HomeGround analyzes key cricket training metrics from live/recorded training sessions for coaches and players of any level

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Hey Hackers, HackerNoon is a media partner at WOW Summit Hong Kong and we want to tell you all about the upcoming Web3 event, should you find yourself in the APAC region. After successful editions in Dubai, UAE, and Lisbon, Portugal, WOW Summit Hong Kong will become a flagship full-scale Web3 event in the APAC region in 2023. The conference will host over 5000 attendees on March 29-30 at a world-class venue AsiaWorld-Expo. WOW Hong Kong is supported by government institutions - Invest Hong Kong and Hong Kong Tourism Board - and will be co-hosted by the well-known blockchain ecosystem players - , and . The founder of MaGESpire, Bowie Lau, is one of the in Hong Kong by Tatler Asia. Uvecon.VC MaGESpire biggest Web3 names said Bowie Lau, the founder of MaGESpire. "Thrilled and excited to return to the Web3 arena as a co-host of the blockbuster WOW Summit 2023, Hong Kong edition, one of the biggest and the brightest Web3 conferences in the APAC region, filled with thought leaders, trailblazers, and industry experts looking to shape the future of the industry. Hong Kong, as the home ground to the world's largest Web3 Gaming and Metaverse players, has always treaded with cautious optimism when it comes to crypto and Web3 and largely avoided the fallout of the Crypto Winter. But with an increasingly supportive regulatory stance and the open embrace of Metaverse, Hong Kong is positioned well to re-claim its leadership in the Web3 space!" What to Expect Top industry leaders, developers, startups, VCs, funds, corporates, and creators will gather at WOW HK to discuss the hottest topics in the space, network, and harness new business opportunities. Hong Kong is made for tech gatherings, and Web3 is booming here. WOW Summit Hong Kong is the first full-scale Web3 event since the city's reopening after Covid. Attendees can expect the talks and fireside chats on the Web2-to-Web3 transition and the future of the internet, blockchain adoption, real assets tokenization, NFT and Metaverse use cases, CBDC, regulations, and more. Renowned speakers, such as Yat Siu (Co-Founder & Executive Chairman at Animoca Brands), Benedicte N. Nolens (Head of BIS Innovation Hub HK Centre), Dave Chapman (Executive Director at BC Group), Angelina A. Kwan (CEO at Stratford Finance Limited), Duncan Wong (CEO at CryptoBLK), Gillian Howard (Founder & Fair Director at Digital Art Fair) among others, will break the talks on the stage. NFT Art﻿, Startup Competitions, and More Talented artists from across the globe will present their work at the NFT and Digital Art Exhibition. In addition, startups building in Web3 will have a chance to participate in a , pitch in front of well-known funds, VCs, and corporate partners, and get grants for their project development. and are among the main partners of the event. startup competition Brinc OLN Law said Ivan V. Ivanov, CEO of WOW Summit, Partner of UVECON.VC. "The transition from Web2 to Web3, from centralized services to decentralized, is happening now despite the global recession, crypto winter, and uncertainty. Technological progress is unstoppable. Data privacy, end-user data ownership, access to financial products for the unbanked, digital property rights, new tools for customer loyalty management, DAO, and metaverse development - these are the trends of the third decade of the 21st century. Hong Kong has reopened its borders and introduced a new vision on Web3 and virtual assets, welcoming tech companies from all over the world. I'm excited to bring WOW Summit here to boost the transition to Web3; WOW things will happen here!" Summit Date March 29-30 is perfect timing for , as it will happen between two other popular events - Art Basel HK and Hong Kong Sevens, when the city will buzz and crave more entertainment. Besides the conference, several side events will offer more casual networking throughout the week, they will be announced on the WOW Summit’s . WOW Hong Kong website WOW Summit HK promises to be extraordinary and accommodate dozens of top Web3 companies, partners, publishing houses, VCs, speakers, and influencers. It is a must-visit Web3 event in 2023 for the global change-makers building a new world. Reserve your tickets on . the official website

WOW Summit Web3 Conference is Coming to Hong Kong in 2023

Another Softbank Portfolio Company That Has Toxic Culture and No Clear Path to Profitability “The culture is really very toxic.” Those were the words of Mohammad Jahanzeb Gul, who supervised 23 Oyo properties for nine months since January 2019. In a startup growing so blazingly fast even after almost a decade since its founding, Jahanzeb often found himself staring at the computer all day and night to meet deadlines. In this growth stage, current and former works are feeling the increasing pressure, which brought about a slew of toxicity. Some, are simply the inherent nature of a growth-stage startup. Some, are simply criminal acts. Regardless of how Oyo spins their press release to claim that they are ensuring strict adherence to their Code of Conduct, it was clear that those mandates were either riddled with wrongdoings or lacking a moral compass. To some, it contributed to their decision to leave. “There’s something called integrity,” said Saurabh Mukhopadhyay in a New York Times article, “I can’t compromise on that.” It is clear why Mukhopadhyay would resign from the company: Oyo was rife with non-compliant, fraudulent and predatory business practices. Just last year, Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal and his representatives were under a criminal breach of trust, after a hotelier alleged that the trio cheated him of about US$149K. booked by Bengaluru police In another report, a Bengaluru hotelier cited criminal conspiracy, abetment and criminal breach of trust. He claimed that Oyo , then marking them as no-show or cancellations, just to give the illusion that the hotel is being booked constantly. frequently created non-existent room bookings The company also frequently withheld payments from hotel owners: in some cases, they wanted to squeeze hotel owners into renegotiating contracts that it deemed unprofitable. In other cases, the company wanted to save money, figuring that most owners would not press for full payment. “If 1,000 people shout, we will pay 200.” That also contributed to Saurabh Sharma’s decision to leave, who was the operations manager from 2014 to 2018. “If 1,000 people shout, we will pay 200,” as some Oyo managers told Sharma. The fraudulent, predatory practices don’t just stop there. According to The New York Times, Oyo often listed thousands of rooms from unlicensed hotels and guesthouses. According to Mukhopadhyay, under the pressure to add new rooms, employees even brought hotels that lacked air-conditioning, water heaters or electricity onto the platform. These unavailable properties were inserted complete with fake photographs. It’s all one giant shell game, despite Agarwal claiming to be devoid of . “corporate governance issues” As such, Oyo is now facing a series of regulatory investigations and legal run-ins, as evidenced by their with the Competition Commission of India. prima facie case Across the country, hoteliers are dropping off from the platform in the hundred. Hotel and restaurant associations in Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, and other major India cities are also boycotting their booking portal . To top it off, Agarwal himself is being sued by hoteliers too. Betz Fernandez, the owner of Bengaluru-based Roxel Inn, claimed that for the last five months. Oyo has not paid rent Yet, to Oyo, they would rather placate the authorities by giving the police and other government officials free rooms on request, according to a WhatsApp group in which The Times reviewed. This was despite , former Oyo CEO and current board member, claiming that they “do not encourage or involve [themselves] in any kind of bribery or graft.” Aditya Ghosh With all the contradictory statements and legal disputes, Oyo is now, very obviously, falling apart. Cracks in the business model and depleting war chests are quickly making it . look like Softbank portfolio company (and counterpart) WeWork Agarwal may be optimistic about his company, even though he claimed to not have guidance on . Unfortunately, the reality is that WeWork’s troubles have , from bleeding billions per year down to the . “when [they] will be profitable” quickly spiraled out of control smallest of things Oyo is looking like they’re on the highway to WeWork-land and they have broken the speed limits a long time ago. Yet Another Bubble Priming to Pop “ ”—a quote by the aforementioned Oyo operations manager in this story—seems less like a prophecy and more of a fact at this point when you look at the burgeoning losses and questionable financial practices. It’s a bubble that will burst Despite so, Agarwal claims that it is “ before getting [to profitability]”. only a matter of time A valuation report filed by the company with the Registrar of Companies showed something entirely different, as Oyo’s operating expenses ballooned by 390%, resulting in a $331 million net loss. Besides hemorrhaging in their homeground India, efforts to expand overseas have also flopped. In Japan, their “Project Yukichi” code-named sales initiative . Yahoo Japan even between them and Oyo December last year. failed to reach ambitious goals exited the joint venture Ambitions in China are also marred as Oyo prepares to , according to China news site 36Kr, to which Oyo . Yet, China alone accounted for about in 2019. layoff at least half of its China team heavily denies 40% of Oyo’s company-wide losses Softbank’s Shakiest Bet No matter how you look at it, Oyo is burning cash faster than they can produce them. While observers may marvel at Oyo’s meteoric expansion, the unfettered growth came at a heavy price. As the in the world, Oyo has transformed from a lodging startup to a terribly pieced conglomerate. third-largest hotel chain Despite mounting losses, Oyo still managed to acquire @Leisure Group for and Las Vegas Hooters for . They also made their foray into , , , , , and even . $415 million $135 million co-working homes resorts vacation rentals weddings cloud kitchens With Agarwal’s fervent product diversification, it seems like the capital moat they had is gradually drying up. That’s unfortunate news, as Masayoshi Son recently told Oyo and other loss-making Indian startups in a private gathering: , with a for an IPO in the United States. get profitable before IPO hard deadline of 2022–2023 If Oyo were to survive till their IPO and actually make their public debut unlike , what kind of multiple would they have? Unlike most startups, Oyo has seemingly inflated its valuation artificially they raised money through . embattled co-working giant WeWork loans backed by pledged shares After taking out bank loans pledged by his stake in Oyo, Argawal bought back shares worth $1.5 billion from venture capital investors Sequoia Capital India and Lightspeed Venture Partners. A consortium of Japanese financial groups including Nomura and Mizuho helped to finance Agarwal’s purchase. It’s an unusual transaction as Argawal puts more skin in the game—a show of faith in the business model by giving the company more resources to grow with all the risk shouldered by the founder himself. After WeWork’s at the end of 2019, we’re now looking at Oyo potentially experiencing the same. spectacular implosion Oyo previously enjoyed huge growth as they undercut themselves to get more hoteliers on the platform, yet, with profitability in mind, they would even withhold payments just to save money. Public market disappointments like Uber, Lyft, and Peloton have also shifted the needle in the startup scene. Coupled with a and , more than anything. tepid global economic outlook tightened venture capital funding entrepreneurs now need to focus on profits As such, Softbank’s bet on Oyo seems to be one of the most uncertain in their portfolio. However, the Japanese conglomerate is still blazing forward with their “gutsy” investment choices, despite their new tech fund , according to the Telegraph. falling shy of their target Softbank is still dishing out big checks , according to Pitchbook, with about 85% of the Vision Fund being deployed in unique deals. With an operating loss of $8.9 billion in the fund, Softbank needs more financial commitments to keep its investment strategy going. Unfortunately, the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and Foxconn are not able to give them Vision Fund 2; Softbank has only announced Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund in the mix, with no Saudi Arabian and Abu Dhabi money in sight. Rather than claim that Oyo’s financial sheets will sort themselves out in time, it would be more realistic to expect their downfall. Oyo needs to shave off their loss-making ancillary business as soon as possible, double down on the regions most likely to make a profit in the short term, then fix their culture issues. Regardless, turning their circumstances around is going to be extremely tough. Despite having more customers check in to Oyo, more hoteliers are checking out, joining other platforms or going independent. In a battle for market supremacy, winning that battle in the first decade may prove to be Oyo’s reason to losing it in the next decade.

