Latest news with #Republic
Fashion Network
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Loop Cashmere in new crowfunding bid to support next growth phase
British knitwear brand Loop Cashmere has launched a new equity crowdfunding campaign on retail investment platform Republic. The five-year-old fashion company, founded by a team of 'seasoned cashmere and fashion experts', aims to raise a minimum of £300,000 (of which £225,000 has been committed to date, it said) to support the 'next phase of its growth journey'. Since inception, Loop said it has attracted the backing of institutional investors, including Finance Yorkshire/Anticus Partners, as well as private supporters, enabling the business 'to evolve into a successful omnichannel model'. Current stockists include Harvey Nichols and Wolf & Badger. The current campaign is expected to run for around three weeks, although as CEO Aude Villebrun and founder Richard Levin noted: 'The pace of investment will ultimately dictate the timeline'. Claiming more than 2,900 customers, 94% five-star reviews on Trustpilot, and year-on-year growth, they added: 'We believe our model is resilient, relevant, and ready for the future.' Levin said: 'We've always been focused on building community… Allowing our customers to become investors felt like a natural extension of that.' Backed by 'double-digit year-on-year revenue growth, international demand, and outstanding customer retention', Loop said it is carving out its niche as a next-generation British brand. Its ambition is to 'redefine what knitwear can be: modern, versatile, uplifting, and made to last'. Villebrun added: 'If we surpass our minimum target we'll be able to restock our most in-demand pieces, which sell out quickly. It will also allow us to grow our team and expand internationally—an exciting next step for Loop.'
Fashion Network
an hour ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Loop Cashmere in new crowfunding bid to support next growth phase
British knitwear brand Loop Cashmere has launched a new equity crowdfunding campaign on retail investment platform Republic. The five-year-old fashion company, founded by a team of 'seasoned cashmere and fashion experts', aims to raise a minimum of £300,000 (of which £225,000 has been committed to date, it said) to support the 'next phase of its growth journey'. Since inception, Loop said it has attracted the backing of institutional investors, including Finance Yorkshire/Anticus Partners, as well as private supporters, enabling the business 'to evolve into a successful omnichannel model'. Current stockists include Harvey Nichols and Wolf & Badger. The current campaign is expected to run for around three weeks, although as CEO Aude Villebrun and founder Richard Levin noted: 'The pace of investment will ultimately dictate the timeline'. Claiming more than 2,900 customers, 94% five-star reviews on Trustpilot, and year-on-year growth, they added: 'We believe our model is resilient, relevant, and ready for the future.' Levin said: 'We've always been focused on building community… Allowing our customers to become investors felt like a natural extension of that.' Backed by 'double-digit year-on-year revenue growth, international demand, and outstanding customer retention', Loop said it is carving out its niche as a next-generation British brand. Its ambition is to 'redefine what knitwear can be: modern, versatile, uplifting, and made to last'. Villebrun added: 'If we surpass our minimum target we'll be able to restock our most in-demand pieces, which sell out quickly. It will also allow us to grow our team and expand internationally—an exciting next step for Loop.'
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Charles ‘working on' producing a contender for the Derby
The King has said he is working on producing a runner for one of the greatest spectacles in the racing calendar – the Derby. Charles's comment came when he and the Queen visited the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket, the heart of the horse racing industry, after touring the nearby National Stud. The couple went on a meet and greet with the public after more than a 1,000 people flocked to the Suffolk town's centre and the King, who is receiving ongoing cancer treatment, spoke about his health. Lee Harman, 54, from Bury St Edmunds, said: 'I asked him how he was, and he said he was feeling a lot better now and that it was 'just one of those things'.' After telling Charles about his own cancer issues, Mr Harman said: 'He asked me how I was and I said 'I'm all good', I got the all clear from cancer last year.' Thoroughbreds owned by the late Queen won four out of the five flat racing classics – the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks twice and the St Leger – with only the Derby eluding her. Now it appears the King, who took on Elizabeth II's stable of horses with his wife, is aiming to have a thoroughbred ready. As he toured the Jockey Club Rooms, a retreat for members and the public, he chatted to his racing manager John Warren, Jockey Club staff and members, and some of the chairs of racecourses run by the club, which include Newmarket, Epsom, Aintree and Cheltenham. Brian Finch, chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse, home to the world-famous Derby, said after speaking to the King: 'We were talking about him getting a Derby runner and he said 'we're working on it'. 'Everybody is hoping the royal family will have a Derby winner soon.' Earlier when the royal couple met well-wishers in Newmarket town centre, Charles was questioned by a member of the anti-monarchy group Republic – who was among the crowds. In a video released by the organisation, a man can be heard asking the King: 'Why does your family cost us half a billion pounds a year Charles?' – a reference to claims made in a Republic report released last year, but the King does not respond directly only saying 'ah yes' and moving on. The royal couple had begun their day by touring the National Stud, part of the Jockey Club Group, that offers stud services to the racing industry. They were shown four resident stallions including Stradivarius, who has career earnings of more than £3.4 million and won three successive Gold Cup victories at Royal Ascot.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Republic Collaborates With Mawari To Launch the First-ever Node Sale for US Users Through Republic's Regulated Broker-Dealer
