TLDR FoundersSeptember 25, 2024

TLDR FOUNDERS 2024-09-25

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01HEADLINES & TRENDS

SAM ALTMAN: THE INTELLIGENCE AGE

In the coming decades, advancements in AI are expected to significantly enhance human capabilities, enabling people to achieve feats that were once considered impossible. This progress is driven by deep learning, which has improved with increased computational resources and data, allowing AI to assist in solving complex problems and improving various aspects of life, such as personalized education and healthcare. While there are challenges to address, including the equitable distribution of AI resources, the potential for widespread prosperity and innovation heralds a transformative era akin to past technological revolutions.

ia.samaltman.com5 min read

SMARTSHEET GOES PRIVATE IN $8.4B DEAL WITH VISTA EQUITY PARTNERS AND BLACKSTONE

Smartsheet has agreed to be acquired by private equity firms Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners for $8.4 billion, transitioning back to a private company after six years of being publicly traded. This all-cash deal, which values Smartsheet at a significant premium, is expected to close in January pending shareholder approval and includes a period for exploring other offers. Smartsheet, known for its cloud-based work management tools, serves a vast array of Fortune 500 companies and has seen substantial revenue growth alongside reduced operating losses.

geekwire.com3 min read

ANIME IS EATING THE WORLD

The anime industry has evolved from a niche genre to a multi-billion dollar industry, driving pop culture and influencing various forms of media and entertainment. New technologies and business models, such as AI companions, user-generated content platforms, and VTubing, are accelerating the industry's growth and transforming the way fans engage with anime content. As a result, anime is becoming a dominant format for interactive entertainment, enabling fans to create, play, and interact with their favorite characters and stories in new and innovative ways.

a16z.com10 min read

02STRATEGIES & TACTICS

GUIDE TO ANNUAL MARKETING PLANNING

Marketing planning for startups is often viewed as a daunting task, but it can be turned into a strategic and engaging process. By concentrating on a plan that capitalizes on a startup's strengths, establishing clear goals, and outlining impactful projects, marketing teams can propel substantial growth and steer clear of haphazard marketing activities. This approach not only aligns the team with company objectives but also transforms the planning process into an opportunity for creativity and strategic thinking.

newsletter.mkt1.co8 min read

NOTION'S JOURNEY FROM PLG TO THE ENTERPRISE

Notion has strategically expanded into the enterprise market, leveraging its strong grassroots community foundation to meet the growing demand from larger organizations. The company has focused on enhancing security, user management, and collaboration features to cater to enterprise needs while maintaining its core simplicity and user experience. Notion's ambassador program and community-driven assets, such as templates, have played a crucial role in facilitating enterprise adoption, and the company has developed a sales-assist model to support its product-led growth strategy.

akashbajwa.substack.com6 min read

MORE BRAND INSIGHTS FROM +546K AI-GENERATED OVERVIEWS

Research has found that a website's visibility in AI-generated overviews is more closely tied to its organic traffic and search ranking than its inclusion in Common Crawl data. Additionally, user intent plays a significant role in shaping the content and form of AI-generated overviews, with different types of queries (e.g. informational, local, or transactional) resulting in distinct formats and features. While a higher organic search ranking increases the chances of being cited in AI-generated overviews, it is not the only factor. Many URLs cited in overviews rank outside the top 3 positions.

growth-memo.com3 min read

03TOOLS & RESOURCES

VOID EDITOR

Open-source Cursor alternative.

voideditor.comTool

BLAZE

Create beautiful 1-click content in your brand style with AI.

blaze.aiTool

DOPLAC

Agency CRM for seamless client acquisition and management.

doplac.comTool

04MISCELLANEOUS

CORPORATE SWAG WILL NEVER DIE

Despite economic uncertainty and companies cutting back on certain expenses, the corporate swag industry continues to thrive, with the US and Canadian market reaching a record $26.1 billion in 2023. The industry's resilience is attributed to its cost-effectiveness and ability to provide a strong return on investment, making it a valuable marketing tool for companies. As a result, the swag industry is often seen as a leading indicator of the economy, with changes in swag spending potentially signaling broader economic trends.

media.hubspot.com4 min read

SHOCK-PROOFING SUPPLY CHAIN WITH AI: A $62 BILLION OPPORTUNITY

Global supply chains continue to face significant challenges, including fragmentation, unstructured data, and outdated systems, resulting in estimated losses of $1.6 trillion over the past few years. However, advancements in AI and automation offer a promising solution, enabling companies to streamline operations, unify disparate data sources, and replace manual processes. AI-powered solutions can particularly benefit procurement, supplier intelligence, and demand planning, with potential market opportunities projected to grow from $29 billion in 2023 to $62 billion in 2028.

linkedin.com5 min read

DO IT YOUR WAY

Embracing individuality and authenticity is crucial for achieving success and happiness in life. Trying to mimic someone else's approach or conform to a standardized method can lead to mediocrity and dissatisfaction. By recognizing and embracing our unique personalities, skills, and goals, we can create a path that is tailored to our needs and aspirations, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.

collabfund.com4 min read