OYO Rooms is Going to Be India's WeWork: A Case Study

Just like how Amazon is no longer about books, Uber is no longer about booking a car ride. That is what Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO, hosted by the Economic Club of New York. Like how Amazon is establishing dominance in different market sectors, Khosrowshahi believes that Uber can do the same in all areas of transport. It can be private hire cars, taxi, scooter, the subway, freight and even flying vehicles. In his head, he envisions a world of making everything shared, affordable, and a solution to . He also envisions a world of delivering food from any restaurant in under 30 minutes. described in a talk worsening traffic congestion The difference is in the means. Rather than build the technology themselves, Khosrowshahi wants to build partnerships instead. It demands a “different attitude”. Unfortunately, this will have a very tough time building that sort of ecosystem out. Khosrowshahi’s lofty goals are pretty much blocked by regulatory and financial obstacles even after Uber from its initial public offering. The problem is, they have made 75% of that in losses, reporting a loss of in the last quarter and losing another this quarter—that is despite reporting a 30% growth in revenue. household name pocketed $8.1 billion more than $5 billion $1 billion Since upending the transportation industry and setting a precedent of tech unicorn IPOs, Uber is now facing rough, stormy seas around some of its major markets. Uber can no longer haphazardly and to fight “ ”—termed by then-CEO Travis Kalanick. go for growth skirt regulations an asshole named Taxi Uber may be liable for a which they argued that should be borne by drivers and not the company. $1.97 billion VAT bill London after discovering 14,000 trips being taken with drivers that banned Uber again faked their identity Chicago passed a on ride-hailing services that can add as much as $3 to private rides during peak hours congestion tax Drivers now have minimum wage under the “ ” program in Seattle while also taxing Uber more Fare Share Uber drivers are not independent contractors, according to New Jersey, who slapped worth in taxes and penalties Uber with $640 million It is a lay-off season for unprofitable startups and Uber is not excluded: another off with many being relocated. Khosrowshahi promises that it will be the ‘last wave’, but reality and balance sheets do not care about waves 350 employees will be laid It is catastrophe one after another as Uber sinks lower with every setback. Yet, Khosrowshahi is still optimistic. Will that positivity hold against reality? Ride-sharing Competitors Are Everywhere Uber may have upended the transportation market but it is still anyone’s game. There is virtually no moat between one app and another, apart from pricing points, membership perks and suchlike. Consumers are free to choose between them and another private hire provider. Due to that, most of Uber’s money is spent to aggressively dominate the market especially in Asia, which is home to more than 1.12 billion trips in 2018. According to ABI Research’s y, that constitutes 70% of the world’s ride-hailing market share. latest stud Unfortunately, Uber’s battles had the company spilling too much blood. In Southeast Asia, bought out Uber’s operations in a merger deal, which prompted a to emerge in SEA in attempt to break the ‘monopoly’ between Grab and Indonesia-based Gojek. Singapore-based Grab whole slew of competitors Uber has also exited from other markets—in China, they lost to . Uber is still , Ola Cabs. Uber also retreated from Russia due to Yandex.taxi. rival Didi Chuxing scrambling alongside Bengaluru-based unicorn While Uber has shares in those companies—which thus means their value will rise when their competitors’ do—it also means that they lost market supremacy in many major markets. According to their S-1 filing, Uber claimed to only have owned operations in the Americas, Oceania, Europe, India, and the Middle East. With more competitors at home ground and emerging in new markets, Uber’s already thin market dominance may be threatened even more. The Race to Be a Super App Two years ago, Guangzhou unveiled a . Residents there will have a virtual ID card that serves the same purpose as their state-issued ID linked to their WeChat accounts. pilot program Launched by Tencent Holdings in 2011, WeChat has now become what many know as a . It unites multiple essential functions in a single mobile application, from to . Besides convenience, WeChat has also brought an where more than a billion users cannot live without it. Super App hailing private hire cars transferring money era of change Down in Southeast Asia, in Indonesia have Gojek installed on their phones. Unlike WeChat, Gojek is in a as Singapore-based Grab slowly unveils their own super app plan. one in two people war for supremacy The operating system for everyday life, as Khosrowshahi envisioned, is what Uber aims to be today. Gojek has become more than just an Uber of the East—today, Uber needs to be the Gojek of the West. Fortunately, rivals in Asia have already showed Uber the path to follow beyond mobility services. How Fast Can They Deliver food? At the Forbes 30 under 30 Summit, Uber unveiled a small, sturdy white drone, intended to help Uber Eats delivery drivers . That is great, but Uber is still (with analysts expecting that to be that way for the next five years). send the food even faster losing money on every order The $125.8 billion food delivery market is just as the transportation market, with huge delivery players like Foodpanda, Grubhub, Deliveroo and Just Eat. Other rival competitors such as Grab and Gojek also offer their own food delivery service. as crowded As these food delivery companies pedal furiously to send food to their customers, they are also peddling towards growth. There is the race for creating a sticky platform—there are no moats between one application and the other. Consumers can simply switch between one application to another simply due to price point and type of food. The Saturation in the Bike And Scooters The mobility market is huge and Uber wants a slice of even micro-mobility, which includes bikes and scooters. In the US alone, it is predicted to be a . To capture this market, Uber bought over bike-sharing startup Jump for nearly . $200B — $300B market by 2030 $200 million Months later, electric bikes and scooters are . Los Angeles to Uber’s plea to rent out electric scooters and bikes, so Uber is responding with appeals. Meanwhile, Bird and Lime are operating well in the city. pulled out from two cities said ‘no’ Competition is also heavy in this space. Uber won the bid to in Washington D.C., but so did Lyft, Skip, and Spin. Residents don’t really like it, and there are by lawmakers. deploy up to 10,000 e-scooters demands for safety regulations The micro-mobility space is not one without its own issues. Different market pose different challenges—some of them even outrightly ban it. France has riding on pavements. In Singapore, an e-scooter ride crashed and killed a pedestrian, prompting a . banned e-scooters nationwide ban Each problem poses more costs for Uber. While Uber can skirt around dealing with the issue directly and go for partnerships, that is simply an illusion of a market share. The company needs to directly deploy their own micro-mobility vehicles into the city but at the end of the equation lies the support of the city: without permits, there is no chance of even . capturing a single percent Fighting for Airspace With plans for a in 2023, Uber is now deep in talks with NASA on how they can have effective airspace management. Thus far, Uber has been using helicopters—with their —but the company insists that they will be . flying taxi service own slew of problems replaced by eVTOL vehicles Uber is not the only player in the space: in fact, there are competing for this flying-car moonshot, with Airbus and even Google’s co-founder Larry Page accumulating their chess pieces. many startups The problem is in economics: will it actually give more returns to Uber if flying taxis become a norm? With so many players in the space, there will definitely be regulatory concerns as companies will be figuring out how their vehicles can navigate around one another. In essence, it is a microcosm of the world of airplanes. An admirable ambition but nonetheless, an expensive high-risk bet. Besides facing competition at home, future expansion plans will have to be adjusted to face —which also means more regulations, laws, and authorities to face. rivals in different countries Self-Driving Vehicle Crashes Early Monday morning in Tempe, Arizona, the life of 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg was by a self-driving Uber. The female pedestrian was struck by the car, which sparked a series of investigations about Uber’s autonomous vehicle masterplan. taken away That plan, apparently, . Vehicles were not programmed to react to jaywalkers and according to the National Traffic Safety Board’s study, the reasons than just that. excluded formal safety plans run way deeper The impact was also fatal to Uber’s autonomous vehicle plans as they scale back their ambitions. Operations in Arizona were with 300 operators laid off. after in Pittsburgh. Today, Uber is still with plans to operate driverless services by 2022. That also comes with a $20 million monthly loss. shuttered More were laid off testing more self-driving cars While Uber is tempering their expectations, companies all over the world are pouring more money to win the . Khosrowshahi may have to face off Elon Musk, as the Tesla CEO intends to develop driverless cars to operate commercially in a . At this point, Uber needs a breakthrough; without overwhelming success in this sector, those self-driving car dreams may be attained by others first. All these companies need to do is to simply clone the Uber application, which many agencies are already doing anyway. self-driving car race ride-hailing network Freighting Against Freight Powerhouses Up against freight giants like DAT Mobile and rival competitor to become a unicorn, Uber Freight is haemorrhaging they are earning. Problem is, Uber shares 99% of gross revenue with carriers and it backed itself to the corner with that. Taking on the typical early-stage startup growth method, Uber Freight has taken on huge risks. Convoy raising $400m $1.36 for every dollar When profitability becomes a focus, there is a chance that carriers become alienated. Legacy logistic companies like Coyote Logistics and C.H. Robinson are also launching their own digital freight matching services—according to , they are the top few applications that carriers regularly used. The aforementioned competitor Convoy is standing in the runner-up pedestal. CarrierLists Definitely, the digital brokerage is anyone’s game, unlike the incumbent-dominated freight market space. However, simply because it is anyone’s game, there is no real moat between one app and another. Users can simply switch between one another, which means a real uphill struggle for market supremacy. Uber may have to tamper their ambitions or double down, which will leave their coffers lighter than it already is. It is a battle of balance at this point. Uber needs to find the maximum amount of money they can burn without sinking, while also fuelling their ever-aggressive growth. With other unicorns like WeWork serving as a great case study, Uber must also keep their balance sheets in check lest they become owned by one of their investors. At this point, it is clear the Wall Street is not forgiving and public investors are not entertaining private valuations—essentially, those valuations are what investors they are worth. The year of the unicorn may come to an end with disappointing IPO and post-IPO performances like: think Money-losing Snap may have overtaken their but time is ticking: they’ve got three more years before they ; debut IPO price run out of cash Cannabis company Tilray’s stock reached $180 at an all-time high—today, it’s 10x less, with on the way; more regulatory problems Lyft may be the only one thought as a towards profitability, but the reality is that they are still deep in losing money with a stock price less than half of its debut IPO price; flawless executor Happiness-selling Peloton needs to step on the pedal towards profit and not towards being “ ”, which was revealed to be baseless from the IPO filings; weirdly profitable Financial reports from Pinterest out of them, as shares plunged by 20% while reporting a net loss spooked the stock price Though in a similar situation like those companies, Uber still has the super-app route. The challenge here is to learn from Asian companies: how can Uber utilize their large audience of frequent users and embedded payment systems? Today, Uber’s food delivery, scooter, and bike services are all united in one app but there is still a rush for product diversification. Even though fintech companies like Robinhood and Social Finance pulled out from applying to become a bank, startups are partnering left and right with payment providers — or themselves. Like Gojek, Grab and WeChat, Uber needs to . Uber needs to double down on their efforts with the digital wallet, credit card, and debit card . At this point, Uber is the to move into financial services. Startups are increasingly becoming banks and Uber needs to be one. building payment technologies establish dominance in the payment system plans latecomer The product similarity between Uber and Gojek is that they both have food delivery, tickets, ride-hailing, and micro-mobility. Past that, there is mobile data, parcel delivery, and bill payments just to name a few. Uber needs to as synonymous with daily life like the super app predecessors without tearing a hole in their wallet. Uber needs to develop more products that are either essential to human life or making life more convenient. Uber's quest to become a super app is going to be a long, arduous journey. Within every product lies fierce competitors and underdogs. There is an inherent disadvantage: Uber is fighting against specialists (like Lime in micro-mobility) and super apps (like Grab and Gojek) from a unique position. Being a specialist at the start, Uber has now evolved into a ‘mini’ super app. With public markets to Uber’s latest moves, there is a desperate need for breakthroughs and innovations. not responding very well If all else fails, at least Uber can try to become profitable, which only makes our reality even more surreal.

Uber Wants to be an Amazon

Did You Know: Kubernetes Optimizes Audio-Streaming on Spotify! Spotify is an audio-streaming platform that was created with a vision to empower audio creators and endow listeners across the globe with a really immersive listening experience for all the customers across the globe. A customer-centric approach and a vision to empower creators have led to the exponential growth of the platform which has now grown to a superfluous number of 200 million monthly active users. Spotify, quite early, recognized the importance of containers and deploying microservices in a cloud-native environment. Consequently, they adopted a containerized environment pretty early and were amongst the few companies to even develop a home-grown platform for orchestrating the containers, which was named Helios. Adopting Kubernetes Meant Embracing Limitless Possibilities for Spotify Having adopted microservices and Docker quite early, Helios was a need-based innovation for managing the containerized environment for the Spotify team. However, the Spotify team soon realized the need to outgrow from this homegrown orchestration to Kubernetes. Helios only had limited features that could only be maintained by a small company at Spotify, contrary to this Kubernetes has many more functionalities that make it much more efficient than Helios and hence an obvious choice. Besides being laden with innumerable features Kubernetes also has an amazing community. To Spotify adopting Kubernetes was akin to adopting an orchestration tool that was not only already popular among many industry verticals but also could help their team get containers orchestrated more effectively, efficiently, and faster, and all of this, at a much lower cost than what the company had to incur with Helios. Also, there was a seamless migration from Helios to Kubernetes as Kubernetes could very effectively be used in conjunction with Helios, supporting migration until the platform became the only option for the full-fledged maintenance of the Spotify containers. Positive Impact of Adopting Kubernetes Migrating to Kubernetes required developing some core technological competencies. However, once the technological challenges were addressed and dealt with in 2019, and the company migrated to Kubernetes from their homegrown platform Helios, they experienced some amazing benefits in real-time business scenarios including the following: a)      The internal teams were able to considerably reduce the time spent on manual provisioning which meant that more time could be given to delivering features for Spotify. b)      The team was able to deploy some of its biggest services on Kubernetes, the likes that could handle as many as 10 million requests per second and cumulatively; the feature of Kubernetes proved simply amazing for the team. autoscaling Prior to adopting Kubernetes, deploying a new service for the team wasn’t this hassle-free. They had to at least wait for an hour to create a new service and would have to get an operational host for running the service in production. However, with Kubernetes the story was different. The same services could be deployed in seconds and minutes. c)       Kubernetes also helped improve the CPU utilization by 2 to 3 times approximately as it has the functionalities called bin-packing and multi-tenancy. d)      Kubernetes helped the autonomous engineering teams at Spotify work at a faster velocity and iterate more quickly even while working on different pieces of a project. Before switching to Kubernetes, Spotify since the year 2014 had been using microservices and Docker. The microservices were running across its fleet of Virtual Machines (VMs) and were containerized by leveraging Docker. The company used to manage and keep the data on-premises with the help of their home-grown container orchestration platform Helios before they migrated all the on-premise data to Google Cloud in the year 2016-17. Eventually, switching to Kubernetes proved to be a beneficial decision that offered innumerable advantages including accentuating the time of delivery of several services, leading to optimum business revenue. A substantial motive for the Spotify team to adopt Kubernetes was that the team wanted to contribute their subject-matter-expertise and influence to make the Kubernetes community prosper. Final Words: Takeaways From Spotify Use Case & the Road Ahead For Kubernetes With Kubernetes, not only the Spotify team was able to scale their topline operational metrics viz. lead time, deployment frequency, time to resolution, and operational load but were also able to get all the help to deploy the technology. The Kubernetes team was proactive in providing support and almost everybody was available to help the Spotify team with the technical know-how and expertise required while deploying a particular service. This served as a source of resurrection and motivation for the Spotify team to further scale-up their operational efficiency. The Spotify team leveraged several Kubernetes APIs and other extendable functionalities to aid and interface with their legacy infrastructure. The integrations were hassle-free and easy for the Spotify team. Because of saving so much time with Kubernetes, the Spotify team was able to experiment with solutions such as gRPC and Envoy. Kubernetes is becoming a go-to solution for companies with large development teams and complex IT needs. That's because software developers can use Kubernetes to automate the process of building and managing complex IT infrastructure. Kubernetes is already seeing adoption across many different industries and it will continue to grow as more governments and organizations come around to the benefits of its agility and automated operations. There are several other use cases that narrate the success story of Kubernetes across all industry verticals including media, publishing, audio streaming, and podcasting. These stories demonstrate the amazing possibilities that unfold when a team has the right API and enough time.

Why Spotify Migrated From Its Homegrown Orchestration Tool (Helios) to Kubernetes?

