## WeRide: A Chinese Self-Driving Startup Set to Go Public on Nasdaq

**WeRide**, a leading Chinese autonomous driving company, is taking the leap and filing for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker **"WRD"**. This move could make WeRide's IPO the largest for a Chinese company in the U.S. since **DiDi Global's** $4.4 billion IPO in 2021.

While the company hasn't disclosed the number of shares it intends to sell or the expected price range, it did reveal a loss of $268 million on revenue of $55 million last year. Despite the losses, WeRide boasts a valuation of $4.4 billion following a fundraising round in March 2022.

WeRide's offerings extend beyond autonomous vehicles, including **robobuses**, **robotaxis**, **robosweepers**, and **sensor suites**. The company faces stiff competition from giants like **Tesla**, **Waymo**, **Cruise LLC**, and **Pony.ai** in the rapidly evolving self-driving technology space.

**Morgan Stanley**, **JPMorgan Chase & Co.**, and **China International Capital Corp.** are leading the IPO, and the **Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance** is set to buy shares through a private placement.

This IPO signifies WeRide's ambition to capture a significant share in the global autonomous driving market, which is expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years.

WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving startup, set to go public on Nasdaq under ticker WRD.

WeRide, a Chinese Self-Driving Startup, is Headed to the Nasdaq

## The Rise of Creator Economy Startups

The **creator economy** is seeing a surge of innovative startups aiming to carve out their space amidst the dominance of **Big Tech**. Venture capitalists have identified several promising companies that are making waves in this evolving landscape.

![Creator startup executives LaTecia Johnson (Ingenius), Megh Vakharia (SymphonyOS), and Karsen Daily (Trips)](https://i.insider.com/671a6a5ba0a0cc14f22398af?width=700)

### The Landscape

Despite the significant **financial resources** and influence of platforms like **YouTube**, **Instagram**, and **TikTok**, which facilitate billions in influencer payments, a new cohort of startups is emerging with unique offerings that cater to creators. These startups are leveraging technology to help creators build sustainable businesses.

### Promising Startups for 2024

Business Insider has compiled a list of **13 startups** that venture capitalists believe are worth watching in 2024:

1. **Agentio** - An advertising platform for brands and creators to track campaigns, using AI to match advertisers with creators.
   ![Agentio cofounders Arthur Leopold and Jonathan Meyers](https://i.insider.com/671a64ae9b3250dbbce9c2cf?width=600)

2. **Captions** - A platform that uses AI to help creators edit and produce video content, with features for translating videos.
   ![Captions cofounders Gaurav Misra and Dwight Churchill](https://i.insider.com/671a5ce59b3250dbbce9be33?width=600)

3. **Delphi** - An AI platform that creates digital 'clones' of creators to engage with fans.
   ![Delphi cofounders Sam Spelsberg and Dara Ladjevardian](https://i.insider.com/671937c001ea6d83dee386d7?width=600)

4. **DreamFlare** - A platform for AI storytelling, enabling creators to produce interactive digital content.
   ![DreamFlare cofounders Josh Liss and Rob Bralver](https://i.insider.com/671a45a49b3250dbbce9b639?width=600)

5. **Flavrs** - A TikTok-style app specifically for food creators, enabling recipe sharing and ingredient ordering.
   ![Flavrs cofounders Alejandro Oropeza and François Chu](https://i.insider.com/654a17613cc84b4dfafd940b?width=600)

6. **Ingenius** - A management platform for influencer marketing campaigns, focusing on matching brands with suitable creators.
   ![Ingenius CEO LaTecia Johnson](https://i.insider.com/671936a19b3250dbbce989a8?width=600)

7. **Kajabi** - An online course platform that recently added newsletter capabilities, helping creators market digital products.
   ![Kajabi CEO Ahad Khan](https://i.insider.com/671a609401ea6d83dee3bef5?width=600)

