Latest news with #Unbound
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Traveling downtown might never be the same after Mayo Clinic expansion
May 31—ROCHESTER — Driving in downtown Rochester recently can feel a little like going through a corn maze, as the area is dotted with temporary lane and street closures. While some lanes will reopen in the future, it's unlikely that traffic through parts of downtown will ever fully return to what some consider to be normal. "Travel patterns downtown will change drastically," Rochester Traffic Engineer Sam Budzyna said. The changes are the result of a pair of major projects in the city — Mayo Clinic's $5 billion expansion and the city's bus-rapid transit system. And it means some roads, like Third and Fourth avenues southwest, will look different permanently. Last year, the Rochester City Council approved the future closure of the one-way roads between West Center Street and Second Street Southwest to make way for Mayo Clinic's "Bold. Forward. Unbound. In Rochester." project. Mayo Clinic recently submitted an application to consolidate several lots stretching west of the Mayo and Gonda buildings. Mayo Clinic was required to conduct a traffic study and now must work with city staff to outline a plan for anticipated impacts for a 20-year period, Deputy Public Works Director and City Engineer Dillon Dombrovski said. Third and Fourth avenues won't be officially vacated until city-approved plans to address traffic changes are in place. So, where will that traffic go once those roads are closed? It's still a work in progress, but Sixth and Broadway avenues are expected to see major impacts. "Looking at mitigation, we look at the impacts to intersections and different corridors," Dombrovski said. "In this study, it's obviously identified that those trips are going to have to shift elsewhere, and Sixth Avenue (Southwest) is one of the corridors that's identified that see an increase in traffic." He said other north-south traffic could move to Broadway. Increased use of First Avenue will be discouraged, since its design targets pedestrian and bike use. Budzyna said the impacts aren't expected to shift all current Third and Fourth avenue traffic to other north-south corridors, since early study indicates much of the past use focused on the clinic campus as a destination. "A lot of that traffic does go straight to what's currently the west Gonda to drop off, so there's not a whole lot of through traffic with people just cutting through downtown all the way from north to south," he said. While the combined one-way avenues have two lanes in each direction, he said current studies show Sixth Avenue will be able to accommodate the added traffic without widening the roadway, though some improvements are expected. Mayo Clinic must fund the evaluation of potential changes for Sixth Avenue intersections at West Center Street, Second Street Northwest and Civic Center Drive for the city to decide if adjustments are needed, Dombrovski said. "The studies indicate we're going to need to do something differently," he said, adding that Mayo Clinic is expected to bear most of the cost related to making changes under a pending development agreement. City costs could come with improvements outside those required by the Mayo Clinic project. In a statement from Mayo Clinic, communications manager Kristy Jacobson wrote that expansion plans are being "thoughtfully integrated into the broader Rochester downtown area, contributing to a vibrant community where community members, staff, patients and visitors feel welcome. "Once Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester is complete, arrival and departure — serving vehicles, shuttles, valet and pedestrians — will welcome patients and visitors to Mayo Clinic with designs that help reduce vehicle congestion and pave the way for a pedestrian-centric campus that seamlessly connects public and private spaces." Budzyna said early plans show three drop-off points for the new complex: * A southern loop around Calvary Episcopal Church , 111 Third Ave. SW., which sits between the existing Third and Fourth avenues; * A similar northern loop with vehicles driving in on Fourth Avenue and out of Third Avenue; * And a planned "North Arrival Center" near the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 11 Fourth Ave. SW. Combined with the addition of the city's Link Bus Rapid Transit system along Second Street south of the new Mayo Clinic Buildings, Budzyna predicts changes in driving habits will come with the expansion and new parking amenities outside the downtown core. "The travel patterns are just going to change so much, opening up capacity for more patients and visitors rather than employees that just need to store their cars all day long," he said, adding that changes are expected to provide more options for accessing downtown. One impact remaining to be addressed