## The Reality of Entrepreneurship

**Jack Schrupp**, founder of **Drink Wholesome**, candidly shares the **challenges** faced by entrepreneurs, emphasizing that running a business can often feel **isolating**. In his perspective, entrepreneurship might not be the **ultimate goal for everyone**.

![Jack Schrupp](https://i.insider.com/67a679c36630eb10385c0067?width=700)
*Jack Schrupp is the founder of Drink Wholesome. Courtesy of Jack Schrupp*

### Navigating Professional Loneliness
Schrupp highlights the **professional loneliness** that often accompanies the journey of entrepreneurship, especially when the path is tough. He believes that this feeling is a common experience among many business owners.

### A Balanced View of Entrepreneurship
Rather than viewing entrepreneurship as a universal aspiration, Schrupp advocates for a more **balanced perspective**. He argues that it might not be the right choice for everyone, and emphasizes the importance of considering individual circumstances and goals.

**Running a startup** is a challenging endeavor, and it's crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs to understand both the **highs** and **lows** of this path.

Running your own business can feel isolating, says Drink Wholesome founder Jack Schrupp, "especially if it's a hard journey, which it often is."

Unlocking the Truth: A Startup Founder Reveals the Hidden Struggles of Entrepreneurship

Last year was a **monumental year** for the AI industry in the U.S. and beyond. In **2024**, there were **49 startups** that raised funding rounds worth **$100 million** or more, with three companies raising more than one **mega-round** and seven raising rounds at **$1 billion** or larger.

**How will 2025 compare?** It's still early in the year, but the number of U.S. AI companies that have raised more than **$100 million** is almost in double digits, and there has already been one round larger than **$1 billion**.

Here are all the U.S. AI companies that have raised more than **$100 million** so far this year:

## March
- **Anthropic** raised **$3.5 billion** in a Series E round that valued the startup at **$61.5 billion**. The round was announced on March 3 and was led by **Lightspeed** with participation from **Salesforce Ventures**, **Menlo Ventures**, and **General Catalyst**.

## February
- **Together AI**, which creates open source generative AI, raised **$305 million** in a Series B round, valuing the company at **$3.3 billion**. 
- **Lambda**, an AI infrastructure company, raised **$480 million** in a Series D round, valuing the startup at nearly **$2.5 billion**.
- **Abridge**, an AI platform for transcribing patient-clinician conversations, raised **$250 million** in a Series D round, valuing it at **$2.75 billion**.
- **Eudia**, an AI legal tech company, raised **$105 million** in a Series A round.
- **EnCharge AI**, which specializes in AI hardware, raised **$100 million** in a Series B round.
- **Harvey**, another AI legal tech company, raised **$300 million** in a Series D round, valuing it at **$3 billion**.

## January
- **ElevenLabs**, a synthetic voice startup, raised **$180 million** in a Series C round, valuing the company at more than **$3 billion**.
- **Hippocratic AI**, developing large language models for healthcare, raised **$141 million** in a Series B round, valuing it at over **$1.6 billion**.

The momentum in the AI sector shows no signs of slowing down, with innovative startups leading the charge towards a **technologically advanced future**.

U.S.-based AI startups continue to rake in venture funding with multiple companies already raising impressive rounds in 2025.

Discover the 9 US AI Startups That Raised Over $100M in 2025 – The Future of Innovation!

**The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs**  
There’s been a growing movement among women in business to **reject the term “female founder.”** The argument is that their work should **stand on its own merit**, free from what feels like a DEI qualifier. This backlash is similar to the response to “girl boss,” with women asserting: “I’m just a boss.”  
  
**Understanding the Resistance**  
The resistance to the term is understandable. Female entrepreneurs often have to fight for recognition, and the label “female founder” can imply tokenism rather than distinction. It suggests that being a woman is the defining characteristic of success, rather than the ability to innovate and lead.  
  
**Women-led Businesses Excel**  
However, the data tells a different story. Women-led companies perform **63% better than all-male founding teams** according to First Round Capital. Additionally, companies with a woman CEO produced **226% better returns than the S&P 500**. These statistics show that women-led teams generate **35% higher returns on investment** than their male-led counterparts.  
  
