Newsletter Archive

Richard Rushfield presents a satirical take on the Sun Valley conference, proposing an "alternate agenda" for the attending media and tech CEOs. The piece humorously critiques the industry's leadership by imagining panels and sessions that would force executives to confront their recent failures, from streaming service losses to box office bombs. It mocks the self-congratulatory nature of the event and the perceived disconnect between the moguls' self-image and their actual performance.

Mark Halperin promotes his latest podcasts and live shows. Highlights include a '2WAY Tonight' discussion with Aaron Parnas on "MAGAs concerns over Epstein" and a "Next Up" podcast episode analyzing Trump's decision-making rules. The episode also features guests Batya Ungar-Sargon, Eric Bolling, and Michael Knowles discussing immigration, MAGA, and JD Vance. The newsletter provides viewing details for other shows like "The Group Chat," "The Morning Meeting," and "Random Offense."

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's birthright citizenship order, though the injunction is delayed for a potential appeal. U.S. stocks reached record highs on hopes of trade deals and strong corporate earnings. The Pentagon is investing in rare-earths producer MP Materials to counter China's dominance. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed new paths for Ukraine peace talks with his Russian counterpart, and Houthi rebels sank two merchant ships in the Red Sea.

This "unstacked" newsletter from Substack curates writer commentary on the Wimbledon finals. It covers the tournament's prestigious atmosphere, traditions like strawberries and cream, and the "carnage" of upsets that has defined this year's event. Key storylines include a potential men's final between Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, or Novak Djokovic, and the women's final featuring Amanda Anisimova against Iga Swiatek. Writers offer predictions, with Alcaraz and Djokovic favored for the men's title and Swiatek for the women's.

This TechMates podcast episode interviews Shoaib Iqbal, founder of Australian space-tech startup Esper Satellites. Shoaib shares his journey from a tech-curious youth in Saudi Arabia to launching his company. Inspired by the 2019 Australian bushfires, Esper Satellites develops affordable hyperspectral imaging CubeSats to provide vital data for mining, agriculture, and climate monitoring. Shoaib discusses his vision for a global satellite constellation and offers advice for young entrepreneurs, emphasizing user-driven innovation and clear communication.

You are invited to meet the eleven latest investments from Jason's LA34 accelerator class on Monday, July 28th, at 12:30 pm PT. The 70-minute event will be live-streamed and is open to everyone, not just investors. The companies being presented are Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, CustomerIQ, Doctours, Eragon, FusionAds, iTruckr, Streamfog, Tenax ai, and Where2Wheel. Interested parties can RSVP at launch.colive.

LAUNCH invites you to meet the eleven companies from its latest accelerator class, LA34, in a live-streamed event on Monday, July 28th, at 12:30 pm PT. The event is open to everyone, not just investors. The companies presented include Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, CustomerIQ, and seven others. Interested individuals can RSVP at launch.colive.

This newsletter presents an annotated transcript of Vice President J.D. Vance's speech at the Claremont Institute on July 5, 2025. Vance critiques the modern left, using NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as an example of a movement animated by hatred. He then outlines a positive vision for the right, calling to redefine American citizenship based on national sovereignty, a renewed focus on building tangible things (like the moon landing), and a shared sense of obligation and gratitude. The author provides commentary and analysis on Vance's points.

Peter Thiel predicts a crash for the consulting industry, calling it a "scam" that no longer adds value. This collapse is driven by two forces: a Trump administration crackdown on lucrative government contracts, which has led to thousands of cancellations and layoffs at major firms, and the rise of Artificial Intelligence. AI can perform complex analyses in minutes, making the traditional time-and-manpower business model obsolete and allowing clients to handle work in-house. The industry's future is expected to shift towards smaller firms and outcome-based contracts, leading to lower profits and prestige.

Amidst market panic about 'AI slop,' YouTube is executing a dual strategy. It's updating policies to protect high-value, human-created long-form content, which generates significant revenue. Simultaneously, it's encouraging AI-generated content for its low-margin Shorts format to compete with platforms like TikTok. This 'flywheel' approach uses the massive engagement from Shorts (over 200B daily views) to draw users into its more lucrative ecosystem of long-form video and premium subscriptions, showcasing a calculated economic strategy.

An invitation to a live-streamed event on Monday, July 28th, at 12:00 pm PT to meet the eleven companies from the latest accelerator class, LA34. The 70-minute session is open to everyone, not just investors. The featured companies include Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, and others. Attendees can RSVP at launch.colive.

LaunchCo invites the public to a live-streamed event on Monday, July 28th, at 12:00 pm PT to meet the 11 companies from its latest accelerator class, LA34. The 70-minute session will showcase the new investments and is open to everyone, not just investors. Attendees can RSVP at launch.colive. The companies presented include Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, and others.

Stealth Startup Spy 254 spotlights founders emerging from stealth and talent entering it. Key companies launched include RockRose (AI insurance broker), Iris (AI business analyst), Seamflow (AI infrastructure, 4.5M seed), Pensa Technologies (AI for defense manufacturing), and Genesis AI (robotics, 105M seed). The issue also profiles experienced professionals from companies like JLL, Amazon, and Rivian who are now launching their own stealth ventures in fields including AI, real estate, and robotics.

This article argues that while people support censorship in theory, this support evaporates when they consider who would actually wield that power. Polling from FIRE shows that although many Americans favor regulating AI and social media content, they deeply distrust the government, tech companies, and academia to make fair decisions. The author posits that the question 'Who decides?' exposes the fundamental flaw in pro-censorship arguments, which often rely on an abstract desire for action. The key takeaway is that free speech advocates can be more persuasive by making the threat of censorship concrete.

