Latest news with #ProjectA
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Big studios are not filmmakers, they're business guys: Jackie Chan
Action star Jackie Chan called Hollywood studios 'business guys' and expressed that the industry is not the same creative playground he once worked in. He spoke at the Locarno Film Festival on Saturday evening in Switzerland. The 71-year-old actor said that modern big-budget productions now seem driven less by passion and more by profit a conversation with Locarno head Giona Nazzaro during a Q/A session, Chan said, 'I think the old movies are better than today. Right now, a lot of big studios are not filmmakers. They're business guys. They invest 40 million and think, 'How can I get it back?' And you can't go over. It's very difficult to make a good movie now.'advertisementHe further added, 'In all of Asia, only two directors can do everything: the writing, directing, acting, stunt coordinating, stunt fighting, and editing. Only two. One is Sammo Hung, the second one is Jackie Chan, and I'm better because I know how to sing.' The 'Rush Hour' star said that his decision to learn singing was practical as he cannot do dangerous stunts forever. He emphasised, 'I cannot do this forever. It's just so dangerous. I thought, What should I do? I should learn how to sing. I want to be Asia's Robert De Niro.'Chan also said he had nearly given up on Hollywood. He expressed his frustration over scripts that didn't resonate with him or the American audiences. However, he mentioned how the film 'Rush Hour' (1998) changed everything for him. He admitted, 'It was the last try. If it doesn't succeed, then I finish.'The film's success, despite limited budgets and restricted action space, proved to be a turning point. 'I think 'Rush Hour' changed the culture,' he also stated that his Hollywood ambition was always to 'be a cross-cultural bridge between the US and China.'The Locarno Film Festival that also screened Chan's early directorial works, 'Project A' and 'Police Story', will conclude on August 16.- Ends
Economic Times
19-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
'Boss fired me, then cried while I consoled her': Employee shares bizarre last day experience at work
Synopsis An employee shared a bizarre firing experience on Reddit, revealing they were let go on the first day back from their honeymoon — but ended up consoling their boss, who broke down in tears while delivering the news. Hired for a specialist role, the employee was assigned to manage a failing project outside their expertise, and despite performing well overall, was eventually let go after a period of medical leave and part-time work. Boss Fired Employee, Then Cried in Front of Them. (Representative Image) Workplace exits can be awkward, but one employee's last day took a turn no one saw coming. After returning from their honeymoon, they were called in for what should have been a routine meeting — only to find themselves being let go by a boss who burst into tears. In a twist of roles, the employee ended up comforting the very person firing Reddit, the employee, shared that they joined the company last September expecting to work in a specialized capacity. But soon after starting, it became clear that the role involved a full-spectrum workload far beyond what was originally discussed. One major assignment, known as Project A, stood out for all the wrong reasons — it had nothing to do with the employee's background and revolved around a product that didn't even exist yet. Though the project was troubled from the start, the manager admitted they needed someone from the team to be attached to it, so the employee stepped up. As the work dragged on, it became clear to many in the team that the project was unlikely to succeed, but they continued with it took another turn when the employee experienced a sudden medical emergency, leading to a week-long break. On return, they shifted to part-time work with their manager's support, a temporary arrangement meant to ease recovery and accommodate upcoming wedding plans. Despite the reduced hours, they managed to stay on top of multiple responsibilities and supported other teams — all while Project A remained the weak link.A few weeks before their wedding, the employee noticed a drop in workload and sensed a change in the manager's behaviour. Anticipating potential trouble, they quietly began exploring freelance real surprise came after their return from the honeymoon. The manager invited them for a coffee chat — and unexpectedly broke down in tears while delivering the news that the company had decided to let them go. The employee recalled offering emotional support as the manager confessed she had tried to delay the firing and even admitted to being deeply unhappy at the job conversation ended on an unexpectedly heartfelt note, but it was followed by a formal letter stating the reason for termination as "untrustworthiness." The employee, baffled by the claim, viewed it as a poor explanation for what was really a management-level decision tied to the doomed the firing may have come at a strange moment — on the very day they returned from a major life milestone — the employee expressed relief. The job, they said, had become a chaotic experience, and Project A had always felt like a disaster waiting to happen. The moment of being laid off turned unexpectedly emotional, but also freeing.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Boss fired me, then cried while I consoled her': Employee shares bizarre last day experience at work