**The Impact of Female Leadership**  
Beyond financials, female leaders drive **stronger workplace engagement**. A 2015 Gallup report indicated that female managers outperform male counterparts in engaging employees. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that women leaders score higher in nearly every leadership competency.  
  
**Reframing the Conversation**  
The term “female founder” should not be seen as a limitation but rather as an **indicator of higher performance** and exceptional leadership. Instead of distancing from the term, we should **own it** as a mark of excellence.  
  
**Challenges Persist**  
Despite their success, women-led companies still receive only **2% of venture capital funding**. This disparity highlights the systemic barriers that exist in the business landscape.  
  
**Flipping the Script**  
Some female founders, like **Sarah Blakely of Spanx**, embrace their identity as a competitive advantage, proving that being underestimated can fuel success.  
  
**A Call to Redefine**  
What if “female founder” became synonymous with **outperforming expectations** and leading with excellence? There’s power in owning the term and the data that supports it. Being a female founder isn’t a limitation—it’s a **superpower**.

More women entrepreneurs want to drop “female” from “female founder.” Here’s why they shouldn’t.

Why the Label 'Female Founder' Should Be Celebrated, Not Shunned

Mid-range funding deals are becoming increasingly rare, but **the travel tech sector** is thriving with significant investments. In just two weeks, **six innovative travel startups** have collectively raised **over $168 million**. Let's dive into the details:

## Aescape: $83 Million
[Aescape](https://www.aescape.com/) has made waves by selling **AI-powered robotic massage arms** to hotels, raising **$83 million** in its latest funding round led by Valor Equity Partners. This brings their total funding to **$128 million**. Their product, designed to replicate human massage techniques, allows hotels like the **Four Seasons** to offer unique services.

## Mews: $75 Million
Hotel tech company [Mews](https://www.mews.com/en/press/mews-secures-major-investment) has successfully raised **$75 million**, bringing its total to **$410 million**. This investment, led by Tiger Global, focuses on enhancing their **property management system** which streamlines hotel operations for independent hotels across Europe.

## Bookboost: $3.9 Million
[Bookboost](https://www.bookboost.io/), a **guest management platform**, secured **$3.9 million** to enhance its **CRM software** aimed at automating guest communication. The funding will support product development and client acquisition.

## Kleio: $3.3 Million
[Kleio](https://www.kleio.ai/), an AI assistant for trip planning, raised **$3.3 million**. Their platform helps travel companies tailor offerings to clients, thereby boosting sales conversions.

## Genial: $2 Million
[Genial](https://www.wearegenial.com/) specializes in back-office AI solutions for travel businesses and has raised **$2 million** to improve its services, which are particularly beneficial for small to mid-sized companies in the tourism sector.

## Maya: $1.1 Million
[Maya](https://www.mayatravel.ai/), offering a white-label AI travel booking assistant, secured **$1.1 million**. Their chatbot assists travel companies in providing better customer service on their websites.

These funding rounds highlight the growing interest in **AI technology** within the travel industry, paving the way for innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences and streamline operations.

Four startups raised money for AI assistants in travel. In total, six tech companies involved in travel raised over $168 million. 

Travel Tech Boom: 6 Startups Secure $168 Million in Just 2 Weeks!

### The Unexpected Government Crackdown
In February, **David Casem**, CEO of **Telnyx**, an internet voice call carrier, faced an unexpected challenge when the **FCC** accused his company of failing to properly vet customers who made scam robocalls targeting the FCC itself. The proposed fine? A staggering **$4.5 million**.

### A Bold Decision to Fight Back
Typically, tech executives might opt to pay the fine or negotiate a settlement, especially in the face of such a serious enforcement action. However, with **President Trump** in office, Casem decided to take a stand against what he perceived as unjust regulation. The Trump administration's **anti-regulation** stance gave him the courage to fight back.

### Rallying Support in D.C.
Casem enlisted the help of lobbyists and political consultants, including **P2 Pathway Public Affairs**, known for its association with **Elon Musk**. He traveled to Washington D.C. to gather support and allies in Congress. Recently, Telnyx publicly demanded that the FCC rescind the proposed fine, arguing that the company is a victim of unjust regulation under the Biden administration.