8. **Merse** - A digital comics platform that incorporates audio effects and AI for enhanced storytelling.
   ![Merse cofounder Mark Rachapoom](https://i.insider.com/671a472ea0a0cc14f22389c8?width=600)

9. **RedCircle** - An adtech platform for podcasters, facilitating ad insertion and cross-promotion capabilities.
   ![RedCircle cofounders Mike Kadin and Jeremy Lermitte](https://i.insider.com/671a452101ea6d83dee3b3f7?width=600)

10. **ShopMy** - A social commerce platform that connects brands with creators for affiliate marketing partnerships.
    ![ShopMy cofounders Harry Rein, Tiffany Lopinsky, and Chris Tinsley](https://i.insider.com/666203c1d0b8e1c832ccb8f3?width=600)

11. **SymphonyOS** - A marketing platform that automates marketing efforts for artists and music creators.
    ![SymphonyOS cofounders Chuka Chase and Megh Vakharia](https://i.insider.com/671a5c2ea0a0cc14f223923b?width=600)

12. **Trips** - A blockchain-based system for copyright verification, helping creators manage content ownership.
    ![Trips CEO Michael Finkelstein and head of brand Karsen Daily](https://i.insider.com/671a4554a0a0cc14f223894f?width=600)

### Conclusion

As the **creator economy** continues to evolve, these startups represent the innovative spirit and potential for disruption within the space. With the backing of savvy investors, they are poised to make a significant impact in 2024.

Venture-capital firms shared the creator startups they saw as promising in 2024, from AI companies to influencer-marketing firms.

2024's Must-Watch Startups in the Creator Economy: Insights from Top VCs

### Astra's Groundbreaking Deal
Astra has just secured a significant boost for its **Rocket 4** development, having signed a contract worth **up to $44 million** with the **Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)** of the U.S. military. This funding is aimed at enhancing the production capabilities of Astra’s **tactically responsive launch system**, which is designed to launch rockets from various locations including the U.S. and Australia.

![Astra Rocket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YmYemckQqijAU4S2Gz2bGM.jpg)
*The nose cone of an Astra rocket with its arrow logo and U.S. flag. The company has signed a $44 million contract for its Rocket 4 line. (Image credit: Astra)*

### Rocket 4 Overview
**Rocket 4** is set to be Astra's next-generation launch vehicle, designed to be larger and more powerful than its predecessor, **Rocket 3**, which was retired in 2022 after several launch failures. The new rocket will stand **62 feet (18.9 meters)** tall and is capable of carrying **1,320 pounds (600 kilograms)** to **low Earth orbit**.

### Acknowledging Challenges
Astra faced considerable challenges with its previous rocket model, which led to a re-evaluation of its business structure. Co-founders **Chris Kemp** and **Adam London** took the company private earlier this year to avoid bankruptcy. Kemp emphasized that this military contract is a **validation of Astra's vision** for **responsive space delivery**, crucial for national security and defense applications.

### Future Launch Plans
Once operational, Astra aims to conduct launches on a **weekly basis**, marking a significant shift in its operational capabilities. This contract not only signifies a financial boost but also an endorsement of Astra's innovative approach to space technology.

Launch startup Astra has secured a contract with the US military, worth up to $44 million, to continue developing its new Rocket 4 vehicle.

Astra Secures $44 Million Military Contract to Propel Rocket 4 Development

### The Challenge of Cold Calling
As a director of sales for a legal software company, **Tony De Leon** faced the tedious task of **cold calling prospects**, often only to reach their voicemails. This repetitive process involved extensive busywork, including finding numbers, researching prospects, and logging calls.

### The AI Solution
Upon discovering the AI sales platform **Nooks**, Tony was able to **automate** many of these manual tasks such as finding contact details, leaving voicemails, and drafting emails. With the help of Nooks’ **dialing assistant**, he increased his daily conversations from **two to ten**, significantly enhancing his **pipeline generation**—a crucial process for converting prospects into customers. According to Nooks CEO **Daniel Lee**, "The sales pipeline is the lifeblood of a company."

