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The murmurs in entrepreneur circles about funding slowdown is still persistent. There are talks about bursting the startup bubble. The flames of uncertainty is still recurring, on top with the change of dynamics in startup ecosystem. However, when the country’s economic growth and purchasing power of people are on synchronized rise, there can be no dearth of funding. 2015 was a very good year, and 2016 is for taking things slow. But there is no stopping for the VC companies. Read our list of the top 10 most funded startups and get a dose of motivation for free!
India Inc. is also home to startups that fulfill needs that you didn’t even realize you had. These startups are quirky, zany, and are solving some very unusual problems. We trawled the length and the breadth of the Indian startup ecosystem to find out the most outlandish startup ideas that are being worked on last year. And we are back with our top picks this year.
I am not even remotely involved with the Indian startup ecosystem. But unfortunately, I read a lot and try to make sense of it in equal measures. And from whatever I have been reading and observing regarding the Indian startup story, especially in the last 12 months, I feel something is not right. Let me cut to the chase right away. Here’s what I think:
Looks like consolidation in the online real estate market in India is on the anvil, and strategic investments and partnerships would be the key to dominating it. Snapdeal is pushing its real estate arm and is also rumoured to be in talks to buy housing.com.
Quikr recently acquired commonfloor.
While job roles for most companies are more or less similar, some jobs are a reflection of the current economy. India’s in the midst of booming startup culture. Most of these startups operate online, and often ecommerce, the man power required has shaped accordingly. We crunched some data on the various job portals and startup communities in India and found the following job roles were the most sought after. We have also analysed some salary trends for these roles to come up with a range.
Fortunately the startups wave has struck the animal lovers who’ve turned entrepreneurs to help your pets in every way. From booking their spas to buying the best of pet accessories, these startups are creating a whole new industry which hitherto was confined to the neighbourhood pet shop. Though petcare in India is nascent and not as mature as in western countries, the Indian petcare industry is growing at about 26% a year, fuelled by a significant increase in spending by Indians on pets in the last few years
We reached out to all the pet startups in India and got a lowdown from all of them on what they do, for you to bookmark.
In a recent company statement, Amazon claims to to be the largest marketplace in India in terms of products on offer. Amazon adds 50,000 products on the website everyday, the statement says. While the corresponding numbers for Flipkart and Snapdeal are unknown, it’s hard to say with authority if Amazon is indeed the biggest marketplace.
While advertising through billboards, hoardings and usually any offline methods is considerably more expensive ( read: up to a million bucks for a months’ spot on a prime location billboard) than online advertising, flush with VC funding, most of the hot startups wouldn’t mind shelling out the dough to stand out from the clutter. And just as well. It makes perfect sense to not only capture the ready online audience, but also onboard and engage a potentially huge and captive offline audience on your platform.
Being present in 35 Indian cities and with millions of people using its platform, Practo now has a wealth of data pertaining to healthcare in India. The company analyzed 75 million searches and 40 million physician appointments to come up with a picture of what Indian healthcare looks like.
India’s beleaguered on-demand bus services sector got a much needed shot in the arm today after Delhi-based Shuttl raised Rs. 135 crore in funding. The company plans to use this round to strengthen its technology and fuel expansion. The funding round was led by Lightspeed Ventures and included Times Internet and existing investor Sequoia Capital. In June, Shuttl had raised $3 million in seed funding from a clutch of investors led by Sequoia. Shuttl currently…


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Announcing the BitFenix Facebook Sweepstakes
(BitFenix Design Lab, January 26th, 2011) ? Today, BitFenix is announcing a special contest for our Facebook fans. From now until February 11th, users can go to the BitFenix Facebook page and enter the contest by “liking” the page and filling out the sweepstakes entry form. At the end of the contest period, one lucky fan will win the hottest gaming chassis on the planet – a brand new Colossus Venom Edition!
“BitFenix is almost one year old, and thanks to our fans, we’ve come a long way during the short time that we’ve been around,” says David Jarlestedt, BitFenix Product Manager. “We wanted to give back to all the fans that have supported us, and this Facebook contest is an easy way for both new and long-time fans to win some cool BitFenix gear.”
Entering the contest is easy
1. Go to the BitFenix Facebook Page (http://facebook.bitfenix.com) and click “Like”
2. Find the Sweepstakes tab and fill in the contest form
In addition, BitFenix will give away one additional chassis for every 500 new “likes” our Facebook page receives! The more people that enter, the more prizes will be given away!
Enter the sweepstakes by going to the BitFenix Facebook page: http://facebook.bitfenix.com
Full contest details can be found here: http://facebook.bitfenix.com
For more information on BitFenix, visit: http://www.bitfenix.com.

domain: news


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TSMC’s founder Morris Chang has confirmed the company’s Arizona plant will feature its most advanced capabilities.
TSMC is the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer, manufacturing chips for Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, and others. The company is in a precarious position, however, as a result of escalating tension between Taiwan and China, not to mention the threat of a Chinese invasion.
According to CNN, TSMC seems to be hedging its bets, bringing its most advanced manufacturing capabilities to the Arizona foundries it is building.
“Chips are very important products,” TSMC’s founder Morris Chang said at press briefing Monday. “It seems that people are only starting to realize this recently, and as a result, lots of people out there are envious of Taiwan’s chip manufacturing.”
“I not only believe, but know for a fact that the cost of manufacturing chips in the US will be at least 55% higher than in Taiwan,” Chang at another press event Saturday..


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Anixter International reported its 2016 third quarter financial results on Tuesday, led by a 31 percent year-over-year sales increase.
Anixter's Q3 sales of $1.96 billion were up from $1.49 billion a year ago, as the spike reflects the company's $825 million acquisition of HD Supply's Power Solutions segment last year, which boosted Q3 sales by $533.5 million.
Excluding the impact of Power Solutions and unfavorable impacts from lower copper prices and currency headwinds, Anixter's organic sales declined 2.3 percent year-over-year. Organic sales per day decreased 0.7 percent. The company's total profit of $40.3 million was up 14 percent from $35.4 million a year earlier, while operating profit increased 12 percent.
Anixter's Network & Security Solutions segment saw sales of $1.0 billion increased by 0.3 percent year-over-year, with organic sales down 0.7 percent. Electrical & Electronic Solutions sales of $535.1 million increased 26.3 percent, with organic sales down 3.1 percent. Utility Power Solutions sales of $371.3 million increased 4.3 percent.
"As we enter the fourth quarter of 2016, we expect the positive momentum in our NSS segment, driven by strength in projects with global customers, to continue," commented Bob Eck, Anixter president and CEO. "While our EES segment continues to experience weakness related to industrial and manufacturing end market exposure, we are cautiously optimistic that this segment will return to growth in the fourth quarter based on recent sales trends."
Anixter is forecasting full year 2016 sales growth of 21 to 22 percent, including a 24 percent favorable impact from the Power Solutions acquisition. Organic sales are forecasted to range from flat to negative 1 percent.


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Even though in our minds Victoria Beckham still looks like she did in 1995 — little black dress, bob haircut — the fashion designer and former Spice Girl has been wearing her hair long for awhile now. That is, until yesterday. Beckham tweeted a photo of her new, much shorter ‘do while on a photo shoot, saying, “Loving the hair!” and thanking stylist Tina Outen for her new look. We have to say we prefer Victoria with shorter hair, which is much more flattering to her tiny frame.
What do you think of Victoria Beckham’s haircut?


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One of the bigger reveals that was supposed to happen later today at Spike’s VGAs was a new trailer for Metal Gear Rising. Unfortunately for them however, the trailer has already made its way online and was discovered by a member of NeoGAF. You can find the trailer itself below but beware that most of the videos are dropping quite quickly due to the fact this is a leaked video.
In the trailer we see that the title of the game is now Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and it is being developed by the same people who worked on Bayonetta and MadWorld, Platinum Games. As you can see in the trailer this Metal Gear title is going to be far different from any Metal Gear title we have seen before.