### Leveraging Executive Orders
In his defense, Casem pointed to two **Trump executive orders** aimed at increasing transparency in federal enforcement actions and eliminating unconstitutional regulations. He expressed hope that the FCC would reconsider its stance, stating that the enforcement action contradicts the President's agenda.

### A Wider Trend of Resistance
The atmosphere in Washington has shifted since Trump took office, emboldening businesses to push back against regulatory actions. For instance, the **SEC** recently withdrew several lawsuits against crypto exchanges that were initiated under Biden. Telnyx’s actions may set a precedent for other companies looking to challenge regulatory decisions.

### The Robocall Scam Incident
The controversy surrounding Telnyx stems from a robocall scam that targeted FCC officials, including Chairman **Brendan Carr**. Despite following best practices for fraud detection, Telnyx was caught in the crossfire of this enforcement action, which surprised Casem as he believed the FCC was investigating the robocallers, not his company.

### The Future of Regulatory Appeals
Casem has hired additional groups to bolster their appeal to the Trump administration and has expressed confidence that their arguments align with the President’s agenda. If Telnyx succeeds in overturning the FCC's action, it may encourage other companies to adopt similar strategies in dealing with regulatory challenges. As **Kevin Werbach**, a law professor at Wharton, noted, this could become a common practice in the coming years.

Telnyx, an internet voice call carrier, is trying to use Trump’s anti-regulation agenda to get an enforcement action by the FCC overturned.



How a Startup is Leveraging Trump's Anti-Regulation Strategy to Challenge the FCC

### Reflection AI Launches with Major Funding

**Reflection AI Inc.**, a groundbreaking startup founded by former Google DeepMind researchers, has launched with **$130 million** in early-stage funding. This impressive capital was acquired through two rounds, starting with a **$25 million seed investment** led by **Sequoia Capital** and **CRV**, followed by a significant **$105 million Series A** round co-led by **Lightspeed Venture Partners**.

![Reflection AI](https://d15shllkswkct0.cloudfront.net/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2015/07/C1-2059-7-x-96x96.jpg)

### High-Profile Investors

The funding rounds attracted notable investors including **Nvidia Corp.’s** venture capital arm, **Reid Hoffman** (LinkedIn co-founder), and **Alexandr Wang** (CEO of Scale AI). **Reflection AI** is currently valued at **$555 million**.

### Leadership and Vision

The startup is co-founded by **Misha Laskin**, who serves as CEO and was instrumental in developing the training workflow for **Google’s Gemini** large language model series, and **Ioannis Antonoglou**, who specialized in Gemini’s post-training systems. Their goal is to create **superintelligence**, defined as an AI system capable of performing a majority of computer-related tasks.

### Initial Focus on Autonomous Programming Tools

As a first step, **Reflection AI** is developing an **autonomous programming tool**. The company believes that the technical foundations required for this tool are also applicable in the creation of a superintelligence. The team aims to develop AI agents that automate specific programming tasks, including:
- **Scanning code for vulnerabilities**
- **Optimizing memory usage**
- **Testing for reliability issues**

Additionally, the technology will generate **documentation** for code snippets and manage application infrastructure.

### Innovative Approach to AI Training

According to a recent job posting, **Reflection AI** plans to utilize **LLMs** (large language models) and **reinforcement learning** to power its software. This approach simplifies the creation of datasets by eliminating the need for explanatory data points. The company is also exploring **novel architectures** beyond the traditional **Transformer** neural network, potentially utilizing the **Mamba architecture**, which offers improved efficiency.

### Future Developments

The company’s plans include training its models with a vast array of graphics cards and developing **vLLM-like platforms** for non-LLM models, aimed at enhancing memory usage during model operation. As the company progresses, their agents are expected to take on increasingly complex tasks, boosting productivity and efficiency within software development.

**Investors from Sequoia Capital** envision a future where autonomous coding agents alleviate workloads, allowing teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. 

