Latest news with #Cofounder
Forbes
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
How Manufacturing Trends Could Impact The EVTOL Revolution
Robert Lane is the CEO and Cofounder of Manaflex, a global innovator of circuitry solutions for EV, energy and other industry sectors. Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft—which are battery-powered flying vehicles that are large enough to carry passengers—are an innovative form of urban transportation that offers a traffic-free and environmentally friendly alternative to ground-based transit methods. Given recent developments in the field of batteries, aerodynamics and lightweight components, the industry is anticipated to expand rapidly. While there have been some road bumps, eVTOL makers have raised $2.3 billion in 2024, up from the $1.5 billion raised in 2023, but down from the $3.4 billion in 2022 and $4.3 billion in 2021, according to Alton data cited by Reuters. Likewise, Aviation Week's fleet statistics estimate that approximately 2,000 eVTOL aircraft are expected to be deployed worldwide by 2030, growing to almost 12,000 by 2040 and 33,000 by 2050. As CEO of Manaflex, which supplies eVTOL leaders with key operating components, it has been fascinating to watch this evolution. Here are a few of the trends I've seen in this space in recent years, and how they will impact the adoption of eVTOLs. Building For An eVTOL Ecosystem The success of eVTOLs depends on modern electronic and power technologies that enable lightweight design, efficient use of energy and high-reliability operations. The manufacturers that achieve commercial viability will be those that emphasize battery management, reduce electrical weight and maximize power distribution. Leaders in this space are also looking to facilitate flight modifications via enhanced aerodynamics and real-time diagnostics—augmented by smart sensors. In addition, manufacturers are also building systems that lean on aluminum-based circuitry over copper systems, which can result in lower-mass technology. The industry as a whole is moving closer to widespread acceptance as new manufacturing processes enable automated, scalable production. In particular, compared to conventional copper systems, circuit mass can be reduced by approximately a third when using aluminum-based circuitry. I've also seen a shift away from traditional wire-and-metal assembly and toward fully integrated systems, such as the direct embedding of circuits into structural composites. This includes advanced 3D printed circuit boards that blend stiff and flexible regions, which unlock even more weight and cost reductions. This method could revolutionize both robotics and aircraft, as combined procedures that concurrently manufacture electronics and structure are replacing the traditional method of assembling disparate metal frames, as well as wiring harnesses. What's Next For The eVTOL Industry With 2.5 billion people projected to live in cities by 2050, traditional road transportation will become more crowded. In major U.S. cities, eVTOLs can reduce origin-to-destination time for travel by around 30% to 40%, rendering them a sustainable and scalable option. However, the road—or rather, airpath—ahead doesn't come without challenges, despite rapid growth. Current energy densities—which restrict flight duration, payload capacity and battery efficiency—remain a major constraint. Likewise, to safely and effectively handle thousands of low-altitude aircraft, air traffic control and regulatory frameworks must evolve. Additionally, infrastructure will require a large investment, especially in congested urban areas. Here are a few areas that will need to be improved: • Vertiports: These are vital for eVTOL landing and takeoff, particularly in cities. For access and transportation integration, they must be placed strategically and based on demand. Rooftop or repurposed site solutions may be required due to space limits in urban areas. • Infrastructure For Charging: Charging stations will need to be upgraded to support fast charging. This may require upgrades to the grid to manage large electricity loads. It will also be essential to develop standardized connectors and hardware. Utilizing renewable energy sources and intelligent energy management systems can improve grid efficiency and resilience. • Air Traffic Management: For eVTOLs to safely integrate with conventional aircraft and drones, existing air traffic management systems must be modified. To handle large numbers of eVTOL travel, automated technologies may be required, as well as cutting-edge software to improve coordination and manage airspace complexity. Certification and public acceptance are also essential. Communities need to be reassured about the accessibility, noise levels and safety of eVTOLs. Gaining confidence and incorporating eVTOLs into current transportation ecosystems will necessitate cooperation with governmental organizations and industrywide standards. To gain this confidence, the industry must make transparency, safety and public involvement top priorities to increase public trust in eVTOLs. The public will be reassured that these aircraft meet high standards if they undergo stringent safety