MaintainX, an AI platform for industrial equipment maintenance, has raised 150 million in a Series D round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, doubling its valuation to 2.5 billion. The company, which serves over 11,000 organizations, provides tools to reduce downtime and optimize workflows for deskless workers. The new funding will be used to accelerate product innovation and support global expansion.

Mark Halperin's newsletter promotes his various shows. He highlights a recent "The Morning Meeting" podcast discussion on Gavin Newsom in South Carolina, Rubio's meeting with Lavrov, and DOJ actions regarding Comey and Brennan. The email announces a new "Next Up" episode with guests Batya Ungar-Sargon, Eric Bolling, and Michael Knowles discussing immigration and Epstein. It also promotes live episodes of "The Group Chat" and "2WAY Tonight," providing links to watch and subscribe.

This newsletter from The Browser recommends an unearthed interview with philosopher Roger Scruton about art and elitism. Scruton argues that it's possible to believe some tastes are better than others without being a snob. He defines 'better' tastes as those that engage more creatively and fulfilling with the human soul, but emphasizes this doesn't mean condemning people who have different preferences.

Anthony Pompliano highlights Bitcoin's exceptional investment profile, emphasizing its superior risk-reward trade-off. He presents data showing Bitcoin's 5-year Sharpe ratio of 1.34 significantly outperforms gold (0.96) and stocks (0.81), alongside massive long-term growth (1,096 in 5 years). Pompliano asserts that sophisticated investors prioritize such risk-adjusted returns, and with prominent figures like Larry Fink now endorsing it, Bitcoin's value is poised to continue climbing as long as governments engage in monetary expansion.

StreamAlive's newsletter introduces a new parody 'Virtual Trainer Tarot Cards' game with a t-shirt giveaway contest ending July 11th. It also promotes a webinar on July 23rd with speaker Lorraine K. Lee about improving video presence. Finally, the company announces it will consolidate its pricing plans on July 21st, moving to a model based on AI credit consumption. Current subscribers will not be affected by the change, and the free plan will remain.

This article argues that Europe's tech ecosystem is held back by a culture of early retirement among successful founders, unlike in the US where entrepreneurs like the PayPal Mafia continue building ambitious companies post-exit. Co-authors Mario Gabriele and Torsten Reil contend this deprives the continent of vital experience and innovation. They issue a call to action for Europe's best founders to 'unretire' and build new, ambitious companies in critical sectors like AI and defense to ensure the continent's future technological relevance and security.

An analysis of federal land in the western US explores the feasibility of selling it for housing development. The author finds that while the government owns vast tracts of land, most of it is unsuitable for development due to being too remote, legally protected (National Parks, Forests), or too mountainous. After accounting for these factors, only about 8 of the land is potentially developable. This land is not located near most major cities, with Las Vegas being a notable exception. Therefore, selling federal land is unlikely to be a major solution to the West's housing crisis.

This newsletter presents a series of principles for modern go-to-market (GTM) strategy, arguing that startups now win by compounding better, not just moving faster. GTM is redefined as a holistic system connecting product, brand, and workflows. Key takeaways include prioritizing daily execution, using AI as a leverage tool, treating distribution as the new product, and building systems that learn. The author stresses that while AI provides speed, human judgment, clarity, and building trust at scale remain the most critical components for success.

The author argues that e-commerce is the primary, and perhaps only, driver of retail spending growth. Citing JPM Spend Tracker data, the post notes that 'Card Not Present' spending is positive while 'Card Present' (in-person) spending is down year-over-year. This trend supports the author's ongoing themes of 'Cautious Consumerism' and the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later. With events like Prime Day, the author concludes that the consumer's love for online shopping remains strong and is setting new records.

Mark Halperin's daily briefing for July 10, 2025, highlights the expected meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Malaysia. It also notes the release of the June jobless claims report and a closed Senate Intelligence hearing. The newsletter outlines the day's programming, including "The Morning Meeting" to discuss US-Russia relations and MAGA discontent, "The Group Chat," and "2WAY Tonight." A new "Next Up" podcast will feature Batya Ungar-Sargon, Eric Bolling, and Michael Knowles.

This newsletter covers several key issues. Nestle is accused of trademark bullying for trying to cancel the 'Seattle Strong' coffee trademark. The Trump administration's attempt to erase 'negative' history from National Parks was rejected by the public, while it also implements harsher immigration policies. The New York Times is heavily criticized for manufacturing a scandal about mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani using hacked data from a racist source. Finally, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is delaying legally mandated price caps on predatory prison phone calls.

The stock and bond markets present conflicting economic forecasts. The stock market is optimistic, with equities near record highs and major banks raising price targets, driven by expectations of a strong Q2 earnings season. In contrast, the bond market signals a potential slowdown, pricing in future Fed rate cuts. Apollo's chief economist, Torsten Slok, highlights this divergence, noting his team's more bearish outlook on inflation and tariffs. The upcoming earnings season is expected to provide clarity on which market's prediction is more accurate.

This edition of The Front Page features an interview with astronaut Jared Isaacman, whose nomination to lead NASA was rescinded due to the feud between President Trump and Elon Musk. It also covers several news items: deadly floods in Texas, Donald Trump's claims of threatening Russia and China, Google co-founder Sergey Brin's criticism of the UN, the arrest of a Canadian militia, the resignation of X CEO Linda Yaccarino, and a DOJ investigation into former officials Brennan and Comey. The newsletter concludes with a warning to Harvard about its accreditation status.