### Photo Credit: Sequoia Capital

Superintelligence startup Reflection AI launches with $130M in funding - SiliconANGLE

Reflection AI Secures $130M to Pioneer Superintelligence Development

### Sensay's Revolutionary Job Posting

AI startup **Sensay** has made headlines by posting what it claims is the **world's first job advertisement** for a **Full Stack Developer (AI Agent)** on LinkedIn. This unique listing seeks a fully autonomous AI capable of creating code, testing software, fixing bugs, and writing technical documentation—all without the need for a human developer.

### A New Approach to Hiring

Instead of hiring human talent, Sensay is inviting developers to submit **fully functional code**. They plan to offer an **annual salary**—the amount unspecified and open to negotiation—for the work that goes into creating this AI agent. Sensay specializes in crafting **lifelike digital replicas** or AI clones that can perform tasks on behalf of users, such as sending emails and participating in video calls, with over **half a million interactions** occurring daily.

### Not Expecting AI Applications

Despite the job being aimed at AI, **Sensay** clarified to *Entrepreneur* that they don't expect AI to apply for the position. This job posting stands out from the **tens of thousands** of listings for human AI engineers, as Sensay is solely interested in the software rather than the full-time contributions of human developers.

### CEO's Vision for the Future

Dan Thomson, Founder and CEO of Sensay, expressed excitement about this step, emphasizing the potential for **AI and humans** to work collaboratively in the future. The AI agent will function autonomously, assisting in the development of other AIs. At the time of writing, the listing had garnered **over 100 applicants**, seeking an AI program with a strong background in software development and machine learning.

### Integration into Communication Channels

Sensay plans to integrate the AI agent into various communication platforms, including **email, WhatsApp,** and **Slack**, allowing it to respond to feedback and contribute to software development as a human employee would. However, they humorously noted the importance of ensuring that their new AI hire doesn’t create its own LinkedIn profile!

### Challenges in the Job Market

Amidst this innovative approach, many job seekers face challenges, including the prevalence of **fake job listings** and now competition with AI applicants. According to a recent **LinkedIn Workforce Confidence survey**, American workers report feeling increasingly insecure about their job prospects, a sentiment echoed by users on platforms like **Reddit**, who highlight the hurdles faced in the job application process. 

For more insights on the evolving landscape of AI in the workplace, check out related articles discussing the productivity potential of AI agents and the implications of AI in hiring practices.

AI startup Sensay claims to have published the world's first job posting for an AI agent — and not a human AI developer — on LinkedIn.

AI Takes the Spotlight: Sensay's Groundbreaking Job Ad for an AI Agent

### Overview
Recent developments suggest that the **office deal** involving Sam Altman’s crypto startup in San Francisco may be in jeopardy. This situation could have significant implications for both the startup and the local business landscape.

### Key Details
The deal, which was anticipated to bolster the startup's presence in the vibrant tech hub of San Francisco, is now facing uncertainties. Factors contributing to this potential fallout include market fluctuations and internal company dynamics that may hinder the transaction's completion.

### Implications for the Startup Ecosystem
If this deal falls through, it could affect not only the startup itself but also the broader **crypto industry** in the area, highlighting the challenges faced by emerging companies in securing physical space amidst an evolving market.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops. **The outcome of this deal could reshape the landscape for startups in the tech sector.**

Unlocking the Truth: A Startup Founder Reveals the Hidden Struggles of Entrepreneurship

Summary:

The Reality of Entrepreneurship

Navigating Professional Loneliness

A Balanced View of Entrepreneurship

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Other Latest News

Discover the 9 US AI Startups That Raised Over $100M in 2025 – The Future of Innovation!

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How a Startup is Leveraging Trump's Anti-Regulation Strategy to Challenge the FCC

Reflection AI Secures $130M to Pioneer Superintelligence Development

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Other Latest News

Discover the 9 US AI Startups That Raised Over $100M in 2025 – The Future of Innovation!

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Travel Tech Boom: 6 Startups Secure $168 Million in Just 2 Weeks!

How a Startup is Leveraging Trump's Anti-Regulation Strategy to Challenge the FCC

Reflection AI Secures $130M to Pioneer Superintelligence Development

AI Takes the Spotlight: Sensay's Groundbreaking Job Ad for an AI Agent

Is the Deal with Sam Altman's Crypto Startup in San Francisco Falling Apart?