testing, demonstrate clear regulatory compliance and maintain strong collaborations with aviation authorities (such as the FAA and EASA). Community engagement initiatives such as town halls, virtual tours and ride-along opportunities can help demystify the technology, and real-world pilot programs in controlled environments can demonstrate dependability and noise performance. Faster urban travel, less traffic, less pollution (in comparison to vehicles or helicopters) and enhanced emergency response capabilities are some concrete advantages that the sector should emphasize. Lastly, eVTOLs must be framed as a safe and useful advancement in urban mobility rather than as a futuristic novelty, with the support of prominent aviation professionals and consistent messaging from reliable organizations. The industry may radically revolutionize urban transportation as we now know it—reducing traffic, enhancing sustainability and developing new channels for communication and commerce—if these issues are addressed with concerted international effort. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
29-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Leading With Artificial Talent: How Agentic AI Is Reshaping The Future Of Leadership
Dr. Chih-Han Yu is the CEO and Cofounder of Appier, an AI SaaS company. In today's digital economy, delivering more with fewer resources isn't an edge—it's expected. Artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimentation and has become foundational. The question is no longer whether companies will use AI but whether they're ready to lead alongside it. We're entering a new chapter of AI adoption, one defined by agentic AI: autonomous systems capable of planning, deciding and acting across key business functions. This isn't just an upgrade in tools; it's a shift in how we organize expertise, execute at scale and think about leadership itself. Agentic AI And The Rise Of Artificial Talent Agentic AI allows businesses to function with digital counterparts—specialized agents trained to make decisions, optimize performance and respond in real time. These agents are more than the byproduct of automation; they operate like embedded experts within the organization. But just like human teams, too many specialists working independently can create confusion rather than clarity. Many companies are layering on agent after agent, each handling a different workflow, and in the process, unintentionally increasing operational complexity. It's a familiar challenge. In traditional companies, scaling talent without coordination leads to fragmentation. With AI, the same holds true. Overloading a single agent with too much responsibility dilutes effectiveness, while deploying too many agents without clear orchestration introduces friction and inefficiency. Designing AI-Native Organizations To lead effectively in this new era, businesses must design for intelligence from the ground up, building systems where AI tools are specialized, work well together and are guided by a clear strategy. That starts with embedding AI into daily workflows, organizing clean and usable data and educating human teams so they can use these tools confidently and align them to real goals. Picture a future marketing team where customer segmentation, content creation, campaign performance analysis and budget optimization are all managed by interoperable agents. Each one executes its role based on live data, feeding into and learning from the others, while the human team focuses on creative direction, ethical oversight and broader strategy. This isn't a vision for the distant future. It's an emerging reality for high-performing, AI-forward companies. Rethinking Leadership In The Age Of Autonomy Leadership is evolving. The leaders of tomorrow won't just oversee people; they'll manage a dynamic mix of human and artificial capabilities. Where traditional leadership focused on hiring for expertise, modern leadership will involve selecting and orchestrating AI agents with the same level of intentionality. Artificial talent doesn't take vacations, but it also doesn't read nuance, culture or timing. That's where human leadership remains essential. The future belongs to organizations that know when to lean into automation and when to pull back for human judgment. The key is balance. AI can scale execution, but humans provide meaning, vision and connection. To strike this balance, leaders should define clear roles for AI versus human teams, regularly audit what's being automated, and stay close to employee and customer feedback. Empower your teams to question AI output and make space for human intervention where empathy, ethics or context matter most. Smart organizations will design workflows where the two operate in tandem, not just side by side. The Future Isn't Just Digital—It's Intelligent Agentic AI isn't a trend—it's a structural evolution. Just as companies once had to become digital-first, now they must become intelligence-first. That means embedding AI into the core of how businesses plan, build and operate. This shift doesn't make leadership obsolete. It makes it more strategic. It challenges executives to think beyond the immediate ROI of automation and instead ask: "How do we design a business where artificial and human intelligence enhance one another?" Those who get that balance right, who treat AI not as a tool but as part of the team, will lead not just in adoption but in outcomes. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Associated Press