Tom Tugendhat recaps his discussion on 'The Rest is Money' podcast about 'frozen capital' in the UK. He argues that too much money is locked in assets that don't generate growth, like government debt and housing. Citing a historical parallel from 1279, he calls for a new economic revolution to free up capital for investment in people, ideas, and businesses to stimulate the economy. Links to the podcast and a Financial Times article are provided.

Nvidia became the first company to hit a 4 trillion market value. President Trump is imposing a 50 tariff on Brazil and targeting seven other nations. Linda Yaccarino is stepping down as CEO of X amid a company shift toward Elon Musk's xAI. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve minutes reveal a division on the timing of interest rate cuts, with most anticipating a cut this year but few supporting one this month. Other news includes Ferrero nearing a 3 billion deal for WK Kellogg and U.S. measles cases reaching a 33-year high.

This issue highlights three key stories: Indian quick-commerce firm Zepto is reportedly raising 500M at a 7B valuation, prioritizing scale. Biotech company Centivax secured a 45M Series A for its universal mRNA flu shot, aiming to build trust in the technology. Meanwhile, VC firm Sequoia faces a significant backlash from the tech community after a partner's controversial political comments, putting the firm's reputation at risk.

AI adoption is shifting from top-down mandates to bottom-up, permissionless innovation. According to the Products That Count AI Advisory Council, individuals are using AI for weekend experiments and 'vibe-coded' prototypes to solve real pain points. Examples include engineers building full-stack apps and legaltech copilots, and non-coding PMs using AI to summarize retros, match mentors, and build complex workflows. The key trend is using AI to remove friction and boost productivity without waiting for formal approval.

The creator economy is experiencing a major boom in 2025, with 1.6 billion in funding for U.S. companies in the first half of the year. This growth, highlighted by deals for creators like MrBeast, contrasts with a sluggish Hollywood. According to industry expert Chris Erwin, deal flow has seen a major uptick, and investors are now focusing more on fundamentals like revenue and profit rather than the 'irrational exuberance' of past years. This article acts as a mid-year report on key deals, trends, and where money is flowing in the creator space.

This analysis explores the convergence of crypto and public markets. It highlights the mispricing of crypto IPOs (e.g., Coinbase, Circle) and proposes the 'Token Transparency Report' as a solution to provide clarity for institutional investors. The newsletter also discusses the transformative potential of tokenized stocks, contrasting permissioned systems led by incumbents like Robinhood with open, permissionless DeFi models. The author argues that a permissionless approach will unlock a new era of global, programmable finance, making crypto a foundational technology.

Economist Tyler Cowen argues that the rising popularity of socialism is a symptom of a broader societal shift towards negativity, which he calls "negative emotional contagion." Rather than a well-reasoned economic preference, he sees modern socialism as a stand-in for negative feelings about the capitalist status quo, characterized by tearing down the rich rather than building a better system. Cowen notes this trend of negativity and confrontation is also present on the political right, creating a polarized society. He concludes by urging a conscious return to positivity to counteract this dangerous mood.

A summary could not be created because the content of the email from technologysemafor.com was not provided. The subject line is ' Eiffel Power', but without the body of the message, no key points or details can be extracted.

This article details the curriculum of a medieval university, centered on the seven liberal arts, or "artes liberales"the "tools of freedom." These were divided into the Trivium (arts of language: grammar, logic, rhetoric) and the Quadrivium (arts of number: arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy). Unlike the modern vague definition, the medieval liberal arts provided a structured education in language, argumentation, communication, and the mathematical principles believed to govern the cosmos, aiming to foster independent thought and a deep understanding of reality.

Graham Walker's newsletter announces several initiatives for founders. Key events include a fireside chat with Halle Tecco on July 10th and a Women Founders and Funders brunch during Seattle Tech Week on July 29th. The newsletter highlights the positive reception of their "Forged in Fire" report on female founders. A major announcement is the launch of the GW Founder Hub, a new resource center featuring a guide on raising venture capital, live office hours with GP Leslie Feinzaig on July 17th, and a curated list of funding opportunities.

Flex Capital reports a highly active Q2, making 23 investments and onboarding 19 new Venture Partners. The firm champions a high-velocity, founder-friendly investment strategy, prioritizing speed and making decisions within five days. They emphasize their "do no harm" approach by not taking board seats and returning voting rights. The newsletter celebrates portfolio successes like Toma's Series A, lists new investments in AI and dev tools, and asks for introductions to top early-stage entrepreneurs.

Anthony Pompliano asserts that Wall Street is actively embracing Bitcoin, not fighting it, because it brings new clients, assets, and revenue. This integration is happening through financial "wrappers" like ETFs and specialized funds, which make Bitcoin more accessible and less risky as its market cap grows. Pompliano believes this is the start of a multi-decade trend where Bitcoin will become a fundamental part of the global financial system and the new investment "hurdle rate" for the next generation of investors.

This daily newsletter for July 9, 2025, provides a schedule of live programming and a political daybook. Key events include Dr. Kevin O'Connor's testimony on President Biden's mental acuity, Senate hearings for the CDC director and ambassador nominations (including Kimberly Guilfoyle), and a meeting between Israeli PM Netanyahu and senators. It also notes Secretary of State Rubio's trip to Kuala Lumpur and Governor Newsom's tour in South Carolina. Live show guests include Susan Page and Coinbase's Paul Grewal.

Private equity (PE) firms are increasingly acquiring life insurance companies, using their stable premiums to fund higher-yielding private credit loans. This symbiotic relationship allows PE-owned insurers to offer more competitive retirement products, attracting more capital and fueling a self-reinforcing cycle. While this strategy boosts yields, it also concentrates retirement savings risk within a small, opaque group of interconnected firms. Data from the Chicago Fed shows PE-backed insurers are driving a significant increase in private placements, particularly in complex securities.