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For some time now, we've been hearing rumblings of Swiss watch makers joining the smartwatch game and today, we've seen the first big announcement that signals the beginning of that move. Today marks the opening of Baselworld, a prestigious event full of Swiss watchmakers and their new models held in Switzerland each year. This year saw the announcement of a partnership between Intel, Google and the famous Tag Heuer, with plans to create an Android Wear-powered watch to take on the Apple Watch, to be released next Fall.
In an interesting move, there was no actual hardware on display, but rather a quiet, subtle announcement that things had been set in motion. Intel and Google will presumably be taking care of the internals, in both terms of software and hardware, respectively while Tag Heuer will put it all together into something that resembles their iconic Carrera timepiece. There are multiple versions of the Carrera timepiece, for instance the one pictured above is the Calibre 1887 Automatic Chronograph in a 43mm size. Producing an Android Wear-powered smartwatch that looks something like this would certainly go a long way to improving how Android Wear devices are perceived by the watch-wearing consumer.
Tag Heuer is part of the LVMH Group and their President, Jean-Claude Biver said that "Swiss watchmaking and Silicon Valley is a marriage of technological innovation with watchmaking credibility. Our collaboration provides a rich host of synergies, forming a win-win partnership, and the potential for our three companies is enormous." It's clear that Swiss watchmakers are becoming concerned that the next generation of watch-wearers simply won't see the value in a well-crafted timepiece, merely favoring something packed with technology instead. As such, watchmakers like Tag are joining forces with Google and Co in order to produce something compelling to someone looking for a smartwatch as well as those looking for a respected name in watchmaking.
Guy S©mon of Tag Heuer said that "The quality of Swiss watches is renowned worldwide. When this is allied with the creative technology and global power of two companies like Intel and Google, using the Android Wear platform and based on Intel technology, we can see the launch of a technological revolution in our industry, of which I am proud to be a pioneer today with TAG Heuer."
Android Wear could certainly benefit from a shot in the arm from the Swiss watchmaking industry as well, after all the G Watch and the Gear Live were not attractive starts for Android Wear. While the LG G Watch R looks really quite good-looking, it doesn't carry the same weight as 'Tag Heuer' does.


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Got a creative idea and some free time in 2023? You could join Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa on a trip around the Moon.
The 45-year-old entrepreneur (commonly known as MZ) was revealed in September 2018 as the first private citizen to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. But the founder of e-commerce giant Zozo can't do it alone. Maezawa initially requested a band of virtuosos (painters, photographers, musicians, film directors, fashion designers, architects, etc.) to accompany him—and one lucky lady—on a round-the-Moon mission aboard SpaceX's Starship rocket.
Those plans (which included an aborted reality TV show designed to find a female partner for the journey), evolved, and MZ has now put out the call for eight people to come along for the ride. "I'm inviting you to join me on this mission. Eight of you from all around the world," Maezawa said in a promotional video (below). Scheduled for launch in 2023, it will take three days for the expedition to reach the Moon, then loop behind it before taking another three days to return.
Having purchased every available seat on the flight, Maezawa promised to "pay for the entire journey," which will feature up to 12 people in total—presumably including at least a couple of trained astronauts. "I hope that together we can make it a fun trip."
What began as an invitation to artists has evolved into something less specific. "I began to wonder, 'Who do I mean by artists? A singer? A dancer? A writer?" Maezawa said. "The more I thought about it, the more ambiguous it became. And I began to think that maybe every single person who is doing something creative could be called an artist ... And that is why I wanted to reach out to a wider, more diverse audience, to give more people across the world the opportunity to join this journey."
There are, of course, some stipulations: All eight participants must feel that, by going to space, they are pushing the envelope of their craft, whatever that may be. And you have to be willing to "support other crew members who share similar aspirations." It's that simple. Visit the dearMoon website to learn more and find out how to join the crew.
Elon Musk, head of Starship creator SpaceX, is "highly confident" the company and it's impressive rocket will have reached orbit "many times" before 2023. And, perhaps more importantly, that it will be safe enough for human transport. "It's looking very, very promising," he said in the same video. "I think for sure anyone who is interested in joining on this mission, I think they'll love it."
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SPAIN: Subsidies halt slide in new car registrations
August saw a halt in the decline of new car registrations in Spain, according to industry data out today. It was the first month since April 2008 that new car registrations have not fallen year-on-year.
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David Zuckerman of Full Moon Farm in Hinesburg now drinks from metal water bottles after his participation in a "body-burden study" taught him he had high levels of BPA in his body, which often leaches from plastics that store our food, including water. / EMILY McMANAMY, Free Press
• PDF: The Vermont body-burden study: “Toxic Exposures in the Green Mountain State”
• PDF: The Maine body-burden study: “Body of Evidence: A Study of Pollution of Maine People”
• PDF: EPA’s description of how Toxic Substances Control Act is enforced in “Overview: Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Programs”
• PDF: Centers for Disease Control’s “Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals”
• PDF: Vermont Senate Bill 24 on regulating “priority” chemicals in children’s products
• American Chemistry Council’s “media kit” on the Toxic Substances Control Act
• PDF: Safer Chemicals Health Families coalition’s “The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act”
When six Vermonters agreed to be tested for the presence of industrial chemicals in their bodies, they weren’t sure what to expect. The results proved eye-opening for environmentalists – 40 chemicals tested for, on average, were found in each of the testees – but especially surprising for the participants themselves.
David Zuckerman, an organic farmer, was struck by his high showing for Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic endocrine disrupter used in the manufacture of plastic containers. It has been linked to reproductive and other health problems and in laboratory animals, among other health effects. Zuckerman’s BPA level registered at “six to eight times the national average,” he recalled recently.
“We thought hard about it,” he said, and decided the culprit probably was the plastic water bottles that he’d been drinking from as he worked in the fields over the years.
Katy Farber, a teacher and mother of two young children, was stunned by the relatively high level of Deca, a flame retardant used in furniture and electronics, in her blood. Deca, too, has been tied to reproductive disorders, cancer and other health problems in animal studies. Her Deca reading was the highest of the six participants’, “jaw-droppingly higher than the rest,” Farber said.
“My mind skipped to my old laptop that I spend hours on, sometimes eating at the same time. Dust. My old furniture ...”
Jim McCullough, who owns the Catamount Family Center in Williston, was surprised at his below-average level of mercury, a heavy metal found in streams (as a fallout from power plant emissions) and fish that can impair brain development.
“Apparently my body deals with mercury via elimination,” he said. “Many do not.”
What concerned him the most were the traces of pesticides in his blood — including DDT, which banned in the United States in the early ‘70s. He grew up on a farm but he “stopped doing pesticides long ago.”
Yet traces of more than a dozen organochlorine pesticides — many of them off the U.S. market for years — were found in his and the five others’ blood serum.
Why did McCullogh join for the study?
“I had a natural curiosity, for sure,” he wrote in an e-mail.” Largely, I thought I would be a good control, if you will, a lifelong Vermonter living in the same place for 64 years. I also felt that I would be an interesting subject as I live a fairly non-consumer life, thereby exposing myself to a minimum of chemicals, with some exceptions.”
Of the 66 chemicals tested for, 61 percent were detected in McCullough. In Zuckerman, the figure was 68 percent, and in Farber, who said she volunteered for the study “feeling pretty good about my lifestyle choices,” 53 percent.
The six participants were willing volunteers, not a random sample. Zuckerman and McCullough were both state representatives. Farber had a longstanding interest in everyday toxins and blogged on the subject.
The study, sponsored by the River Network in collaboration with VPIRG, didn’t purport to represent all Vermonters. It was more on the order of a wake-up call, designed to dispel what might be termed a widespread sense of Vermont exceptionalism — the idea that residents of a state with such a pristine reputation would be relatively free of the toxins that pervade the more industrial, densely settled parts of the country.
In fact, the Vermont study — titled “Toxic Exposures in the Green Mountain State”— was a variation of biomonitoring surveys that have been carried out elsewhere, with similar results. As in Vermont’s case, these “body-burden” studies have tested for the presence of chemicals in blood, urine and hair samples.
A 2006 study in Maine, for example, found that “Maine people are routinely exposed to hazardous industrial chemicals including phthalates from cosmetics and vinyl plastic, brominated flame retardants from televisions and furniture, Teflon chemicals from stain-resistant and non-stick coatings” — chemicals variously linked to developmental disabilities, endocrine system damage, and other health problems, the study noted.
A 2007 study of 35 people from seven states, in a project titled “Is it in us?” had similar findings. All participants had in their bodies at least seven of 20 toxins tested for.
Chemicals even show up in newborns. Lab tests by the Environmental Working Group found BPA in umbilical cord blood in nine of 10 women tested.
The Centers for Disease Control have measured 219 chemicals in the blood and urine of thousands of participants since 1999. BPA, for example, was found in the urine of 2,517 participants aged 6 and older as part in a 2003-04 survey.
“As part of daily life, our bodies naturally absorb organic and man-made chemicals from our environments,” said Scott Jensen, a spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, in an e-mailed statement, “and analytical advances now allow researchers to measure exceedingly minute traces of such substances.”
If toxic chemicals can be found in everyone, how much of a health risk do they pose? This is a complicated question with no easy answer. Here’s what the CDC says in its “Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals”:
“The presence of an environmental chemical in people’s blood or urine does not mean that it will cause effects or disease. The toxicity of a chemical is related to its dose or concentration, in addition to a person’s individual susceptibility. Small amounts may be of no health consequence, whereas larger amounts may cause adverse health effects.”
The long-term effects of most low-level chemical exposures are unclear. Here’s what the CDC’s fact sheet says about BPA: “Human health effects from BPA at low environmental exposures are unknown. BPA has been shown to affect the reproductive systems of laboratory animals. More research is needed to understand the human health effects of exposure to BPA.”
CDC makes virtually the same statement about polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the family of flame retardants tested for in the Vermont study, and phthalates, the chemicals used to make soft plastics (such as rubber duckies and other children’s toys) in the Maine study. CDC acknowledges that exposure to these chemicals is widespread in the U.S. population.
Regulation, or not
Environmentalists and consumer advocates for years have been decrying the inadequacy of federal regulation of industrial chemicals. Their prime target is the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“In the 34 years since TSCA was enacted,” states a report from the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition, in a widely echoed assertion, “the Environmental Protection Agency has required testing on just 200 of the more than 80,000 chemicals produced and used in the U.S. over the same period.”
The EPA has banned only a handful of chemicals, the last in the early ‘90s. The agency’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics is charged with reviewing new chemicals, which means requiring manufacturers to furnish detailed reports on products before they’re marketed.
But the TSCA isn’t the only regulatory mechanism, according to Jensen, the chemical industry spokesman. The Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies also have regulatory oversight over various chemicals, he said. The FDA, for example, has issued periodic health advisories on BPA but has not banned its use.
Efforts to update the TSCA have stalled in Congress, but some states have launched their own regulatory initiatives. In Vermont, a Senate bill introduced this year would require the secretary of natural resources to identify toxic chemicals “of high concern” and would prohibit the sale or distribution of children’s products containing those chemicals.
The bill won’t be acted on this session, but one of the co-sponsors, Sen. Virginia Lyons, D.-Williston, hopes it will be passed next year.
“We are behind the European Union in identifying and restricting harmful chemicals in our consumer products in the country and in Vermont,” Lyons said in an e-mail. “The federal government is not moving ahead in this area. ... At the same time we see there are thousands of harmful chemicals that flood store shelves every day. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of these chemicals.”
Asked for a response to the Vermont bill, American Chemistry Council spokesman Jensen wrote:
“The public currently benefits from a national system that consists of numerous laws that are designed to be protective of human health and regulate the different ways that chemicals are used to improve people’s lives. To ensure this system keeps pace with the latest developments in technology and science, ACC is working with policymakers and other stakeholders to modernize a key law that regulates the safety of chemicals in products, the Toxic Substances Control Act.”
One positive inference Zuckerman drew from the Vermont study’s results was that public-policy reforms really can have an impact. The three oldest participants in the study, for example, had the highest levels of organochlorine pesticides in their blood. Bans on those pesticides presumably had limited the exposure of the younger participants.
“We can over time adjust our exposure to these chemicals,” Zuckerman said, “if we decide to do so as a society.”
Farber said in an e-mail that she was “deeply unsettled” when she learned of her study results.
“There is no way we can shop our way out of this problem,” she said. “Even with a lifestyle where I make choices to limit my exposure, I have most of these toxins in my body, in some cases in large and troubling amounts.”
Still, she has taken several steps in the wake of the study. She bought a vacuum with a Hepa filter because “I wanted to lower the exposure of Deca through household dust for the family.” She bought a mattress that doesn’t contain flame retardants, she replaced her laptop, and she buys organic food.
“Over time, my life has been getting less chemical-oriented,” said Zuckerman, who retired from the legislature last year. He’s not an absolutist, though. For example, he doesn’t forgo food served in plastic containers.
“I’m certainly not a walking saint,” he said. “We all have to make these decisions in moderation. It’s impossible to be perfect.”
What did he do differently after he saw the study results?
“I now use a metal bottle,” Zuckerman said.
Contact Tim Johnson at 660-188 or tjohnsonburlingtonfreepress.com