I remote-chat this afternoon with , founder of and one of the best brains I know in the field of Behavioural Science, Quantitative Psychology and Psychometrics. He’s born in Amsterdam and is currently home-bound in his lovely apartment in the historic museum quarter. Stefan van Tulder Talent Data Labs Hello, Stefan! Hi Rachel. How are you? I’m good, we are in a partial lockdown and most shops except groceries, hairdressers and supermarkets are closed till June but we are able to exercise and walk around outside. How’s the home-bound life for you? Happy to hear you’re coping well. All well and healthy here. For us it’s quite similar, most sport activities are closed and all forms of group entertainment have been shut down until at least June. For someone who is used to travelling all over the place the world suddenly feels very small. Yeah. How’s your team doing? They are coping well-ish. It’s hard to really tell over digital interactions only. I think the ones stuck in a small house with young children are most affected but everyone seems equally bored. How about yours? (=^_^=) I think everyone realises that working from home is harder than it seems! My team is trialling an app which promises therapy help. Are you into any of that? Oh! That’s great and super interesting. We have recently had discussions about this too. As I said before, it’s very hard to assess the mental state of people over video conference (and we often barely show our faces as we’re screen sharing). How are you going about and doing that fully digitized or human in the process? It seems completely digitized with mini ”rescue sessions”, to help in areas like : ’to feel connected’. Good! In my experience, people like the option of having a “human option”. I was thinking that therapy can’t be productized. Are you basing it on any major psychological framework? They use Big Five, and we have the option of choosing a learning pathway. I’m not sure if this is a major framework? I think we live in a world where we are increasing the degree of self-assessment and self-help through well-being apps at the fastest pace ever. I think therapy would certainly be a great angle to introduce. As far as I’m concerned, the is the most solid psychological framework that I have seen. Big Five framework Yeah, you were working on self-assessment as a service, right? Yes, not sure if is a very sticky acronym but we’re going for it! SAaaS Okay, but how would I know what the score represents and how does it help me ‘stay connected’? Well, the way I see it, there’s two types of players. Those who make an app that does something really well and then stop. Or those that build a large framework of integrations and behavior around it. We don’t just stop at self-assessment, we add recommendations to third party solutions, or give concrete advice that people can follow. I’d say that’s key to making a useful self-assessment app. I see. I was trying out a few ‘be your best self’ apps involving meditation and fitness . I found that one of them collects my recorded data on steps, sleep, and sex... Oh really? How do they collect sex data? I’m guessing from the Apple Watch? It could be presumed from the heart rate tracker or bodily movements, right? That could be from playing video games in bed. So you’d wear the watch, during... ? I wouldn’t, I don’t like to track anything (Plus I don’t ever wear a watch.) It is interesting data, I think sex is such a primal urge that if you don’t get your share you might need help. We see that a lot now in these isolated times. Maybe it is related to psychosis. Everything essentially is tied to evolutionary behavior. If it made your gene pool survive, you’d build systematic chemicals for it in your body. So, mainly, it’s testosterone (or the lack of) sending us off into chemical (ie hormone) imbalances? I don’t know how this kind of data collection would help. I don’t think we know enough about the impact of chemical imbalances on behavior to justifiably say that it leads to depression but we do know a lot about what kinds of personalities and behaviours are exhibited by mentally healthy people versus the more depressed. A good sample of that is the use of alcohol and drugs. I know we agree on how (work) culture also contributes to depression. A concept that I find very appealing is growth. The gray area between doing things that are too easy and too hard. This also counts for environments and cultures. So looking at work culture can be a great aid at finding drivers for disengagement or passivity. They are often signs related to depression. You have dabbled in the use of cultural fit mapping before. Did you find it could justify why some individuals would be able to function better than others? Yes, most individuals working in startups often prefer an environment that would give themselves the chance to grow faster in a shorter amount of time compared to conventional workplaces, and that environment should provide tools for them to thrive - strong, sound mentorship for development, autonomy to lead projects, sense of ownership. A bad decision for such individuals could be simply putting someone above him whom he could outgrow in 6 months, and would ultimately lead to less job satisfaction. But often those analyses are done in hindsight... Well, that’s because most players have chosen a passive approach to these types of analytics. The key to self-assessment is to have the data first and the behavior later. The sample you provided is very relatable and also very measurable (with the right tools). Intellect plays a big part but so does culture and personality. So let’s say in your sample you would be able to predict (with relatively high probability) that the individual will outsmart their superior within a matter of months. You would have a few options such as thinning the lines between leadership and guidance/mentorship or enabling horizontal movement at an equal pace. Yes and this also leads to right-sizing of the company which is imperative in these times, well, most times, actually. Now, most companies do not sample their full workforce and can never really provide accurate predictions at such a granular level. That’s mostly because the workforce itself is poorly incentivized to use such an app. The key here is to incentivize the user. Typically, you want to decouple from the app and its usage entirely and focus on insight to the user, first. Our app would literally recommend an employee to leave their employer if the chance that they will ever be happy in that culture is too low. That’s not a place where most app providers want to be, as it’s hard to sell something like that. That’s interesting, and I agree, most people would rather make their own discovery on this matter (and a whole lot of other things), than relying on what an app tells them to do. We’re not in the business of making money, we’re Scientists with a company and want to make good predictions. Those two don’t always tango nicely. I wanted to ask about how a Data Scientist like yourself employs the typical SaaS framework into self-assessment. You also work with Psychologists, and Neural Scientists? Yes, but the Psychologist isn’t part of the app per se. The way it works is best explained through a case. Let’s say you are a lawyer in Japan for a prestigious firm but you aren’t very emotionally stable and lack the mental energy to do repetitive tasks structurally and precisely. This profile could most likely wear out in such an environment in a very short time. The software will assess all those features and benchmarks and prompt you to find some help. This is where you can directly ship your profile to one of the Psychologists for either a chat, a video call, or - when restrictions reduce, a session. We have a dedicated group of Psychologists connected right now but later want to create a larger infrastructure for it. This leaves all the power and all the data with the user until the very end. That’s also where we would make some money, we charge a very small fee for a user recommendation to any third party. And no one else is doing anything like this? By default I assume there’s 3-5 other parties doing something similar at any point in time. But not at a scale that’s relevant, I presume. Have you seen any? We are not aiming to become a “feature”, we are aiming to become the biggest database with monitored but anonymous behavior and psychometrics, so that our recommendation system is infallible. This is an extremely expensive and intense journey. Asking some of the brightest Neuropsychologists and Data Scientists to work on some of the most secure and safe software. This is a very long play, and we’re intrinsically motivated to play it, at scale. That’s probably why we don’t see many competitors. From a Data Scientist standpoint it should be a totally useful and interesting project, (and I think what you are building has a really relevant approach for the future of work and life), but from a CEO perspective, is it too advanced for us normal humanfolk to grasp, much less make a decision on actioning on our behaviors? You touch one of the biggest pain-points. How do we translate extremely complex and mostly statistical issues into digestible (and hopefully fun) advice without alienating users. To tackle it, we work with all our psychometric assessments in isolation and have user feedback embedded in our platform. We also use reinforcement learning to guarantee results (basically looping the outcomes back into the statistics/recommendations). Luckily we also have a large community of enthusiasts who love learning more about their profile and will tell us whether something is hard to understand, out of place, or just poorly designed in general. From a behavioural perspective it’s no easy feat, either. Getting people to actually do something is infinitely harder than to read about doing something. But this is talking about human laziness, very little can be done to get us off the couch and to stop watching television. I do sleep more when I’m at home but I attribute it to the cosy feels of my space. It seems you have your work cut out for you, then. I’m personally obsessed with self-assessment. In the early days of Facebook they would have those quizzes like ‘what type of fruit are you’, or ‘which Disney princess would you be?’, and I would always ship all my data just to find out. A lot of websites have quick assessment tools these days or political party picker apps. The phenomenal popularity of them is inspiring. In contrast, asking people on the street what they vote rarely matches the final outcome of the elections. So truthfulness to other people seems unlikely, whereas to apps, is becoming more mainstream. You would be Belle. Lol! For the last 10 years we have, en masse, offloaded all our data on social media apps and publicly created a legacy of information. I think most of us have given up on protecting themselves from the internet entirely. I gotta move, this was an interesting talk! Thanks! Lots to think about! Hopefully we will see each other again before the year is over! Yes, I certainly hope so too. It’s been a great chat. Thank you Rachel.

Therapy as a Service, Sex and Other Coping Mechanisms While Homebound

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Are you tired of having your customers switch between different tools for data analysis? Are you tired of compromising on your SaaS app’s user experience to get better reporting? If so, embedded business intelligence is the answer. Choosing the right analytics solution is important for empowering users to access valuable insights without leaving your application. What is Embedded Business Intelligence (BI)? Embedded BI is the integration of analytical capabilities, such as dashboards, reports, charts, and graphs, into SaaS applications. Embedded BI lets users access and work with data in their workflow without switching to a different analytics tool or platform. Furthermore, embedded BI relies on its ability to serve multiple tenants. Traditional BI is all about single-tenant instances for internal use cases. Embedded business intelligence tools serve external use cases. Build or Buy – Which One to Choose? SaaS providers are better off when they integrate an embedded analytics app instead of building one themselves. But as a technology provider, we certainly understand the inclination to build in-house. You have software developers on staff, and you’re already paying their salaries. They’re also already building the rest of the app anyway, so why not the analytics? Additionally, you want analytics to be a seamless component, with the same look and feel as the rest of your app. Unfortunately, white-labeling capabilities for are inconsistent between embedded bi tools. embedded analytics solutions We understand why homegrown is appealing, but there are many solid . reasons NOT to build your own analytics You can check out our guide to the here as well. best embedded BI tools Choosing a solution that focuses solely on embedded BI will allow you to: 1) Stay Focused on Your Roadmap There are limited hours in a day. Spending time on analytics takes away from other tasks on your to-do list. Embedding analytics enables your devs to remain focused on building and improving the components that increase your competitive advantage. 2) Offer Comprehensive Analytics Functionality Early-stage startups building in-house face restrictions in budget, time, staff, and expertise of their team. With these constraints, early-stage startups in particular must be ruthless in determining the scope of their MVP. When you use a third-party solution, you can offer a wider variety of options to visualize data. Interactive dashboards that offer editing, filtering, and drilling down are often difficult to build and maintain over time. 3) Build Without In-House Expertise You already have a team of developers on staff who know UI/UX, web app development, and more, but do they know ? Unfortunately, the requisite skills are in short supply. analytics A shortage of data and analytics skills is one of Gartner’s, “ When Building Data and Analytics Teams.” 5 Pitfalls However, buying a third-party product enables you to integrate sophisticated functionality without needing in-house expertise. You’re saving time and money in the long term. 4) Reduce Ongoing Maintenance Efforts When you do analytics in-house, you also have to manage -house. This is something that you might under scope when you release a new app. Caring for your custom SaaS component means more than just fixing issues – it also involves managing the module’s lifecycle. You’ll be adding enhancements to your roadmap on a regular basis with no end in sight. it in A third-party platform handles maintenance and improvements, ensuring a steady roadmap for enhancements. 5) Monetize Analytics Easily Even if you don’t want to monetize your analytics , it’s a great door to leave door open. Embedding third-party BI capabilities brings greater flexibility moving forward to experiment with different pricing and licensing options. now According to 512 SaaS companies, monetization was four times more efficient than acquisition in improving growth. And, it was twice as efficient than efforts to improve retention. a study of You could offer new analytics functionality by: including as a free value-add increase overall cost, or offer optional components for an additional fee. Being able to run market tests from a pricing standpoint is just as important as testing technical features. With an embedded business intelligence solution, testing all those packaging options doesn’t necessitate a heavy development lift. On the , Dan Balcauski, Founder and Chief Pricing Officer of Product Tranquility, said, “Organizations are absolutely not dedicating enough time to pricing. No one’s getting a bill on their desk saying, ‘You missed out on all this revenue because you’re massively underpriced.’ It’s .” SaaS Scaled podcast an invisible opportunity cost What Are the Main Benefits of Using Embedded Business Intelligence? Get Data Insights Instantly – Without Leaving the App Switching between apps isn’t too difficult, especially with ‘Windows + tab’, but having information within the main app is best. Embedding insights eliminates friction and eases workflows, while enabling users to get more value from your app. Build on Existing Knowledge, With No Learning Curve No matter how user-friendly an app is, there’s always a learning curve. Users benefit from actionable insights in their app without needing to adjust to a different interface. Make Info Actionable with Workflows While some tech vendors might use different definitions, “automation” is the ability to enable processes downstream of your analytics. No-code automation workflows empower users to do more with their data right within your SaaS application. With conditional rules, users can add powerful business logic to workflows and applications. Gain More Users within Each Tenant Embedding analytics lets users access insights without buying separate BI tools. This makes it easier for your app to share valuable information with more people for informed decision-making. Easy-to-use dashboards and reports can help more employees in a customer’s organization find value in your app. As more users get more insight, . Your app becomes stickier, reducing churn, and even potentially giving you the opportunity to raise prices. each customer organization obtains greater value Expand to Incorporate More Data In addition to expanding to more within each org, you can expand by incorporating . Particularly when integrating , each user can gain more insight. users more data points self-service analytics You can use an embedded bi platform to make your product more useful. This tool allows customers to create their own reports with self-service BI. Reaching more workers and analyzing more information in a company helps make your app important for the company’s goals. Reduce Churn SaaS apps are easy to acquire, deploy, and implement. Unfortunately, that also makes them easier to . un-implement According to the BetterCloud 2023 , 40% of IT professionals consolidated redundant SaaS apps in the past year. State of SaaSOps Report Reducing churn is one of the many benefits of using embedded BI. Self-service data analysis can further reduce churn. Business users who create reports are less likely to switch vendors and start over. After all, they already have the information they need. Starting over with a new vendor would mean having to recreate all their reports. This can be time-consuming and inefficient. Improve Decision Making Embedded BI improves decision-making, which helps businesses improve every metric. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke describes . “Data gathered from a wide range of sources is used to understand and improve proprietary processes in every business function, as well as market conditions and opportunities. BI systems describe past and current conditions through descriptive analytics, make projections and forecasts through predictive analytics, and point to opportunities to guide future actions through prescriptive analytics.” How Business Intelligence Drives Decision-Making Drive Real-Time Decision Making Using BI goes beyond profit margin to give and help make future decisions. This becomes even more impactful if your app can automate the of historical data. real-time insights analysis of large volumes Business Intelligence aims to help make better decisions, according to the 2023 study. Efficiency/cost and revenue goals are the next most important. Dresner Wisdom of Crowds® Things to Consider When Evaluating an Embedded Business Intelligence Software Many business intelligence apps exist, but few address the needs of SaaS companies. And fewer offering embedding that actually meets the requirements of SaaS companies. multi-tenant analytics The following are important areas to consider with an embedded BI solution. Built-In Data Management Embedded analytics starts with data and this is where most companies fail with embedded BI. Embedded analytics data management needs to have a few things: It must create an analytics data store that includes native multi-tenant security It must connect to ANY data type, whether it’s structured, semi- or unstructured. Include native APIs for ingesting from any data source or on any frequency It should make life easier for development teams, not harder Security Self-hosted embedded bi software is going to offer the best in data security. When you can inherit your security policies it makes offering an embedded solution easier for your customers. But your data must also stay in place. Many industries, like healthcare and fintech, cannot send personal data to a third-party cloud due to security concerns. Therefore, a deployed solution that installs a strong data management layer is the ideal path. Scalability and Performance Your users demand applications that are always available with 100% uptime and near-instantaneous performance. Your analytics platform must be able to scale up to meet these demands. SaaS companies also require pricing and licensing that won’t prohibit growth and user adoption. Using on-demand technology, such as serverless tech, helps your analytics grow without overspending on infrastructure. Paying for always-on servers hurts scalability and is more expensive. A Seamless White Label Experience Your shouldn’t feel disconnected from the host application. Rather than merely placing a chart inside of an iFrame, you need full white-labeling capabilities. Users expect a seamless integration within your SaaS application. embedded analytics Look for the ability to customize every report and dashboard, font, and color to perfectly match your existing application. Other needs are designs that work on all screen sizes and options for users to customize their experiences. If iFrames are the only option, run away….fast. Developer-Friendly Tools & APIs Your embedded analytics solution must align with the way you build software. That means being 100% SDLC compliant and having developer-friendly (and DevOps-friendly) tools that your team will love working with. Find a platform with different areas for creating, testing, and launching apps, and simple ways to switch between them. In the ever-evolving landscape of SaaS applications, we understand that embedding a powerful analytics solution is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. At Qrvey, we are the best option for embedded business intelligence. We customize a wide range of features to meet the specific needs of SaaS companies. My tools make it easy for developers to customize and manage data, leading to a smoother user experience. This helps improve decision-making, retain users, and increase engagement with your app. Embrace the future of embedded analytics and unlock the full potential of your SaaS application. Our goal for you is simple: Build less software, and deliver more value. Get a demo and start a free POC today.