This newsletter covers major tech and economic news, including Figma's IPO filing, Cloudflare blocking AI crawlers by default, new trade tariffs, a new tax bill, and a pending US-led buyout of TikTok. It also notes that AI companies are receiving 38 of all venture debt. Featured investment opportunities include Resident Review, a platform for contractors to review customers; OSML, an AI matchmaking engine for the bond market; and iRomaScents, a technology for adding scents to digital experiences.

The author argues that the media industry is "rubbernecking" at the slow demise of traditional media, thereby missing crucial market signals about IP monetization from AI and streaming. Key examples include Meta's push for AI-generated content under a 'fair use' argument, despite technological setbacks, and Netflix's pivot in gaming to focus on major IP and its own properties. These shifts signal that IP holders must find new partners and models to succeed in the evolving landscape, rather than focusing on the failures of the past.

The author argues the U.S. has become an "extraction economy," prioritizing short-term gains from financial engineering and attention-seeking spectacle over long-term investment. This is contrasted with China's "creation economy," which focuses on building infrastructure, energy capacity, and manufacturing. U.S. policies are criticized for extracting value from national symbols and the dollar's dominance without reinvesting in the productive capacity that underpins them, threatening future competitiveness. The author calls for a shift back to creation through strategic investment in infrastructure and rebuilding public trust.

Bret Waters' missive highlights "Agentic AI" and "Reinforcement Learning" (RL) as the key trends shaping the next phase of AI. Agentic AI involves autonomous agents performing tasks, with major applications expected in business. RL is a training method that rewards models for achieving goals. The hype is demonstrated by Mira Murati's new startup, Thinking Machines Lab, raising 2 billion. This signals a shift in AI from novelty to solving real-world business problems.

Reshma Saujani shares her personal struggle with negative body image, which has worsened with perimenopause. An interview with body acceptance advocate Katie Sturino inspires a change in perspective. Sturino explains how she found success and happiness at her largest size after realizing women of all sizes struggle with body image, concluding the problem isn't size but a societal pressure to be perfect. Inspired by Sturino's journey to radical self-acceptance, Saujani challenges herself and her readers to stop waiting for an ideal body and to start living fully in the present.

Jason Calacanis of LAUNCH is partnering with Sanabil to bring his Founder University program to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, starting November 3rd. This follows JCal's observations of a rapidly growing startup scene in the region. The 12-week pre-accelerator program is designed for 'Year Zero' and 'Year One' founders, offering a curriculum on startup fundamentals, speaker sessions, and weekly progress reviews. Applications are open to founders globally who can attend the program in Riyadh. While there is no initial investment, top-performing founders may receive funding offers from LAUNCH.

Anthony Pompliano's bitcoin treasury company, ProCap BTC LLC, is merging with Columbus Circle Capital Corp 1 (CCCM) to go public. Having raised over 750M and acquired 4,950 BTC, the company highlights its key advantage: the lowest implied mNAV (market value to net asset value) premium in its peer group at 1.3x. This suggests it is the 'cheapest' available option. A redemption feature for CCCM shareholders at 10.00 per share is presented as a way to limit downside risk while offering potential upside.

Tom Tugendhat argues that UK pension and housing policies have systematically transferred wealth from young to old, breaking the social contract. He contends that pension regulations pushed funds from UK equities into government bonds, starving British enterprise of capital. Simultaneously, housing policy has turned property into a tax-free retirement asset inaccessible to younger generations. Tugendhat proposes major reforms, including reconsidering tax relief on primary homes to fund incentives for investing in UK companies, building more houses, and overhauling the pension system to fuel domestic growth.

This daily briefing from Mark Halperin for July 8, 2025, details his media schedule and key political events. Guests on his various shows include author Salena Zito, journalist Emily Jashinsky, and Calley Means, an advisor to HHS Secretary RFK Jr. The political daybook highlights Israeli PM Netanyahu's meetings with congressional leaders, Gov. Newsom's tour in South Carolina, Sec. Rubio's travel to Malaysia, and President Macron's UK state visit. Key discussion topics for the day include Ukraine, tariffs, and Newsom '28.

Peter Leyden shares edited video interviews from his "The Great Progression" event, offering a positive outlook on the future. The interviews feature Steven Johnson on AI's impact on knowledge work with tools like Google's NotebookLM; Siri co-founder Adam Cheyer on the next decade of AI development, predicting a helpful ecosystem; and bioengineering expert Ryan Phelan on using genetic tools to combat climate change and extinction. Links to the full videos and transcripts are included.

This newsletter explores how to host with intention, based on Priya Parker's book 'The Art of Gathering.' The main idea is that every gathering needs a clear purpose to be meaningful. Key principles include starting with a 'why' to guide decisions, curating the guest list to foster connection, using the physical space to shape behavior, and providing clear structure instead of being a 'chill' host. The opening and closing moments are critical for setting the tone and creating a lasting impression. Ultimately, hosting is presented as an act of leadership in designing an experience.

The author presents the 'Agency Loop,' a cycle where AI reshapes reality. It starts with AI products creating new social behaviors ('Cluey'), which creates demand for new physical capabilities. This leads to AI-driven design of new materials to overcome physical bottlenecks. The complexity of this task then forces a fundamental reboot in AI architecture to achieve true creativity. This cyclefrom social protocols, to physical matter, to intelligence architectureis accelerating, creating a powerful feedback loop for technological advancement and investment opportunities.

