#european startups

[topnotchquark]

Opened twitter and Nico is going to be a VC now? With the fund vale at $75Mn?

[conferenceineurope]

International Academic Conferences on Distance Education

International Academic Conference is a great way which allows researchers to present their findings to a committee which taking place around the world. An academic conference is a platform where you get a chance to share your research findings and engage in insightful discussions with others on the latest happenings of a particular subject in your field of study. It offers the opportunity to peer over the fence and see what’s going on outside of a particular specialty. It also can be called a research conference, academic congress or symposium. In this field researchers can come together, present their research, comment on each other’s research, network with one another and engage in career development in their profession. Symposium, Seminar, Colloquium and Workshop are the four different types of conferences. Communication, problem solving capacity, leadership and decision making power and many more skills are developed through conferences. 

Distance education is a system of education in which there is no face to face contact of the source of information and the learner, they are separated by time and way of distance but they are linked through correspondence, television, radio talk, phone or computer. The main aim of distance education is to provide quality education to which those cannot access traditional education due to geographical, financial and other constraints. A degree acquired in the distance mode from a UGC-DEB is equivalent to a degree acquired through the regular mode. In distance education there is a flexible schedule, unmatchable accessibility, less cost and reduces travelling pressure. The learning experience must have a clear purpose with tightly focused outcomes and objectives.

Distance education aims to give quality education to all. How to manage it? What is Distance education actually? What are the types of Distance education? Distance education system in India. What is difference between open education and distance education? Who is the father of distance education? What is the benefit of distance education? What are the advantages and disadvantages in distance education? What is online education system? These are the valid point to know about distance learning. Can learning environments must include problem based as well as knowledge based learning. Distance learning is clearer when we attend conference, seminars, workshops, events related to distance education.

[ronsdsu2023]

European Super League 2.0

In April 2021 twelve of the biggest soccer clubs in Europe started to publish their ideas for a new elite European league. The clubs from England, Italy and Spain. The name of the League is "European Super League". Two years ago, this led to one of the biggest fan protests in the history of soccer. The UEFA (United European Football Association) was worried about the plans and threatened sanctions against these clubs. One week after publishing the plans, the idea was shot down and the frontrunners had to quit their job, like the former president of Real Madrid.

However this March some clubs came up with the "European Super League 2.0". And this time it sounds like many fans support this idea to revolutionize the European Soccer. This time everything sounds like a great plan if you read the paragraphs on the website. For this league clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus Turin founded the marketing agency A22 with its boss Bernd Reichert, former CEO of the German TV channel RTL.

The company wants to increase the amount of games in the group stage but more care about the health of the players. Everything sounds like a great idea in the first moment. Despite of the good idea it is really critical to implement the league. The European sports court will make a decision the next weeks which will allow the UEFA to decide themselves if they want to establish the super league. However they will not destroy their own system.

What are your thoughts about the evolution in European Soccer?

Will it change to a system like in the U.S. e.g. the NFL with their franchise system?

[startups-bar]

How the Entrepreneurs Circle Community Can Transform Your Business

In the competitive world of startups, finding the right support system can make all the difference between thriving and merely surviving. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community stands out as one of the best startup communities in the UK, offering an unparalleled suite of resources that can significantly transform your business. Whether you're part of the broader European startup ecosystem or an e-commerce startup looking for your next big break, this community provides the tools, connections, and platforms you need to elevate your business to the next level.

The Best Startup Community for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is often described as a lonely journey, but it doesn’t have to be. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community is celebrated as the best startup community for entrepreneurs, particularly those in the UK. This community fosters a collaborative environment where like-minded individuals can share insights, solve problems, and celebrate successes together.

Being part of this community means you have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of scaling your startup or looking for ways to break into new markets, the Entrepreneurs Circle Community offers the guidance and support you need to succeed.

Harness the Power of the Startup Community Platform

At the core of the Entrepreneurs Circle Community is its innovative startup community platform. This platform is designed to be your one-stop shop for all things entrepreneurial. Here, you can connect with mentors, access exclusive content, and tap into a network of industry experts who can help guide your business decisions.

