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Newsletter #16: Week of September 23rd, 2024: WorkAI is now Founders and Futurists

We rebranded from WorkAI to Founders and Futurists

Author

Joshua Schoen
September 25, 2024

6VCs and Founders connecting at PadelHaus for an awesome night of Padel!

Table of Contents

Rundown

We've rebranded! While AI remains a core focus, I wanted a name that reflects the broader range of topics I’m passionate about actionable advice for founders, emerging tech trends, events in New York that explore these themes, and the conversations around them. The new name aligns with everything we discuss.

Additionally, I’ve moved from Substack to Beehiiv for a better platform experience—it's easier to write, share content, embed links to events, and include graphics without resorting to cumbersome screenshots.

Right now, I’m working on two projects:

  1. Exploring AI companies using a "cookbook strategy" for tool adoption. I’ve found this method really effective and would love to connect with anyone involved in such efforts to write more about it.

  2. Investigating companies who are offering services that use AI in their job rather than sell software and get other companies to adopt it. I’m interested in discussing this with other VCs who are exploring similar models and what the market looks like.

I also hosted the first successful VC Padel night. Thank you to everyone who came and Padelled around.

Events

Wednesday 9/25:

Friday 9/27:

Monday 9/30:

News and Research

  • For founders who want the best guide to raising their seed you shoud read this. Read in Lenny's Newsletter.
  • Salesforce is changing its AI strategy, announcing at Dreamforce that its AI tools can operate without human supervision. The new pricing model is focused on conversations handled by AI agents, allowing businesses to boost capacity without hiring more staff, potentially addressing concerns over job losses from AI. Read in Bloomberg.
  • Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market, is in talks to raise over $50 million for new capital amidst its popularity in betting on various U.S. events.Read in The Information.
  • Adobe predicts 8% growth in holiday e-commerce sales, totaling $240.8 billion with retailers offering steep discounts to attract customers.Read in The Information.
  • Nuclear is back. Microsoft has announced a deal to purchase 100% of the power from Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear plant for 20 years, marking a significant step in the tech industry's quest for reliable, zero-emission electricity to support its energy-intensive operations, particularly in artificial intelligence.Read in Washington Post.
  • No more vest and rest? Zoom is reducing stock-based compensation due to high dilution, following the lead of Salesforce and Workday. Read in Bloomberg.

Tweets and Posts

This made me lol so hard. He is definitely not getting paid.

Always amazing insights from Tomasz about the state of GTM.

For those raising funds. I always follow her.

This struck home to me.

Podcast Episodes, Deep Dives and Projects

Letters to a Founder #1: How is your startup different from all other startups?

How the Passover Seder's "Four Questions" frames how investors think and how you should evaluate your startup

foundersandfuturists.beehiiv.com/p/letters-to-a-founder-1-how-is-your

Final Thoughts

Please contact my email, [email protected], since I have more time to speak with people and help where I can. I am still actively angel investing.