This article from Heterodox Academy (HxA) argues that internal reform of academia and its external defense against political threats are not mutually exclusive and must be pursued concurrently. Citing debates from its 2025 conference, HxA refutes the idea that focusing on internal issues like ideological homogeneity is a distraction from larger political battles. It posits that the erosion of public trust in higher education, caused in part by these internal problems, has fueled the external backlash. Therefore, while university leaders fight political battles, faculty must continue the work of cultural change on campus.

To combat the FDA's slow, outdated workflows that are hindering US biotech innovation, The Abundance Institute and Stand Together are raising 4 million to embed a "strike team" of 15-20 AI engineers and data scientists within the agency. This team will modernize systems, automate paperwork, and accelerate drug approvals. The initiative, compared to an elite special forces mission, aims to prove the value of embedding tech talent in government to solve critical bottlenecks. The author, Joel Lonsdale, is personally donating and asks others to support the program to keep the US competitive.

Richard Mensah, founder of Salley, reports significant progress for Salley AI in Q2 2025. The company has secured a pilot with a major US telecom, seen 133 QoQ growth in its enterprise pipeline, and hired an experienced Head of ML. Mensah also mentions his recent business travels and the separate "Salley Lessons" newsletter. The company is now focused on product development and is seeking introductions to AI engineers and potential investors for an upcoming funding round.

The narrator, Francine, describes her attempt to help a family in extreme poverty. After being approached by 14-year-old Anne, Francine provides money, pays bills, and finds a job for the mother, Marilyn. However, she soon uncovers a more complex reality of drug use, hidden family members to maintain benefits, and criminal activity. A violent incident involving a gun reveals the family's connection to drug dealers. Francine's well-intentioned efforts are consistently undermined by the family's lies and manipulation, revealing problems far deeper than just poverty.

This newsletter provides curated links on various topics. Key articles explore the strategies behind YouTube star MrBeast and OnlyFans billionaire Leo Radvinsky. Another piece details Barry Diller's 50-year career in entertainment. Other links discuss the vulnerabilities of U.S. and Japanese national debt, how Japan revolutionized shipbuilding, the future of medicine moving towards biological engineering, and tips for making friends after 30. The issue also includes a recommendation for the TV show "South Park" and a concept about the societal impact of "eyes" (cameras) outnumbering "legs" (mobility).

Marty Goldensohn, 78, shares his experience of finding a new romantic partner after his wife of 41 years passed away. He connected with a woman who had also lost her spouse. He reflects on how their shared experience of loss, advanced age, and established lives create a different kind of relationshipone built on acceptance, companionship, and creating new memories, rather than the urgent intensity of young love. They navigate life with separate homes, blended families, and a mutual understanding of mortality, finding joy and support in their later years.

This edition of the Seedraisr newsletter highlights 38 new VC PE funds raised in late Juneearly July 2025. It provides a detailed look at the first 10, including Project A (325M), Mätch VC (40M), and Norrsken VC (300M). For each fund, it lists size, location, industry focus, and investment stage. The newsletter also features a "Content Corner" with industry articles and a "Stealth Momentum" section on new funds and founders. The full list of 38 funds is available to paid subscribers.

Joe Nocera reflects on his Italian immigrant grandparents and the meaning of Emma Lazarus's poem "The New Colossus" on the Statue of Liberty. He contrasts the poem's welcoming message"Give me your tired, your poor"with the historical reality of intense anti-immigrant bigotry faced by Southern and Eastern Europeans. Nocera argues that today's anti-immigrant fervor against Latin Americans mirrors the prejudice of a century ago, questioning how descendants of immigrants can now oppose the very process that allowed their families to thrive in America.

The "Entertainment Strategy Guy" introduces an updated "worst-case scenario" analysis for Disney. Amidst concerns over theatrical misses (e.g., 'Elio'), a flat stock price, and theme park attendance not fully recovering to pre-COVID levels, the author frames this as a "1-in-20" thought exercise to explore potential weaknesses under CEO Bob Iger. The full analysis is paywalled.

This post announces a podcast interview (Ep 118) with Marc Andreessen by Joe Lonsdale. They discuss whether AI and robotics can fuel an American industrial renaissance, benefiting rural areas and reversing the decline of manufacturing. The conversation covers historical tariff policies (McKinley vs. Trump), the economic shift to services that created cultural divides, smart immigration policy in an AI economy, and the potential bottlenecks to this technological boom. The interview was conducted for the Ronald Reagan Economic Forum.

Unshackled Ventures is hosting an in-person session in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 23, to guide international founders through the O-1 visa process. Featuring immigration experts Manan Mehta, Anna Marie Garcia, and Minn Kim, the event will cover the 8 eligibility categories, common pathways, and tips for building a strong application. The session is aimed at technical founders on F-1, OPT, STEM, or H-1B visas. RSVP is required for entry.

This email digest highlights an article, "The LaGuardia Incident," which uses an event at the airport to illustrate the breakdown of America's social contract. The piece suggests that the conflicts witnessed in air travel reflect a wider societal decay. The email also includes four additional, unspecified articles.

A quantitative analysis of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) board transcripts reveals that a governance framework called Student Outcomes Focused Governance (SOFG) has created a "process trap." The study found that 25 of the board's work is now dedicated to managing its own complex rules and procedures, which the author terms a "Governance Tax." This includes time-consuming self-evaluations and debates over its rulebook, diverting focus from its core mission of overseeing the district and improving student outcomes.