The startup community platform also features a comprehensive library of resources, including articles, webinars, and case studies that cover every aspect of building and growing a business. Whether you're looking to refine your business strategy, learn about the latest industry trends, or find inspiration from success stories, the platform has it all.

Virtual Networking Platforms: Expanding Your Horizons

In today’s digital age, the ability to network virtually is more important than ever. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community leverages the best virtual networking platforms for professionals, enabling members to connect and collaborate without the constraints of geography.

These virtual networking platforms host regular events such as webinars, virtual meetups, and online forums, where you can engage with other entrepreneurs, share ideas, and form valuable partnerships. For those involved in e-commerce startups, these virtual connections can open doors to new markets, suppliers, and customers, helping you expand your reach and grow your business.

Business Network Platform: Connecting with the Right People

Success in business is often about who you know. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community’s business network platform is designed to help you connect with the right people—whether that’s potential clients, partners, or investors. This platform is more than just a networking tool; it's a comprehensive system that facilitates meaningful interactions that can lead to tangible business opportunities.

Through the business network platform, you can join industry-specific groups, participate in discussions, and showcase your business to a targeted audience. This not only increases your visibility within your industry but also positions you to seize new opportunities as they arise.

Transforming E-Commerce Startups

E-commerce startups face unique challenges, from navigating complex logistics to standing out in a crowded online marketplace. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community offers specialized support for e-commerce startups, helping them overcome these hurdles and thrive in the competitive landscape.

The community provides access to tailored resources, including expert-led workshops and webinars focused on the e-commerce sector. Additionally, the startup community platform and virtual networking platforms enable e-commerce entrepreneurs to connect with industry leaders, share best practices, and explore new growth strategies.

Tapping into the European Startup Ecosystem

For startups looking to expand their footprint across Europe, being part of a community that understands the European startup ecosystem is crucial. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community not only connects you with UK-based entrepreneurs but also offers access to a broader network across Europe.

This regional focus allows you to tap into a wealth of knowledge and opportunities within the European startup ecosystem. Whether you're looking for insights on market trends, regulatory guidance, or cross-border partnerships, the Entrepreneurs Circle Community provides the connections and resources to help you navigate the European market successfully.

Conclusion: Transform Your Business with the Entrepreneurs Circle Community

The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges, but with the right support system, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities. The Entrepreneurs Circle Community is more than just a network—it’s a powerful resource that can significantly impact your business’s success.

From the startup community platform and business network platform to the best virtual networking platforms for professionals, this community offers everything you need to take your business to the next level. Whether you're an e-commerce startup or part of the broader European startup ecosystem, the Entrepreneurs Circle Community provides the tools, connections, and inspiration to help you thrive.

Join the Entrepreneurs Circle Community today and discover how it can transform your business, opening doors to new opportunities, expanding your network, and helping you achieve your entrepreneurial dreams.

[argentumconsultants]

Hatching an innovative idea is merely the inception of a startup's journey. To nurture and propel that idea into fruition, entrepreneurs require capital infusion. This is where startup funding schemes come into play, offering a lifeline to budding ventures. National funding schemes, often backed by governmental bodies or private entities, serve as catalysts for innovation and economic growth by providing financial support to promising startups. These schemes vary in scope and eligibility criteria, but they share a common objective : to foster the development of nascent businesses and propel them towards success.

[aainaalyaa]

L'agriculture industrielle d'aujourd'hui est basée sur les insecticides.

Ces produits chimiques causent des dommages massifs à l'environnement. Déployés pour détruire les parasites, ils nuisent également à la santé humaine. Cependant, des larves ont été produites pour votre consommation.

Les humains ne consomment pas de larves à la place de la viande — mais lorsque cela est imposé comme une apparence de spiritualité, il s'agit d'une tromperie et d'un mouvement stratégique vers le satanisme, une branche du culte du veau d'or, et l'hindouisme — une vibration inférieure résonne et consomme de telles "délicatesses", et une fréquence moyenne à supérieure, consomme ce qui est pertinent pour son élévation et son illumination.