How to Customize Embedded Business Intelligence For Your Business

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Barely a month ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a that ended a two-year crackdown on cryptocurrency within the country’s banking sector, raising the hopes and aspirations of its vibrant crypto community. circular For two years, the repressive CBN ban on cryptocurrencies and digital assets shut the doors in the face of potential investors and robbed the West African country of millions of dollars in web3 funding. While the CBN ban lasted, the rest of the world, however, acknowledged how Nigeria still maintained its position in the crypto race, setting a record as one of the world’s biggest destinations for crypto investments, especially as the biggest crypto market in Africa. In 2023, ranked Nigeria as the 7th country with the highest number of crypto holders in the world boasting a large trading database. In other words, a little over 22 million people own cryptocurrencies in the country. Binance The effects of the prolonged ban sapped the enthusiasm of crypto investors who were eyeing the Nigeria booming market, and it was in the heat of the moment that some of its homegrown crypto companies like Patricia left the country, while other less known companies went out of business altogether. Now that the ominous ban on cryptocurrency has been lifted by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), how is Nigeria making headway in turning its losses to gains and repositioning itself for the next crypto bull run? A New Era Beckons The new CBN circular that ended the two-year ban reversed the prohibition that was placed on the country’s Money Deposit Banks(DMBs). Prior to the ban in 2021, local DMBs were directly involved in the crypto services by serving as the payment gateway for crypto traders on various exchanges. The latest CBN circular, however, now allows them to deal directly with Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASP) in a manner that is consistent with due diligence and crypto compliance. As a result of this, web3 companies like Agile Dynamics, Blockstation, and FireBlocks have entered the Nigerian market, with a considerable interest and investment in the tokenization of Real World Assets(RWA) in the country. Tokenization of Real World Asset(RWA): Nigeria’s Biggest Web3 Opportunity Dubai-based web3 consulting company Agile Dynamics Tech recently announced the signing of Letter of Intent (LOIs) and partnership agreements with Nigeria and two other African countries, signaling its interest in entering the country’s emerging crypto market. "These agreements represent a significant step forward in our mission to foster meaningful change through technology and strategic partnerships," said Paul Lalovich, cofounder of Agile Dynamics tech. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Nigeria, South Sudan, and Mali in leveraging digital solutions to drive economic development and strengthen their positions in the global market." “The signed LOIs and partnership agreements exemplify Agile Dynamics tech's commitment to promoting technological innovation and progress in the mining and minerals sector across diverse international landscapes. By facilitating the tokenization of Real World Assets and securing Direct Foreign Investments, the company aims to catalyze sustainable growth and prosperity in these regions”. Nigeria’s SEC Says YES to Innovation Since the CBN ban was lifted in December 2023, Nigeria’s crypto community has come to terms with the fact that cryptocurrencies are no longer banned in the country, and the government is willing to use this medium to usher in technological innovation and economic growth. In a groundbreaking move, Nigeria's Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC Nigeria) authorized the National Association of Securities Dealers(NASD plc) to launch the Digital Securities Platform (N-DSP), an electronic platform where cryptocurrencies and other digital assets can be listed and offered to the investing public. When it is launched, the Digital Securities Platform (N-DSP) is going to be the first Over-The-Counter Service (OTC) for cryptocurrencies and digital assets in the country and the first crypto-based digital platform to be regulated by the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC)in a compliant fashion. Eguarekhide Longe, the Managing Director of the NSDP, in his words, stated that : “Our objective is to empower millions of young crypto investors with access to promising digital assets, ensuring they can confidently purchase in a completely compliant and secure investment environment”. Furthermore, the innovative spirit of Nigeria’s NASD can be seen in its partnership with Blockstation, a leading blockchain development company. This partnership underscores the vision to make Nigeria a leading web3 hub in the world. It also goes to show that blockchain technology can play a vital role in boosting the country’s GDP. Commenting on the recent SEC approval, Blockstation founder and CEO Jai Waterman stated that: “The integration of cutting-edge technology to address the needs of, and captivate the substantially large youthful population, is set to unlock previously untapped markets. We are confident that this platform will play a pivotal role in propelling Nigeria into a new era of economic growth”. Conclusion The 2021 CBN ban on crypto transactions was reversed on the 22nd of December, 2023, through a circular allowing Virtual Assets Service Providers(VASP)to operate in the country. The ban, which lasted for two years, created a roadblock to potential crypto investments and lowered the bar of web3 innovation. However, the new policy is touted to be a game-changer as Nigeria continues to attract foreign investment and as it continues to show its commitment to web3 innovation.

Crypto Crackdown Ends: Nigeria's New Policy Unlocks Web3 Innovation

Let's learn about via these 31 free stories. They are ordered by most time reading created on HackerNoon. Visit the to find the most read stories about any technology. Spotify /Learn Repo 1. Write Code to Build Your Own Playlist and Throw Away Spotify You don't need a whole music cloud service to get music recommendations 2. What is Spotify And How Does It Work? Are you a person who likes to play different music based on various events or simply your mood? If yes, then Spotify is there to bring the best soundtracks in your life. 3. What Apple And Spotify Know About Me Unsurprisingly, the data that our apps have collected about us is both impressive and concerning, though it can be very interesting to review and explore it. 4. 🎉 Introducing Spottr - Your Spotify Stats Year-Round Spottr is a PWA built to view your Spotify listening stats year-round. 5. Improving Focus and Productivity Using the Pomodoro Technique Have you ever gotten to the end of your day and while you've completed tasks, you don't feel you accomplished what you set out to do? Are you're working hard at a list of tasks that you're trying to finish but you're not able to give 100%? Do you have no idea where time has gone and you have nothing to showcase your work? Do you procrastinate? Do you lose time in your day scrolling social media feeds, your inbox or YouTube? There may be a solution that could help you. The Pomodoro Technique and it could transform your life. 6. Spotify Audio Features Time Series in Additive Spotify Analyzer There are many articles on analyzing Spotify data and many applications as well. Some are a one-time analysis on individual's music library and some are an app for a specific purpose. This app is different in that it does not do one thing. It is meant to grow and provide a place to add more analysis. This article is about how the audio features time series was created. 7. Why Spotify Migrated From Its Homegrown Orchestration Tool (Helios) to Kubernetes? Kubernetes optimizes audio streaming on Spotify. There's a story behind why it migrated from innate Helios to Kubernetes for container orchestration. Read on. 8. Why Streaming Has Not Conquered the World Read this post to understand how the trials of Netflix and Spotify have underlined a reality about the fragility of the streaming industry. 9. Visualizing The Data: Spotify Data for Favorite Artists Over Time How do your favorite artists change over time? This is the story of how I visualized my favorite artists from Spotify in a Plotly chart using Python. 10. TODAY: Spotify 💚 Social · Y FB 💸 $400M on Giphy · Uber & Ryanair Cut Jobs I read the news so you don't have to: Spotify has launched a co-listening product stream so that you can listen to the same song with anyone, anywhere, in-sync; big surprise: Facebook bought Giphy for the data; both Europe's budget airline Ryanair and Uber are laying off a bunch of people; and France and Germany are pushing for a $545bn coronavirus relief fund. 11. How we built an A.I Radio Presenter "Radio, we still love you." 12. The Freemium Model's Reciprocation Effect Spotify is a music app, Adobe provides apps for creatives to draw and design, Fortnite is a game. These three products are completely different when it comes to what service they provide. But they all have same revenue model: a  subscription model. To be precise: The Freemium Subscription Model. 13. How I Got a Job at Spotify via my GitHub Profile How my GitHub profile got me a job at Spotify. It doesn't have to be a good profile, but having one can be a difference-maker. 14. Why Spotify’s “Wrapped“ Feature is the Growth Hack of this Decade By Nikolas Vogt
Founder, Growth Academy | Ex-Growth Lead, Google Assistant | Guest speaker, Santa Clara University 15. Streaming Revenue Growth Slowed by 19.1% Year-Over-Year in 2019 What Do the Music Industry and Netflix Have in Common? The Slowing Streaming Growth 16. Web3 and Metaverse are Overcomplicating the Music Industry Web3 is overcomplicating solutions in the entertainment industry by trying to shoehorn crypto and NFTs into everything and I don’t think it’s necessary. 17. On the Decentralization of Spotify and Similar Platforms Music streaming services should embrace Blockchain Technology and leverage their accumulated knowledge to launch new types of marketplaces. 18. How to Choose the Right Type of MVP for Your Startup Idea MVPs can come in a thousand shapes and forms. So, in this article, we will focus on the most popular ones. 19. The Only 15 Apps I Downloaded and Keep on My MacBook 👨‍💻 Today we'll be looking at my personal top 15 Mac apps. I'm actually quite a minimalist in installing and keeping apps, so these 15 are the only "extra" apps I'm using on my device. 20. Spotify's VP of Marketing Explains How To Get Your Music on Discover Weekly Adam Gonzalez’s experience in the music industry comes from his early days of opening shows for artists like Drake, Trey Songz, YG, Tyga, and various others. 21. Spotify Hits Windows Software That Downloads Tracks & Removes DRM A law firm acting for Spotify has taken down a piece of Windows software that allows users to download and remove DRM from music tracks while skipping ads. XSpotify, which also carries an ad-blocking feature, is described as a tool that "steals" Spotify encryption keys in contravention of the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA. 22. How AI Helps DJs, Artists Work with Sound (Beyond Spotify Algos) Machines now possess basic human skills: speak, write, see. Logically, the next evolving step is the process of creation. 23. These People Bought and Scammed Their Way to Get Instagram Verification Checkmarks A ProPublica investigation determined that Jugenburg’s dubious alter ego was created as part of what appears to be an Instagram account verification scam. 24. 6 Ways Spotify Devalues Music All Is Not Well In Music-Land 25. Top 10 Music Streaming Apps to Explore in 2020 The music streaming world has experienced a drastic shift in recent years. Due to advancements in technology, the way of leveraging the music service has changed drastically. People these days prefer to opt for the best ways of helping them to enjoy their favorite songs utterly free of cost. This has helped the curb to cater to their needs and proved to be beneficial for artists helping them to earn more for their work. 26. Spotify’s Joe Rogan Problem isn’t Going Away This slogging thread discusses Joe Rogan's case and misinformation online, particularly through Spotify. 27. When AI Algorithms Recommend Other Algorithms What do AI algorithms know of each other? And how ethical is it for them to recommend each other? Including a Hilarious RAP courtesy of ChatGPT 28. GTFO of Your Spotify Echo Chamber: Best New Artists From Eurosonic 2020 Exactly one week ago today, I boarded a train heading North from Amsterdam to a town called Groningen, to attend the Eurosonic Music Festival (ESNS). 29. Spotify's Backdoor: How Podcasts Could be the Platform's Downfall The podcast market has been more consumed than ever, and the unpreparedness of music platforms, may lead to piracy within them 30. Building the Klio Infrastructure to Support Audio Research at Spotify We just open-sourced Klio — our framework for building smarter data pipelines for audio and other media processing. 31. Creating a Spotify Like Music Streaming App, Service or Website That Actually Boost Your Revenue Build your own music streaming app/website like Spotify with complete headway technologies, features, and monetization models to maximize your revenue. Thank you for checking out the 31 most read stories about Spotify on HackerNoon. to find the most read stories about any technology. Visit the /Learn Repo

