## Bosch Backs Electric Aviation Startup: 9-Seat Plane Targets 2030 Takeoff

German startup **Væridion** is joining forces with Bosch to develop a fully electric, nine-seat regional aircraft.  The company is aiming for a **2030 debut** and will leverage Bosch's expertise and resources at its Holzkirchen, Germany campus.

**Væridion** will focus on developing, integrating, and testing **high-voltage batteries** to power the aircraft. The sleek, high-wing design will be developed within the innovative environment of Bosch's campus, granting access to cutting-edge technology and skilled talent.

"**Væridion's commitment to electric aviation aligns perfectly with our vision to foster innovation in aerospace technologies**," said Bosch spokesman Jens Hoffman.  This collaboration signifies Bosch's dedication to **driving advancements in sustainable aviation**, exploring solutions across electric, hybrid, hydrogen, and fuel cell technologies.

This partnership holds promise for the future of regional air travel, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative.  The **2030 target** sets an ambitious timeline, but with Bosch's support and Væridion's focus on electric propulsion, the all-electric regional aircraft could become a reality sooner than expected.

Bosch Powers Up Electric Aviation:  9-Seat Plane Aims for 2030 Takeoff

### A Turbulent Journey at 23andMe

Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder of **23andMe**, faced significant challenges in her leadership journey. In **2009**, she took full control of the startup, leading to the departure of co-founder **Linda Avey**. Fast forward to **September 2024**, and all seven board members resigned, citing disagreements with Wojcicki's **strategic direction**. They expressed their unwavering belief in the company's mission but felt her leadership was leading them astray.

### The Board's Resignation

The board members, including notable figures like **Neal Mohan** (CEO of YouTube) and **Roelof Botha** (Sequoia Capital), publicly rebuked Wojcicki. The resignation was unexpected and marked a significant turning point for the company, which saw its valuation plummet from **$6 billion in 2021** to under **$150 million**. The board's departure came after months of conflict over Wojcicki's proposal to take the company private amidst declining sales and growing privacy concerns following a **data breach**.

### Leadership Style Under Scrutiny

Wojcicki's **leadership style** has drawn criticism for its **centralization**. Former executives described her approach as **"founder mode,"** where decision-making was overly focused on her preferences, causing operational delays. Despite her insistence on empowering capable executives, many felt that her control stifled innovation and responsiveness within the company.

### Challenges and Setbacks

The company struggled financially, failing to turn a profit and facing regulatory challenges from the **FDA**. In **2013**, the FDA halted 23andMe's health reports, which led to a two-year hiatus in offering these services. The company eventually regained approval but continued to face hurdles in its **drug discovery** efforts, which drained resources without yielding significant results.

### Wojcicki's Vision and Future

Despite the turmoil, Wojcicki remains optimistic about **23andMe's** future. She believes in the company's potential to navigate its difficulties, stating, **"I think we can navigate and land this plane, but it is absolutely complicated."** The recent challenges have forced her to reflect on her leadership and the company's direction, as she grapples with personal losses and the fallout from the board's resignation.

### Conclusion

As Wojcicki looks to the future, she faces the daunting task of rebuilding her leadership team and regaining investor confidence. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but her determination to succeed remains a driving force for the company.

Former executives say Wojcicki's "founder mode" mentality created problems for years at the once hot DNA testing startup.

The Fall of 23andMe: Can Anne Wojcicki Save Her Startup After a Mass Resignation?

### Riding Shotgun with Purpose
Earlier this year, **Abel** founder **Daniel Francis** found himself speeding down a highway in Oakland, California, at 135 miles per hour. The driver? A police officer with a gun resting on his lap. This adrenaline-fueled ride, part of Francis's research for his AI startup, took a thrilling turn when they chased down a fleeing suspect. "I was so excited," Francis recalled, finally experiencing the action he had been waiting for.

### The Challenge of Reporting Chases
After a tense pursuit, Francis pondered a pressing question: **How would AI handle the complex task of writing a police report for a high-speed chase?** Traditional reports require meticulous detail, documenting every turn and side street, making them notoriously time-consuming.

### Abel's Mission
Through **20 police ride-alongs**, Francis has been exploring how AI can significantly reduce the paperwork burden on police officers. Abel leverages **body cam footage** and dispatch call data to automate the report-writing process, allowing officers to focus more on their duties rather than documentation. Recently, Abel secured **$5 million** in seed funding, led by **Day One Ventures**, to enhance its AI capabilities and expand its team.