19-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Octoname Helps Remember Names Effortlessly and Solve the Embarrassing Problem of Forgetting Names
Octoname is a flashcard-style memory app that aims to eliminate social awkwardness and strengthen connections in everyday life. Octoname, a flashcard-style memory app, helps users remember names and build meaningful connections. Toto, the Cofounder of Octoname, shared the story behind the app's creation, 'The idea behind Octoname was born from a common and deeply personal struggle: forgetting names in social or professional settings. In search of a solution, I began writing down names and practicing them regularly; eventually, I turned this routine into an app that could help others as well. Octoname was born.' Octoname's simple interface is designed to promote long-term memory retention through spaced repetition and visual reinforcement, methods often used in language learning and cognitive training. The app turns the overwhelming process of memorizing dozens of names into a manageable and enjoyable, daily practice. Using Octoname, a user can now: Whether preparing for a meeting, gearing up for a networking event, or simply navigating daily social encounters, Octoname helps users walk in confidently and leave a lasting impression, simply by saying names correctly. Before any event, a user can prepare themselves by : 'Stop saying, I'm just bad with names. That excuse is holding you back: from deeper connections, better opportunities, and real confidence in every social setting. With Octoname, remembering names becomes second nature. ' Toto Alpha concludes. From students and teachers to expats, professionals, and event organizers, Octoname is built for anyone who meets a lot of people and wants to show up as their best, most connected self. To download Octoname on the App Store, visit: Media Contact Company Name: Octoname Contact Person: Ben Polley & Toto Alpha Email: Send Email Country: Germany Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Octoname Helps Remember Names Effortlessly and Solve the Embarrassing Problem of Forgetting Names
Globe and Mail
19-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Octoname Helps Remember Names Effortlessly and Solve the Embarrassing Problem of Forgetting Names
Octoname is a flashcard-style memory app that aims to eliminate social awkwardness and strengthen connections in everyday life. Octoname, a flashcard-style memory app, helps users remember names and build meaningful connections. Toto, the Cofounder of Octoname, shared the story behind the app's creation, 'The idea behind Octoname was born from a common and deeply personal struggle: forgetting names in social or professional settings. In search of a solution, I began writing down names and practicing them regularly; eventually, I turned this routine into an app that could help others as well. Octoname was born.' Octoname's simple interface is designed to promote long-term memory retention through spaced repetition and visual reinforcement, methods often used in language learning and cognitive training. The app turns the overwhelming process of memorizing dozens of names into a manageable and enjoyable, daily practice. Using Octoname, a user can now: Create custom flashcards for each person they meet by adding their name, photo, where meeting happened, and any personal notes. Organize people into groups such as Work, Gym, Conference, for easier review. Mark names as 'remembered' or 'still learning' to keep track of progress. Practice with flashcard review sessions at your own pace. Review regularly to keep names fresh in mind, even after months. Whether preparing for a meeting, gearing up for a networking event, or simply navigating daily social encounters, Octoname helps users walk in confidently and leave a lasting impression, simply by saying names correctly. Before any event, a user can prepare themselves by : Quickly scanning his list Build confidence and leave a great impression by greeting people by name. 'Stop saying, I'm just bad with names. That excuse is holding you back: from deeper connections, better opportunities, and real confidence in every social setting. With Octoname, remembering names becomes second nature. ' Toto Alpha concludes. From students and teachers to expats, professionals, and event organizers, Octoname is built for anyone who meets a lot of people and wants to show up as their best, most connected self. To download Octoname on the App Store, visit:
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Compete When You're An Underdog