31 Stories To Learn About Spotify

By its very nature, crypto attracts all walks of life. Participation in the digital economy , and enjoys representation . This makes sense when considering the motivations that lead people to take their value outside of traditional markets. The ongoing uncertainty and lack of accountability for TradFi’s bad actors continue to be sources of anxiety for retail customers. Bitcoin’s genesis block explicit mention of the failures that transpired following the 2008 global financial crisis. From its onset, this skepticism and hope for a system that puts people ahead of privileged insiders was baked into crypto’s source code. registers across age demographics throughout the political spectrum best captures this mood through However, the response from early enthusiasts within the crypto space set a tone that eschewed most aspects of traditional finance, including the scant protections that existed. Unfortunately, such “ ” thinking continues to draw negative attention from regulators while re-establishing an individualist pecking order that remains an albatross for traditional finance. While Satoshi Yakamoto’s preaches “trustless” transactions on a peer-to-peer network, it does not suggest participants should silo themselves in opposition to the broader community (see the BTC genesis block). Rather, allowing a mindset predicated on self-interest to take root risks polluting the inherent potential of crypto’s innovative technology. Like many instances in the real world, emphasis on the individual frequently holds back progress on a systemic level, even in instances where those same individuals stand to gain. A great example, at least in the United States, is education. Wild West white paper In many U.S. communities, within its zone. Along with funding for libraries and parks, these amenities aim to serve everyone and function as pillars of connection within a community. Too often, residents without children (and run-of-the-mill curmudgeons) will raise the argument that, since they experience no direct benefit from these tax-funded institutions, they shouldn’t have to contribute. It’s a somewhat sound argument if you squint because who needs the fire department when your house isn’t actively burning, right? What this umbrage fails to consider is how these investments are injected into the community through a variety of means. a portion of property taxes are allocated to schools back Obstinance to this process from well-off homeowners is inherently a net drain on the surrounding area despite its obvious benefits. Not only are homes situated closer to schools , but desirable (read: well-funded) districts that gallop prices well above market rates. And this is all before addressing the societal benefits that are created, which can have lasting effects on a macro level. typically valued higher can incite bidding wars From a shrewd (read: economic) perspective, schools are job creators and serve as integral nodes that support a community’s potential to deploy a workforce across any number of industries. When properly resourced, schools reciprocate that value by , and prepares subsequent generations for adult life. If your blood pressure is rising, pause and think of a teacher who helped you become the person you are today. Ask yourself: aren’t children more likely to succeed when they’re well-educated supported? , offering a variety of programming that alleviates working parents promotes social engagement for elderly citizens and Now imagine a society where cantankerous taxpayers get their way and retain their wealth without these contributions to the public good. Like us all, they eventually grow old. Nestled in their high-value homes after decades of denying resources to the surrounding blocks, they start to feel the walls closing in. Sure, they’re comfortable. But have trickled up, making it difficult to find local home care that meets their unique needs. This is compounded by a rising lack of agency. At first, just driving at night is tricky. declining graduation rates But soon, the car is safest in park. Homebound, they start to look around their neighborhood for outlets. Available resources that were viewed as plentiful, back when contributing to their longevity felt superfluous, have dried up. And where it was once unconscionable why anyone would go see a high school matinee of , such a social experience suddenly feels like a luxury. Bye Bye Birdie From this commonly accessible vantage point, a two-pronged approach to reorienting the crypto ecosystem emerges: nurture a true sense of community and find points of commonality that rally solidarity among participants. Like the school example above, such a holistic approach could reimagine how networks interact and benefit in the digital economy by abandoning untoward self-interest. If business-as-usual ideology results in regular and in traditional finance (and, let’s be honest, ), why replicate such norms? Why build an analogous system to the one whose colossal failure sparked Satoshi’s monumental breakthrough? calamities fraud crypto too Rather than waiting until the house is on fire or we’re stuck longing for amateur theater, leaders need to think proactively about building solutions that account for crypto’s ultimate dream. Despite effective altruism proving itself to be little more than robber baron alimony for the digital age, . Carnegie at least left libraries behind From equitably sharing the spoils to ceasing black hat trading techniques to rooting out opportunists who see the world as a mark, a new vision must rise from its ashes. This is both a big tent technological vision and a new covenant of values. To find firm global footing, crypto must retreat from gluttonous visions of wealth-at-all-costs if it hopes to survive . compounding regulatory and consumer culls To achieve global adoption, crypto companies need to start conceiving of the ecosystem as a single organism whose success requires collaborative effort and investment. Whether this demands the development of new or better networks, true progress must be measured by our collective will to achieve financial freedom. No longer a zero-sum game, this is an opportunity for the best and brightest to determine which stars are within reach. After watching how the class of Web 2.0 matured and the world they left behind, it's clear that what comes next must truly aim to shift the cultural paradigm.

To Achieve Global Adoption, Crypto Should Remember Its Roots

গ্লোবাল অ্যাডপশন অর্জন করতে, ক্রিপ্টোকে তার শিকড়গুলি মনে রাখা উচিত

Um eine weltweite Akzeptanz zu erreichen, sollte sich Krypto an seine Wurzeln erinnern

Para lograr una adopción global, las criptomonedas deben recordar sus raíces

Pour parvenir à une adoption mondiale, la crypto devrait se souvenir de ses racines

वैश्विक स्वीकृति प्राप्त करने के लिए, क्रिप्टो को अपनी जड़ें याद रखनी चाहिए

世界的な普及を達成するには、暗号通貨はそのルーツを思い出す必要があります

글로벌 채택을 달성하려면 암호화폐는 그 뿌리를 기억해야 합니다

Para alcançar a adoção global, a criptografia deve se lembrar de suas raízes

Чтобы добиться глобального принятия, криптовалюта должна помнить свои корни

Küresel Benimsenmeyi Sağlamak İçin Kripto, Köklerini Hatırlamalı

Để đạt được sự chấp nhận toàn cầu, tiền điện tử nên nhớ về nguồn gốc của nó

为了实现全球采用，加密货币应该记住它的根源

In 2023, the global crypto landscape is rapidly evolving, with regulations and taxes tightening their grip on the industry. Crypto workers and enthusiasts are on the lookout for safe havens that embrace and digital currencies without numerous complications. distributed ledger technology . From the picturesque Zug in Switzerland to the forward-thinking Dubai, these cities could offer a refuge from the tightening regulatory landscape, making them ideal destinations for those seeking to live and work in the crypto space. So, you can explore our list of the top crypto-friendly cities, where innovative regulations and favorable tax policies provide a haven for crypto workers and investors Zug (Switzerland) Zug, often referred to as "Crypto Valley," stands as a testament to Switzerland's crypto-friendly environment. With its favorable regulatory framework, low taxes, and a proactive approach to embracing cryptocurrencies and their related technology, Zug has become a global hub for crypto-related businesses and innovation. This is a scenic city located in central Switzerland, known for its lakeside setting and proximity to the Swiss Alps. The region experiences a temperate climate, and it’s renowned for its cultural events, stunning landscapes, and a rich history of commerce and innovation. , Cardano Foundation, Tezos Foundation, Dfinity, Nexo, and Bancor. Today, it’s also home to over 800 crypto , including the Ethereum Foundation companies and organizations . VAT is not applied to native token transactions, like Bitcoin or Ether. Additionally, cantonal taxes based on market value, like the Net Wealth Tax, may vary based on factors such as income, marital status, and residence permit type. A single taxpayer with an income below 77,000 CHF (approx. 77,800 EUR) could be exempt. The region offers a low corporate (up to 15.1%), a Capital Gains Tax of up to 7.8% (only for businesses and big traders), and the ability to pay taxes in cryptocurrency income tax Singapore (Republic of Singapore) Singapore has emerged as a crypto-friendly city with a well-defined regulatory framework. It serves as a hub 659 crypto-related businesses, including major companies and NGOs like (until 2021), Oasis Foundation, Moonbeam Foundation, and Crypto.com. , despite recent setbacks faced by homegrown projects (aka ). for around Binance Singapore's regulatory structure, digital infrastructure, and ease of doing business have made it a top destination for crypto companies Terraform Labs and 3AC This island state is situated in Southeast Asia, boasts a tropical climate, and is known for its high living costs (and salaries). Singapore's crypto community is diverse and inclusive, attracting talent from around the world. Despite growing competition from cities like Dubai and Hong Kong, Singapore remains a strong player in the crypto regulatory space and continues to foster innovation and collaboration within the fintech industry. Individual taxpayers generally don't need to pay income tax on their crypto holdings unless they are professional traders, big miners, or receive crypto as payment for goods and services. Besides, paying with crypto doesn’t imply taxes. due to its lack of capital gains tax, making it an attractive location for crypto investors. It stands out A setback here could be that people engaging in crypto staking and lending activities, earning an annual income of SGD 300 (around $219) or higher, may probably be liable for income tax on their profits. depends on an individual's residence status (resident or not), and varies between 0% and 24%, depending on the annual income. This tax Berlin (Germany) Berlin is located in northeastern Germany and is both the largest city in the country as well as its capital. . The city's crypto scene thrives on community-driven, decentralized events like the Berlin Blockchain Week. It offers diversity, numerous meetups, and spaces for fintech enthusiasts. It’s a tech hub that has attracted global companies like and and is also a major draw for crypto enthusiasts Google Meta Its crypto influence is undeniable, with ties to Ethereum's early days and the first Ethereum developers' meetup in 2014. Kreuzberg's Room 77 became the first bar globally to accept Bitcoin, and now there are around 12 cryptocurrency ATMs in the city. Besides, crypto-related projects, from DeFi platforms to NGOs, thrive in Berlin today. They include brands like Stacks, Tendermint (Ignite), Aeternity, Energy Web, and Matter Labs. over 97 Berlin's cost of living remains favorable compared to other European cities. Short-term income taxes vary depending on marital status and annual income, from 0% (income of less than $11,500) to 45% (income of over $293,800). Annual earnings of up to $634 aren’t taxable, even if exchanged to fiat before a year. Germany's incentivize long-term crypto holdings crypto tax policies since profits are only taxable if exchanged to fiat before a full year. San Salvador (El Salvador) San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, has emerged as a crypto-friendly city in Central America, thanks to the country's pioneering approach to cryptocurrency adoption. El Salvador became the first nation to accept Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. This move has been accompanied by various developments, including from Capital Gains Taxes for individuals and businesses. an exemption This one is designed to operate entirely on geothermal energy from the Conchagua volcano and prioritize the use of Bitcoin as a key element for economic liberation. The project, which aims to attract local and foreign companies in the crypto industry, already received recognition and . Besides, San Salvador boasts 61 Bitcoin ATMs, crypto can be used to pay other taxes, and the government is planning to build its own Bitcoin City relatively close to there. design awards Despite initial skepticism and uncertainty surrounding Bitcoin adoption, El Salvador's success has drawn considerable interest from both domestic and international investors. This unique approach to cryptocurrency has put San Salvador on the map as a crypto hub, with ongoing projects aiming to integrate crypto further into the city's infrastructure and daily life. Cheyenne, Wyoming (United States) Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is a city in the United States known for its Western heritage and frontier history. On the other hand, it seems like Wyoming has more cattle than humans —but that may change with more crypto adoption. Currently, this state the most crypto-friendly in the United States. is considered Notably, the state passed a law exempting utility tokens from securities regulation, resolving a significant legal challenge for crypto companies. This legal clarity has made Wyoming attractive to crypto businesses, including major players like Kraken and IOG (formerly IOHK, Cardano developer). Since 2016, Wyoming has passed over 35 laws regulating various aspects of the crypto industry, creating a welcoming regulatory environment. According to the Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation at the University of Wyoming, around 3,000 crypto companies are domiciled in Wyoming now. Besides, the state legally recognizes regulated custodians for crypto assets and allows its authorities to issue a backed by U.S. dollars or Treasury bonds. stablecoin And it’s also one of the in the country. The crypto community in Cheyenne often consists of startup creators, miners, legal professionals, accountants, and influential figures. On top of all this, Wyoming is . It has no state taxes on crypto earnings, transactions, personal income, corporate income, gifts, or inheritance. tax-free for cryptocurrencies least expensive states More cities (and citadels) Beyond the ones mentioned above, numerous cities worldwide are embracing cryptocurrency, offering favorable regulations and support for crypto firms. Dubai (UAE), known for crypto-friendly regulations, is luring more and more crypto companies like Boundless Pay, Metafluence, and Singular One. Lisbon combines a high quality of life with a low cost of living, making it attractive to remote crypto workers. Italy's Rovereto is a long-standing Bitcoin hub where cryptocurrency is widely accepted for various services and products. Madeira, a region in Portugal, is promoting crypto adoption by offering low taxes for crypto-related businesses. with an homonymous commercial complex. Ljubljana in Slovenia boasts a significant number of businesses accepting crypto payments and is working to become a "Bitcoin City," In addition, Latin America has seen the emergence of “ ” like El Zonte in El Salvador, Praia Bitcoin Brasil in Brazil, Bitcoin Jungle in Costa Rica, and Bitcoin Lake in Guatemala. These communities, often consisting of individuals underserved by traditional banking systems, have embraced Bitcoin and cryptos as an alternative. They've established circular economies, promoting crypto adoption among local merchants and offering educational resources. Bitcoin citadels Finally, we can also mention Liechtenstein and its capital Vaduz as one of the first places in the world to properly regulate and welcome cryptocurrencies —through its in 2020. is based in this territory. So, as you can see, the world can be your oyster! There are a lot of crypto-friendly cities to choose to live and work in 2023. Now it’s up to you to pick one. Blockchain Act Obyte Foundation Featured Vector Image by Freepik

Top 5 Crypto-Friendly Cities in 2023 Based on Taxes and Living Conditions

কর এবং জীবনযাত্রার অবস্থার উপর ভিত্তি করে 2023 সালে শীর্ষ 5টি ক্রিপ্টো-বান্ধব শহর

Top 5 kryptofreundlicher Städte im Jahr 2023, basierend auf Steuern und Lebensbedingungen

Las 5 principales ciudades compatibles con las criptomonedas en 2023 según los impuestos y las condiciones de vida

Top 5 des villes favorables à la cryptographie en 2023, en fonction des impôts et des conditions de vie