### A Unique Journey to Police Tech
You may recognize Francis from his humorous stint as a faux disgruntled Twitter employee during the layoffs in 2023, which ironically led to a real job at Twitter. However, his journey into **police technology** was deeply personal. After helping a friend escape an abusive partner, he was struck by the delays in police response and the extensive time spent on report writing, which can consume about **one-third of an officer's time**.

### Real-World Impact
With Abel, police departments, including Richmond, California, have already begun to see improvements. Officers can now utilize AI-generated drafts of reports, allowing them to complete their documentation more efficiently by editing rather than starting from scratch. This innovation not only saves time but also helps combat officer burnout.

### The Competitive Landscape
Abel is not alone in this space; competitors like **Axon** and **Policereports.ai** are also developing AI solutions for police reports. However, Francis’s vision remains clear: to alleviate the paperwork burden on officers so they can focus on what truly matters—serving their communities.

Abel creates AI that uses body cam footage and other data to fill out consuming police reports. For research, founder Daniel Francis shadowed the police.

How a High-Speed Police Chase Inspired an AI Startup Revolutionizing Police Reports

### The News

LAGOS — Nigeria’s ambition to build a **value-added supply chain** for **critical minerals** including lithium is getting a significant boost from an unlikely source: an **e-marketplace startup**.  

**Sabi**, the Lagos-headquartered business-to-business e-commerce company focused on the informal economy, has been quietly building expertise as a **middleman for miners** seeking to export. Recently, it inked deals with two companies — Italy’s **Snowball Holdings** and **Transition Resources** from the US — that plan to set up lithium processing plants in the country over the coming year.  

Sabi will ensure both companies have regular supply from discrete **small-scale lithium miners** across Nigeria, CEO **Anu Adasolum** told Semafor Africa. It will also manage the companies’ access to services like **quality control** and **logistics** needed to export the refined mineral abroad.  

The expected **daily processing capacity** for each plant will be **500 tons**, scalable up to **1,000 tons per day**. The US will be the primary export destination for now, but Italy and Germany could be accessible in the future, she said.  

Sabi is also exploring avenues to advance mineral processing in **Zambia** for copper and **Tanzania** for nickel, reflecting a broader regional wave to supply in-demand commodities to the world, particularly related to the **energy transition**.

### Step Back

African countries are determined to ensure that the transition to **clean energy** does not leave them at the bottom of the chain as mere raw materials suppliers. This includes critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, all vital for producing rechargeable batteries.  

Lithium’s use in clean tech is expected to see demand rise **13-fold by 2040**, according to the **International Energy Agency**. African governments view moving up the value chain as crucial for expanding their economies and creating jobs. Processing lithium within the country could double the value of exports, experts say.  

Nigeria’s mines chief, **Dele Alake**, stated last year that Nigeria will “do everything possible to discourage the carting away of our solid minerals without value addition.” The country’s lithium sector has achieved several milestones this year, including the opening of two processing plants in northern states, built by different Chinese companies with state government involvement.

### Know More

Sabi’s ability to service the minerals value chain builds on lessons from other sectors. Founded in 2021, it initially matched supply from grocery producers to demand from wholesalers and retailers, later narrowing its focus to minerals, agricultural commodities, and fast-moving consumer goods. It has raised **$66 million** to date and was valued at **$300 million** after a funding round last year.  

African tech features numerous startups with similar business-to-business services. While they typically aim to bring structure to local informal trade, enabling the export of high-grade commodities is increasingly seen as the most lucrative opportunity.  

Some fulfill the intermediary role by owning physical assets, while others rely on software to organize transactions. Sabi operates without trucks or warehouses, using its in-house software called **TRACE** (Technology Rails for African Commodities Exchange) to provide sustainability data to commodity exporters needing to comply with **EU regulations** on ethical sourcing.  

Sabi will generate revenue through a **revenue share on the export value** of processed minerals, and there is also an option for processing plants to purchase inputs directly.

### The View From Namibia

In September, Chile’s **SQM**, a major lithium mining company, signed its first-ever Africa deal with South Africa-based **Andrada Mining** to co-develop the **Lithium Ridge** in Namibia, a mine rich in lithium, tin, and tantalum. This joint venture could see SQM pay Andrada Mining **$40 million** over time, depending on milestones.  


Nigeria’s plans to build a value-added supply chain for critical minerals is getting significant support from an e-marketplace startup.

How a Startup is Fueling Nigeria's Ambitious Lithium Supply Chain

Imagine a world where **AI** empowers smarter choices, **personalized experiences**, and fosters **inclusivity**. This vision is being brought to life by **23 innovative AI startups** from across the Asia-Pacific, selected for **Google for Startups'** inaugural **AI Academy** in the region. The program kicked off this week with an interactive bootcamp in **Singapore**, where these startups will receive **mentorship**, **product training**, and **networking opportunities** to refine their AI products and grow their businesses.

