG, and many more — each with a perspective you won't find on your LinkedIn feed. Explore the full agenda — and see why you need to be in the room. At the event, set up 1:1 or small-group Braindate meetings to make meaningful connections. Head to the networking lounge for deep-dive conversations that could spark your next move — or your next big idea. This is where the real connections happen. And when the day winds down, the conversations keep going. As the sun sets over Berkeley, Side Events hosted by some of the sharpest operators in AI offer a chance to go even deeper: Toyota Ventures: How early-stage startups can survive and thrive through the AI hype cycle Tanka: Beyond tools: How AI becomes your digital employee MyHomie: Homeownership and property search in the AI Age Prices jump the moment TC Sessions: AI starts. Today is your final opportunity to: Save $300+ on your pass. Add a second ticket for 50% off. Try your luck in our AI Trivia Countdown challenge to score a pass for $200 and get a second ticket free. You're almost out of time — but not out of options. Get in while it still counts. Secure your pass at TC Sessions: AI with pre-door rates — less than 24 hours left. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at Error 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
TechCrunch
04-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
TC Sessions: AI begins tomorrow—last chance to save on tickets
Tomorrow, the doors open at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall. What happens next isn't just another AI conference — it's the one you need to be at. TechCrunch Sessions: AI gathers the most influential builders, investors, and researchers in artificial intelligence for a day of clarity in an industry clouded by hype. If you're leading a company, allocating capital, or building with code, this is where you need to be. Today's your last chance to lock in low rates. Save $300 on your ticket, and score a second one for half off. Or, test your AI knowledge for a shot at winning 2-for-1 passes. After today, only full-price tickets will be available at the door. Who's on the main stage and leading breakouts? We're not interested in AI tourism. We've invited the people shaping policy, deploying real systems, and funding the frontier. They'll be joined by executives from Google DeepMind, Accel, Amazon, Cohere, SAP, CapitalG, and many more — each with a perspective you won't find on your LinkedIn feed. Explore the full agenda — and see why you need to be in the room. Where real AI conversations and connections happen At the event, set up 1:1 or small-group Braindate meetings to make meaningful connections. Head to the networking lounge for deep-dive conversations that could spark your next move — or your next big idea. This is where the real connections happen. Techcrunch event Save now through June 4 for TechCrunch Sessions: AI Save $300 on your ticket to TC Sessions: AI—and get 50% off a second. Hear from leaders at OpenAI, Anthropic, Khosla Ventures, and more during a full day of expert insights, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking. These low-rate deals disappear when the doors open on June 5. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW And when the day winds down, the conversations keep going. As the sun sets over Berkeley, Side Events hosted by some of the sharpest operators in AI offer a chance to go even deeper: Toyota Ventures: How early-stage startups can survive and thrive through the AI hype cycle Tanka: Beyond tools: How AI becomes your digital employee MyHomie: Homeownership and property search in the AI Age Final offer — once the doors open, it's full price Prices jump the moment TC Sessions: AI starts. Today is your final opportunity to: Save $300+ on your pass . . Add a second ticket for 50% off. Try your luck in our AI Trivia Countdown challenge to score a pass for $200 and get a second ticket free. You're almost out of time — but not out of options. Get in while it still counts. Secure your pass at TC Sessions: AI with pre-door rates — less than 24 hours left.