Pour le "Forum économique mondial", d'imposer un "saut" à l'humanité, c'est se révéler comme le monde de l'ombre sous le Soleil. Manger des vers et des larves n'a rien à voir avec le changement climatique, mais on en joue à outrance pour créer la peur et agrandir les coffres de l'économie au lieu d'assumer la responsabilité de la pollution et des industries qui polluent le monde et finissent par tuer les formes de vie.

Faites attention à ce que vous mettez dans votre bouche, lisez les étiquettes. Seuls les amphibiens et une petite population de carnivores consomment des vers et des larves.

Comprenez ce que vous consommez, car cela forme ce que vous êtes.

[nuadox]

French tech start-up wins EU’s new Industry of the Future Award with raw-materials prowess

- By Horizon Staff , Horizon -

For Yohan Parsa, research director at tech start-up ROSI SAS in France, a relatively small Horizon project has made a big difference for the company and for the European Union’s economic ambitions.

ROSI, which recycles raw materials from end-of-life solar panels, has just received the EU’s first “Industry of the Future Award” for technological research supported by the EU’s Horizon programme.

With 700 000 euros from Horizon Europe, the two-year project advanced the company’s goal to become a world leader in the reuse of silicon and silver from photovoltaic (PV) waste. ROSI plans to open a recycling plant in France early next year and expand into Germany, Italy and Spain afterwards.    

‘It was the transition from the lab to the factory that became possible with the EU support,’ Parsa said in Brussels on 28 September after accepting the award on behalf of ROSI. ‘We can now move to the industrial scale.’

Fine fit

The project, called Ramp-PV and ending this month, ticks a number of key EU policy boxes.

Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, it promises to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy by extending the domestic availability of valuable raw materials for industries including solar, electronics and batteries.

In reducing industrial waste, the project also helps the European economy to become more sustainable, or “circular”.

In addition, Ramp-PV bolsters the European Green Deal climate goals. While solar panels produce renewable power needed to counter global warming, their silicon and silver ingredients entail energy-intensive production that is itself a source of carbon-dioxide emissions.

Furthermore, Ramp-PV contributes to European workplace-safety goals by developing low-temperature chemical processes used in recovering the raw materials embedded in solar panels. What’s more, the chemicals are mild kinds that, unlike acid for example, pose fewer hazards.

Young champion

‘We need champions of change and innovation for our industry to continue bringing prosperity for all Europeans,’ Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said when announcing the award. ‘Developing new solutions that save raw materials could not come at a better time.’

Of the two runner-up projects, one focused on digital security for manufacturers, particularly in the aviation, automotive and ship industries. The other centred on robotics in manufacturing and ways to enhance human-robot collaboration.

The Industry of the Future Award recognises EU-funded projects whose results, in the words of the European Commission, ‘make European industry more resilient, sustainable and human-centric.’ To be eligible, a project needs to have started after August 2018.

ROSI, based in Grenoble, was barely in existence then. The company was founded in late 2017 and began the Ramp-PV project in November 2020. It has around 20 employees.

To date, ROSI has been developing the processes and technologies for extracting high-purity materials – copper is another - from photovoltaic waste and reintegrating them into key industries including solar.

Growth chart

By early 2022, the company reached the industrial-equipment test phase and announced a plan to create a factory near Grenoble.

The French plant will recycle 3 000 tonnes a year of solar panels starting in 2023, extracting 90 tonnes of silicon, 30 tonnes of copper and 2.5 tonnes of silver, according to Parsa, who said ROSI’s number of employees would roughly double at this stage.

Within two years, the plant’s recycling capacity for the panels will increase to 10 000 tonnes, he said.

ROSI will integrate recovered silicon back into solar panels while looking for other potential users for this material including semiconductors and batteries, said Parsa. Recovered copper and silver will probably go into industries other than solar, he said.

The company’s expansion plans beyond France will begin in Germany and then extend to Italy and Spain.

‘We are quite advanced in Germany, but it’s not a done deal,’ Parsa said. ‘In all three countries we are looking for partners because we need the help of local players.’