revolves around the elimination of a bike corridor that the city established five years ago. "There's not going to be a bikeway on Third and Fourth (avenues) anymore like there is today, so we have a condition that requires Mayo to be responsible for re-establishing that bike network," Dombrovski said. Mayo Clinic is expected to establish an indoor pedestrian passage through its new building at Fourth Avenue, but Dombrovski said that won't serve the needs of bicyclists, who use the two one-way avenues to cross between downtown bike routes on West Center Street and Fourth Street Southwest. The city engineer said a mobility consultant is expected to be hired to engage bike users and determine the best north-south route through the downtown core, which would tie back to existing facilities on each side of the new construction. Since closing the streets will rely on approved plans to address all traffic impacts, Rochester Planning Supervisor Ed Caples said final filing of the street status is delayed until agreements are reached. "They have to work through it before they can record it," he said. Additionally, he said, the subdivision being reviewed will require the street vacations to be filed before building permits can be issued. Dombrovski said required reviews and planning for future traffic will take time, which is typical with large projects that impact public streets. "That's not any different than any other development project," he said.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
AI security startup Unbound raises $4 million in round led by Race Capital
Unbound, which focuses on enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) security, has raised $4 million in an oversubscribed seed round led by Race Capital. Other investors include Wayfinder Ventures, Y Combinator, Massive Tech Ventures, and angel investors like Alpha Square Group and Northside Bengaluru-based startup plans to invest over $1 million in India, specifically for hiring and expanding its research and development (R&D) efforts. With a current team of eight in Bengaluru, Unbound said that it aims to support Indian companies in adopting secure, cost-effective AI solutions, highlighting the country's strength in innovation, focussed on real-world results. 'As AI tools become mainstream, enterprises are turning to flexibility and control,' said Rajaram Srinivasan, cofounder and CEO of Unbound. 'They want visibility into what's being used, assurance that their data is protected, and the ability to swap in better models as the space evolves. Unbound is the bridge that makes that possible.' Founded by Srinivasan and Vignesh Subbiah, Unbound helps organisations safely integrate generative AI into their workflows. The platform gives IT and security teams the tools to oversee usage, monitor sensitive data flows, and enforce internal policies. 'Defaulting to blanket bans on AI tools is like being in the times of GPT 3.5. Unbound enables surgical security controls into every AI request so teams can innovate freely without putting corporate secrets at risk,' said Vignesh Subbiah, the company's CTO and cofounder. According to Subbiah, Unbound's solution has helped clients prevent over 7,000 potential data leaks while also reducing their AI tool costs by nearly 70%.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI security startup Unbound raises $4 million in round led by Race Capital
Synopsis Wayfinder Ventures, Y Combinator, Massive Tech Ventures, and angel investors like Alpha Square Group and Northside Ventures participated in the oversubscribed seed funding round of the startup. Unbound, which helps organisations safely integrate GenAI into their workflows, plans to use over $1 million for hiring and expanding its R&D efforts.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
11 years on, I'm still mourning comedy legend Rik Mayall
It's been almost exactly 11 years since the death of inimitable comedy genius Rik Mayall. 11 long years (if you read that in Richie's voice, you're my people). I'm not over it. In fact, over a decade on, I miss Rik's irreverent humour more than ever – but I'm so honoured to be a part of the inaugural Rik Mayall Comedy Festival this weekend. In interviews after his recovery from a near-fatal quad bike accident in April 1998, Rik Mayall revealed that his family had dubbed that day 'Crap Thursday'. The crash happened the day before Good Friday, and Rik had remained in a coma until Easter Monday. He often joked that he 'beat Jesus' by being dead five days before coming back to life. Well, June 9, 2014 was definitely 'S**t Monday'. S**tter than the s**ttiest of s**t-smeared s**tty s**t Mondays. I was travelling home from a hen-do and had no idea how bad my hangover was about to get. Upon reading that Rik Mayall had died of a sudden heart attack, I burst into tears and felt sorrow in a way I hadn't thought possible from a celebrity