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The holy grail of basketball memorabilia just got its own exhibition.
On Wednesday, six pairs of sneakers that Michael Jordan wore during his NBA championship games in the 1990s went on display. The Certified Sport Guaranty group is showing the the shoes, which it’s calling the “Dynasty Collection”, at an exhibition in Atlantic City, New Jersey that coincides with the annual National Sports Collectors Convention. The collection is the first of its kind to feature each of the sneakers Jordan wore during his final games in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998. All of the styles have been authenticated by CSG and a few are even signed by Jordan.
The NBA legend wore Nike Air Jordan 6’s for his first title game in 1991. (Fun fact: designer Tinker Hatfield is said to have modeled them after Jordan’s Porsche 911.) The following year, Jordan sported a pair of Air Jordan 7 sneakers at the championship game; this was notably the first pair without Nike branding. In 1993, he wore a pair of Jordan 8’s that feature the distinguished “x-strap” that covers the laces. Three years later, the GOAT rocked his famous “Bred” sneakers, the Air Jordan 11’s, with a translucent sole. For his final championship game, Jordan wore an early prototype dubbed the “Last Shot,” that boasts lines similar to his Ferrari 550 Maranello.
Although Jordan hasn’t played in an NBA game in decades, CSG curated the Dynasty Collection to honor his legacy and career beyond the court. The hall of famer’s impact has maintained his position as a household name. And we wouldn’t be surprised if serious such an assemblage of the sporting world’s rarest memorabilia elicited a strong reaction among serious collectors.
“Even after examining the world’s most important collectibles for four decades, the Dynasty Collection had the power to take my breath away,” said Mark Salzberg, chairman of the Certified Collectibles Group, which owns CSG, in a statement. “For the role these shoes play in our collective consciousness, how they relate to sports, fashion and celebrity, they are the contemporary Ruby Slippers, only rarer.”
The game-winning kicks will be on display until July 31. If you can’t make the trip, you can sign up on CGScards for a virtual look at the exhibition and to learn more about the Dynasty Collection.