### Nooks’ Growth and Funding
Founded in **2020** by Stanford classmates Rohan Suri, Daniel Lee, and Nikhil Cheerla, Nooks recently announced it has raised **$43 million** in Series B funding led by **Kleiner Perkins**, bringing its total funding to **$70 million** and its valuation to **$285 million**. The startup has seen **quadrupled revenue** year on year, fueled by thousands of sales representatives from companies like **Fivetran** and **Amplitude** who utilize its AI tools.

### A Strategic Pivot
Initially launched as a “**virtual office**” platform for remote collaboration, Nooks pivoted to focus on sales tools in **2022** after recognizing the needs of sales teams. Lee noted that this decision to focus on AI solutions for sales proved wise, especially as many companies in the original space have struggled.

### Advanced AI Capabilities
Nooks’ platform leverages established AI models like **OpenAI’s GPT** and **Google’s Gemini**, trained on a dataset of **100 million anonymized sales conversations**. In addition to automating tasks, it offers **coaching tools** for salespeople to practice calls and receive feedback, aiming to eliminate the inefficiencies caused by “tool bloat” in the sales process.

### Competitive Landscape
Facing competition from major players like **Salesforce** and **Microsoft**, which are also developing AI-driven sales tools, Nooks is committed to enhancing its offerings. The new funding will help expand its team and improve features for lead generation, aiming to automate mundane tasks for approximately **3 million sales representatives** in the U.S., allowing them to focus on the more strategic aspects of selling.

### Investor Insights
**Leigh Marie Braswell**, a partner at Kleiner Perkins, emphasized that enterprises seek applications that boost productivity and revenue. She is optimistic that Nooks can deliver solutions that allow sales teams to dedicate more time to **human-centered** tasks like closing deals and building relationships.

Founded by three Stanford roommates, Nooks has raised $43 million in funding to automate laborious sales tasks. 

Revolutionizing Sales: How Nooks is Transforming Cold Calling with AI

### Boardy: An Innovative AI Networking Solution

**Boardy**, a groundbreaking professional networking startup powered by **AI voice technology**, has successfully raised **$3 million** in a pre-seed funding round. Co-founded by **Andrew D’Souza** and brothers **Ankur** and **Abhinav Boyed**, Boardy officially launched this month after a summer of development.

### How Boardy Works

The process is straightforward: users provide their phone numbers to **Boardy.ai** and receive a call from an AI voice assistant named **Boardy**. During the call, users share their current projects, and Boardy searches its network for potential connections. The network, which currently includes a few thousand members, originated from D’Souza’s own connections with **investors, founders, and creators**. Boardy is particularly useful for those seeking to meet **customers** and **investors**, as well as finding **co-founders** and entering **accelerator programs**.

### Facilitating Connections

If Boardy identifies a suitable connection, it facilitates a **double-opt-in introduction**. Once both parties agree, Boardy introduces them via email. Users can call Boardy weekly for new introductions, enhancing their networking opportunities.

### Addressing Loneliness Through AI

D’Souza's motivation for starting Boardy stems from the **loneliness epidemic** in America, exacerbated by social media. While many AI companies focus on creating **AI companions**, Boardy aims to **foster human connections**. D’Souza envisions a future where **AI enhances human interaction** rather than replacing it.

### The Journey and Future Plans

Prior to Boardy, D’Souza co-founded **Clearco**, an e-commerce platform. Fundraising was facilitated by connections made through Clearco, with notable investors including **HF0**, **8VC**, **Precursor**, **Afore**, **FJ Labs**, and **NextView**. The new capital will be used to further develop Boardy’s AI capabilities, making it smarter and more empathetic, while also expanding its personal network.

### Competitive Landscape

Currently, Boardy faces limited competition in the AI social networking sector, with other companies like **Butterflies** and **SocialAI** in the space. D’Souza believes Boardy’s approach is unique, emphasizing that the AI agent prioritizes the needs of its users without compromising others in its network, which enhances its trustworthiness.