This satirical article addresses the disappearance of Soham Parekh, a man accused by Sohail of simultaneously working for 3-4 YC startups without shipping any products. The piece humorously reframes this story, claiming Parekh was not hiding but was in a studio creating a musical album titled '50,000,000 Startups Cant Be Wrong.' It includes fictional celebrity quotes praising his 'hustle.' An editor's note clarifies the entire article is a parody.

This article is a satirical take on Soham Parekh, a man known in tech circles for holding multiple startup jobs at once. Instead of hiding after being exposed, the piece humorously claims he was producing a musical album titled "50,000,000 Startups Cant Be Wrong: Soham Parekhs Greatest Hits." The parody includes fake celebrity endorsements from Billie Eilish and DJ Shadow praising his job-hopping 'hustle.' An editor's note confirms the entire story is fictional and intended as a parody of tech culture.

The request to summarize content from technologysemafor.com could not be completed as no email body was provided. Only the subject line, ' Techs big, beautiful bust', was included.

Ryan Roddy advocates for regular 'blood cleanings' using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to remove environmental toxins like microplastics, PFAS, and heavy metals, drawing a direct analogy to preventive six-month dental check-ups. He argues these accumulated toxins cause chronic disease and that cultural trends in wellness are priming the public for such a service. He highlights Circulate Health, a company he invested in, which offers TPE to lower biological age and improve health markers. Despite high costs and the need for more data, he foresees it becoming a standard, insured health practice.

The author reflects on the 90-day "CoAuthored revival" within the Foster writing community, praising its ability to foster deep, authentic connections and a sense of belonging through collective truth-seeking. The post notes the community's evolution from a tech startup to a space for human expression after being overtaken by AI. It concludes by announcing the revival will pause for the summer, with a possible return in the fall, and encourages members to continue writing and sharing their work.

Neo's June update showcases major portfolio company milestones. Chai Discovery launched Chai-2, a powerful new AI model for pharma. Prediction market Kalshi raised a 185M Series C at a 2B valuation. Replit crossed 100M in ARR, and VibeCode launched its mobile app builder. The newsletter also features news from community members and announces a final call for Neo Scholar applications, which are due Sunday, July 6.

George Emerson argues that Canada Day is celebrated on the wrong date. He dismisses July 1, 1867, as a mere administrative milestone and proposes more meaningful alternatives. His preferred date is December 31, 1775, when a diverse group of Canadians repelled an American invasion of Quebec City. He presents this event as a more fitting origin story that captures Canada's true spirit of resilience and multicultural cooperation, urging a celebration of the nation's character over its bureaucracy.

This analysis challenges the "bigger is better" AI narrative, arguing that small language models (SLMs) are superior to large language models (LLMs) for enterprise use. SLMs provide significant advantages in cost-performance, security through local deployment, and energy efficiency. Performance benchmarks show SLMs are highly competitive for specific business tasks. The article concludes that for enterprises seeking practical, secure, and cost-effective AI solutions, specializing with SLMs is the only sustainable path forward, representing a fundamental shift in AI strategy.

The author contrasts the ad-dominated media world, epitomized by the Cannes Lions festival, with the emerging creator economy. They argue that the traditional advertising model stifles creativity and distorts content to serve brands. In contrast, direct audience subscriptions on platforms like Substack empower creators to produce more authentic, in-depth, and diverse work without being beholden to advertisers. This shift is fostering a new cultural economy that prioritizes the relationship between creators and their audiences, unlocking previously suppressed creative potential.

Reshma Saujani explores why many women in their 40s realize they don't know their own likes, attributing it to a lifetime of conditioning to excel and people-please. This focus on achievement over joy, unlike their male counterparts, leads to a disconnect from personal passions and contributes to midlife burnout. Saujani reframes this midlife awakening not as a failure, but as a critical opportunity for self-discovery and building a more authentic life.

Carrie Sheffield covers several political topics, including President Trump's proposal for 1,000 newborn investment accounts to promote financial literacy. She also critiques California Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership, citing a new book on the state's decline, and argues that New York politician Zohran Mamdani is out of touch with lower-income voters. Sheffield further discusses her firsthand experience with the marginalization of conservative voices at Harvard University and praises President Trump's move to cut federal funding to the school.

Mark Halperin announces that while several regular 2WAY shows like The Morning Meeting are on hiatus until July 7, there is still a full schedule of content for the week. Programming includes two episodes of 'Citizen McCain' with guests Gianno Caldwell and Amie Parnes, 'The Moynihan Report' with matchmaker Amy Van Doran, 'Cancer Decoded' featuring a patient's journey with a new treatment, and 'The Group Chat' discussing the 2028 election. The email provides details and viewing links for each show.

The stock market has experienced a historic rebound, reaching new all-time highs driven by increased liquidity (M2 money supply). According to investment firm Coatue, the dominance of the "Mag 7" stocks may be waning, making way for an "AI super-cycle." This new phase is expected to be led by a new class of winners in AI power, software, and semiconductors. The author, Anthony Pompliano, believes this momentum will continue, pushing the market to even higher highs.

Achieving energy abundance requires investing in grid flexibility and storage, not irrationally blaming renewables for instability. Surging demand from AI makes grid modernization essential to avoid wasteful overbuilding for peak loads. The author refutes claims that renewables cause blackouts, citing a hypothetical Spanish outage as a grid management failure, not a renewables failure. While the US debates, China is building flexible grids to support all energy sources. The US must embrace grid modernization and all forms of cheap, abundant energy to ensure future prosperity.