Christian Hyatt is the CEO and Cofounder of risk3sixty. As a cybersecurity expert, he has overseen more than 2000 engagements. Running an independent, self-funded business means embracing a different kind of challenge. Without the backing of outside investors or deep-pocketed funding, success depends on making smart, deliberate choices—investing in growth sustainably, building a strong team and focusing on long-term value over short-term hype. This kind of business model offers freedom—freedom to treat clients exceptionally well, to build a meaningful internal culture and to take risks based on values rather than investor expectations. It's part of what makes smaller, more agile firms stand out. But it also means operating as the underdog. Underdogs don't have the luxury of massive marketing budgets or the ability to burn through cash to dominate visibility. Larger, heavily funded companies can flood the market, grab attention and expand aggressively—regardless of whether they're profitable. Competing with that kind of presence is daunting. But while underdogs may never outspend the competition, they can outthink them. So, how do smaller players thrive in an industry dominated by giants? By being scrappy, creative and relentlessly focused on what truly matters—delivering exceptional value, forging strong relationships and staying nimble enough to seize opportunities the big players miss. 3 Ways To Win As An Underdog In 2020, we decided to start producing free content for cybersecurity and compliance experts. Our logic is that if we "give first," some of the folks enjoying our content will decide they want to do business with us one day. Since then, we have produced hundreds of videos on YouTube, hosted webinars every month, published hundreds of free guides and templates, created complete courses, spoken at dozens of conferences and more. It takes a lot of work to produce content consistently. Thousands of hours of effort. But we felt convinced that if we focused on serving the people in our community, we would eventually earn a few raving fans. Over 1 million people have viewed our content, and many of our sales prospects refer to our content while engaging with or using our services during the sales process. We made the first move, and a few people decided to do business with us. To be clear, I'm not saying that you need to start creating content. But you do need to think about how to give as much value as possible to the people you serve—and do it. Do it generously. With no strings attached. And eventually it will pay off. Underdogs that give the most win. The Cheesecake Factory has 47,500 employees and 213 locations. Their menu is a small book, they are located in prime locations and they have huge negotiation power with their suppliers. They have built a solid company. However, in Atlanta, there is a little Barbecue restaurant called Heirloom Market Barbecue. It's a single location—a hole-in-the-wall joint. But I'll be darned if that place isn't the first Micheline Star restaurant in Atlanta. So, what do they do that others can't? People: The two chefs in the back. Yeah, that's the owners. They are there every day. Heirloom has an elite staff that makes it run like a finely tuned machine. Process: Cooking process and recipes honed over a decade that result in a consistently great product. Technology: Fresh ingredients, wood-fired smoker built by the expert chefs who work the grill every day. They solve barbeque better than anyone. That same lesson applies to all the underdogs out there. You do not have the luxury of being like The Cheesecake Factory. Instead, you have to niche down. You have to have a singular focus on a single problem better than anyone else in the world. Niches are where underdogs win. I recently read a biography of Warren Buffett. What resonated with me about Warren Buffett is his long-term "buy and hold" investment strategy. That mindset allows you to make prudent long-term value decisions that directly benefit our most important stakeholders: our clients and our team. The funny thing is that kind of long-term thinking is out of style. It's almost old-school thinking. It flies in the face of all the headlines you see in the technology and SaaS space. All of the "Unicorns," the big rounds of investments and billion-dollar valuations we see in the tech space. But then I remember what Buffett said: "Time loves a good business." Now, don't get me wrong. I respect the founders out there who achieve "Unicorn" status. That is a fantastic accomplishment. However, I would encourage more of us to think of ourselves as an investment you "buy and hold." From my experience, the surest path to business success is doing the right thing consistently, for a really long time. To endure. The fact is that most folks aren't willing to do something that long and that consistently. Endurance and sustained discipline are hard. However, it all but guarantees success if you do. For Underdogs, time is on our side. And, I'll repeat it: "Time loves a good business." That's because, by necessity, we underdogs have finely tuned our business model for sustainability. It is in our DNA to run lean, serve our customers, serve our team members and earn a profit. Our culture tends to be genuine because it was forged over time, not purchased during the last round of funding. The result? Underdogs have the opportunity to be predictable, stable, value-based and consistent. The long road is where Underdogs win. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