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LAHORE: In the wake of 17pc GST on the import of raw material, production of medicines has considerably dropped and aggravated the shortage of, at least, 40 essential and lifesaving drugs in mar
When it comes to longevity drinks, chances are that green tea will top the list. However, in recent years matcha has significantly grown in popularity, with many looking at it as the ultimate he
DUBLIN , Oct. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Dropper Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The dropper market is estimated
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A new EWG guideline has drawn attention to food additives. Many food additives commonly found in processed foods can increase the risk of cancer, damage the nervo
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Dogs are a man's best friend. And, like humans, they need to ea
In the eyes of a guy who last saw the light of day when the United States had 5 million people and 38 states, skyscrapers were 10 stories tall, and penny-farthing bikes with 5-foot front wheels
With children back to school for the new academic year, concerns for their health have increased with experts warning families against infections.
Healthcare specialists suggest that paren


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Expert: Labor and supply chain crisis are the major reasons of the Christmas season inflation
This year's Christmas season will likely feel more normal than last, but it's going to be more expensive. Financial services firm PNC has released its Christmas Price Index. It tallies the cost of the birds and five gold rings that one's true love gave in the famous Christmas song, based on today's market rates. On average 5.7 percent more this year relative to pre-pandemic pricing of 2019. It is the largest increase since 2013.
Qu Qiang, assistant director of the International Monetary Institute at Renmin University of China, talks about the driving forces of the higher prices of Christmas products. He pointed out that labor and supply chain crisis are the major reasons.


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By Loubna Flah
By Loubna Flah
Morocco World News
Casablanca, January 29, 2013
The Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Mr. Jason Kenney, announced the launching, starting from April 1, of a new Visa program to recruit innovative immigrant entrepreneurs who can create new job opportunities and boost economic growth .
Canada is remodeling its immigration policy in order to meet its economic needs through a more selective immigration.
“Our new Start-Up Visa will help make Canada the destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest to launch their companies,” said Mr. Kenney.
The new program aims at selecting innovative entrepreneurs who can start their business in Canada with the support of Canadian organizations.
In this regard, Mr. Kinney said “Recruiting dynamic entrepreneurs from around the world will help Canada remain competitive in the global economy.”
The Start-Up Visa Program is expected to link immigrant entrepreneurs with Canadian private sector organizations that have experience working with start-ups and who can provide essential resources.
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will collaborate with two umbrella groups: The Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) and the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO).
These groups will provide support for the entrepreneurs in order to fulfill their potential and maximize their impact on the Canadian labor market.
Canada seeks to position itself as a destination of choice for start-ups by providing a monitored immigration.
The selected entrepreneurs will be granted a permanent residency and an immediate access to a wide range of business partners.
This new immigration policy will surely raise the interests of Moroccan entrepreneurs who seek better business environment and broader prospects for their enterprises.
Canada has enjoyed very good bilateral relations with Morocco, especially the latter is a full member of the International Organization of la Francophonie, an intergovernmental body gathering French-speaking countries.
The number of Moroccan immigrants settled in Canada is estimated to more than 100,000 Moroccans. Thus, the Moroccan community constitutes the largest North African community in Canada.
Every year, nearly 3,000 young Moroccans go to study in Canadian colleges and universities, traditionally in Quebec, but increasingly in other provinces and territories as well.
©Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed


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Tourism Industry News
Brands on Twitter: 76% of Accounts Are Infrequent Users
On one-hand it's a platform for the trivial. A time-suck. A platform to distract and, at the same time, isolate ourselves from subjects out of sync with our own worldview.
On the other, it's a proven platform that carries incredible power to reshape how we learn, interact and share with communities online. For marketers and media-makers, it's hard to think of a recent innovation that's altered our landscape more than the simple 140 character platform. And for that I'm skewing to the love side of the spectrum.
Where do companies fit on the spectrum? Is it on the collective corporate radar? How is it being used? And in an age where advocacy carries the day, is it being used as a way to truly engage customers and other important stakeholders to the brand?
Our firm, Weber Shandwick, analyzed the Twitter phenomenon this fall, specifically into how Fortune 100 companies use it as a barometer to share with our clients.
Get the full story at: AdvertisingAge
See Also Other News


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Google's Matt Brittin (EMEA President) is a man with an interesting problem on his hands. YouTube, a predominantly safe site, is being dogged by headlines that brand content being shown next to questionable content and funding terrorism through its advertising revenue program. Multiple brands have already pulled ad budgets while the rest of the world grapples with a pretty small - but very complex - problem.
The issue surrounds free speech. YouTube is a platform that holds up to the free-speech laws and regulations placed on it. The situation is not akin to the wild west as many reports lead readers to believe (but nor is YouTube without sin). Free speech is a right and that includes speech and views that many may not agree with. The issue is the money side of the equation. When video views equate to ad dollars in the pockets of those who the advertisers do not agree with and thus issue will always arise. Free speech does not include the right to be heard or the right to make money from your views on YouTube or Facebook or indeed any platform. In this regard, people and brands have a right to be angry. The question is with whom...
Brands could be angry with the platform, the ad-server, the creator or a number of other people - including themselves. A switched on brand and ad agency use blacklists and a raft of tools that YouTube (and other platforms) provide but without constant focus but things slip through. An issue that Brittin highlighted on stage; "things could be made easier and we are looking into this."
Questionable content has long plagued video sites thanks to the technologies behind the platforms. Whatever YouTube does is unlikely to fix the issue for long as the world, groups and interested parties simply move too quickly and once one hole is plugged another pops up. YouTube (and other platforms) will not see an end to this issue without much harsher (possibly free-speech issue causing measures) being taken into account. While Brittin has said this problem affects "pennies not pounds" of ad spend via Business Insider it is part of a larger problem the ad industry faces.
Pennies it may be but that is unlikely to see Google accept this hit. Just finishing wiping egg off the face of its $8.5 billion money maker after a spate of public embarrassments, YouTube is beginning to look like it has a larger problem. Add to this massive competition from all sides (not just Facebook and Snapchat) and an iceberg scenario looks - rightly or wrongly - to be the reality (which - to be clear - I do not believe is the case with YouTube).
Ads next to inappropriate content isn't a new issue or one that plagues YouTube alone. The issue for many is that it is allowed on sites in the first place (a core issue against free speech). The furor is a sad reality of ad-tech and the polarized world that we find ourselves living through. Technologies, algorithms and policies must all evolve to stop ads appearing next to content that people do not want to be associated with. The quickest way to get something changed may be public wallet protests but this may not be the best way for larger issues like free-speech rights.


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“I still think there are a lot of very interesting and very talented photographers, but I think it’s very hard to see the good photos inside [all of the noise],” curator Olivier Saillard told FU during Paris fashion week, referring to the daily onslaught of visuals the average person is now subjected to via social media. He continued: “I think to make or to realize or to create [a] good [photograph] is probably to not create one,” he said with a laugh. Well, that’s just not the world we live in.
Many online-based enterprises now operate on a “feed the beast” mentality, and a platform like Instagram does so to an extreme degree. It’s birthed a whole new job market of “digital influencers,” changing not only the blogging game, but the modeling game as well. Like it or not, this is now a major part of the industry.
But does taking and posting pictures make one a photographer? And to that extent, does posing for pictures correspond to talent on the other side of the lens as well? These questions should be asked as more and more Instagram models are getting some pretty big photography opportunities.
Love magazine recently announced that it would be running a contest to find a cover model through social media, and that the finalists will be photographed by Kendall Jenner. The It girl, despite having an extremely popular online prescience, and a few years of professional modeling experience under her belt, has no known training in photography. Ditto for the Hadid sisters, who, as W magazine pointed out, have both recently picked up photography gigs for W (Bella, shooting her friends) and V magazine (Gigi, doing some fashion week reporting).
It seems that since digital cameras were invented, the idea that anyone can pick one up and become a photographer has been promoted and perpetuated. It’s an encouraging sentiment for armatures and enthusiasts, but let’s be real—it takes years of training and practice to be a pro. The frustration that comes from celebrities nabbing magazine jobs does not all boil down to them jumping the line, it also comes from knowing that they likely are not lighting their own sets, will have someone helping them adjust the focus, and will not sit with the retoucher to go over the raw images. And, no, despite what Apple’s most recent ad campaigns would like you to believe, shooting on your phone and using Instagram editing options is just not the same as what the pros do.
This It girl-turned-photographer phenomenon can be tied into the Vogue editors’ recent rant about fashion bloggers. It is indeed frustrating to have years of education and experience, and to climb that career ladder, only to be lumped in with a group of people that have seemingly skyrocketed to the top without paying their dues.
To be completely fair (and not to cause yet another “insiders vs. outsiders” brouhaha), amateur does not equate to untalented. Many models over the years have turned to photography, as far back as Lee Miller, once the muse of Man Ray, who became Vogue’s war correspondent in the 1940s with her images of cities in ruin. Ellen von Unwerth and Sarah Moon both modeled before picking up cameras, and more recently, both Helena Christensen and Daria Werbowy have explored the medium.
Jenner and the Hadids (great band name, incidentally), have been on sets for a few years now, and have worked with some of the best fashion photographers in the world. There is no way they haven’t picked up some tips on how things work. And for all we know, they could be consistently going the extra mile, asking questions and seeking advice. Additionally, their social media experience should not be discounted—social media is increasingly important in marketing. And it’s not as easy as one believes to create an online following, let alone one that engages its audience and can turn a profit.
Did these ladies get their recent shutterbug gigs because of their fame? Yes. But are they right for the job? They might just be.