An employee shared a bizarre firing experience on Reddit, revealing they were let go on the first day back from their honeymoon — but ended up consoling their boss, who broke down in tears while delivering the news. Hired for a specialist role, the employee was assigned to manage a failing project outside their expertise, and despite performing well overall, was eventually let go after a period of medical leave and part-time work. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mismatch Between Role and Expectations Strange Signals Before the Fall Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Cathartic Conversation, Then a Cold Letter Workplace exits can be awkward, but one employee's last day took a turn no one saw coming. After returning from their honeymoon, they were called in for what should have been a routine meeting — only to find themselves being let go by a boss who burst into tears. In a twist of roles, the employee ended up comforting the very person firing Reddit, the employee, shared that they joined the company last September expecting to work in a specialized capacity. But soon after starting, it became clear that the role involved a full-spectrum workload far beyond what was originally discussed. One major assignment, known as Project A, stood out for all the wrong reasons — it had nothing to do with the employee's background and revolved around a product that didn't even exist the project was troubled from the start, the manager admitted they needed someone from the team to be attached to it, so the employee stepped up. As the work dragged on, it became clear to many in the team that the project was unlikely to succeed, but they continued with it took another turn when the employee experienced a sudden medical emergency, leading to a week-long break. On return, they shifted to part-time work with their manager's support, a temporary arrangement meant to ease recovery and accommodate upcoming wedding plans. Despite the reduced hours, they managed to stay on top of multiple responsibilities and supported other teams — all while Project A remained the weak link.A few weeks before their wedding, the employee noticed a drop in workload and sensed a change in the manager's behaviour. Anticipating potential trouble, they quietly began exploring freelance real surprise came after their return from the honeymoon. The manager invited them for a coffee chat — and unexpectedly broke down in tears while delivering the news that the company had decided to let them go. The employee recalled offering emotional support as the manager confessed she had tried to delay the firing and even admitted to being deeply unhappy at the job conversation ended on an unexpectedly heartfelt note, but it was followed by a formal letter stating the reason for termination as "untrustworthiness." The employee, baffled by the claim, viewed it as a poor explanation for what was really a management-level decision tied to the doomed the firing may have come at a strange moment — on the very day they returned from a major life milestone — the employee expressed relief. The job, they said, had become a chaotic experience, and Project A had always felt like a disaster waiting to happen. The moment of being laid off turned unexpectedly emotional, but also freeing.
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Project A Launches €325 Million Fund to Fuel Europe's Earliest-stage Tech Right From Idea Stage
BERLIN & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 24, 2025-- Project A, one of Europe's leading technology venture capital firms, today announces the successful close of its oversubscribed €325 million Fund V, increasing its total assets under management to €1.2 billion. This fund will further Project A's core mission: to be the trusted partner for Europe's most ambitious entrepreneurs during the critical pre-seed and seed stages, and even earlier at the idea stage through its Studio platform. 'Our conviction in the transformative power of European entrepreneurship is stronger than ever,' said Malin Posern, Partner at Project A. 'Europe is poised to cultivate the next generation of globally significant companies, and this new Fund underscores our deep commitment to being a pivotal partner for these ambitious founders, offering both the essential capital and the deep operational understanding required to navigate their foundational journey.' Building champions: A proven track record Since 2012, Project A's team of seasoned operators has established a leading track record in European early-stage investing success. Project A has consistently produced unicorns across all funds, with notable companies including Trade Republic, sennder, Zepz plus the most recently announced unicorn, Quantum Systems. This consistent ability to nurture high-growth potential from the earliest stages has positioned Project A among Europe's top-performing early-stage investors. Deep, specialist support at pre-seed and seed stages Recognising that Europe's innovation ecosystem demands more than just capital for early-stage founders, Project A's dedicated pre-seed and seed focus delivers tailored support and resources precisely when they're most impactful. This includes: 'Our fundamental approach at Project A is to be an indispensable partner for founders from their earliest days,' emphasised Anton Waitz, General Partner at Project A. 'Through our focused pre-seed and seed strategy, plus our unique Studio model, we provide not just crucial initial investment but the practical operational resources and deep expertise necessary to navigate the initial complexities and build scalable, impactful businesses. We're excited to partner with the next generation of exceptional European tech leaders through this new fund.' Momentum from long-term believers As a testament to the strength of Project A's reputation, track record and dynamic thesis, Fund V was significantly oversubscribed and raised at speed, in just four months. The fund was also backed by a diverse mix of new and existing LPs including long-standing institutional investors, major family offices, and strategic partners from across Europe and the US – many of whom have participated in multiple Project A funds. With this continued support, established teams in Berlin and London, the new €325 million (£278m) Fund V, and a portfolio of 130 ambitious companies, Project A is well-primed to unlock the next generation of European entrepreneurial talent. The firm is also strengthening its London office with the promotion of Jack Wang to Partner who joins existing Partner Malin Posern in Project A's growing UK team. ENDS About Project A Project A is a leading European early-stage investor, with €1.2 billion in assets under management and a track record of committing to ambitious founders from idea to scale — and beyond. The firm focuses on pre-seed and seed, bringing clarity, conviction, and founder-aligned capital to the earliest and most critical stages of company-building. Project A supports teams building across themes shaping Europe's future, including Fintech, European Resilience, Global Supply Chains, and the Future of Autonomous Work. Its portfolio includes category leaders such as Trade Republic, Sennder, Zepz, and Quantum Systems. Alongside its core early-stage strategy, Project A also operates the Studio, a founder-led space for early-stage exploration, where the firm collaborates from day zero to help exceptional entrepreneurs shape and validate bold ideas, partnering with ventures like 11x, ARX Robotics, and Enapi. Learn more: View source version on Sayula Kirby /[email protected] KEYWORD: GERMANY EUROPE IRELAND UNITED KINGDOM INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE MOBILE/WIRELESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HARDWARE ROBOTICS ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION FINTECH PAYMENTS IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRANSPORT LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Project A Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/24/2025 05:00 AM/DISC: 06/24/2025 04:59 AM