कर और रहने की स्थिति के आधार पर 2023 में शीर्ष 5 क्रिप्टो-अनुकूल शहर

税金と生活条件に基づく 2023 年の仮想通貨に優しい都市トップ 5

세금 및 생활 조건 기준 2023년 암호화폐 친화적인 상위 5개 도시

As 5 principais cidades criptográficas em 2023 com base em impostos e condições de vida

Топ-5 крипто-дружественных городов в 2023 году по налогам и условиям жизни

Vergiler ve Yaşam Koşullarına Göre 2023 Yılının En İyi 5 Kripto Dostu Şehir

5 thành phố thân thiện với tiền điện tử năm 2023 dựa trên thuế và điều kiện sống

根据税收和生活条件，2023 年加密货币友好城市前 5 名

In an era when memes often dictate internet culture, Ukrainian maritime drones continue to make the rounds. Yet, these drones aren’t just fodder for online humor; their continued appearance in the Russo-Ukrainian war is showing that Russia’s navy, once dominant, has found itself outmaneuvered and pushed into retreat by a country with no navy. At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in early March 2022, the Ukrainian Navy sank their flagship frigate, the seasoned , to prevent Russian possession. Scuttling this ship left Ukraine with only a handful of riverine patrol boats and limited capability to engage Russia on the open sea. Hetman Sahaidachny Meanwhile, Russia had its full Black Sea Fleet at its disposal, including ships captured and reflagged from the Ukrainian Navy when Russia invaded and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. As a result, Ukraine lost over 80% of its after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. naval capabilities Russia’s navy dominated the Black Sea, until now However, over the past year, Russia, boasting the world’s second-largest navy, has been forced to relocate a significant portion of its Black Sea Fleet, including all its submarines, from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk farther east on the Black Sea coast in Russia – more than 570 kilometers away from Odesa and other targets in Ukraine. Kilo-class In May 2023, a Ukrainian maritime drone struck the Russian reconnaissance vessel in the Black Sea. Initially, Moscow asserted they had successfully repelled the attack. However, by June 2023, Ukraine intensified its offensive, deploying six remote-controlled maritime drones to target the Russian intelligence vessel , approximately 300 kilometers from Sevastopol, challenging Russian naval dominance beyond Crimea. Ivan Khuprirs Priazovye Ukraine’s growing maritime abilities were once again underlined when their drones in early August. incapacitated a Russian warship and an oil tanker Following the attacks, Former United States Navy Admiral James George Stavridis , “We’re at a juncture in military evolution akin to the game-changers like Agincourt or Pearl Harbor. Expensive manned surface warships now face existential threats from affordable drones.” remarked , the secretary of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council, pointed out that “With each new combat mission, Ukrainian combat UAVs and maritime drones become more accurate, operators more experienced, combat coordination more effective, and manufacturers get the opportunity to improve tactical and technical characteristics.” Oleksiy Danilov During this attack, the Russian oil tanker “ ,” built in 2014 with a 5,000-ton capacity, was targeted with 450 kilograms of TNT while ferrying fuel for the Russian military. This tanker was integral to fueling Russian operations in and was under US sanctions. SIG Syria The maritime drones could change the complexion of the war by forcing Russia to commit more resources to protecting its ports, warships, and cargo ships that it uses to transport weapons, fuel, and other supplies for its military. Ukraine further issued a stern , deeming six Russian Black Sea ports, Taman, Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Tuapse, and Sochi in a “war risk area.” On August 5th, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said, “There are no more safe waters or peaceful harbors for you in the Black and Azov Seas.” warning Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, emphasized that domestically-produced sea drones have paralyzed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and are now being mass-produced. He that approximately 30-40% of these drones successfully strike their targets, causing Russian ships to avoid venturing north of Sevastopol due to the risk of drone attacks. noted Nearly two months into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine sank the – flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, using anti-ship missiles. While a morale boost for Ukraine, it didn’t shift the power dynamics in the Black Sea. That shift would begin as Ukraine introduced maritime drones later on. Moskva Neptune On 17 July 2023, the Crimean Bridge, a prime symbol of Putin’s imperial ambitions in the Black Sea region, in a drone assault. This marks the second such attack on this crucial bridge after Ukraine’s in October 2022, underscoring the challenges Russia faces in protecting the bridge against cheap Ukrainian drones. sustained significant damage first strike Apart from its important symbolism for Putin, the bridge is a vital resupply route for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), , highlighted that the drone used in the recent attack against the bridge is called “Sea Baby.” Maliuk proudly emphasized, “These sea drones are a groundbreaking innovation by the Security Service of Ukraine. They’re exclusively ours, with no private entities involved.” Vasyl Maliuk He also explains how these drones were recently deployed to target the Crimean bridge with a massive 850 kilograms of explosives to deliver maximum impact against the bridge’s support pillars. Additionally, the drones were utilized to strike a Russian warship, the , as well as the tanker. Olengorsky Gornyak SIG Ukraine’s Western allies have paid close attention to how Ukraine has been successfully conducting these maritime drone attacks and wants to learn from Ukraine’s experience. Despite that Western interest, Maliuk , “They do not participate in our operations or provide us with any equipment or anything else. These drones are produced at an underground production facility in the territory of Ukraine. The targets I’ve mentioned are legitimate targets according to the Ukrainian and international laws.” stated , an advisor to President Zelenskyy, also commented on the situation, asking, “What is happening in the Black Sea? are changing the rules of the game, returning the waters to full-fledged foreign jurisdiction, and ultimately destroying the value of the Russian fleet. In fact, they are returning everyone to the international law of the sea…” Mykhailo Podoliak #Drones Scrappy tech development that rewrites naval warfare playbook Ukraine’s rapid development of maritime drones, technically termed “uncrewed surface vessels” (USVs), has resulted in vessels replete with state-of-the-art features like integrated explosives and real-time cameras. These subaquatic drones are designed to broadcast riveting visuals straight to their human handlers. The Ukrainian government recently revealed the cost of a maritime drone with an economical of $250,000. For reference, the cost of each S long-range missile is $150,000, and a full launch costs $1,000,000. price tag HIMAR Yet, the drones’ capabilities don’t stop at being cost-effective. These drone marvels can blaze across the ocean at of 80 km/h and boast a remarkable travel range of over 800 km. Enhanced with infrared vision, these drones carry a formidable 350 kilogram warhead (in some cases, up to ) and can sustain operations for a whopping 60 hours. versions, armed with day-night vision cameras and explosive fuses, make for silent yet potent surface water assassins. speeds 850 kilograms Satellite-controlled , a senior engineer from the US think-tank Rand Corp, pointed out the inherent challenge in countering these drones, especially when deployed in swarms. The low profiles of small drones make them elusive targets. Multiply their presence, and the challenge to stop them only grows. Scott Savitz Such rapid advancements haven’t gone unnoticed. The Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer, , has pointed out Ukraine’s effective use of technology in the war as a “wake-up call.” Bill LaPlante Former Google CEO is optimistic about Ukraine’s homegrown drone industry. Along with other investors, he has pledged $10 million to D3, a Ukrainian accelerator focusing on drones and related defense tech, as he believes that Ukraine has consistently demonstrated superior innovation against adversaries. Schmidt wrote in the Wall Street Journal that “The future of war will be dictated and waged by drones.” Eric Schmidt Ukraine is on the pathway to becoming a leader in global drone production, according to Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister . Fedorov also pointed out that “we have removed the majority of industry blockers to ease the running of a business. We help Ukrainian UAV manufacturers to receive all kinds of required approvals; we contract their developments and supply them directly to the frontline.” Mykhailo Fedorov Through the “ ” initiative, initially bolstered by President Zelensky’s fundraising drive, Ukraine has electrified its native unmanned weapons industry, also leading to the creation of unmanned maritime drones that continue to wreak havoc on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Army of Drones UNITED24 Ukraine is also making headway with uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV). The newly-revealed is an underwater drone smaller in size compared to previous generations of Ukrainian naval kamikaze drones used against Russian ships in Crimea. It can also remain in mode for up to 3 months. The drone doesn’t go deep but swims near the surface. Toloka TLK-150 standby The innovation behind this drone is being driven by , a key Ukrainian defense tech initiative, and the Toloka is set to be production-ready soon. BRAVE1, established in 2023, streamlines collaboration between the government, military, and private tech firms. This type of public-private partnership represents the scrappy tech development that Ukraine has so successfully employed in the war. This has sped up the process for tech companies to work with the military, wait times from two years to just six weeks. BRAVE1 reducing Ukraine’s scrappiness in tech development also extends to its fundraising efforts. For instance, through United24, the official fundraising platform of the Ukrainian government, the Ukrainian government turned to crowdfunding to help fund the development of more drones. The online community of “NAFO ” pooled together $250,000 to purchase a drone, cheekily dubbing it “Raccoon’s Revenge” – a nod to the raccoon Russian soldiers stole during their retreat from Kherson. Fellas How naval warfare is changing Vice-Admiral , Ukraine’s navy chief, stated that after the war, Ukraine will write a textbook on naval warfare and distribute it to NATO military academies. He remarked that “The warfare of the future is a warfare of drones,” and no other country can match Ukraine’s experience with naval drones. Oleksiy Neizhpapa In August 2023, for the first time in its history, the established a specialized brigade dedicated to . Ukrainian Navy unmanned maritime drones Ukraine’s effectiveness and the scaled use of swift and nimble boats is influencing the landscape of naval warfare. However, using small boats to detonate bombs is not a new strategy. According to the , the United States tried using drone boats as far back as the 1940s. But in October 2000, Al-Qaeda suicide bombers maneuvered explosive-laden boats into the , which resulted in the deaths of 17 American sailors in Yemen’s Aden port. Economist USS Cole Yemen’s Houthi rebels also weaponized what seemed to be uncrewed vessels. In 2017, they successfully a Saudi warship by using a boat filled with explosives, killing two Saudi sailors. attacked Nations like China and Taiwan are undoubtedly monitoring the situation in Ukraine closely. Considering Ukraine’s ability to develop and deploy these drones to traverse the vast expanse of the Black Sea, has already been looking to invest in similar technology to disrupt any maritime aggression from its more powerful neighbor, the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan Cheap naval drones, being cost-effective and efficiently mass-produced, have proven their mettle against Russia, offering a hint of what might be an effective counter-strategy by Taiwan against China’s navy. Ukrainian drones’ cost-effectiveness combined with their stealthy nature — low water-level cruising and reduced noise emissions — makes them a formidable asset. Despite lacking a significant naval fleet, Ukraine’s use of these drones has been instrumental in preventing Russia from dominating the maritime battlespace and achieving naval supremacy in the Black Sea. Also published . here