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Every year thousands of people die on the operating table from the loss of blood. These people, who have certain religious beliefs which prevent them from have having other people’s blood transfused into them, may now have an important option.
A UK company called Brightwake Ltd. has created a new device which they call the Hemosep. What the Hemosep does is recover blood during a major surgery or trauma, and concentrates that blood into a system which can then transfuse it back into the patient. Since this is the patient’s own blood, religious people such as Jehovah Witnesses, are able to recover lost blood without relying on that of donors.
Stratasys, one of the world’s largest 3D printing companies, announced today that their 3D printing technology, particularly the Stratasys Dimension 1200es 3D printer, played a significant role in the production and testing of the Hemosep device. Although the final product will not use 3D printed parts and be produced out of metal, the testing device, and prototypes have used several 3d printed parts including the filtration and cooling systems.
“The Hemosep consists of a bag that uses chemical sponge technology and a mechanical agitator to concentrate blood sucked from a surgical site or drained from a heart-lung machine after surgery,” said Steve Cotton, Brightwake’s Director of Research and Development. “The cells are then returned to the patient via blood transfusion. In a climate of blood shortage, this recycling methodology has the potential to be a game-changer within the medical industry, saving the National Health Service millions.”
Because of the use of 3D printing, Brightwake was able to significantly cut their prototyping costs by 95%, as well as eliminate a majority of lead-times.
“Previously we had to outsource the production of these parts which took around three weeks per part,” explains Cotton. “Now we’re 3D printing superior strength parts overnight, cutting our prototyping costs by 96% and saving more than £1,000 for each 3D printed model. 3D printing has not only enabled us to cut our own costs, it has also been crucial in actually getting a functional device to clinical trials. The ability to 3D print parts that look, feel and perform like the final product, on-the-fly, is the future of medical device manufacturing,” he added.
This is yet another application which has shown the amazing benefits that 3D printing can have on businesses of all types. There have already been 100 successful clinical trials in Turkey of the Hemosep device during open-heart surgeries. Additional trials are now underway in the United Kingdom. Discuss Brightwake’s use of 3D printing in the development of the Hemosep device at 3dprintboard.
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COVID test service providers are at risk of collapsing when mass travel resumes again, Which? has actually alerted – triggering mayhem for holidaymakers with late outcomes and long quarantines.
Tourists have actually currently discovered that they are having to stay longer in quarantine or pay additional for their tests to get here in time.
The current guidelines need anybody going back to the UK to have an unfavorable Covid test prior to arrival, as well as quarantine for 10 days, either at home or at a hotel with 2 more Covid tests on day two and 8.
However, with a travel restriction still in place and just important travel currently enabled, it has actually stimulated fears that the testing system might be overwhelmed when Brits start going on holiday again.
Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, stated: “The UK’s travel testing system can’t cope with demand, even when reasonably small numbers of individuals are travelling.
” It’s clear the system might buckle under the pressure when mass global travel restarts and hundreds of thousands more people are reliant on it.
” Travellers should not need to shop around for something as essential as a test service provider– they simply need a service that is available, trusted, and provided on time.
” It is vital that the Government addresses problems with testing ahead of restarting worldwide travel, and ensure that tourists are not left to the mercy of poor quality providers or unreliable services when attempting to do the best thing in following federal government requirements to travel securely.”
Erkal Taskin, who returned from Turkey informed Which? that he didn’t get his day two test kit till he had actually already been in the nation for 7 days.
He got his day 2 outcomes, 15 days after remaining in the nation.
He explained: “I wasn’t sure when I might leave my house and there was nobody to ask. I wound up awaiting so long before I could go back to work, which was a substantial problem.”
Other complaints on social media say they didn’t get their results, or that they paid extra to leave quarantine through the Test to Launch plan, just for outcomes not to come in on time.
Earlier this month, more than 500 travellers showing up in the UK blasted a Covid screening firm after their kits failed to turn up.
Many stated they had actually paid hundreds of pounds to 001doctor– top of the list of authorized suppliers on a government website.
In an online declaration 001doctor stated it had not been alerted of the number of tests needed, and asked to be gotten rid of from the federal government list after processing more than 1,000 refunds.
Oncologica, one of four recognized test suppliers by the federal government, apologised on their website for hold-ups in sending the packages due to “unprecedented boost in Covid testing enquiries and kit orders got because federal government travel rules were introduced”.
Nevertheless, they stated in a statement they can process as much as 40,000 Covid tests daily, and had actually not yet reached capacity.
Another certified company, National Pathology, stated that they have actually currently carried out more than 80,000 of the day 2 and day eight Covid packages given that March, although also apologised for “large scale disturbance to the delivery of both kits and samples”.
2 other business – Source Bioscience and Eurofins – have actually been certified by the government on a list of 500 companies, although neither deal the combined day two and 8 Covid sets.
When the UK travel restriction raises for non-essential trips abroad, it is hoped that a number of popular holiday locations might be placed on the “green” list which will not require a quarantine.
This will still require a pre-arrival Covid test and a test on day two, although the government has said they are dealing with making them more affordable as they can cost upwards of ₤ 120 per person.
BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD
Boost for summer season hols with Spain from June and no jabs for Portugal
ATTEMPTED AND TESTED
Ryanair launches inexpensive Covid tests for Brits going on vacation this summer season GREEN LIGHT Green list nations – holiday locations which could be quarantine-free
PREPARED TO GO
Nations which may make the ‘green list’ as Shapps cautions of ‘careful’ reducing
HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN
When will the green list be announced? INEXPENSIVE SLEEP The forgotten European vacation destination offering ₤ 1.50 beds this summer season
Airline companies and tour operators are currently offering affordable PCR tests for countries which require them.
Ryanair has actually teamed up with test supplier Randox and will let any guests schedule the tests for half the standard expense.
Here are the other airline companies using reduced tests this summer.


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THE RIGHT TO DRIVE: Activists pushing for the right of women
to drive in Saudi Arabia have declared their online campaign a success. The
kingdom is the only country in the world in which women are not allowed to
operate a car. The campaign that began in 2013 encouraged women to post images
of themselves at the wheel and revved up again since the beginning of October
2014. Dozens of women have driven and posted during the latest campaign, such
as the activist filmed in this video.


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Reuters has reported that according to a source, Apple suppliers will begin production of 4.7-inch iPhone as early as May while the 5.5-inch version will be delayed.
Apple Inc suppliers will begin mass producing displays as early as May for the next iPhone, expected to be launched this autumn, with a 4.7-inch screen likely to be produced first while a 5.5-inch version could be delayed, supply chain sources said.
Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp and South Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd have all been tapped to make the screens, said the sources, who asked not to be identified.
The report also says that both iPhones will have in-cell touch panel technology built into the screen that will allow for a thinner phone, says source. Production of the 4.7-inch iPhone is likely to start first followed by the production of the 5.5-inch iPhone due to difficulties with in-cell technology.
According to source, Japan Display will be the first supplier to start production of iPhone 6 screens in May at its plant in Mobara which is located east of Tokyo. Other suppliers are to start around June.
Reuters claims that both phones will have larger screens than that of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.


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The export of our old diesel vehicles causes bad air in Africa. But there they no longer want our rust buckets and are increasingly turning to low-emission new cars.
Europe's end-of-life cars are often exported abroad, formerly to Eastern Europe, now to Africa. According to a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 11 million vehicles were exported to low-income countries, mainly in Africa, between 2015 and 2018. There, they pollute the air and make traffic less safe, as they not only have a poor EURO standard, but in most cases also no longer have a TÜV seal. So while we in this country try to make our everyday life more climate friendly, pay attention to our emissions and buy more electric cars, the problem is clearly simply being shifted to another part of the world.
But the cars are finding fewer and fewer buyers, because awareness of health and the environment is also growing in Africa. An initiative launched by the UN sets minimum standards for imported used cars. In Ghana, for instance, only fuels with a low sulphur content are used, and there is a ten-year age limit for imported used cars. In some North African countries, such as Morocco, there are already stricter regulations regarding the age limit of imported vehicles and also regarding the EURO standard. More and more countries in the region are likely to follow these pioneers in the future. The new awareness could even lead to the first African countries introducing low emission zones in their major cities to make the purchase of old cars even less attractive. The car industry also has a great interest in this, as the African sales market for new cars amounts to about 5 million new cars per year.
So what happens to our unwanted diesel cars instead? Since selling the cars will be much less lucrative in the future, the vehicles will probably simply stay on our roads longer or be sold for little money within Europe. But since most of the vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter the low emission zones, they will probably mostly provide bad air outside the cities. In the long run, this could lead to the extension of low emission zones in suburban and rural areas.
So will there be more low emission zones and driving bans in the future?


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Ratan Tata Invests In GOQii:
Leading industrialist Rata Tata has invested in yet another startup, and this time it’s digital health and fitness service provider GOQii. The amount of funding has not been disclosed, according to a report by PTI. Emailed queries to GOQii by BloombergQuint did not elicit a response.
The company, pronounced “go-key”, provides fitness-tracking technology along with personal one-on-one coaching to help subscribers maintain a healthy lifestyle. The wearable fitness device tracks sleep, the number of steps you take, and activity time. GOQii earlier bagged an undisclosed amount of funding from the venture capital arm of Edelweiss Financial Services in February 2016.
Bengaluru-Based Bitcoin Startup Raises $1.5 Million:
Unocoin, an Indian Bitcoin exchange platform, raised $1.5 million in early-stage funding from multiple investors led by Blume Ventures, according to a statement on the company’s website.
“These are exciting times. India has the largest gold, inward remittance, and IT markets in the world, all of which make it a perfect home for Bitcoin and blockchain technology.” Sathvik Vishwanath, co-founder and CEO Unocoin
Other investors who participated in this round of funding include Mumbai Angels, ah! Ventures, Digital Currency Group, Boost VC, Bank to the Future, and FundersClub.
“Since making our first investment in Unocoin, it has been tremendous to see the company solidify its position as the leading Bitcoin company in India, as well as emerge as one of the fastest growing companies in Digital Currency Group’s global portfolio of 80 Bitcoin and blockchain companies.” Barry Silbert, Founder and CEO, Digital Currency Group.
Upgrad Collaborates With Startup India as Education Partner:
Founded by media entrepreneur and former UTV Group chief Ronnie Screwvala, UpGrad has joined hands with the Prime Minister’s Startup India initiative as its official education partner, reports PTI.
As a part of the initiative, UpGrad will offer four-week programmes to entrepreneurs in order to familiarise and equip them to deal with the challenges of running a startup. The programme is open to first-time entrepreneurs and as well as startups which are up to three years old. Screwvala founded the online education platform UpGrad in early 2015.
A Report Card By Cars:
In its latest round of innovation, self-driving car rental service JustRide allows your car to speak to you through Yabber, a device based on the principle of ‘Connected Cars’, the startup said in a media statement. Once the device is fitted into your car and the Yabber application is installed on your smartphone or computer, Yabber enables vehicles to communicate with its driver and owners.
It evaluates your driving skills, and even gives you a score even. Other perks include car tracking system and destination alerts.
The device allows JustRide track its vehicle and asses the driving skills of its customers. A good score gets the driver discounts on rentals for subsequent trips while a poor driver may face rejection.
With digitisation taking place at every nook and corner, we saw a need gap for a sustainable credible system to rate performance of drivers, driving rented cars. With our device, we not only have precise understanding of the car’s performance, but also the driver’s skills. Before this, the only perquisite to drive was to have a driving license. Once our device is out in the market, it will become a benchmark for others to follow suit. Hemant Kumar Sah, Chief Technology Officer, JustRide
Save up for Mars: The Final Frontier
SpaceVault, a financial startup based in San Francisco, helps people save for the ultimate trip – a trip to Mars.The company’s mantra is to help “everyone who might not be able to afford $140,000 to have a chance to get to space”, Jason Aspiotis, founder and CEO of SpaceVault told Forbes.
It offers a $10,000 deposit certificate to people which they invest in a combination of low risk investments such as bonds, and capital investments in listed commercial space companies. In turn, these investments in aero-space companies make sure there is a ticket to buy after the money has matured at the end of 40 years, according to Forbes.
Snap Inc., as Snapchat decided to call itself, may go public in March 2017, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports.
The $25 billion initial public offering might help the company compete with the likes of Facebook. But the IPO is still dependent on a lot of factors such as the outcome of the U.S. Presidential elections, China’s economy and equity market volatility, according to Bloomberg.


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New Stratford-upon-Avon air ambulance store is now open
Your local air ambulance has opened its doors to its newest home store on Maybrook Industrial Estate in Stratford-upon-Avon, to raise more vital funds for the lifesaving service.
The charity which provides leading pre-hospital critical care across Warwickshire and further afield, transformed a former Topps Tiles store into a homeware store and officially “landed” its second store in Stratford-upon-Avon today, 24 November.
Hannah Coventry, Head of Retail for the charity, said: “After being supported by the wonderful people of Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding communities for a good number of years – both with donations and as customers in our local boutique store- it’s been an ambition for the charity to bring a home store to our local supporters too.”
The grand opening was attended by the local Mayor, Cllr Gill Cleeve – who officially opened the store by cutting the ceremonial ribbon – as well as members of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) team and frontline crew.
Visitors and guests had the opportunity to have a look around the store and shop the extensive range of new and pre-loved homeware, furniture, electricals, living, and brand-new white goods. There were also great bargains on offer for Christmas decorations and ideas for Christmas presents.
“It is so great to see so many people from the local community attend in support of our home store opening today.
“The success of our store is vital as the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from the public and retail income to keep saving lives,” added Hannah.
The charity relies entirely on donations to raise the £1,700 needed for each rescue mission. It urges supporters to visit the home store to shop and donate items using its free furniture collection service.
This new store opening adds to the charity’s portfolio of stores and comes before the momentous milestone of the charity celebrating its 20th anniversary of lifesaving service across Warwickshire and Northamptonshire in 2023.


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For those who somehow missed pre-ordering one of the four new Dualshock 4 designs announced last August
, now is the time to get a hold of one of the most sought out designs featured in the reveal. Featured in a short trailer is one of the most elegant looking among the new batch of controllers, the special edition Metallic Copper. For a limited time, the Dualshock 4 Metallic Copper will be available together with the Gold, Silver, and Steel Black as part of the Special Edition Metallic Range promotion.
The Copper DS4 is currently priced at $64.99 and in-stock at Gamestop. Check out the video below for more information and stay tuned for more gaming news and updates.


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Yamaha halts production at 11 plantsPosted on
Yamaha Motor Company plans to temporarily stop production at 11 facilities worldwide because of the soft market. It was not specified which facilities would be affected.
The company said production would stop for seven to 10 days in February and March at plants that manufacture marine products, as well as those that make motorcycles, recreational vehicles and parts.
Yamaha is based in Japan, with Yamaha Motor Corp. USA headquartered in Kennesaw, Ga.