While being coy about the precise timetable for ROSI’s planned ventures outside France, he signalled those - along with the imminent French recycling activity - would have been a more distant prospect without Horizon funding for Ramp-PV.

‘If we had not had the EU support, we would not have reached this point as fast as we did,’ Parsa said. ‘Ramp-PV enabled us to conduct trials on new equipment and accelerated our whole business plan.’   

This post ​ French tech start-up wins EU’s new Industry of the Future Award with raw-materials prowess ​ was originally published on Horizon: the EU Research & Innovation magazine | European Commission.

--

Read Also

Share of solar panel manufacturing capacity by region (infographic)

[reasonsforhope]

"Major technology companies signed a pact on Friday to voluntarily adopt "reasonable precautions" to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) tools from being used to disrupt democratic elections around the world.

Executives from Adobe, Amazon, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and TikTok gathered at the Munich Security Conference to announce a new framework for how they respond to AI-generated deepfakes that deliberately trick voters. 

Twelve other companies - including Elon Musk's X - are also signing on to the accord...

The accord is largely symbolic, but targets increasingly realistic AI-generated images, audio, and video "that deceptively fake or alter the appearance, voice, or actions of political candidates, election officials, and other key stakeholders in a democratic election, or that provide false information to voters about when, where, and how they can lawfully vote".

The companies aren't committing to ban or remove deepfakes. Instead, the accord outlines methods they will use to try to detect and label deceptive AI content when it is created or distributed on their platforms. 

It notes the companies will share best practices and provide "swift and proportionate responses" when that content starts to spread.

Lack of binding requirements

The vagueness of the commitments and lack of any binding requirements likely helped win over a diverse swath of companies, but disappointed advocates were looking for stronger assurances.

"The language isn't quite as strong as one might have expected," said Rachel Orey, senior associate director of the Elections Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center. 

"I think we should give credit where credit is due, and acknowledge that the companies do have a vested interest in their tools not being used to undermine free and fair elections. That said, it is voluntary, and we'll be keeping an eye on whether they follow through." ...

Several political leaders from Europe and the US also joined Friday’s announcement. European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova said while such an agreement can’t be comprehensive, "it contains very impactful and positive elements".  ...

[The Accord and Where We're At]

The accord calls on platforms to "pay attention to context and in particular to safeguarding educational, documentary, artistic, satirical, and political expression".

It said the companies will focus on transparency to users about their policies and work to educate the public about how they can avoid falling for AI fakes.

Most companies have previously said they’re putting safeguards on their own generative AI tools that can manipulate images and sound, while also working to identify and label AI-generated content so that social media users know if what they’re seeing is real. But most of those proposed solutions haven't yet rolled out and the companies have faced pressure to do more.

That pressure is heightened in the US, where Congress has yet to pass laws regulating AI in politics, leaving companies to largely govern themselves.

The Federal Communications Commission recently confirmed AI-generated audio clips in robocalls are against the law [in the US], but that doesn't cover audio deepfakes when they circulate on social media or in campaign advertisements.

Many social media companies already have policies in place to deter deceptive posts about electoral processes - AI-generated or not... 

[Signatories Include]

In addition to the companies that helped broker Friday's agreement, other signatories include chatbot developers Anthropic and Inflection AI; voice-clone startup ElevenLabs; chip designer Arm Holdings; security companies McAfee and TrendMicro; and Stability AI, known for making the image-generator Stable Diffusion.

Notably absent is another popular AI image-generator, Midjourney. The San Francisco-based startup didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

The inclusion of X - not mentioned in an earlier announcement about the pending accord - was one of the surprises of Friday's agreement."

-via EuroNews, February 17, 2024

--

Note: No idea whether this will actually do much of anything (would love to hear from people with experience in this area on significant this is), but I'll definitely take it. Some of these companies may even mean it! (X/Twitter almost definitely doesn't, though).