The Print
01-05-2025
- Science
- The Print
AI helps us get over the limits of our cognitive ability. We must embrace it
While our cognitive abilities have enabled us to dominate other species, our brains are far from perfect. The human mind is riddled with limitations, including memory constraints, attention deficits, and biases shaped by personal experiences. Humans struggle to process vast amounts of data quickly, have difficulty multitasking efficiently, and require decades of education to reach a professional level of expertise. The human brain cannot work continuously without rest or sleep. Our cognitive bandwidth is limited, and it takes significant time and effort to acquire and retain knowledge. Despite being the most dominant species on Earth, humans are not the strongest, fastest, or most resilient creatures. Cheetahs hold the record for speed, elephants possess immense strength, and eagles have unmatched vision. By most natural measures, we are average or below average in comparison to other species. However, our cognitive abilities—our capacity to think, analyse, and innovate—have given us an unparalleled advantage. In the movie 3 Idiots , Aamir Khan aptly defined machines as 'anything that reduces human effort'. Since the dawn of evolution, homo sapiens have sought ways to reduce human effort with the help of tools and machines. Humans did not dominate the world through sheer physical power but rather by leveraging intelligence to invent tools that extended their capabilities. From the Stone Age to the AI Age, history is a testament to this. For instance, if someone were asked to recall their exact location at 11 am last Wednesday or to solve a complex multiplication problem like 999×999 instantly, they would likely struggle. But machines can perform these tasks in less than a millisecond. Just as machines have been developed to assist with physical tasks, AI-powered systems are now emerging to support and enhance our cognitive processes. Also read: AI is coming for doctors, teachers, creatives. Can India protect these jobs? The role of machines Throughout history, humans have invented tools and machines to compensate for their physical limitations. The invention of the wheel enabled transportation over great distances. The steam engine revolutionised industry and travel. Electricity and computing further enhanced productivity across all sectors. The IT revolution equipped us with digital tools such as spreadsheets, enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, and data analytics platforms, allowing us to manage information more effectively. However, the most profound transformation is now unfolding in the form of Artificial Intelligence. AI is not just another technological advancement; it represents a fundamental shift in how we process information and make decisions. Unlike traditional tools, AI has the capability to learn, adapt, and improve over time, bridging the gap between human cognitive limitations and computational efficiency. AI as a cognitive partner One of the most compelling examples of AI's impact is in the field of medicine. A human doctor can work for 50 years, scanning 100 X-rays daily, and might analyse around 2 million images in their lifetime. In contrast, an AI-driven imaging system like IBM Watson Health Imaging can scan billions of images in a much shorter time, detecting patterns and diagnosing conditions with remarkable accuracy. Studies have shown that AI-powered diagnostic tools often outperform human doctors in identifying certain diseases, ensuring faster and more precise treatments. Another limitation of human cognition is the inefficiency in knowledge transfer. A teacher can impart knowledge to students, but each learner must acquire skills through personal experience. A seasoned doctor can mentor trainees, yet the learning process still requires years of practice. AI, however, operates differently—it allows seamless transfer of knowledge from one model to another. Imagine an AI system integrating the collective intelligence of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and other great minds, creating a repository of knowledge that can be instantly accessed and applied. Also read: AI is a silent spectator to hate speech. It doesn't know how to moderate regional languages Acceleration of discovery Recent advancements in AI have led to breakthroughs that would have been impossible for humans alone. For example, the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines in under a year—a process that traditionally took a decade—was largely facilitated by AI-driven data analysis. Machine learning algorithms were used to identify potential vaccine candidates, accelerate clinical trials, and optimise production processes, demonstrating AI's potential to solve complex problems at an unprecedented speed. AI-powered systems are now being deployed across various industries, from finance to logistics, to optimise decision-making and streamline operations. Companies leverage AI to analyse market trends, predict consumer behaviour, and enhance cybersecurity measures. In creative fields, AI assists in content generation, music composition, and even art creation, proving that cognitive augmentation is not limited to analytical tasks alone. Generative AI, AI Agents are already transforming businesses, improving productivity and enhancing efficiency. Need for a mindset shift Despite the evident benefits of AI, many people remain sceptical or resistant to its adoption. A common misconception is that AI will replace humans, rendering many jobs obsolete. However, history has repeatedly shown that technological advancements do not eliminate work; they transform it. The introduction of machines during the Industrial Revolution did not eradicate employment—it created new opportunities and industries. Similarly, AI will redefine job roles, shifting human effort toward higher-order tasks that require creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking. The challenge lies in our willingness to embrace AI as an extension of our cognitive capabilities rather than viewing it as a competitor. We cannot afford to be arrogant about our intellectual abilities or dismiss AI's potential to complement human decision-making. The world is filled with mysteries and complex challenges—climate change, space exploration, disease eradication—that demand computational power beyond human limitations. Also read: AI regulation gets trickier with Grok. India needs adaptive, not reactionary policies Dawn of Homo Augmentus The transition from homo sapiens is already underway. As AI becomes an integral part of our cognitive ecosystem, those who embrace augmentation will unlock new levels of potential, while those who resist may struggle to keep pace. Accepting our cognitive limitations is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is an acknowledgement that true progress comes from leveraging technology to enhance our abilities. Just as we harnessed fire, tools, and machines to shape civilisation, we must now integrate AI into our cognitive framework to accelerate human advancement. The future belongs to those who can adapt, evolve, and collaborate with AI to solve humanity's greatest challenges. By embracing this partnership, we step into a new era—one where intelligence is no longer confined to biology but extends into a powerful fusion of human ingenuity and artificial cognition. The age of Homo Augmentus has begun. The question is not whether we will evolve, but how swiftly and wisely we will embrace this transformation. The authors have written the book Lead Smart in the AI Era. Views are personal.