Ukraine Is Revolutionizing Naval Warfare With the Help of Scrappy Submarines

Previous Chapter - The Last 3 Days (19): Benevolence Shrugs All published chapters can be found here. 10:39:39 Less than ten minutes later, Nick eased the hood closed so as not to disrupt the quiet darkness and climbed into the driver’s seat. The old sedan started immediately and ran smoothly, so Nick reached for the manual gearshift and bumped his elbow against a cooler on the bench seat beside him. Surely his luck wouldn’t extend this far, he thought, but it did. The cooler held canned drinks. Cold canned drinks. He listened a moment longer as the car picked up speed, up-shifted twice and then popped the tab on a random can and drank. “Hey!” A voice shouted in the darkness. “Those aren’t for you.” A pair of menacing eyes stared back at Nick from the rearview mirror. He planted brake and clutch simultaneously, spilling soda into his lap as the car slewed to a halt. Nick dove out of the car, scrabbling on hands and knees to a safe distance, chased by a drooling can of soda. The rear window wound down, revealing a child’s laughter. “Do that again.” The face of an indigenous youth appeared. “Where did you come from?” Nick demanded. The boy jerked his head back the way they came. “That way. You?” Brushing himself off, Nick returned to the idling car. “I mean,” he said, “What are you doing here, wherever here is, at night, alone?” “Waiting.” “For what?” “My dad.” “Where’d he go?” “For help. He should’a just waited for you.” “How long ago?” “Dunno. I was sleeping.” “Why didn’t he take you?” “Said I’d slow him down.” “Which way did he go?” The boy jerked his head up the road. “He said there was a town not too far.” “I’ve been walking forever, trying to get home. But I can’t leave you here by yourself.” Nick picked up the empty can and held it out towards the boy. “I’m Nick.” “I’m Dean.” “Dean, if I drive you to look for your dad, can I have another soda?” 10:02:11 Dean, now sitting in the front passenger seat, pointed at a road sign that said, ‘Cluster.’ Below it an arrow pointed left and below that, ‘2 MILES’. Nick slowed. A left turn took Nick away from home. “This is the next town.” “Cluster. That’s the one. I think.” Nick turned at the intersection. 09:59:21 A glow appeared in the sky ahead of them. Moments later, the source was obvious. Cluster was burning. A large crowd watched the fire spread, cheering whenever an oil or gas tank exploded within the inferno. They drove past a short queue of vehicles lined up at a cross street aimed directly at the flames, where a young woman wearing her bra waved her blouse like a flag. A car full of people accelerated, horn blaring, into the inferno, and a truck moved up to be next. Nick eased the car past the glassy-eyed revellers and pulled into a gas station. “What’s wrong with them, Nick?” “They’re drunk and angry. Listen. I’m going to ask if they’ve seen your dad. Stay in the car, OK?” Nearby, a drunk young woman, her homegrown beauty unaffected by inebriation, held off several men even more intoxicated with a wine bottle, then stepped away from the crowd. “Sure thing,” Dean said. 09:55:58 Nick exited the open and unattended gas station with a handful of chocolate bars, which he tossed onto the front seat before taking the opportunity to fill the car. At another pump, a group of youths assembled Molotov cocktails using scraps of a t-shirt liberated from the youngest of the group. In the background, a car horn announced the safe return of the daredevils and more cheers. The truck engine revved to dangerous levels then leapt forward, horn wailing, to disappear into the flames. The drunk woman’s erratic path brought her over to the Beater, where she leaned against the hood to get her bearings. Nick had his back to her as he hung up the nozzle. “You gonna pay for that gas?” She asked. Nick turned. “Oh. There was no one inside, so I thought the place was abandoned. I don’t have any money.” Using the vehicle for support, she moved closer. “I don’t want money.” She wrapped her free arm around his neck and kissed him deeply. He responded but then caught Dean watching and stepped away from the embrace. “No. I can’t — “ Then something crashed into him, knocking him to the ground. Covering his head with his arms against a rain of blows, Nick heard Dean screaming. “Dad! Dad! Stop! Dad!” The pummelling subsided. Nick opened his eyes to see his assailant hugging Dean. “Get off me!” Dean separated himself from his father and pulled him off Nick. “This is Nick,” the boy explained. “He was helping me find you.” Hunter studied Nick for a moment, then held out his hand to help him up. “You pumped Regular, right?” “Of course,” Nick answered. “I think this thing predates Premium.” “Good. Long way to go, yet.” “Dean said you’re going to the city. Can I get a ride?” The sound of a horn briefly rose above the roar of the fires — then it went silent, replaced by lingering screams. 03:58:48 Darkness vanished in a flash of light as the sun emerged from behind earth, illuminating the asteroid like a burglar in the night. Unlike a thief, Benevolence B7438 didn’t surrender or relax its determined charge towards earth. Then a tendril of steam slipped from an impact site and the asteroid cracked. 03:44:09 The closer Nick was to home, the slower they seemed to travel. The highway they had to themselves. So too the main trunk roads through the city. But when he guided Hunter into his neighbourhood, the streets were crowded with people congregating on front lawns or standing in the road watching the sky. When Hunter brought his beater to a halt at the end of the Burns’ driveway, Dean leaned over the seat to hug him. He shook hands with Hunter. “You’re home, Nick,” Hunter said. “Thanks to you and Dean.” “No. Thanks to you. You fixed the car. You helped Dean find me. If not for you, we’d never have made it here.” As Nick climbed out, Dean slithered over the seat. “Let’s go get mom.” Home. He made it. 03:43:48 The front door was unlocked, which was just as well as he’d lost his keys somewhere. The TV was on, but as quiet as the rest of the house, though the Anchor’s chair was empty. “Dad!” Nick called. “Mom!” He glanced into the kitchen as he moved past. Nothing. He took the stairs two at a time. “Mom! Dad! I’m home!” He pushed open Jack’s bedroom door. “Jack?” Empty. As was his parent’s bedroom. He walked past his own room and so didn’t see Jay sleeping. Returning downstairs, he checked the office. Not there, either. 03:41:50 Nick went out the front door and trotted down the driveway, scanning the people gathered in groups for any sign of his parents. “Dad! Mom!” No response. Turning back, he noticed the lights were on next door at Eileen’s. 03:41: 44 The Burns and their guests mingled quietly around a table of food and drink in the backyard, constantly scanning the sky for any sight of Benevolence B7438 and debating from which direction would the end of the world arrive. The Sergeant and Eileen sat beside each other in lawn chairs. Becky heard a familiar shout from the street. She peered around the corner of the house — and caught a glimpse of Nick. Nick? She rushed between the houses. 03:41:22 Nick knocked on Eileen’s door a second time. Where is everyone, he thought, when the person he wanted most to see was suddenly right there. Becky. “Nick?” Distracted by Becky, Nick ignored the opening door. “Becky?” Ryan said, “Nick!” And swung his fist, but Nick was already moving towards Becky, so the blow was glancing. Nick stumbled backwards, revealing Becky. “Becky!” Ryan roared. Ryan lunged out the door towards Becky, but Nick stuck his foot out and tripped him. Ryan sprawled on the walk. Rushing past him, Nick grabbed Becky’s hand and hauled her into his house, slamming and bolting the door. Bobby appeared on Eileen’s transom, rubbing his eyes. “What’s with the shouting?” “They’re next door,” Ryan barked. “Come on.” As Bobby joined him, Ryan pointed towards the backyard. “Cover the back.” 03:40:38 Don heard a door slam and moved to investigate, but the sound of running feet slowed him as he reached the edge of the rear wall. Head down just as he’d been trained, Bobby rounded the corner at full tilt, only to discover he was not alone. And there was a cop, he thought as he recognized the Sergeant’s uniform. “Hold it right there, son,” Don said. The other cop. “I said, stop!” Bobby rushed Don, expecting him to move, but Don stood his ground, wrapping his arms around Bobby’s waist then sliding down to trap his legs. Bobby fell to the ground, held there by the Sergeant’s size 13 boot at the base of his neck. 03:40:29 Nick was urging Becky towards the en suite in his parents’ bedroom when he heard his father shout. “In there,” he told her. “Lock the door.” And he was gone. 03:40:24 Ryan straightened from the office window he had just climbed through. The sound of Nick pounding down the stairs sent him darting behind the door. And there, hanging from hooks were two police utility belts, one of them bearing a holstered pistol. Armed with new purpose, he peered into the hallway. Someone else descended the stairs and turned into the kitchen. Becky. He padded after her. Also published here.

The Last 3 Days (20): Cluster's F**ked

A Content-Rich Q&A Session - Star Japanese Web3 Fund, Meteorite Labs, Uncovers How to Penetrate and Integrate into the Japanese Market Hello everyone, it's a pleasure to engage in a discussion about the Japanese market with you. Today, our conversation will focus on the nuances of the Japanese Web3 market, particularly in relation to project operations. I'm delighted to introduce our esteemed guest, who is deeply involved in the Japanese Web3 market. Umi possesses significant industry experience in Japan and is a highly regarded Web3 professional. This dialogue will allow us all to gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese market and provide insights that may prove helpful for project operators seeking to enter this market. Firstly, I'd like to invite Umi to introduce herself and answer the inaugural question of this session: : HOST From your personal experiences living and working on projects in Japan, could you identify some unique features and trends within the Japanese Web3 market? How do these aspects influence the operation of projects? Hello everyone, I'm Umi. I'm the BD Lead of Meteorite Labs based in Japan. Meteorite Labs is not just a foundation, but also functions as an incubator. As an early-stage Web3 investment fund, our portfolio boasts an impressive line-up, including projects like Galaxy, Fusionist, and Stepn, all of which we had invested in at an early stage and introduced to Japan. : UMI Addressing your question about , two characteristics come to mind: . Japan has one of the highest levels of customer loyalty and purchasing power worldwide. Projects like Stepn and Fusionist, which I mentioned earlier, have been remarkably successful, gaining favor with platforms like Binance. Interestingly, during the early operational phase of the Stepn project, nearly half of its 800 users were Japanese. Even now, as the project has grown considerably, . what makes the Japanese market distinctive loyalty and purchasing power the Japanese still make up 20%-30% of its user base Why is this so? One possible explanation lies in the structure of Japanese households. Unlike Chinese families, which often consist of a single child, Japanese families typically have three to four children, in addition to parents. This means that if one family member begins using a service like Stepn, they are likely to share it with the rest of their family. It's not uncommon for entire families to engage with the platform, perhaps buying multiple pairs of shoes. This trend speaks volumes about the strong purchasing power inherent in the Japanese market. Take , for instance, our involvement was not just in the form of investment; we also assisted them with strategic planning for marketing in Japan. Leveraging our extensive experience in the Japanese market, Meteorite Labs was able to craft custom strategies for their venture into this region. After these strategies were implemented, . This has led us to believe that trust is crucial in the Japanese market. Once the consumers trust and know you, and find your project interesting and engaging, they'll remain loyal for a long time. Fusionist the company revealed that 30% of its user base is Japanese Recently, we invested in a game project: Mahjong Meta. We plan to continue aiding their expansion into the Japanese market, using our operational experience in the region. We'll open a brick-and-mortar mahjong parlor in Shibuya, which will serve as a gateway from Web2 to Web3, embedding the concept in the minds of Japanese users. We also have an example involving a . Our founder had previously assisted FTX Japan in cementing its foothold in the Japanese market. In its initial six months, FTX Japan didn't make a profit—it was purely an investment stage that required extensive market cultivation, . Hence, loyalty and purchasing power are distinct traits of the Japanese market. cryptocurrency exchange finding ways to establish trust and stimulate Japanese Users’ purchasing power Considering the user characteristics of the Japanese market you just mentioned, while there is a significant number of crypto users with considerable purchasing power, engaging these users presents its challenges. What are some effective strategies for customer acquisition in the Japanese market? How can we increase Japanese users' understanding of, and participation in, Web3 projects? : HOST From an operational standpoint, for example, with Stepn, Meteorite Labs has conducted numerous . These events were quite straightforward, allowing real users of Stepn to gather and form an organic community. The idea is not to have the project party exert significant effort in event planning but to let the community naturally converge, fueling user motivation. : UMI ground-level real-world events The social structure in Japan allows for a variety of tribes and communities, . This is a defining characteristic of society. During my university days in Japan, there were many community activities. Individuals often sought their sense of belonging and self-identity by participating in these communities and organizations. This approach holds for Stepn and our upcoming project, Mahjong Meta. We drive users to spontaneously form communities via various offline activities, thereby amplifying the brand's influence. fostering a sense of belonging for individuals For foreign projects entering Japan, . For instance, there's a renowned company called Bandai Namco in Japan, holding many famous IPs. We maintain a close collaboration with several well-known Japanese funds, such as Emoote and MZfund. Therefore, when we identify promising early-stage projects or projects we've previously invested in, Meteorite Labs can introduce them to these leading fund teams. These funds can then offer unique resources, such as recommending tailored activities, thus giving projects an opportunity to accurately identify their user base and engage more directly with users in the real world. partnering with local big corporations or notable investors is an excellent strategy It's widely known that, due to language habits and social-cultural differences, brand implantation in the Japanese market can be challenging—it's a relatively closed market. : HOST What's the most effective strategy for Web3 projects to establish brand awareness and promote projects in the Japanese market? How can they forge close connections and collaborations with local Japanese communities and homegrown projects? When a foreign project aims to penetrate the Japanese market, . Ideally, community moderators or core members should be Japanese, or at least, they should be fluent in Japanese. This approach helps foster a strong sense of camaraderie. Peace and safety are core values in Japan, which is why it's crucial. : UMI it is essential to establish a favorable and familiar impression Another key factor is the . It's vital to deeply understand their user base, the content they focus on, and their overall influence. To illustrate, there was a project that engaged a KOL named KazMax, known for negative content, during its promotional activities in Japan. This resulted in substantial harm to the project's brand in the early stages of its entry into the Japanese market. This underscores the importance of discerning the type of KOL during the selection process. comprehensive vetting of your Key Opinion Leader (KOL) In Japan, multiple small groups are formed by various KOLs, all supporting each other within different communities. Hence, if you engage a KOL and things become somewhat awkward, other high-quality KOLs might be reluctant to promote your project. This has happened in real life. . Consequently, discerning the abilities of KOLs is extremely important when promoting in the Japanese market For project developers, identifying the right KOL becomes a major challenge. Recognizing this, Meteorite Labs has invested in the Aki Network. On the surface, . It uses numerous indicators to assess an influencer's core influence. The platform not only measures the interaction data between influencers and users but also evaluates the derivative interactions that the influencer generates and the volume of referral data. This holistic approach assesses an influencer's account quality. All these precise records are maintained on the Aki platform, enabling project developers to understand their true capabilities as well as those of the influencers they collaborate with. Aki Network might seem like a tool for an event planning platform, but it differentiates itself by emphasizing the influencer's impact Mature project developers attach great importance to this aspect. Whether it's about entering the Japanese market or other international markets, you might collaborate with a famous KOL who has hundreds of thousands of fans, only to realize that the attention they generate is not as significant as anticipated. . Therefore, for projects looking to penetrate the Japanese market and establish close connections with KOLs, they can use tools like Aki Network to discern KOL's capabilities, thus saving cognitive costs. The Aki Network reveals this hidden information, allowing users and project developers to access this crucial information When dealing with cultural differences in the Japanese market, what challenges have your projects encountered? How have you addressed these challenges and successfully integrated into the local culture? : HOST Honestly, . Integrating into the Japanese market means investing time, building relationships, making friends, and fostering trust. Once trust is established, users will reveal many truths. However, this . Also, having Japanese team members or those fluent in Japanese who can connect deeply with people is beneficial. The majority of the Meteorite Labs team comprises Chinese who have lived in Japan for over a decade, so there are minimal cultural differences. : UMI it requires patience trust-building process takes time Meteorite Labs' founder, Melody, has many years of experience in this field. Before moving into investment, she helped many projects get listed on Japanese exchanges. For instance, she orchestrated IOST's listing on CoinCheck, marking the first overseas listing. She also has experience with exchanges and venture capital, giving her a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective of the Japanese market. As we've guided numerous projects into the Japanese market, we've identified several rules to follow. . This characteristic extends from the Web2 to Web3 era. . This is because our approach extends beyond just interacting with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and fostering their trust and loyalty; it's also about helping the mainstream users to gradually accept and embrace the project. In this field, Meteorite Labs brings extensive experience and a rich array of resources to the table. Also, the Aki Network, as mentioned earlier, can serve as an effective and streamlined tool for ventures looking to infiltrate and broaden their reach within the Japanese market. Should anyone harbor an interest in Japanese local funds or community resources and desire to delve deeper into these topics, I extend an open invitation for contact and communication. The core of Japanese culture values quality, rejects impulsiveness, and embodies the spirit of a craftsman As a result, projects that lean towards hasty operations or a short-term, money-oriented approach may not find an easy fit within the Japanese market About Meteorite Labs Meteorite Labs is a fundamental research-driven crypto fund with extensive experience and connections in Asia, particularly Japan. Its multidisciplinary team combines expertise in investment, marketing, mathematics, data analysis, arts, game industry, and law. Meteorite Labs invests in venture and liquid opportunities within the blockchain sector through intensive research, investigation, and data analytics. We actively evaluate blockchain projects and ecosystems, with a focus on those that instill positive values in the web3-based world economy and experience, as well as the bridges between them. About Aki Network Aki Network is the first Web3 growth stack to track real promotion performances of crypto influencers with on-chain data-driven products. Since its launch in July 2022, Aki Network has been growing rapidly, collaborating with 200+ campaigns while connecting them with 2400+ network influencers and 310k+ community members via 303k+ successful user referrals. Aki Network's approach to data-driven influencer marketing, combined with its strong network of influencers and community members, makes it an indispensable asset for businesses looking to grow in the Web3 space. In-Person Contact Telegram： BD Director Meteorite Labs Founder | @Umiii_xh @melodysyz This story was distributed as a release by web3.com under HackerNoon’s Brand As An Author Program. Learn more about the program here: https://business.hackernoon.com/brand-as-author