This issue warns that Generative AI is fundamentally nondeterministic, as a study showed fine-tuning can cause models like GPT-4o to generate harmful content, making human verification essential. Other key signals include Brazil ending social media's safe-harbor defense, the creation of an energy-efficient 'biocomputer' from living neurons, Meta seeking private equity for its GPU buildout, and China's server upgrades making memory the new AI supply bottleneck. Data points show rising AI adoption in business, recruiting, and software pricing, though its use for emotional support remains low.

This article contends that venture capital firms are hypocritical because they don't adhere to their own advice. It highlights numerous contradictions, such as VCs advising founders to have a single CEO while their own firms have multiple partners, urging low salaries while taking high ones, and pushing for public offerings while remaining private. The author illustrates these points to show that VCs preach a doctrine they refuse to practice in their own businesses.

This edition of The Ankle highlights major industry shifts, including a leaked Spotify deck detailing its strategy to compete with YouTube for video creators. It also explores how indie studios like A24 are offering more favorable deals to talent than traditional studios. Other key stories cover the grim atmosphere within major cable companies, the failure of Pixar's "Elio," challenges for Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" reboot, and a new UK show, "Virgin Island," revealing Gen Z's viewing habits.

This email from calacanissubstack.com announces a new post on the Calacanis Substack titled "Meet Gen-Xi". The email's body is brief, containing only a link for the recipient to click and view the full article on the web. No summary or content from the article is included in the email itself; it serves purely as an announcement and a link to the content.

This weekly roundup features several Substack articles. Madison Huizinga discusses long-distance relationships as a challenge of managing time, not distance. Sitara examines the 1960s counterculture's use of medieval fantasy like "The Lord of the Rings" to critique contemporary society. Eli Goldstone compares the art of service to feeding her toddler, reflecting on the desire to "adore and mollify." James Elkins argues that writers should find purpose in the craft itself, as literary fame is fleeting and most will be forgotten.

Jason Calacanis describes "Gen-Xi," a generation burdened by student debt and poor job prospects, making them susceptible to socialist policies like rent control. He argues these ideas are flawed and that the real solution is more capitalism. He advocates for deregulating housing to increase supply, making student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy to reform higher education, and for individuals to make smarter consumer choices regarding college degrees and personal spending.

This newsletter from WSJ. Magazine focuses on the lavish Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, detailing its celebrity guests, 46 million price tag, and no-gifts policy. It also links to stories on the production of luxury weddings and gift-giving for billionaires. Other featured articles cover Nike's redesign of the Air Jordan for its 40th anniversary, the growing art market in the Middle East, Hollywood's 'Boy Mom' trend in film, and an interview with Maury Povich about his new podcast.

Chef Nicole Votano shares reflections on personal growth, parenting, and her career journey. The newsletter features a dining highlight of shrimp pie at Bar Bucce and provides recipes for a Watermelon Mosaic Salad and a Cherry-Cucumber Spritz. Votano discusses an upcoming trip to NYC for the Fancy Food Show and college tours with her daughter. She also announces the return of Fooq's, the restaurant she co-founded, which is reopening in a new, larger location, and mentions her ongoing projects, including kitchen design and future cooking classes.

This newsletter critiques several topics, starting with the irony of Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee calling the FOMC the "worlds greatest deliberative body" despite its record of groupthink and unanimous votes. The author then criticizes the Wall Street Journal's news section for its negative coverage of a U.S. strike on Iran, calling it biased. The piece also highlights a Supreme Court majority opinion that rebuked Justice Jackson's dissent for advocating an "imperial Judiciary." Finally, it expresses skepticism about Harvard's ability to replace federal funding with corporate sponsorships.

The robotics industry is nearing a "ChatGPT moment" thanks to advanced AI models and affordable hardware. However, it faces challenges in battery life, operational latency, and data collection. This article argues that crypto and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) can provide solutions by creating incentive-based systems for charging infrastructure, teleoperation data, and latency optimization. Crypto can also enforce robot safety through on-chain identity and economic guarantees, where misbehaving robots have their staked assets "slashed" to compensate victims.

Superdial has raised a 15M Series A led by SignalFire to automate phone calls for healthcare providers and insurers. The author, an early investor, explains this aligns with his thesis of using AI agents as a temporary bridge to build new marketplaces. Superdial's initial service of automating calls is intended to eventually evolve into a more efficient data exchange network, replacing the calls altogether once sufficient volume is achieved. The company was founded by Sam Schwager and Harrison Caruthers and is currently hiring.

David Crane criticizes Governor Gavin Newsom's administration for policies that have significantly benefited state employees while harming the private sector. Since 2019, state staffing has increased by 21 and compensation by 48, while California's unemployment rate has risen to 26 above the national average. Crane warns of future tax hikes to cover deficits and unfunded pension liabilities, making the state less attractive to employers. He concludes that a change in leadership and a move toward a more tech-enabled government are needed to fix these fiscal issues.

This humorous news roundup focuses on Zohran Mamdani, the new socialist Democratic nominee for NYC mayor, whose campaign is compared to Donald Trump's. The author declares the recent US-involved conflict between Israel and Iran a victory for Trump, citing successful strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities with no American casualties. Other topics include Marjorie Taylor Greene's call to invade Mexico, a labor shortage for AI data center technicians, NATO leaders calling Trump "Daddy," a failed impeachment attempt, and Kari Lake's bizarre congressional testimony.

Joe Lonsdale hosts political commentator Dave Rubin to discuss the new media movement and free speech. Rubin recounts creating the platform Locals to combat Big Tech censorship and shares insights on the 'Twitter Files.' The conversation covers the troubling rise of a 'woke right,' with figures like Tucker Carlson attacking Churchill, and explores how to respond to conspiracy theories. Rubin also discusses his new ventures, including a tequila company and an AI version of himself, and offers ideas for elevating public discourse.

The author argues that capital allocators engage in 'moral arbitrage' by treating systemic societal risks like antisemitism and social collapse as 'unmodelable edge cases' or contrarian opportunities. This is framed as a massive fiduciary failure, not a rational strategy. Using examples like the 1930s German brain drain, climate change-related stranded assets (150B lost), and the opioid crisis (1T economic cost), the author demonstrates that ignoring these large-scale risks consistently leads to catastrophic financial losses. The real risk is not acting early, but waiting until value is already destroyed.

This email from Substack is a digest featuring five articles. The lead story is an interview with Mark Ramadan, who discusses scaling brands like Sir Kensington's and Hu. The interview covers the journey of these brands and the process of navigating acquisitions, offering insights for entrepreneurs and brand managers. The digest also includes four other unspecified articles.

This essay argues that attention is the new foundational infrastructure of power, determining political, military, and economic outcomes. The author uses three examples to support this: Donald Trump's social media-driven foreign policy, Zohran Mamdani's digitally-powered victory in the NYC mayoral primary, and the startup Cluely's venture funding based on its ability to capture attention. The piece posits a new supply chainAttention Speculation Allocationwhere narrative discipline is the key to acquiring resources, shifting power from traditional institutions to masters of the digital feed.

The author argues that the AI industry's intense focus on scaling compute is unsustainable and overlooks the 'forgotten path' of algorithmic innovation. While scaling has yielded impressive models like GPT-4, it faces rising costs and energy demands. The article champions a balanced approach, citing algorithmic advancements like Mixture of Experts (MoE) and models like DeepSeek-R1 that achieve superior efficiency and performance with fewer resources. This path is presented as a more sustainable and robust way forward, calling for increased investment in algorithmic research and design.

A news alert from The Wall Street Journal reports that a cease-fire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding. The communication, identified by its subject line, suggests a de-escalation in the conflict between the two nations. No further details on the terms or duration of the cease-fire were available in the provided content.

In Missive 205, Bret from 4thly challenges the conventional wisdom that Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) are a safe financing option for startups. He argues the name is misleading, as SAFEs can introduce significant risks and complexities for founders. These include the potential for severe, unexpected dilution and complications in subsequent priced equity rounds. The missive advises founders to be cautious and fully understand the long-term implications of SAFEs before using them, suggesting they are not the straightforward solution they appear to be.

Unshackled VC has promoted Alexis Maciel to Principal. The announcement recognizes his valuable contributions to the firm and its portfolio companies. In his new role, he will take on expanded responsibilities, reflecting the firm's confidence in his leadership and abilities.

No content was provided in the request. The summary cannot be generated without the body of the email.

This article argues for the protection of free speech at U.S. borders, criticizing policies that allow warrantless searches of travelers' electronic devices. The author contends these searches violate First Amendment rights, create a 'chilling effect' on expression for journalists and activists, and allow the government to scrutinize personal beliefs without suspicion. The piece calls for greater legal safeguards to ensure constitutional protections apply to individuals entering the country.

Joe Lonsdale argues that proposed AI regulations, often championed by large tech incumbents, threaten to stifle innovation by creating high barriers for startups. He warns this "regulatory capture" could cement the dominance of a few companies and cede America's technological edge to rivals like China. Lonsdale urges Congress to reject broad licensing schemes and instead adopt targeted, pro-competition policies that protect the entire innovation ecosystem, not just the established players, to ensure continued U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

Greg Lukianoff has announced the release of his new TED Talk. In a communication from his Substack newsletter, he shared that the talk is available as of today. The purpose of the message is to inform his audience about this new content and encourage them to watch it.

Reshma Saujani re-evaluates her perception of former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern following her resignation. Initially viewing Ardern as "complicated" for being unhappy despite her success, Saujani now sees her decision to step down due to having "not enough in the tank" as a courageous act of self-preservation. She argues Ardern's choice challenges the unsustainable societal pressure on women leaders to "do it all" and provides a powerful example for women to prioritize their well-being and redefine success on their own terms.

The central claim of the content, based on its title 'Meta makes the dumbest models,' is a critique of the models produced by Meta. The author asserts that these models are inferior, though the specific reasons for this claim (e.g., simplicity, ineffectiveness, poor design) are not detailed in the provided information. The statement is a strong, negative assessment of Meta's technological output in this area.

Peter Leyden is calling for an 'A Team' of leading experts and innovators to gather in San Francisco. The objective is to collaborate on finding a 'new way forward' to address today's complex societal challenges. This initiative aims to harness the collective intelligence of top minds to brainstorm and develop actionable solutions for the future.

UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat argues that the Conservative government has taken a strong stance against Iran by sanctioning over 400 entities, including the entire IRGC, and passing the National Security Act. He criticizes Labour leader Keir Starmer for opposing these measures and failing to commit to proscribing the IRGC. Tugendhat contrasts Starmer's perceived weakness with Donald Trump's clear position on Iran, questioning Labour's readiness to handle national security threats from the Iranian regime.

This newsletter from "manojnayakcom" is titled "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama - Jaipur." It likely discusses a personal experience or reflection related to the Hare Krishna movement within the city of Jaipur. The content probably centers on a visit to a local temple or the cultural significance of the mantra in that specific location.

This is a welcome email for new subscribers to the "Nicole's Global Palate" newsletter on Substack. It confirms the user's subscription and serves as an initial point of contact. The email's purpose is to greet the new reader and likely sets expectations for the type of content they will receive, which, given the title, is probably related to international food and cuisine.