Still, like I said, I'll take it. Any significant move toward tech companies self-regulating AI is a good sign, as far as I'm concerned, especially a large-scale and international effort. Even if it's a "mostly symbolic" accord, the scale and prominence of this accord is encouraging, and it sets a precedent for further regulation to build on.

[eretzyisrael]

Good News From Israel

In the 16th Jun 24 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

The IDF rescued 4 hostages held in the homes of Gazan “civilians”.

An Arab swimmer will be representing Israel at the Olympics.

Superb pro-Israel speeches by author and journalist Douglas Murray.

Three more Israeli startups are cleaning up the ocean.

An Israeli startup turns agricultural waste into edible protein.

Tel Aviv has risen to become the 4th best global ecosystem.

An Israeli archer won the European championships.

An Israeli-born Filipino singing star has just become Jewish.

Read More: Good News From Israel

A slightly shorter newsletter this week, following the Jewish festival of Shavuot (Pentecost).

The photo is of our local flame tree (delonix regia) which are prolific in Netanya. Every year they transform from their barren state, re-igniting into blooms of fire. They remind us of how the people of Israel have turned a desolate desert into a Garden of Eden. Despite our enemies attempts to destroy us, we always rebuild.

[solarpunkbusiness]

A sunflower inspired Yevgen Erik to reinvent solar panels in his home country, Ukraine.

After realizing that the solar panels on his roof failed to cover his air conditioning costs during summer, he had an idea to create solar-powered blinds that would track the movement of the sun, like a sunflower, and provide shade to his home.

“We are losing so much energy through windows,” Erik told the Kyiv Independent from Spain, where he is currently based.

“I saw how we need to take something from nature and bring it to our homes.”

Erik took the idea to the IoT Hub, a tech startup accelerator in Kyiv, where he formed a team and launched SolarGaps in 2016. The Ukrainian-based company has since received $1.5 million in investments and $1 million in grants funded by the European Commission.

With thousands of SolarGap blinds installed globally, Erik sees a bright future for the company as the world rapidly turns towards renewable energy. The solar market is valued at $55 billion and he sees a serviceable available market of $2.5 billion for SolarGaps.

The blinds are simple to use and look much like normal venetian blinds, but made out of metal. The solar panels, like the ones installed on roofs, are fashioned into slats that automatically track the sun.

[mariacallous]

Late last month, Sweden expelled a Chinese journalist who had been reporting from the country for nearly two decades. She had, it turned out, been engaging in what the government described as activities harmful to the country—espionage, in other words. But being expelled was not the end of the world for the journalist, who, judging by her social media presence, seemed to quite enjoy getting back to Beijing. Like her, most of the growing number of foreign spies caught in the West only face expulsion, and often a hero’s welcome at home. It may be time for Western governments to adopt the Estonian approach and put all arrested spies on trial.

“After 18 years away from Beijing, I’m back. I’m going to rediscover the miracle of loving you!” the Chinese journalist posted on her webpage after being expelled from Sweden late last month. Last fall, Swedish authorities picked up the trail, arrested her, and put her in pre-trial detention. Now they’ve removed her from the country. Problem solved—but not much of a deterrent to future efforts.

These days, Western authorities are unmasking a whole lot of spies, especially ones working on behalf of Russia and China. In the United Kingdom, authorities have charged two young Britons—including a parliamentary researcher—with spying for China. Last year British authorities identified Christine Lee, a Chinese businesswoman well-connected in Westminster, as a Chinese agent of influence. This April, a Chinese staffer working for a German member of European Parliament, Maximilian Krah, was arrested after reportedly working for Chinese intelligence for over a decade. Around the same time, German authorities arrested three Germans who had been spying for China.

Last August, the United States arrested two U.S. Navy sailors—naturalized U.S. citizens of Chinese ethnicity—on charges of espionage for China. Two years ago, Norwegian authorities arrested Mikhail Mikushin, a GRU officer who had been working undercover in the country posing as a Brazilian academic. The year before that, Swedish authorities arrested a married couple that had entered the country as Afghan refugees after establishing that they were Iranian intelligence agents. Jan Marsalek, the fugitive ex-chief operating officer of the billion-dollar German payment-processing firm Wirecard, turns out to have spent years working closely with Russian intelligence while also running the firm. Indeed, Russia may have used Wirecard to pay its undercover operatives in other countries, the Financial Times reports.