Unlocking the Japanese Market: Insights from Star Web3 Fund, Meteorite Labs 

Desbloqueo del mercado japonés: perspectivas de Star Web3 Fund, Meteorite Labs

Déverrouiller le marché japonais : perspectives du fonds Star Web3, Meteorite Labs

जापानी बाज़ार को खोलना: स्टार वेब3 फंड, उल्कापिंड लैब्स से अंतर्दृष्टि

日本市場の開拓: Star Web3 Fund、Meteorite Labs からの洞察

Desbloqueando o mercado japonês: insights do Star Web3 Fund, Meteorite Labs

Mở khóa thị trường Nhật Bản: Thông tin chi tiết từ Quỹ Star Web3, Phòng thí nghiệm thiên thạch

解锁日本市场：Star Web3 Fund、Meteorite Labs 的见解

British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt recently announced that the country will open its substantial pension fund to increase funding liquidity for tech startups, aiming to help further the United Kingdom’s positioning as an international tech hub. To counter the startup lull in the UK, Hunt has put an in motion to direct up to €59 billion from pension funds or defined contributions (DC) to unlisted equities by 2030. Being the largest pension market in Europe, the UK has almost €3 trillion in pension funds. Hunt proposed allocating 5% of assets in its default funds to start-ups, to increase funding liquidity for high-growth . investment plan companies Calling it a “perverse situation,” Hunt said that UK institutional investors are not investing as much in UK high-growth companies as their international counterparts. conducted by Ledgy – a valuation tracking platform — found that tech startups based in the UK tend to offer generous employee equity in order to weather the investment environment. In fact, one in four UK founders give 15% or less of all equity to employees. Research Addressing the Shortage of Scale-up Capital in the UK The British Finance Minister has insisted that this package has the potential to unlock an additional €88 billion of financing for growth by 2030, “finally addressing the shortage of scale-up capital holding back so many of our most promising companies.” From 1997 to 2019, the UK saw a 44% decline in the number of domestic listed companies on its stock exchange. However, the country now aims to be the spot, where the world’s fastest-growing companies list, making the London Stock Exchange (LSE) not just Europe’s NASDAQ but much more. “We want to be the world’s next and a science superpower, embracing new technologies like AI in a way that brings together the skills of our financiers, entrepreneurs and scientists to make our country a force for good in the world,” said Hunt. Silicon Valley Applause From UK-Based Startups Hunt’s decision to utilize pension funds to support startups has already earned applause from UK-based companies like and . “If up to £50bn is unlocked by 2030 as the government promises, our homegrown founders will get the fuel they need to build world-beating companies,” said Robin AI CEO Richard Robinson, in a recent Robin AI ACF Investors media interview. Meanwhile, Till Mills, managing partner of ACF Investors, believes that by making this crucial announcement, the Chancellor is shining a spotlight on the importance of fast-growth technology companies to the UK’s economic health. The UK government believes that such reforms will conversely unlock capital from the private sector delivering growth not by subsidy, but by increasing support for entrepreneurs and investors who take risks to create long-term value. This article was originally published by on Akriti Seth 150sec.

The UK's Ambitious Tech Startup Investment: A Whopping €59 Billion

327 Stories To Learn About Saas

As a content creator, I’ve always been fascinated with Ads. And growing up in India during the 90s has given me a treasure trove of these to cherish. I can spend hours looping the same minute-long video and learn something new every single time. These Ads were brilliantly crafted and, dare I say, are the perfect examples of how short-form content should be written and executed. So, if you’re a writer who hit the wall and is looking for some inspiration, maybe it’s time to revisit some classics and reignite the flame. Here are my top five Indian ads that every writer must know. So let’s dive straight in! #1 Melody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdJSuddDfl4&t=4s&embedable=true “Melody itni chocolatee kyu hain?” “Melody khao, khud jaan jao.” If you grew up in India during the 90s, you’ve probably seen the immensely catchy Melody Ad. It’s been decades since the Ad first launched, yet these two simple lines still stick with us. And the reason? It’s quirky humor. Through Melody’s ads, this question is posed at the most surprising of times — during a PT drill, in a school classroom, or on the red carpet! And it is the sheer absurdity of the timing that sticks with the audience while also communicating the product’s essence. This brilliantly tempts the chocolate and encourages viewers to try the toffee themselves. Lesson for you The rule of 3s! This is a classic trick used in the Ad, where the writer has used three different scenarios to make a couple of dialogues stick. This is also what Apple does. copywriting “iPhone 14 Plus has 21% more screen, making it supersized but surprisingly lightweight.” They use three phrases to describe each feature, so there’s a sense of rhythm to the copy. If you want to persuade your audience, try the rule of three next time. #2 Amul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIQTwukIDyg&embedable=true This homegrown brand’s jingle is one of those tunes that just doesn’t leave your head even after a week! You could be working at your desk or preparing dinner, and you would catch yourself humming it. And this is what makes the jingle such an essential reason for this ad’s success. It solidifies the brand’s image with the audience and makes it a familiar name. Lesson for you Through the ad, the writer has incorporated almost every viewer the brand targets under the single banner of “India”, which makes it relatable to the masses. By invoking a sense of belonging, the writer appealed to the emotion of the viewers and hence, made the Ad memorable. #3 Coca Cola https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inF-9sFATE8&embedable=true When you read the newspaper or scroll through your feed, there are umpteen reminders of what’s going wrong with the world. Amid this, launched a heart-warming ad spreading positivity and hope. Coca-Cola During the ad, Coca-Cola shares a positive practice for every bad news. And by doing this, it asks the viewers to concentrate on the good and live a better life. Just like Amul’s ad, the ad’s song also became an anthem with the viewers. ‘umeedo waali dhoop’ Lesson for you As a writer, consider working backwards. Where most of the time, we’ll work from the main objective (product launch, brand awareness etc.). Maybe keeping it aside for a moment could help you brainstorm. Take a look at the bigger picture and knit it back to your objective. You could find some interesting results, such as this timeless Coca-Cola ad. #4 Dove https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3kWzRB6Yy8&t=3s&embedable=true Where most personal care brands concentrate on how you’re lacking, this company took a different approach. Dove’s #StopTheBeautyTest Ad questioned Indian society’s gender inequality and what it means to be a young woman in India. Not only that, but it also worked with real women instead of paid actors to further the impact of its ad campaign. Through this ad, Dove implores society to look beyond size, color, and physical looks to appreciate their unique personalities and beings. Growing up in India, we all know this is very much the ground reality, but by fashioning an ad around this problem, Dove calls out people to be better and do better. Lesson for you Whatever content you’re working on, make sure to find a common pain point you can use in your brand storytelling. This will help you better iterate your key messaging. #5 WhatsApp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMeDtdWdGpU&t=1s&embedable=true launched its #ItsBetweenYou — ad in 2020 to clarify its privacy policy. And to make this point, the ad shows us a relationship between two sisters. Both live different lives but remain connected through WhatsApp. WhatsApp Apna Sa Lagta Hain Apno Ke Bich The ad covers a video call where one sister virtually holds the other one’s hand through a haircut. The writers took a simple, mundane idea and effectively communicated WhatsApp’s respect for privacy and struck a chord with the general public. Lesson for you Ads like these are great examples of how writers can take moments from their personal lives and enhance them into something bigger. Ordinary everyday activities can sometimes be a great source of inspiration, especially when trying to connect with the audience. Wrapping Up From tickling our funny bones with some wacky humor to showing the mirror to society, Indian ads have played an important role in all our lives. And the credit for this impact goes to the writers behind them. Coming up with clever, interesting, and engaging ad plots is a task, no doubt. But I hope revisiting these iconic ads helps you escape the frustrating writer’s block. So, put pen to paper and begin again! Connect with me on . LinkedIn Read the latest from my team on content writing, editing, and marketing on our blog . here

Revisiting Iconic Indian TV Ads: Lessons in Brand Storytelling

Indonesia’s strategic location and abundant natural resources make it an increasingly important player in the energy and sustainability space with tremendous growth potential, specifically in Asia and throughout the rest of the world. The archipelago nation’s critical equatorial geography means that it has a high potential for solar energy, with Indonesia’s government reporting a potential for 200,000 MW of solar power in . September 2021 Additionally, Indonesia has one of the largest geothermal potentials globally, ranking as the world’s second-largest geothermal power-producing country in . 2022 However, it is Indonesia’s rising importance in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain ecosystem that is truly something to take note of. President Joko Widodo’s focus on promoting growth in Indonesia’s EV and battery production economies has resulted in significant development of Indonesia’s homegrown manufacturing capabilities. With this in mind, Indonesia’s increasing importance in the EV supply chain highlights Indonesia’s status as a potential disruptor to China’s current significant stranglehold on the global EV market. China’s Current Authority Over the World’s EV Industry China has played a significant role in both generating and fueling demand for EVs around the globe. For one, China is the world’s largest EV market, with 6.8 million EVs sold in , compared to 800,000 in the US. 2022 This demand, coupled with China’s long history of manufacturing expertise and relatively low labor costs in comparison to its Western counterparts, has resulted in China becoming a global leader in the production of EVs, with Chinese-based companies occupying seven out of the top ten best-selling plug-in EVs worldwide in . 2022 Additionally, Chinese governmental support and access to raw materials have further enabled China to take the lead in global EV production. The Chinese government has provided many and other incentives to EV automakers and battery manufacturers, resulting in robust EV supply chain growth and development within China. subsidies China is also home to some of the of key raw materials necessary for EV production, including lithium, cobalt, and nickel, thus providing Chinese-based companies with a competitive advantage in the production of batteries for EVs. world’s largest reserves Why Indonesia, and Why Not America or the European Union? Major demand for EVs in developed markets such as the United States and the European Union place these two regions top-of-mind for most when it comes to challenging China’s preeminence in the EV supply chain. However, the complex bureaucratic nature of these developed markets has resulted in relatively slow progress when it comes to creating homegrown EV production efforts. In the United States, governmental support for EV manufacturing through efforts like President Biden’s , which invests “$7.5B in EV charging, $10B in clean transportation, and over $7B in EV battery components, critical minerals, and materials” passed in , with more EV-specific actions being passed only recently in . Bipartisan Infrastructure Law November 2021 February 2023 Additionally, while the EU has taken efforts to prioritize EV production through legislation like the Critical Raw Minerals Act and the Net-Zero Industry Act announced in , significant challenges like continue to plague the development of homegrown EV supply chain efforts in both regions. March 2023 differences in American and EU subsidies In contrast, long-standing Indonesian government support for EV and EV battery production, significant infrastructure investment, and abundant natural resources support Indonesia’s potential as a primary disrupting force to China’s current EV monopoly. Indonesia’s announcement of its goal for having EVs make up 20% of all domestic vehicles manufactured by 2025 was backed by the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 55 in , with this legislation aimed at further enabling EVs to be produced and deployed throughout the country. August 2019 This news followed the announcement of a Mitsubishi effort to research the effectiveness of EVs in Indonesia in , which itself was followed by the announcement of a $4B Indonesia EV battery project in . February 2018 November 2018 It is through early mover actions such as these that highlight Indonesia's potential to be a significant disrupting force to China’s current monopoly on the EV supply chain market. Indonesia’s Growth Potential in the EV Space Indonesia’s critical status as the home of the , a key component in EV battery production, makes it an attractive part of the global EV supply chain. world’s largest nickel reserves The growth potential of this fast-paced industry is reinforced by the fact that Indonesian nickel company Harita Nickel (Trimegah Bagun Persada) is currently Indonesia’s biggest IPO in . 2023 Additionally, Indonesia’s PT HKML Battery Indonesia, Indonesia’s first EV battery plant built as a joint effort between an Indonesian and South Korean consortium, is slated to begin production in , with construction efforts already breaking ground in . 2024 April 2022 Furthermore, major EV manufacturers are already flocking to Indonesia in recognition of Indonesia’s critical importance in the EV supply chain. Indonesia announced Mitsubishi Motors’ plan to invest over $650M in Indonesia over a three-year period in , Tesla and BYD finalized EV investment deals in Indonesia in , and Ford followed suit through a announcement of a $4.5B investment in Indonesia. July 2022 January 2023 March 2023 Additionally, in , the Asian Development Bank granted Indonesia a $500M loan to expand private sector investments in clean and renewable energy, among other initiatives, following the announcement of Indonesia’s pursuit of a net-zero target by 2060, further supporting the push for Indonesia’s growth in the EV space. November 2022 July 2021 Additionally, the Indonesian government has also taken strategic steps to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on coal and other fossil fuels. Indonesia’s leadership at the G20 summit in 2022 resulted in the signing of the landmark , a $20B agreement to help Indonesia move away from fossil fuels. Just Energy Transition Partnership Additionally, in , a new governmental regulation was announced to retire some coal plants early, with the government helping to absorb any potential losses to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuels, further contributing to Indonesia’s EV ambitions. September 2022 Conclusion All told, Indonesia holds significant promise to be a disruptor of China’s current dominance of the EV supply chain. While there are still many challenges that must be addressed for Indonesia to realize this potential, including the high costs of EVs in a country with , a possible shortage of raw materials like for EV battery production on the horizon, and reliance on Chinese firms for foreign capital and technical know-how like in the of the Indonesia Investment Authority’s establishment of a special fund with Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology, continued strong governmental support has resulted in an optimistic future for the growth of Indonesia’s presence in the world’s EV supply chain. relatively low car ownership lithium use-case Additionally, private economic investment has further accelerated Indonesia’s importance in the global EV production industry, reinforcing the notion that Indonesia could play a significant role in disrupting China’s current dominance of the EV supply chain ecosystem.

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