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Project A Launches €325 Million Fund to Fuel Europe's Earliest-stage Tech Right From Idea Stage
BERLIN & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Project A, one of Europe's leading technology venture capital firms, today announces the successful close of its oversubscribed €325 million Fund V, increasing its total assets under management to €1.2 billion. This fund will further Project A's core mission: to be the trusted partner for Europe's most ambitious entrepreneurs during the critical pre-seed and seed stages, and even earlier at the idea stage through its Studio platform. 'Our conviction in the transformative power of European entrepreneurship is stronger than ever,' said Malin Posern, Partner at Project A. 'Europe is poised to cultivate the next generation of globally significant companies, and this new Fund underscores our deep commitment to being a pivotal partner for these ambitious founders, offering both the essential capital and the deep operational understanding required to navigate their foundational journey.' Building champions: A proven track record Since 2012, Project A's team of seasoned operators has established a leading track record in European early-stage investing success. Project A has consistently produced unicorns across all funds, with notable companies including Trade Republic, sennder, Zepz plus the most recently announced unicorn, Quantum Systems. This consistent ability to nurture high-growth potential from the earliest stages has positioned Project A among Europe's top-performing early-stage investors. Deep, specialist support at pre-seed and seed stages Recognising that Europe's innovation ecosystem demands more than just capital for early-stage founders, Project A's dedicated pre-seed and seed focus delivers tailored support and resources precisely when they're most impactful. This includes: Dedicated early-stage commitment: Project A's strengths lie in helping founders achieve their most pivotal early milestones, from crucial first hires to raising top-tier follow-on funding from leading global investors like Accel, Benchmark, Sequoia. Generalist attitude meets specialist depth: Project A's thesis uniquely combines breadth and depth – exploring the full scope of innovation while building expertise where it matters most. This keeps the fund focused, forward-looking and primed to spot and support generational companies with dynamic conviction. Deep sector expertise: This conviction and depth means Project A's partners are domain experts in the sectors shaping Europe's future: currently European Resilience, Fintech, Future of Autonomous Work, and Global Supply Chains. The Project A Studio: For innovators who are still working on their ideas, Project A's collaborative Studio offers support for the very earliest activities, from idea validation, to team development, and early market fit. Portfolio companies like 11x, ARX Robotics and ENAPI leveraged the Studio during idea validation and went on to raise pre-seed from Project A. "Our fundamental approach at Project A is to be an indispensable partner for founders from their earliest days," emphasised Anton Waitz, General Partner at Project A. "Through our focused pre-seed and seed strategy, plus our unique Studio model, we provide not just crucial initial investment but the practical operational resources and deep expertise necessary to navigate the initial complexities and build scalable, impactful businesses. We're excited to partner with the next generation of exceptional European tech leaders through this new fund." Momentum from long-term believers As a testament to the strength of Project A's reputation, track record and dynamic thesis, Fund V was significantly oversubscribed and raised at speed, in just four months. The fund was also backed by a diverse mix of new and existing LPs including long-standing institutional investors, major family offices, and strategic partners from across Europe and the US – many of whom have participated in multiple Project A funds. With this continued support, established teams in Berlin and London, the new €325 million (£278m) Fund V, and a portfolio of 130 ambitious companies, Project A is well-primed to unlock the next generation of European entrepreneurial talent. The firm is also strengthening its London office with the promotion of Jack Wang to Partner who joins existing Partner Malin Posern in Project A's growing UK team. ENDS About Project A Project A is a leading European early-stage investor, with €1.2 billion in assets under management and a track record of committing to ambitious founders from idea to scale — and beyond. The firm focuses on pre-seed and seed, bringing clarity, conviction, and founder-aligned capital to the earliest and most critical stages of company-building. Project A supports teams building across themes shaping Europe's future, including Fintech, European Resilience, Global Supply Chains, and the Future of Autonomous Work. Its portfolio includes category leaders such as Trade Republic, Sennder, Zepz, and Quantum Systems. Alongside its core early-stage strategy, Project A also operates the Studio, a founder-led space for early-stage exploration, where the firm collaborates from day zero to help exceptional entrepreneurs shape and validate bold ideas, partnering with ventures like 11x, ARX Robotics, and Enapi. Learn more:
