### France's AI Landscape
France is at a crossroads in its journey to becoming a **global AI powerhouse**. Despite recent **slowing momentum**, the nation possesses **exceptional technical skills** and a **growing entrepreneurial culture** that could propel it into the forefront of the AI sector.

### Technical Expertise
With a rich pool of **talented professionals** and **innovative startups**, France is well-equipped to harness the potential of AI technologies. The **government's support** for research and development further enhances its capabilities.

### Entrepreneurial Spirit
A burgeoning **entrepreneurial culture** is emerging across the country, encouraging **innovation** and **collaboration**. This environment fosters the growth of **startups** that are crucial for advancing AI solutions and applications.

### Conclusion
As France navigates its path forward, the combination of its **technical expertise** and **entrepreneurial spirit** positions it well to make significant strides in the **global AI landscape**.

Momentum has been slowing but the country boasts enviable technical skills and a burgeoning entrepreurial culture

Is France Poised to Lead the Global AI Revolution?

### Plenty Unlimited Inc. Faces Dramatic Funding Challenges

**Plenty Unlimited Inc.**, a leader in **vertical farming** backed by notable investors like **Jeff Bezos**, is currently negotiating a new funding round that may significantly diminish the value of existing stockholders. According to insiders, this funding round could wipe out most of the current shareholders.

### New Funding Round Details

The company is seeking to raise **$125 million** as part of its recapitalization efforts, despite having already attracted nearly **$1 billion** from investors including **Eric Schmidt** and **SoftBank Group Corp**. The proposed funding would value Plenty’s existing shares at under **$15 million**, a drastic drop from its previous valuation of **$1.9 billion** recorded by **PitchBook**.

### Leadership Changes and Strategic Shift

Recently, Plenty appointed **Daniel Malech** as the interim CEO following the departure of **Arama Kukutai**. Malech previously served as the company's **senior vice president of strategy and general counsel**. The company is also shifting its operational focus; instead of cultivating a wide range of crops, it will now concentrate on **strawberries**, which are expected to yield higher profits.

### Broader Industry Context

This move comes in the wake of a challenging environment for the indoor farming sector, with several companies, including **Bowery Farming**, having ceased operations or filed for bankruptcy. Plenty's new financing is expected to be led by **One Madison Group**, with participation discussions ongoing with **SoftBank’s Vision Fund** and **Walmart Inc.** However, the completion of this financing is not guaranteed.

### Conclusion

Plenty's shift in strategy underscores the growing difficulties faced by the indoor farming industry, which aims to provide sustainable food solutions amid climate challenges. Founded a decade ago, Plenty has garnered significant attention and investment but must now navigate these turbulent waters to secure its future.

(Bloomberg) -- Plenty Unlimited Inc., a pioneer of vertical farming that’s drawn backing from billionaires including Jeff Bezos, is in talks for a new funding round that will virtually wipe out existing stockholders, according to a person familiar with the matter. Most Read from BloombergIs This Weird Dome the Future of Watching Sports?NYPD Seeking Gunmen After 10 People Wounded Outside Queens VenueDetroit’s Michigan Central Is the Building Revival Story of 2024Burned Out Parents Need Better Pub

Plenty's Struggles: Vertical Farming Pioneer Faces Drastic Valuation Cut and Strategic Shift

### Greece's Startup Landscape

Greece's startup ecosystem is witnessing **remarkable growth** in 2024, showcasing the resilience and innovation of entrepreneurs across the nation. With a surge in **investment opportunities**, the country is becoming a hub for **tech startups** and **entrepreneurial ventures**. 

### Key Factors Driving Growth
- **Government Initiatives**: The Greek government has implemented various policies to foster a **supportive environment** for startups, including tax incentives and funding programs.
- **Access to Funding**: Venture capital and angel investors are increasingly looking at Greece as a **promising market**, providing essential capital for new ventures.
- **Talent Pool**: A growing number of skilled professionals are returning to Greece, bringing their expertise and innovation to the startup scene.

### Success Stories
Prominent startups in Greece are making headlines, contributing to the economic landscape with their **disruptive technologies** and solutions.

### Future Outlook
The outlook for Greece's startup sector remains **positive**, with expectations of continued growth and expansion in various industries, particularly in **tech and sustainable ventures**.

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Exploring the Booming Startup Scene in Greece: Insights from 2024

### A Journey Beyond Wealth

**Vinay Hiremath**, a 32-year-old tech entrepreneur, made headlines as the co-founder of **Loom**, a video messaging platform that gained significant traction. After selling the company, he is now navigating the complex landscape of **finding purpose** beyond his financial success.

![Vinay Hiremath](https://i.insider.com/5fe24122a644880018192f7f?width=700)

### Exploring New Horizons

Following his exit from Loom, Vinay has embarked on an **adventurous journey**, studying **physics** and even climbing **Himalayan mountains**. His diverse interests showcase a desire to explore life beyond the confines of tech entrepreneurship.

### The Challenge of Purpose

As he reflects on his journey, Vinay faces the daunting question many entrepreneurs encounter: **What comes next?** The transition from running a successful startup to seeking personal fulfillment can be challenging, as many founders struggle to redefine their identities post-exit.

### A Month with DOGE

In a recent twist, Vinay even took a brief stint with **DOGE**, the cryptocurrency that has captured global attention. This experience added another layer to his exploration of purpose, blending technology with the unpredictable world of digital currencies. 

Vinay's story is a compelling reminder that **wealth** does not equate to **fulfillment**, and the search for meaning is a universal journey for many in the tech industry.

32-year-old Vinay Hiremath has studied physics, climbed Himalayan mountains, and worked for DOGE for a month since leaving the company he co-founded.

From Wealth to Wonder: Vinay Hiremath's Quest for Meaning After Loom's Success

### Sundial Foods: A Brief Overview

**Sundial Foods**, a California-based startup known for its innovative protein-structuring technique for **meat alternatives**, has officially closed down. The company has sold its **intellectual property** to a large, undisclosed European food company.

### The Rise and Fall

Founded in **2019** by **Jessica Schwabach** (CEO) and **Dr. Siwen Deng** (CTO) from U.C. Berkeley’s Alternative Meats program, Sundial Foods gained attention after participating in the **Nestlé R&D Accelerator** in **2020**. They secured **$4 million** in a seed round in **November 2021** and received a **$5,000 grant** from Delaware’s **Startup302 competition**.

In **2022**, they launched their much-anticipated **plant-based chicken wings** with a unique recipe that included chickpeas, sunflower oil, and nutritional yeast, featuring an edible “skin” made from a protein-lipid film. The wings debuted in select restaurants across **New York** and **San Francisco**.

### Challenges Faced

Despite the initial buzz, the startup struggled with the challenging **fundraising environment** in the past few years. Jessica Schwabach commented on their journey, stating, “While we strongly believed in the mission, we started to see that operating as a venture-backed startup trying to build everything on our own was not the best way to scale our technology.”

The opportunity to sell to a larger company with an established distribution network was viewed as a strategic move to advance their technology further than they could on their own.

Sundial Foods generated some buzz in 2022 with the launch of chicken wings with edible “skin”, and “bones” from bamboo stalks.

What Went Wrong? Nestlé-Backed Sundial Foods Shuts Down After Plant-Based Buzz

### Keisuke Honda's Ambitious Venture

**Keisuke Honda**, the renowned retired soccer star from Japan, has successfully raised **15.3 billion yen** (approximately **$98 million**) for his startup fund as of Friday. This significant financial boost comes as Honda partners with **SBI Holding**, a prominent player in the financial sector, to seek out promising Japanese startups, particularly those that can achieve **'decacorn'** status.

![Keisuke Honda and SBI](https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fcms-image-bucket-production-ap-northeast-1-a7d2.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%2Fimages%2F9%2F9%2F6%2F8%2F48808699-3-eng-GB%2FCropped-173583233709de13fc-373f-4ca7-944a-2c8a313ad836.jpg?width=780&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms&format=auto)
*Image source: Nikkei*

### Fund Goals and Partnerships

Honda's **X&KSK fund** was launched in **2024** with the ambitious goal of raising **15 billion yen** by the end of that year. The fund has already secured **Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.** as its anchor investor, highlighting its potential to reshape the landscape of Japanese startups.


TOKYO -- A fund established by Japanese retired soccer star Keisuke Honda has raised 15.3 billion yen ($98 million) as of Friday, as it forms a partne

Keisuke Honda's Startup Fund Hits $98 Million: A Game Changer for Japanese Startups

![Sony Ventures](https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6776ea97a75c9eb2d474b909/Sony-Ventures/960x0.jpg?fit=scale)

### Key Trends in Climate Tech Investment
According to the **2024 Carbon & Emissions Tech Report** from *PitchBook*, **climate tech deals surged by 37.9% in Q1**. Notably, infrastructure, industry, and renewable battery deals have become highly sought after, with **median pre-money valuations increasing**.

However, a December **PWC report** indicates that over the past year, capital flows and transaction volumes have declined, dipping below 2019 levels. Interestingly, energy-related startups captured **nearly 35%** of climate tech funding in the first three quarters of 2024, up from **30%** in 2023.

### Corporate Investment Dynamics
Austin Noronha, **Managing Director-US of Sony Ventures**, highlights that climate tech is one of the **most attractive sectors for corporate venture capital (CVC)** investments. He notes the presence of a vibrant ecosystem of dedicated climate tech funds, particularly at the Seed and Series A stages. The collaboration with corporate backers can significantly enhance the portfolio companies' market acceleration and scaling.

### The Role of Deep Tech Funds
There is an increasing trend of **generalist deep tech funds** investing in climate tech startups due to the **large addressable market** and diversification opportunities within sectors like semiconductors and AI.

### Advancements in Large Language Models
**Large foundational models** are moving beyond digital content and into physical applications, which are particularly appealing for climate tech investments. These models can enhance **R&D cycles**, allowing for quicker iterations and cost reductions in developing new technologies, such as innovative battery chemistries and plant-based food alternatives.

### Innovations in Biomaterials
The evolution of **biomaterials** presents realistic alternatives to traditional petroleum-based options. For instance, **Cruz Foam**, a Sony Innovation Fund portfolio company, has developed a fully compostable packaging material, making significant strides in manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.

### Energy Demand and Efficiency
The energy sector faces immense challenges due to aging infrastructure. Investments in **high-performance computing** and **AI technologies** are crucial for optimizing energy delivery and efficiency. Companies that develop solutions to enhance energy usage will gain a **competitive advantage**.

**Notable Sony Ventures Portfolio Companies:**
- **Flower**: A Swedish startup offering automated energy trading and optimization.
- **elleThermo**: A Japanese startup converting heat from semiconductor components into electric power.

Climate tech is one of the technology sectors that attracts the highest proportion of corporate (CVC) investments.

Unlocking the Future: How Climate Tech Investments are Shaping Our Planet's Destiny

### Rembrand Secures $23 Million in Series A Funding

Virtual product placement startup **Rembrand** has successfully raised **$23 million** in a Series A funding round. This investment aims to enhance its **generative AI** capabilities and develop innovative business models. The funding round was led by **super{set}**, with participation from **The Trade Desk**, **Naver D2SF**, and existing investors including **BOLD** (L’Oréal’s corporate venture fund) and **Greycroft**. In total, Rembrand has raised **$31 million** since its inception.

### Innovative Technology for Product Placement

Rembrand’s cutting-edge technology utilizes AI to analyze video frames from creators’ **YouTube** and **TikTok** videos, identifying optimal opportunities for product placements. Unlike traditional generative AI that relies on text or images, Rembrand’s system scans each frame, pinpointing ideal locations for products—be it on a table, shelf, or wall.

With this funding, Rembrand plans to extend its expertise beyond social media into **connected TV** and **movies**. CEO **Omar Tawakol** revealed that the startup is collaborating with a production studio focused on travel and cooking shows, although the studio's name remains undisclosed.

### Automating Product Placement

The technology automates the traditionally labor-intensive process of product placement, making it easier to identify suitable locations within each frame. Tawakol emphasized the traditional challenges, stating that getting a product into a movie often requires negotiations years in advance. Rembrand’s technology allows for **virtual placements** in post-production, enabling different products to be shown to different audiences. For example, viewers in France might see a **Perrier**, while those in New York see a **Pepsi**.

### AI Studio for Creators

Rembrand is set to launch its **AI Studio** for all creators in the upcoming quarter. This platform, which has been in beta, allows creators to seamlessly incorporate virtual products into their videos, while brands can manage creator partnerships directly. Rembrand operates on a **cost-per-impression** model for marketers, while creators are compensated based on **CPMs** (cost per thousand impressions).

Additionally, Rembrand plans to generate revenue by licensing its technology to brands, allowing them to leverage their existing relationships with creators for campaigns instead of relying solely on CPM placements. The startup also aims to introduce new tools that enable creators to interact with virtual products, extending beyond static placements in videos.

Product placements are coming to connected TV and movies.

Is France Poised to Lead the Global AI Revolution?

Summary:

France's AI Landscape

Technical Expertise

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Conclusion

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Other Latest News

Plenty's Struggles: Vertical Farming Pioneer Faces Drastic Valuation Cut and Strategic Shift

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What Went Wrong? Nestlé-Backed Sundial Foods Shuts Down After Plant-Based Buzz

Keisuke Honda's Startup Fund Hits $98 Million: A Game Changer for Japanese Startups

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Other Latest News

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From Wealth to Wonder: Vinay Hiremath's Quest for Meaning After Loom's Success

What Went Wrong? Nestlé-Backed Sundial Foods Shuts Down After Plant-Based Buzz

Keisuke Honda's Startup Fund Hits $98 Million: A Game Changer for Japanese Startups

Unlocking the Future: How Climate Tech Investments are Shaping Our Planet's Destiny

Discover How Rembrand's $23 Million Funding is Transforming Virtual Product Placement with AI