New York, New York, July 22nd, 2025, Chainwire Republic, a market-leading private investing platform for alternative assets, is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with Mawari, a leading project in the Extended Reality (XR) and DePIN space, to launch the first-ever license sale for US participants via Reg D. This launch is powered by Republic's managed infrastructure platform Republic Runtime, which supports compliant infrastructure operations and automated reward distribution. This extended collaboration to launch Mawari's Decentralized Infrastructure Offering (DIO) also marks the first node sale on Republic Launchpad through OpenDeal Broker LLC, an affiliate of Republic. Having worked closely before through Republic's advisory practice, the two teams aim to raise the bar for what a high-quality, compliant node sale should be. "Republic Launchpad has established a foundation in utility token offerings for U.S. investors and is proud to evolve our offerings with Mawari as the first node sale under the DIO model." - Caitlin Szikszai 'Node offerings never reached U.S. soil—until now,' said Luis Oscar Ramirez, Founder & CEO of Mawari. 'By teaming up with Republic, we've turned regulatory hurdles into an open gateway: anyone can run a Guardian Node, fuel real‑time XR, and share in the value they create. We're also rewriting the economics of node sales—cutting out the hype and tying rewards directly to real‑world network utility. This isn't just a license sale; it's the first step toward an immersive internet built & powered by its users.' Republic users will have exclusive access to Mawari's innovative DIO starting July 23rd*, a week before the public launch. For the first time, US-based participants will be able to join a legally compliant node license sale through Republic via Reg D. Mawari's infrastructure expansion is driven by the growing global demand for AI-driven immersive content, as the spatial computing market is projected to reach $377.45 billion by 2030. Mawari uses its Immersive Compute Network, a decentralized system powered by a global network of community-operated machines, to deliver high-quality, real-time 3D content to end users. Further, its patented 3D streaming engine reduces data usage by up to 80% to deliver complex 3D content efficiently. Mawari's technology has been deployed in projects for T-Mobile, Netflix, BMW, and KDDI. It has also partnered with Qualcomm and Niantic, and has raised over $17 million from Web2 and Web3 investors, including Samsung Next. A Utility-first Model Distinct from traditional node sales characterized by short-term hype and speculation, Mawari's DIO is a utility-first model that rewards real participation and measurable contributions. It offers flat pricing, transparent design, and performance-based payouts. The DIO gives community members a way to contribute to the growth of the network by purchasing Guardian Node licenses. Guardian Node Operators actively monitor and ensure network health and uptime. In return, they earn Network Monitoring Rewards, representing 20% of the Mawari Network's total revenue, along with fixed incentives for early participants. There are two ways for participants to get involved: Run a node directly: Users can set up and operate a node using standard hardware (minimum 1GHz CPU, 8GB RAM) and contribute by delivering immersive content through the network. Delegate operations to node operators: For those who prefer not to manage infrastructure themselves, licenses can be delegated to a list of verified node operators to a secure, fully managed service to support the Mawari Network decentralized networks. Republic is working on a unique opportunity for investors who participate in the Mawari offering to delegate Mawari nodes through Republic's institutional-grade staking division Republic Runtime with $1.5B+ in delegated assets and 100+ validator nodes. ABOUT MAWARI Mawari is the world's first DePIN for Spatial Computing, enabling the mass adoption of AI agents. The Mawari Network powers real-time global streaming of immersive AI-driven experiences with close to zero latency. Mawari's fusion of AI + XR seamlessly blends digital intelligence with physical reality, delivering lifelike 3D Avatar AI agents today. ABOUT REPUBLIC Republic accelerates the growth of Web3 by supporting the industry's most ambitious projects and investors. With a world-class team of strategists, the Republic Research arm guides projects from seed to liquidity, offering expertise in tokenomics, smart contract development, fundraising, and marketing. Its platform also includes global token offerings, institutional crypto funds, and enterprise-grade solutions for Web3 startups. Republic Research has played a key role in the success of projects such as Avalanche and Supra, among others. As part of the Republic ecosystem, which has deployed over $2.6 billion across 150 countries, Republic Research is a leader driving innovation in the Web space. Republic Research collaborates with the most promising Web3 projects to drive growth, innovation, and establish a leadership position in the industry. Connect with us on: X | Substack | LinkedIn Disclosure: *The live offering date may be subject to change. This offering is in digital assets issued by Mawari and not equity in the company. This offering is facilitated by OpenDeal Broker LLC, dba THE CAPITAL R, (BrokerCheck) Affiliates of OpenDeal Broker LLC have financial interests in this offering, or in the offering's sponsors, and may have invested at more favorable terms including the price and lock-up terms. Please note, only US Accredited Investors will be able to participate in this offering. This is a speculative, risky investment and may be illiquid or pricing may substantially fluctuate in value. You may lose money. This is not an offer to buy or sell securities. Read the detailed disclosure: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or legal advice. Investing in cryptocurrency projects involves a high degree of risk, including the potential loss of all invested funds. All affiliates mentioned, including Republic Node Jersey Limited ('Republic Runtime'), Republic Crypto LLC ('Republic Research Advisory'), and OpenDeal Broker LLC dba The Capital R, Member FINRA & SIPC ('Republic Launchpad'), are entities under the parent OpenDeal Inc. which collectively conducts business as 'Republic.' The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Republic. All located at 149 5th Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10010. Readers should perform their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Republic Research may be working with Mawari and may have a financial interest in its success, but this post does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of future performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and regulatory environments are subject to change. Always invest responsibly.