These arrests are just part of the haul, and Western jails are likely to become fuller still, because powers hostile to the West are expanding their espionage. Over the past couple of decades, Russia and China—and in some cases also Iran—have expanded traditional espionage on targets like the armed forces and other national-security institutions. But that’s just part of what they’re interested in. Every aspect of Western societies, from startups and university R&D to civil society, interests the intelligence gatherers and their masters.

It doesn’t matter that much of the information they collect can be found in newspapers and other publicly accessible sources: The objective is to hoover up as much information as possible. To be sure, agents coming from closed societies may not realize, or may find it convenient to sell to their bosses, just how much information is open in the West. But there’s also value in sheer quantity. And because Western governments have expelled a considerable number of Russian diplomats over the past few years, the number of undercover operatives is thought to have grown even more. Just this May, the U.K. expelled Russia’s defense attaché, Maxim Elovik, for spying.

But what should Western governments do after arresting the suspected spies? Like the two Britons arrested for spying, Western citizens caught in their home countries face prosecution. But what about Chinese, Russians, and other foreigners spying on our countries? Until now, Western governments have usually simply expelled them, as Sweden did with the Chinese journalist. Sweden has also expelled operatives who have been spying on Chinese dissidents, Uyghurs, and Tibetans on Beijing’s behalf. In 2010, after arresting a network of 10 Russian undercover spies including the flame-haired Anna Chapman, the United States swiftly expelled them to Russia in exchange for four Russians serving prison sentences for alleged espionage on behalf of America.

Eight years later, the FBI arrested another glamorous Russian spy, Maria Butina, who had been infiltrating U.S. political circles. By the end of the following year, though, she was safely back in Russia after serving a brief jail sentence. (In the case of diplomats and military officers serving under diplomatic accreditation, expulsion is the only punishment available.)

Expulsion, though, is hardly a deterrent. Russia rewarded Chapman with an extraordinary career as a television personality, while Butina was smoothly elected a member of the Duma.

One European country already takes a radically different approach and does so consistently: Estonia. When the Baltic country began building up its security institutions in the 1990s, after winning independence from the Soviet Union once more, its budding spy catchers eagerly learned from Western colleagues. Then, though, they did things their way. “Over the past couple of decades, Estonia has caught more spies than many larger Western countries, and we prosecute them,” Toomas Hendrik Ilves, a former president of Estonia, told me. “And since we have rule of law, we don’t prosecute unless we have a clear case.”

The decisive moment was Herman Simm, said Arnold Sinisalu, a veteran counterintelligence officer who until last year directed Estonia’s counterintelligence agency, the Internal Security Service. In 2008, the ISS arrested the respected top Ministry of Defense official on charges of spying for Russia, and soon thereafter he was put on trial. “After we prosecuted Simm, we decided that we should go to court as much we can every time,” Sinisalu told me. “And one of the most important decisions we made was that we won’t hide any information. We had those discussions in 2008 and 2009. Since that time, we have done it like this every time.”

Estonia has indeed done so, including last month, when a professor at the University of Tartu was convicted of spying for Russia and sentenced to over six years in prison. “Lots of Western academics said, ‘he can’t be a spy, he’s anti-Putin,’” Ilves noted. “But would a spy go around saying, ‘I’m for Putin?’ This is the world we live in. Anyone can be spying on us.”

Prosecuting foreign spies is gutsy. “If somebody is in prison, it’s the best way, honestly, to send a message,” Sinisalu told me. It’s also risky, because the spies’ paymasters can retaliate by arresting random Estonians or other Westerners on bogus espionage charges. In recent years, Russia, China, and Iran have shown they’ve no compunction about doing so. But, Ilves said, “taking a tough line hasn’t hurt Estonia. The standard policy of being hush-hush, just sending the spies away, what does it give you? It’s certainly not going to give you better relations with that country.”