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LightSquared is done with the government's hemming and hawing, and is pressuring for approval to use its spectrum to build a next-generation wireless network.
In the company's most aggressively worded message to the Federal Communications Commission, LightSquared argues that the GPS industry has no right to seek protection from the potential interference that LightSquared's network could cause. It said today that it has filed a petition seeking a declaratory ruling confirming its rights as a spectrum licensee. The company has been battling the perception that its network could possibly cripple critical GPS devices--hurting planes, farming equipment, and consumer devices.
While LightSquared--backed by hedge fund manager Philip Falcone's Harbinger Capital--has worked to prove its network isn't a threat, it has now taken a slightly modified tack: claiming that the GPS industry has been manufacturing devices that bleed into its licensed spectrum.
"The one inescapable conclusion from two rounds of independent testing is that the incompatibility problem is not caused by LightSquared's network," said Jeff Carlisle, executive vice president for regulatory affairs and public policy for LightSquared. "It is clear that GPS devices are purposefully designed to look into LightSquared's licensed spectrum, and given this evidence, we believe decision-makers should consider LightSquared's legal rights as the licensee."
The filing comes a few days after a government report came out claiming that LightSquared's wireless network. At the time, LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja said in a statement that the company would not give up on its plans.
LightSquared argued in its recent filing that since GPS devices operate on unlicensed spectrum, they shouldn't be protected. The company has noted that it has FCC authorization, for more than eight years, to build a network--an authorization that was approved by the GPS industry. Despite the authorization, LightSquared still needs a waiver from the FCC to use the spectrum.
If the 4G LTE network is approved, LightSquared will work with Sprint Nextel to build it out. LightSquared intends to sell 4G service on a wholesale basis, and has already lined up more than 30 customers.


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The focus at all these locations was entirely on innovative solutions from BOBST for printing, coating and converting flexible materials. These innovations give packaging manufacturers new capabilities for improving the productivity, quality and reliability of their production processes, while at the same time reducing both the costs and the environmental impact.
All in all, several hundred companies from more than 50 countries visited BOBST, including a substantial number from emerging countries such as India and from the Middle East. A good 60% of the visitors were new customers. Contracts for numerous projects were finalized. In this respect, the key fields involved included the BOBST solutions for coating and metallizing materials for flexible packaging, as well as entry-level solutions for gravure printing.
While activities on the BOBST exhibition stand at K 2013 revolved around technology demonstrations, the BOBST Technology Centres focused on offering hands-on sessions addressing the subjects of flexo printing and laminating, vacuum metallizing and gravure printing and laminating.
"Despite the difficult situation of the global economy, the market for flexible packaging is proving to be highly dynamic,” said Eric Pavone, business director of Business Unit Web-Fed at BOBST. “Manufacturers of branded goods are constantly in search of innovative solutions that enable them to further improve the attractiveness and functionality of flexible packaging.
At K 2013 and the Open House events at the Technology Centres, BOBST presented a host of innovative possibilities for packaging manufacturers to proactively meet the permanently growing demands of the market. This applies to clear coatings with excellent barriers properties, for instance, where BOBST is the world market leader. Another example is the latest generation of the ROTOSIL high-speed silicone coating line, which is used to manufacture release liners which are used for products for the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as other sectors.”


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Santa Monica : Planning Panel Delays Vote on Car Dealership
The Planning Commission postponed until June 17 a decision on whether to allow Kramer Motors Inc. to build a four-story dealership at Santa Monica Boulevard and 18th Street.
The construction of auto dealerships on Santa Monica Boulevard is encouraged by the city’s new land-use plan, but residents have complained that the proposed 60,804-square-foot facility would disrupt the neighborhood. They argue that the land-use-plan also contains clauses that require auto dealers to make concessions to the neighborhood.
Kramer, one of the largest auto dealerships in Santa Monica, asked for the continuance.


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City Council votes to regulate e-cigarette sales in L.A.
Calling it a potential health risk and a gateway to tobacco use, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to regulate the sales of e-cigarettes and other “vaping” devices.
The new law puts electronic smoking devices in the same category as tobacco products, subjecting their sales to the same restrictions. It bans sales from street kiosks, ice cream trucks and self-service displays, and requires retailers to obtain a license before selling the products.
Parallel legislation under city consideration would ban the use of e-cigarettes in the same places that tobacco is prohibited, including restaurants and parks. Sales of e-cigarettes to minors are already banned under state law, and 59 California counties and cities, including Glendale and Burbank, require a license to sell e-cigarettes.
“It’s important to protect young people from this deadly habit and to protect people from second-hand smoke,” said Councilman Paul Koretz, who pushed the ordinance.
The battery-operated devices look like cigarettes and use heat to vaporize a liquid, some containing nicotine and fruit and candy flavorings. Users inhale the vapors and expel them, much the same as smoking tobacco.
Retail sales of the devices are expected to double this year to $1.7 billion, and e-cigarettes could outsell their tobacco counterparts within a decade, Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County’s health director, said in a morning press conference. Use of vaping devices among high school students doubled in 2012 to 10%, according to a recent study by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Though studies on the health impacts of vaping have been inconclusive, some of the devices contain harmful substances such as formaldehyde, chromium and lead, Fielding said.
Council members said it was better to err on the side of caution and take action. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the devices.
“It’s a very sinister approach to a very sinister product,” said Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who wrote the action to regulate use of e-smoking devices. “We don’t want to wait for the feds to do something.”
School principals told the council that some of their students are loading e-cigarettes with marijuana cartridges and using the devices to smoke pot at school. Several speakers applauded the council’s action, including Marlene Gomez of the American Lung Assn.
Gomez said manufacturers, some with ties to tobacco companies, are marketing the devices to children. “Many products are being produced that are candy-flavored or fruit-flavored, including Cap’n Crunch and Fruit Loops,” she said.
No one spoke publicly in opposition to the ordinance. But the National Assn. of Tobacco Outlets submitted a letter to the council suggesting that city action was premature because the FDA is poised to issue its own regulations.
Thomas A. Briant, the association’s chief legal counsel, also called into question the accuracy of the CDC survey on high school students who use e-cigarettes because he said it counted as a user anyone who had used the product even once.
Supporters of vaping say e-cigarettes can help tobacco smokers quit and are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Adam Phramany opened Vape Star in Koreatown three months ago and says he’s helped several customers kick the habit.
“I hate smoking in general and hate second-hand smoke,” he said. “But I’ve witnessed first hand that most of my friends who started vaping quit smoking completely.”
He thinks the vaping industry takes an underserved knock when government officials equate e-cigarettes with tobacco.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a healthier alternative but it’s a smarter alternative because there is no tobacco involved,” he said.
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Tesla will build a dedicated vehicle for use as a robotaxi, and begin manufacturing three new vehicles next year, CEO Elon Musk tells fans at a party celebrating the opening of a factory in Texas.
Musk didn’t elaborate on the robotaxi other than to say it “will look pretty futuristic.” He also said Tesla will begin building the Cybertruck pickup at its new factory near Austin, Texas next year. After that, it will start building a new Roadster and a semi-electric, he said.
He made his remarks Thursday night at the “Cyber Rodeo at Giga Texas,” an invitational party for thousands of guests at Tesla’s new, more than $1 billion factory.
As many as 15,000 people were expected to attend the private event to mark the opening of the new factory in Travis County, which also serves as the company’s new headquarters following its move from California.
Musk said at Thursday night’s event streamed live on YouTube that Tesla was delivering the first small Model Y SUVs built at the new factory, which he says can make half a million SUVs a year.
Tesla and Musk often missed targets to start producing vehicles. In 2019, it promised a fleet of self-driving robotaxis would be on the road the following year, but the company’s “Full Self-Driving” software is still being tested by some Tesla owners on public roads.
The company is the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the United States and worldwide.
Musk said this year will focus on the Austin factory expansion as well as a new one in Germany. He also said the company could start building a robot in 2023. “Next year there will be a massive wave of new products,” he told the crowd Thursday night.
A county-issued permit said the event included interactive tours, food, alcohol and live entertainment. But the event was closed to the general public and the media.
Musk said the Austin-area plant will employ up to 10,000 workers.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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In one community, folks can get a jump on their holiday shopping earlier than ever before.
For the first time ever, malls in Paramus, New Jersey, will open on Thanksgiving Day. This move bucks the restrictive laws in Paramus and its surrounding Bergen County that all but prevented shopping on the national holiday.
Paramus is not alone though. Three states—Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island—have so-called blue laws that restrict stores from opening on Thanksgiving. And with more stores opening their doors, these laws are coming under intense pressure, with some critics suggesting they are remnants of times past.
Couched in religious principles, blue laws began as prohibitions on secular activities like shopping on Sundays, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Over time, the laws were expanded in many states to include national holidays such as Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July.
Although some attribute the laws' moniker to the supposedly blue paper they were once printed on, the ordinances' colorful name likely derives from the archaic usage of "blue" to signify something that is overly moral, according to the encyclopedia.
Read MoreBlack Friday isn't dead! Here's why
Today, blue laws exist only in limited forms, such as a ban on Sunday alcohol sales. Paramus, in particular, is famous for its extensive blue laws that prohibit most retail activity on Sundays and in evenings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Paramus' laws don't forbid opening on Thanksgiving though. In previous years, malls did not open because it was not cost-effective to do so given the short window of time before the 11 p.m. curfew. But with growing demand—and the earlier opening times of many retailers such as Macy's—it became a more lucrative proposition.
"Westfield Garden State Plaza welcomes the opportunity to accommodate this demand," said Lisa Herrmann-Srednicki, senior director of marketing at the mall, one of three in Paramus that will be opening at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
As the change in Paramus shows, Thanksgiving has become a more important part of the holiday shopping season. Last year, 17 percent of U.S. consumers, about 80 million people, said they would shop on Thanksgiving, according to Jesse Tron, director of communications and media relations at the International Council of Shopping Centers.
"The pressure is coming from the consumer," Tron said. "The retailers would not be open if the appetite from the consumer wasn't there."
In New England, though, the bans still remain in place and shoppers must wait till Friday to score their deals, despite this demand. Opponents of the prohibitions contend that the laws are outdated in a time when you can go online to shop at any time. Instead of promoting family time on the holiday, they say it hurts brick-and-mortar retailers and local economies.
"Any law that puts your local employers at a disadvantage to compete with the online seller for consumers is something we have to look at," said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
Nevertheless, the actual impact of banning Thanksgiving Day sales is likely fairly minimal. While repealing the blue laws may make it easier for some folks to shop, it wouldn't change the amount of money they're spending during the holiday season.
"It doesn't add an extra $300 to your budget because you're shopping that Thursday," said Kathy Grannis, senior director of media relations at the National Retail Federation.
All that would change is when and where they shop, Grannis said. And even then, these shifts only matter really when considering cross-border shopping.
In New England, residents in a blue law state can easily drive to a state without the restrictions to take advantage of Thanksgiving sales. And in Paramus, the bans once dissuaded New Yorkers from crossing over to shop, despite the lower sales tax in New Jersey.
While these geographical shifts may have pinched budgets in the blue law states, the actual impact on retailers was minimal. A large portion of the retailers that will open on Thanksgiving have locations in more than one state, meaning one state's loss in sales doesn't have as much of an impact on their bottom lines.
"From the retailer's perspective, it doesn't matter to a degree if a sale is coming from Massachusetts or New Hampshire," Mary Brett Whitfield, senior vice president at Kantar Retail, said.
So all told, the negatives stemming from blue laws are perhaps not drastic enough to force any politicians' hands in repealing the laws. That said, never underestimate the power of the consumer. Because, at least where Black Friday is concerned, chances are what they want is what they get.
"The consumer wants to go out and shop," Tron said. "Believe it or not, not everybody in this country watches football on Thanksgiving."


