Recent news and analysis on Startups

Startup news covering emerging companies, founders, funding rounds, accelerators, and entrepreneurship developments in the tech and business world.

• James Francisco Turner Lazaro: "I helped turn a California bank into one of America's fastest-growing. Now I'm building a company to serve the people that banking has failed"

  James Francisco Turner Lazaro argues that traditional banking has failed many consumers, prompting his transition from high finance to founding a new company. Drawing on his experience scaling a California bank and European fintech ventures, he contends that innovative financial services can better serve underserved populations.

• "An Israeli startup is reinventing salmon farming. It may upend a global industry"

  Haaretz reports on Inland Ocean, an Israeli startup led by Dr. Snir Azaria, which raises salmon in land-based tanks using Icelandic eggs. The article argues this technology offers a sustainable alternative to traditional aquaculture, addressing ecological concerns while potentially disrupting the global salmon industry.

• Tess Martinelli: "I was burning out as a founder. My summer interns changed everything about the way I work."

  A New York startup founder argues that integrating college interns into his personal social life significantly reduced burnout and improved productivity. The piece contends that close interpersonal bonds foster better problem-solving and mental wellness in small, high-pressure business environments.

• "The CEO of $1.2 billion learning platform Preply says it all started with his online search for an English tutor"

  The article recounts how Preply CEO Kirill Bigai and co-founder Dmytro Voloshyn bootstrapped their language-learning platform from Kyiv, Ukraine, by working side jobs while earning no salary for a year. It highlights their transition from financial struggle to building a $1.2 billion unicorn connecting tutors globally.

• "Dragons' Den is back – here's every business that pitched last night"

  The Independent reports on the return of Dragons' Den, highlighting a historic panel with more women than men. The article details pitches from four UK entrepreneurs, including Selkie's sustainable haircare powders and Mr Swainstons' retro sweets, outlining product features and pricing.

• Amanda Breen: "I'm 27 Years Old With a Business Managing $500 Million in Deals. My Clients Might Already Be on Your Phone."

  Evelin Herrera argues that mobile app mergers and acquisitions offer a faster path to wealth for founders compared to venture capital. She contends that her bootstrapped firm, EHVM Apps Capital, successfully facilitates these exits by leveraging extensive industry networks and in-person client relationships.

• Former Hollywood Execs Launch Microseries Platform aTwist

  Former top television executives Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner, and Lloyd Braun are launching aTwist, a new microseries platform debuting on September 3. The venture seeks to bring professional standards and salaried writer staff to the chaotic microseries market, marking a shift from traditional legacy TV roles.

• "Dubai’s competitive advantage for digital business"

  The article argues that Dubai has established a strategic blueprint to serve as a global launchpad for startups. It highlights the emirate's competitive advantages in fostering digital business growth and attracting international entrepreneurial ventures.

• "EY Entrepreneur of the Year Profiles: From delivery drones to women-focused multivitamins"

  The Irish Times profiles Manna Air Delivery founder Bobby Healy, who argues that autonomous drone logistics represents a trillion-dollar opportunity. The article details the company's dual revenue model and its expansion across the US, UK, Ireland, and Finland, highlighting its ambition to disrupt last-mile delivery by 2030.

• Chinese robotics startup Dexmal seeks $3 billion valuation

  Dexmal is pursuing a roughly $3 billion valuation in its current funding round, confirming details at the World Robot Conference in Beijing. The company aims to showcase strong investor interest in physical artificial intelligence, building on previous backing from Alibaba and NIO Capital.