Boardy is an AI that meets you via a phone call and then introduces you to other humans to expand your professional network.

Meet Boardy: The AI Networking Assistant Revolutionizing Professional Connections with $3M in Funding

### Supply Chain Disruptions Cost Trillions
Each year, **supply chain disruptions** cost the global economy **trillions of dollars**. A recent **McKinsey poll** revealed that **nine in ten businesses** faced logistics challenges in the past year.

### Rising Challenges in Shipping
Headwinds have intensified due to chaos in key shipping corridors. Attacks on freighters in the **Red Sea** and flooding disrupting automotive production in **Europe** are just a few examples. Additionally, trade tensions are hindering the movement of manufacturing equipment to **Southeast Asia**.

### Interos Thriving Amidst Crisis
In this turbulent landscape, **Interos**, a supply chain risk intelligence firm, has successfully acquired several high-profile clients, including the **Defense Department** and Canada’s **Coast Guard and Royal Navy**. CEO **Ted Krantz** reported a **35% year-over-year revenue growth**.

### Innovative Supply Chain Monitoring
Launched in **2005**, Interos utilizes **AI** to map and monitor organizations’ supply chains, identifying potential regulatory, labor, and cybersecurity risks. Their platform allows customers to integrate financial and contractual risk data, enhancing supply chain visibility.

![Interos Supply Chain Monitoring Dashboard](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Interos_3PL_software.5e61a9dc21e36-transformed.jpeg)
*Image Credits: Interos*

### Impressive Client Base
Interos currently serves around **100 clients**, including major players like **Google**, **NASA**, and the **U.S. Navy**. However, the **AI in supply chain market**, valued at **$5.05 billion** in 2023, is highly competitive, with many vendors targeting similar customer segments.

### Strategic Expansion Plans
To maintain its competitive edge, Interos recently closed a **$40 million strategic growth round** from **Blue Owl Capital**, aimed at enhancing product development and AI capabilities. To date, the company has raised nearly **$175 million** in venture capital, showcasing strong investor confidence in its vision for **AI-powered predictive analytics**.

Interos, a supply chain intelligence firms, has raised a new round of cash and secured several high-profile clients.

Interos Secures Major Clients and Funding Amid Supply Chain Challenges

### Business Boom in the Triad

**Business is booming** across the Triad, transforming the commercial landscape in numerous ways. According to the **North Carolina Department of Commerce**, there has been a **41% increase in new business applications** from 2020 to 2023. This surge is part of a broader trend, distinct from the pandemic-driven growth seen nationally.

### The Rise of Co-Working Spaces

The Triad is also witnessing a rise in **co-working office spaces**. These rentable spaces allow individuals and teams to work together, breaking down the barriers of needing large office spaces. Many co-working spaces offer additional services like **IT and administrative support**, making it easier for startups to thrive.

**Kim and Tony Lancaster**, seasoned entrepreneurs, opened **Venture-X** in Greensboro after years in education. They are passionate about helping new businesses grow in their space and the region. Kim notes, “**People are able to meet and engage with others**, discovering how their businesses can support one another.”

Tony adds that co-working spaces make entrepreneurship more accessible, stating, “**Sometimes that leap is a little unattainable** for a business.” Co-working allows individuals to share resources and amenities, alleviating the isolation of working from home.

### Big Corporations Joining the Trend

Interestingly, it’s not just startups benefiting. The Lancasters have observed an increasing number of **big-box corporations** opting to rent co-working spaces instead of maintaining large offices, signaling a shift in how businesses operate in the Triad.

Next time you explore your neighborhood, keep an eye out for these innovative co-working spaces—they might be just around the corner!

Business is booming across the Triad, and it's transforming the commercial landscape in so many ways.

WeRide, a Chinese Self-Driving Startup, is Headed to the Nasdaq

Summary:

WeRide: A Chinese Self-Driving Startup Set to Go Public on Nasdaq

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