death. Such is my love of 'The Rik', texts started to ping in from friends reassuring that they were thinking about me. Of course, my thoughts were with Rik's friends and family; his wife Barbara and three children Rosie, Sid, and Bonnie. In the years since Rik died, I've lost my own beloved mum and dad – and, while I must not diminish the insurmountable devastation felt when your nearest and dearest are snatched from this earth, the pain of Rik's untimely death at age 56 deeply affected me. British comedy had lost an irreplaceable master of the craft. I've been a fan of Rik Mayall's work for as long as I can remember. Aged seven, Grim Tales was a series of adapted Brothers Grimm stories that Rik brought to life with such hysterical flair, my young mind was indelibly transformed. Soon, Drop Dead Fred became my favourite film with repeated viewings too numerous to count – it remains my go to comfort watch. Then Bottom exploded onto TV screens in 1991. Yes, aged eight, I was too young to be watching the show but you couldn't have stopped me and my older brother from tuning in to the live-action cartoon depicting Richie and Eddie's hilariously depraved existence. It was like nothing we had ever seen before, or since. Bottom formed my funny bone into the best possible shape with its stupendous slapstick, witty wordplay and naughty nob gags – it's comedy dynamite. To say I love it is an understatement. In the years since Rik died, I've been inspired to work in comedy and study Bottom quite a lot ('while I'm alone in the house'). I've waxed lyrical about why it's the best British sitcom, I co-host a podcast Talking Bottom and have even co-authored a Bottom book, due to be published by Unbound on July 3. Now, this weekend sees The Rik Mayall Comedy Festival launch for the first time in Droitwich Spa – Rik's hometown. This brand new comedy festival being named after the inimitable genius of Rik Mayall is a fitting way to honour the man who gifted the world so much laughter. I am beyond honoured to be a tiny part of the festival, as I'll be appearing at the Norbury Theatre with a live version of my podcast Talking Bottom – I'll have the pleasure of interviewing Bottom's incredibly talented Director and Producer, Ed Bye. I plan to see as many of the other comedy shows as possible while I'm there. Every smile on every face will be gathered there thanks to a love of Rik Mayall, and, of course, the hard work of the organisers. Rik Mayall is arguably (and fight you about it, I will) the finest comic actor of his generation. From his early days in the 1980s, forming one half of an iconic partnership with Adrian Edmondson in The Dangerous Brothers, Rik took the comedy world by storm. Following their anarchic live performances at The Comic Strip club, Rik co-created and starred in The Young Ones and changed the face of British comedy in its wake. Rik went on to steal the show in sitcoms including Filthy Rich & Catflap, The New Statesman, Blackadder, Believe Nothing and Man Down. In sharp contrast to the public persona Rik cultivated – an effervescently confident ego-maniac – at his core, he struck me as someone humble. Grateful to be sharing laughter. As far as I'm concerned, it's the most wonderful gift you can bestow on your fellow humans, and Rik dished it out in custardy pants-filled bucketloads. It's often said that you shouldn't meet your heroes but I had the honour of meeting Rik on several occasions (one of the many 'ordinaries' he nicknamed fans with mocking affection), and he never disappointed. Rik was generous with his time. He made you feel special, he'd embrace you in a life-affirming hug, if female fans offered him their breasts to sign (consent was never in question), he'd gladly oblige while flashing his trademark pervy grin. He'd fall to his knees pretending to give male fans fellatio – anything for the giggle, especially when there was a camera around. Some may interpret these exchanges as overtly exhibitionist, sexual, inappropriate… but that was the point. Rik's behaviour was so gleefully outrageous and welcomed in a way that's hard to explain to anyone who didn't encounter it first-hand. Rik possessed a unique warmth of character. An endlessly playful energy exuded from him – it was infectious. All-consuming. Awe-inspiring. Addictive. Fans still feel this connection, even without having met him, as it's present in his performances. We're all invited in on the joke of his faux grandiosity. It's glorious. On June 9, 2014, grief-stricken fans poured out their love via social media – tributes to Rik Mayall 'the man, the myth, the legend' were, quite rightly, everywhere. In the months that followed, a petition for a commemorative bench in Hammersmith, located near the spot from the iconic opening credits to Bottom, was actioned. I attended the bench unveiling in November 2014 and it was healing to share the loss with fellow fans. Humour