Indeed, the risk of having Westerners arrested by hostile regimes may be a price worth paying to reduce spying against our countries. (And these days, Western citizens with no pressing need to visit hostile countries should avoid doing so.) Yes, Sinisalu conceded, hostile countries may retaliate by arresting Westerners, “but if our guys are arrested in Russia, then there we have something we can use in negotiations with the Russians. If you come empty-handed, what are you going to do? Arrested spies are like a treasure that you can trade with them.”

Put differently, an expelled spy is a treasure unnecessarily relinquished. Modern Estonia came late to the counterintelligence game. But an immeasurable advantage of belonging to the Western alliance is that it’s composed of friends who can learn from one another. And at the very moment Western governments have to tackle growing espionage, there’s a country whose blueprints they can study. We may soon see more prosecutions of foreign spies.

[mikerickson]

Rather than merely integrating biological concepts into computing, FinalSpark's online platform 'taps' into spherical clusters of lab-grown human brain cells called organoids. A total of 16 organoids are housed within four arrays that connect to eight electrodes each and a microfluidics system that supplies water and nutrients for the cells. The approach, known as wetware computing, in this case harnesses researchers' abilities to culture organoids in the lab, a fairly new technology that allows scientists to study what are essentially mini replicas of individual organs… While we don't have any numbers on their specific system, its energy usage, or processing power, FinalSpark's research team says that training a single large language model like GPT-3, a precursor to GPT-4, required 10 gigawatt hours or about 6,000 times the energy that one European citizen uses in a year. Meanwhile, the human brain operates its 86 billion neurons using only a fraction of that energy: just 0.3 kilowatt hours per day. Technology trends also indicate that the booming AI industry will consume 3.5 percent of global electricity by 2030. Already, the IT industry as a whole is responsible for around 2 percent of global CO2 emissions.

Looks like the "brains" are grown from stem cells and can live for about 100 days. I'm skeptical something like this could be scaled up such that everyone starts using biocomputers in like cell phones and at home, but at least people are experimenting with trying to find less energy-intensive systems?

[startups-bar]

Building Bridges: Essential Business Networking Events in London

In a city as dynamic and diverse as London, networking is the key to unlocking opportunities, fostering collaborations, and advancing your career. From connecting with influential figures to discovering new trends and technologies, London offers a range of networking events tailored to different industries and interests. If you're looking to build bridges and expand your network, here’s a guide to some of the essential business networking events in London, focusing on the best startup communities in the UK, the European startup ecosystem, and beyond.

1. London Startup Week: Connecting with the Best Startup Communities in the UK

London Startup Week is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the startup scene. This week-long festival showcases the best startup communities in the UK and offers numerous opportunities to network with founders, investors, and industry experts. With panels, workshops, and networking sessions dedicated to various sectors, including e-commerce startups, this event provides a comprehensive platform to engage with the startup ecosystem.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking new connections or an investor looking for promising opportunities, London Startup Week is an ideal venue to build relationships and gain insights into the latest trends and innovations in the startup world.

2. TechCrunch Disrupt: Exploring the European Startup Ecosystem

TechCrunch Disrupt is one of the most renowned events for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Held annually in London, this conference focuses on the European startup ecosystem and attracts top innovators, investors, and industry leaders from across the continent. The event features startup pitches, keynote speeches, and panel discussions on the latest tech trends and business strategies.

TechCrunch Disrupt is an excellent opportunity to connect with key players in the tech industry, discover groundbreaking ideas, and expand your network within the European startup ecosystem. Whether you’re interested in learning about new technologies or finding potential investment opportunities, TechCrunch Disrupt offers valuable insights and connections.

3. E-commerce Expo: Networking in the E-commerce Startup Space

For those involved in the e-commerce sector, the E-commerce Expo is a premier event that brings together industry professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This expo focuses on the rapidly evolving world of e-commerce startups and offers a range of networking opportunities through workshops, seminars, and exhibition halls.

Attendees can explore the latest technologies, discover new business strategies, and connect with key players in the e-commerce startup space. The E-commerce Expo is a valuable platform for building relationships and gaining insights into the future of e-commerce.