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Fast Company
Can AI think? Here's what Greek philosophers might say
In my writing and rhetoric courses, students have plenty of opinions on whether AI is intelligent: how well it can assess, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information. When I ask whether artificial intelligence can 'think,' however, I often look upon a sea of blank faces. What is 'thinking,' and how is it the same or different from 'intelligence'? We might treat the two as more or less synonymous, but philosophers have marked nuances for millennia. Greek philosophers may not have known about 21st-century technology, but their ideas about intellect and thinking can help us understand what's at stake with AI today. The divided line Although the English words 'intellect' and 'thinking' do not have direct counterparts in ancient Greek, looking at ancient texts offers useful comparisons. In Republic, for example, Plato uses the analogy of a 'divided line' separating higher and lower forms of understanding. Plato, who taught in the fourth century BCE, argued that each person has an intuitive capacity to recognize the truth. He called this the highest form of understanding: 'noesis.' Noesis enables apprehension beyond reason, belief, or sensory perception. It's one form of 'knowing' something—but in Plato's view, it's also a property of the soul. Lower down, but still above his 'dividing line,' is 'dianoia,' or reason, which relies on argumentation. Below the line, his lower forms of understanding are 'pistis,' or belief, and 'eikasia,' or imagination. Pistis is belief influenced by experience and sensory perception: input that someone can critically examine and reason about. Plato defines eikasia, meanwhile, as baseless opinion rooted in false perception. In Plato's hierarchy of mental capacities, direct, intuitive understanding is at the top, and moment-to-moment physical input toward the bottom. The top of the hierarchy leads to true and absolute knowledge, while the bottom lends itself to false impressions and beliefs. But intuition, according to Plato, is part of the soul, and embodied in human form. Perceiving reality transcends the body—but still needs one. So, while Plato does not differentiate between 'intelligence' and 'thinking,' I would argue that his distinctions can help us think about AI. Without being embodied, AI may not 'think' or 'understand' the way humans do. Eikasia—the lowest form of comprehension, based on false perceptions—may be similar to AI's frequent 'hallucinations,' when it makes up information that seems plausible but is actually inaccurate. Embodied thinking Aristotle, Plato's student, sheds more light on intelligence and thinking. In On the Soul, Aristotle distinguishes 'active' from 'passive' intellect. Active intellect, which he called 'nous,' is immaterial. It makes meaning from experience, but transcends bodily perception. Passive intellect is bodily, receiving sensory impressions without reasoning. We could say that these active and passive processes, put together, constitute 'thinking.' Today, the word 'intelligence' holds a logical quality that AI's calculations may conceivably replicate. Aristotle, however, like Plato, suggests that to 'think' requires an embodied form and goes beyond reason alone. Aristotle's views on rhetoric also show that deliberation and judgment require a body, feeling, and experience. We might think of rhetoric as persuasion, but it is actually more about observation: observing and evaluating how evidence, emotion, and character shape people's thinking and decisions. Facts matter, but emotions and people move us—and it seems questionable whether AI utilizes rhetoric in this way. Finally, Aristotle's concept of 'phronesis' sheds further light on AI's capacity to think. In Nicomachean Ethics, he defines phronesis as 'practical wisdom' or 'prudence.' Phronesis involves lived experience that determines not only right thought, but also how to apply those thoughts to 'good ends,' or virtuous actions. AI may analyze large datasets to reach its conclusions, but 'phronesis' goes beyond information to consult wisdom and moral insight. 'Thinking' robots? Today, AI takes on many physical forms, from autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots to healthcare robots and drones. If intelligence requires embodiment, as Plato and Aristotle believed, it might seem as if AI is coming closer than ever to human thinking. AI does take on many forms, but they're still not bodies; they run on code, algorithms, and datasets. Intuitive understanding, emotion, integrity, and practical wisdom seem to require an embodied, perishable form that is moved by experience. Perhaps we should ask AI itself—so I did. When I prompted ChatGPT with the simple question, 'Can you think?,' it responded: 'I can process information, analyze patterns, and generate responses based on data. So, in some ways, it might 'seem' like I'm thinking. But it's not thinking like a human does. I don't have consciousness, emotions, intentions, or awareness. Everything I 'do' is based on patterns learned from huge amounts of text and a set of rules and probabilities. I can 'simulate' certain aspects of thinking, but I don't truly think or understand in the human sense.'