helps heal the darkest of situations. It builds memories, forms bonds and connects you on a level that seeps deep into your bones. I shared many Rik inspired laughs with my parents over the years. When my mum was ill in bed in her final days fighting cancer, I remember walking through our front door and hearing her shout the classic Richie line 'I'm in the cupbooooard' from her bedroom. We shrieked with laughter, all thanks to Rik's comedy shared in years gone by. In the months after Mum died, I took my dad on a trip to Rik's bench in Hammersmith. While there, I promptly pretended to punch him in the nether regions. I've hundreds of photos with Dad, but it's an image I especially cherish now he's sadly gone, too. You rarely have a chance to take a picture so hilariously inappropriate with your own father. I have my parents and Rik to thank for my wicked sense of humour. Rik may no longer be here but his legacy endures. New generations of comedy fans are discovering his work and that gives me comfort. It gives me hope for the future. The Young Ones fans know there's solace to be taken from the fact Rik will never truly be dead when we still have his (poems) comedy. June 9 may be the anniversary of S**t Monday but it has become a date on which fans around the world will be sharing Rik clips, memes, happy memories of meeting the comedy legend, witty letters he sent, arrange to meet each other at the bench and raise a glass to toast his memory. More Trending As such, every year, I now find myself looking forward to seeing 'Rik Mayall' trending on socials. The sadness turns to joy. It's important to mark this milestone by celebrating Rik's humour – today and always. So no, I'm still not 'over' Rik's death, I never will be… I never want to be. The best way to honour The Rik Mayall is to share a laugh every chance we get. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: This new British movie is one of the funniest films I've ever seen MORE: BBC confirms huge Casualty news and it's the end of an era MORE: Interior Design Masters fans fume after favourite loses to 'ugly' design in shock finale
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Race Capital Leads USD 4 Mn Funding Round in Unbound
The funds will be deployed to scale hiring and operations in India, expand integrations across the AI ecosystem, and enhance Unbound's model routing and orchestration capabilities. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Unbound, the enterprise-grade AI infrastructure startup, has secured USD 4 million in seed funding to redefine how organisations adopt and govern AI. The round was led by Race Capital, with participation from Wayfinder Ventures, Y Combinator, Massive Tech Ventures, and other prominent angel investors. The funds will be deployed to scale hiring and operations in India, expand integrations across the AI ecosystem, and enhance Unbound's model routing and orchestration capabilities. Over USD 1 million is earmarked for India, where Unbound currently operates with a lean team of eight in Bengaluru. "We've seen tremendous interest from Indian enterprises. Like Mangalyan, our customers are finding efficient paths to powerful outcomes," said Rajaram Srinivasan, Co-founder and CEO of Unbound. Founded in 2023 by Rajaram Srinivasan and Vignesh Subbiah, Unbound is pioneering a new category of infrastructure that makes AI safe, observable, and governable within large organisations. Their flagship product, the Unbound AI Gateway, integrates with popular tools like Cursor, Roo, Cline, and internal copilots. It offers real-time protection, cost-aware model routing, and granular usage analytics — enabling enterprises to adopt generative AI on their own terms. "Defaulting to blanket bans on AI tools is like being in the times of GPT-3.5," noted CTO Subbiah. "Unbound introduces surgical security controls into every AI request so teams can innovate without compromising sensitive data." Unbound's AI Gateway has already prevented thousands of data leaks, including secret credentials and sensitive customer information. The platform also enables dynamic model access — allocating premium LLMs to high-impact workflows while offloading routine tasks to open-source models. This approach has helped customers cut AI tooling costs by up to 70%. "As AI tools become mainstream, enterprises demand control, flexibility, and safety," added Srinivasan. "Unbound is the bridge that makes it all work." That sentiment is echoed by THG's CISO, Abraham Ingersoll, who said: "Unbound empowers us to roll out AI tools to employees with confidence." Race Capital's Edith Yeung called Unbound "a new category of AI infrastructure," built for "safety, observability, and cost discipline from day one." With a mission to make AI adoption secure and manageable, Unbound is setting a new standard for enterprise AI — one where innovation no longer comes at the cost of control.