### Meet the Innovators
Hailing from **Japan**, **Korea**, **India**, **Indonesia**, **Malaysia**, **Pakistan**, and **Singapore**, these startups are tackling various challenges:
- **AI collaborators for lawyers**
- **AI-generated avatars** for democratizing influencer marketing
- Expanding access to **financial services** and **healthcare** using AI-powered platforms

By supporting these startups, we are investing in a future where **AI** is utilized to address pressing societal issues and create more opportunities.

### Spotlight on Startups
#### Indonesia
- **[Kuasar](https://kuasarvideo.com/)**: Developing an AI-generated influencer platform tailored for Southeast Asia.
- **[Paperless Hospital](https://paperlesshospital.id/)**: Enhancing healthcare efficiency with AI medical assistant solutions.

#### India
- **[Clodura.AI](http://clodura.ai/)**: Optimizing the sales cycle with a GenAI-powered co-pilot.
- **[Sivi.ai](http://sivi.ai/)**: Delivering multilingual design solutions for instant ad creation.

#### Japan
- **[AISI X](https://aisi-x.com/)**: AI-based solutions for diagnosing brain diseases.
- **[AI Mage Inc](https://www.mage.ai/)**: Simplifying anime IP licensing with AI-driven platforms.

...and many more from **Malaysia**, **Pakistan**, **Singapore**, and **South Korea**.

### The Journey Ahead
Over the next few months, these **23 startups** will continue their journey in the AI Academy, culminating in **Grad Day** in December. We eagerly anticipate their evolved products and the new connections they’ve forged along the way.

Imagine a world where AI helps you make smarter choices, gives you more personalized experiences and helps everyone feel included. This is what 23 AI startups from across the Asia-Pacific, all selected for Google for Startups&#x27; first AI Academy in the region, are trying to create. The program — where startups will gain mentorship, product training and networking opportunities to refine their AI products and grow their business — started this week with an interactive bootcamp in Singapore.Hailing from Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Singapore, these innovators are building AI collaborators for lawyers, democratizing influencer marketing with AI-generated avatars and expanding access to underserved areas like financial services and healthcare via AI-powered platforms. By mentoring these startups, we’re investing in a future where AI is used to solve pressing societal issues and create more opportunities.

Discover the 23 Game-Changing AI Startups from Asia-Pacific's First AI Academy

It was a scorching August day in Georgia when **Arian Simone**, CEO of the **Fearless Fund**, discovered her venture capital firm was facing a lawsuit aimed at supporting **Black women entrepreneurs**. 

On **August 2, 2023**, the **American Alliance for Equal Rights**, led by conservative activist **Edward Blum**, alleged that the Fearless Fund's grant program was discriminatory. In a similar vein, **Hello Alice**, a fintech firm co-founded by **Elizabeth Gore**, was sued by **America First Legal**, claiming its **$25,000 grant program** for Black-owned businesses was also discriminatory. These lawsuits sparked a significant affirmative action debate, challenging funding initiatives that aimed to close the capital gap for small entrepreneurs.

The legal turmoil brought Simone and Gore together, forming a unique bond amidst chaos. Speaking at the **Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit**, Gore humorously noted that their friendship was akin to a romantic comedy, albeit a real one. 

During this period, both CEOs faced threats to their safety and that of their families and employees. Hello Alice, which serves over **1.5 million small-business owners**, had to halt its **Series C fundraising** and faced massive layoffs due to the lawsuit. Gore even had a sheriff's vehicle stationed outside her home for security and encountered severe health issues, including heart failure.

For Simone, the initial weeks post-lawsuit were filled with danger, forcing her to leave her home in Georgia for safety. Thankfully, both lawsuits have since been resolved. Simone announced a **new $200 million fund** with a loan program accessible to any business owner meeting specific criteria, regardless of race or gender. The lawsuit against Hello Alice was dismissed.

Now, both leaders are refocusing on providing essential funding to small businesses, a task that was already challenging prior to the lawsuits. Simone highlighted the ongoing struggle, stating that **women of color receive only 0.39%** of venture capital funds, indicating that opposition existed long before these legal issues arose.

Gore emphasized that such debates about funding should occur among lawmakers rather than in the private sector, urging policymakers to engage in negotiations to prevent economic disruption caused by lawsuits.  

Together, they are committed to advancing funding initiatives for small businesses, advocating for a more equitable future.

Conservative activists targeted the Fearless Fund and fintech Hello Alice. The suits are behind them, and the funds are back in action. 

From Legal Battles to Friendship: How Two CEOs are Paving the Way for Small Business Funding

### Clay's Ambitious Growth
Clay, the **AI-powered sales startup**, is set to achieve a **$1.3 billion valuation** in its new funding round, as reported by Business Insider. This follows its previous funding of **$46 million** at a **$500 million valuation** in June, led by **Meritech Capital**.

### How Clay Works
Founded in **2017**, Clay supports **revenue operations** and helps sales teams **automate outreach** to potential customers. The platform builds a **sales lead list** using customer data from over **75 data providers**. This allows teams to tailor their outreach with detailed information on potential customers, including **company headcount** and **fundraising history**. 

### AI Features
Clay's AI agent, known as **Claygent**, assists in researching prospects and provides insights about target companies based on their **domain names**. The AI messaging tool then enables sales teams to send **customized outbound messages** to prospective clients.

### Notable Clients
The startup boasts a roster of notable clients including **Anthropic, Notion, Vanta, Ramp**, and **Intercom**. 

### Leadership Background
CEO **Kareem Amin**, formerly of The Wall Street Journal, and co-founder **Varun Anand**, who has experience at startups like Newfront and Candid, lead the company. Amin stated that the details of the latest funding round are still being finalized and could change.

### Competitive Landscape
Clay operates in a competitive landscape with other startups like **Apollo**, which recently raised **$100 million** at a **$1.6 billion valuation**. Other competitors include **Unify** and **Lusha**, which reached a valuation of **$1.5 billion**.

![Clay Startup](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/rebrand/newsletter-bull.png)

Clay helps sales teams by automating outreach to potential customers. The company last raised $46 million at a valuation of $500 million.

Clay's AI Revolution: Aiming for $1.3 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

### Africa's Crypto Boost 
Africa’s blockchain and crypto space is making headlines with a significant venture boost during challenging times for startups. Amidst some companies retreating or shutting down due to harsh regulations and mismanagement, **Yellow Card**, a U.S.-founded crypto platform launched in Nigeria in 2019, is leading the charge. The company has successfully raised **$33 million in Series C investment**, led by **Blockchain Capital**, bringing its total funding to **at least $88 million**.

### The Shift to B2B 
Initially targeting retail customers, Yellow Card is pivoting towards business clients. Co-founder and CEO **Chris Maurice** explained, "The big shift for us has been our focus on working predominantly with businesses now." This change was driven by the realization that businesses generate higher transaction volumes and can sustain more significant operations compared to individual retail users. The company has raised its minimum transaction amounts to attract businesses managing treasury and accessing stablecoins.

### Serving 30,000 Businesses 
As of today, Yellow Card operates with around **30,000 businesses** across Africa and internationally, assisting them in payments and treasury management primarily through stablecoins. Maurice emphasizes that this approach still aligns with the company's original goal of making crypto accessible to the masses, as many small businesses are owned by individuals.

### Stablecoins: A Key Driver 
The demand for stablecoins, like **USDT** and **USDC**, is soaring in Africa, where local currencies are volatile. These stablecoins allow businesses to hedge against inflation and currency devaluation while facilitating international payments. Yellow Card’s transaction volumes have surged from **$1.7 billion** early last year to over **$3 billion**, with revenue increasing sevenfold since January 2023.

### Innovative Regulation 
Despite global challenges, Maurice believes African regulators have a better understanding of crypto than in other regions. He cites recent licensing guidelines in Nigeria and frameworks in countries like South Africa and Ghana as evidence of a **more crypto-friendly environment**. Yellow Card aims to continue developing its offerings while engaging with regulators to foster a supportive ecosystem.

![Chris Maurice (Yellow Card CEO)](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_8315.jpeg?w=680)  
*Image Credits: Yellow Card*

Africa's blockchain and crypto space is receiving a much-needed venture boost during a tough time for startups, some of which have retreated from specific

Bosch Powers Up Electric Aviation: 9-Seat Plane Aims for 2030 Takeoff

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Bosch Backs Electric Aviation Startup: 9-Seat Plane Targets 2030 Takeoff

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Discover the 23 Game-Changing AI Startups from Asia-Pacific's First AI Academy

From Legal Battles to Friendship: How Two CEOs are Paving the Way for Small Business Funding

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Discover the 23 Game-Changing AI Startups from Asia-Pacific's First AI Academy

From Legal Battles to Friendship: How Two CEOs are Paving the Way for Small Business Funding

Clay's AI Revolution: Aiming for $1.3 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

Yellow Card Secures $33M to Transform Africa's Crypto Landscape: A Shift from Retail to Business Focus