4. The Startup Conference: A Hub for the Best Startup Community for Entrepreneurs

The Startup Conference is renowned for its focus on the best startup community for entrepreneurs. This event features a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to support early-stage startups and entrepreneurs. Attendees can gain valuable insights into startup growth, fundraising, and scaling strategies.

With a focus on fostering connections and sharing knowledge, The Startup Conference provides a platform for entrepreneurs to engage with mentors, investors, and peers. Whether you’re looking to pitch your startup or seek advice on scaling your business, this conference is an essential event for building relationships within the startup community.

5. Networking at WeWork Labs: Leveraging Startup Community Platforms

WeWork Labs hosts regular networking events that cater to startups and entrepreneurs. These events are part of a broader startup community platform designed to support early-stage businesses and foster collaboration. WeWork Labs provides a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can connect with mentors, investors, and other startups.

By participating in WeWork Labs events, you can gain access to valuable resources, share your experiences, and build relationships with other members of the startup community. It’s an ideal setting for those looking to connect with like-minded individuals and leverage the support of a vibrant startup community platform.

6. Virtual Networking Platforms: Connecting Remotely

In today’s digital age, virtual networking platforms have become essential tools for professionals looking to connect remotely. Platforms like LinkedIn, Zoom, and Hopin offer opportunities to engage with industry peers, attend virtual events, and participate in online workshops.

For those who prefer the flexibility of remote networking, these best virtual networking platforms for professionals provide a convenient way to expand your network and stay connected with the latest trends and opportunities. Whether you’re attending virtual conferences or participating in online meetups, these platforms are invaluable for building connections in the business network platform.

7. Business Network Platform: Enhancing Professional Connections

A business network platform is a crucial tool for professionals looking to build and maintain valuable connections. Platforms like LinkedIn and Meetup facilitate networking by allowing users to connect with industry peers, join relevant groups, and attend events.

By leveraging these platforms, you can enhance your professional connections, stay informed about industry developments, and discover new opportunities within the best startup communities in the UK and beyond. These tools are essential for anyone looking to expand their network and advance their career.

Conclusion: Building Bridges in London’s Networking Scene

London’s vibrant business landscape offers numerous opportunities for building connections and expanding your network. By attending these essential networking events and utilizing the latest startup community platforms and virtual networking tools, you can make meaningful connections that will support your professional growth. Whether you’re exploring the European startup ecosystem, engaging with e-commerce startups, or tapping into the best startup community for entrepreneurs, London’s networking events provide the perfect platform to build bridges and unlock new opportunities. Don’t miss out on these key events and platforms that can help you advance your career and achieve your business goals.

[argentumconsultants]

Innovate, collaborate, succeed – these words encapsulate the essence of EU funding opportunities for research and innovation. Whether you're a visionary entrepreneur, a curious researcher, or a passionate advocate for societal change, the European Union offers a wealth of resources and support to help turn your ideas into reality. By harnessing the power of Horizon Europe and other European funding schemes, you can embark on a transformative journey towards a brighter, more prosperous future for Europe and beyond. So, dare to dream, dare to innovate, and seize the opportunities that await on the horizon of European innovation.

[probablyasocialecologist]

The European Commission says that insects could replace soy-based animal feed, helping to slow deforestation, or even supply an alternate source of protein for humans. Studies show that insects can furnish the same amount of protein as livestock while using as little as 10 percent of the land and producing as little as 1 percent of the emissions. In 2021, the E.U. approved feeding insect protein to chickens and pigs, a practice already allowed for farmed fish. And it has since cleared the way for selling yellow mealworms, lesser mealworms, migratory locusts, and house crickets to humans, either to be eaten whole or reduced to protein for pasta, cereal bars, and other foods. As regulatory hurdles fall, dozens of startups in Europe, some supported by E.U. grants, are betting on a growing market for edible insects. By 2030, their trade group claims, European companies will be churning out 1 million tons of insect-based animal feed yearly, and 390 million Europeans will be munching on some form of bug-based fare.