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American smartphone company Apple has increased the manufacturing of iPhone in India as well as exports. The company has exported handsets worth one billion dollars from the country in December. Apple’s contract manufacturers Foxconn and Wistron assemble the iPhone in India.
Electronics and IT Secretary, Alkesh Kumar Sharma informed the global business community about the $1 billion iPhone exports in December at a G20 forum. He told that the Central Government has launched some schemes to transform India from services to a product-oriented country. He said, “The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has really benefited. Mobile manufacturing in the country has reached the next level. Apple Has increased manufacturing as well as exports for India. In December, the company exported smartphones worth one billion dollars.” He told that an ecosystem is being created in India for electronic hardware, semiconductors. The government’s emphasis is on emerging technologies.
Apple has set a target of increasing India’s share in the total production of iPhone to 25 percent. For the company, this figure is currently around seven per cent. Apple started assembling the iPhone in the country a few years ago through its contract manufacturer Wistron.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal gave information about the company’s plan on Monday. He said, “Apple is another success story. This has made India a competitive manufacturing destination. The company already has 5-7 per cent of its manufacturing in the country. If I am not mistaken, the company’s target is to increase this.” 25 per cent. It has launched new models made in India.” However, he did not say by when Apple can meet this target. Foxconn plans to quadruple the workforce at its factories in the country over the next two years. China for Apple manufacturing is the hub of However, Apple’s manufacturing had a major impact last year due to restrictions and other difficulties caused by Corona. After this, the company has started working rapidly on the plan to shift a major part of its production from China.


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The coronavirus crisis has had a major negative impact on many service industries including passenger transportation, tourism, the events industry and the personal services sector.
According to the Service Sector Employers' group (Palta), the effects of the crisis will expand to other sectors as well. Palta is an advocacy group for service sector companies and communities.
Palta said that in coming months, the knock-on effects of the crisis will be seen across many new sectors, including industrial services, maintenance and installation, architectural and engineering, freight transport, human resources as well as the research and development industries.
Most job losses "yet to come"
"More than 150,000 Finns work in service jobs related to industry and construction. The effects of the coronavirus epidemic have not yet strongly spread to these sectors, but the outlook for coming months is worrying," Palta economist Lahti Vuori said in a statement issued Wednesday.
"According to our estimates, a total of nearly 10,000 jobs will be lost from these sectors this year and the largest share of this decline is yet to come," he continued.
The economist added that sales within the corporate and expert services sectors will remain weak for the rest of the year and that the recovery within the administrative and support services sector would continue to be gradual.
The private services sector employs about one million people in Finland, comprising more than half of the country's private sector.


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Chrysler marks 40 years of minivans with the 2024 Pacifica and Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid.
Over 15 million sold and 117 innovations, including the segment’s only plug-in hybrid.
The brand unveils a roadmap to a fully electric portfolio by 2028, starting with Pacifica.
In a celebration of four decades of innovation and family-focused engineering, Chrysler has kick-started the production of its 2024 Pacifica and Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid minivans. This milestone not only commemorates Chrysler’s rich history in the segment but also outlines a roadmap to an electrified future.
Beyond 2024: An Electrified Roadmap
When the Plymouth Voyager rolled out of Canada’s Windsor Assembly Plant back in 1983, Chrysler wasn’t merely launching a new vehicle—it was creating a whole new auto segment. Today, over 15 million minivans later, Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, remains an enduring symbol of family mobility across North America.
The brand’s commitment to innovation is evident in the 117 groundbreaking features it has introduced over the past 40 years. These aren’t just tweaks; they are revolutions that have significantly elevated the driving and passenger experience. Features like the Stow ‘n Go seating system, the Uconnect Theatre for in-vehicle entertainment, and dual hands-free sliding doors have made the Chrysler minivan a staple for busy families.
Recently, Chrysler celebrated a major milestone: the production of its 100,000th Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid. This vehicle stands alone as the only plug-in hybrid in the minivan segment, making it a leading choice for eco-conscious consumers. The vehicle even qualifies for a $5,000 federal Electric Vehicle purchase incentive, along with potential provincial or territorial bonuses.
Chrysler is also launching the 2024 Pacifica and Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid with an array of fresh features. Expect a plush new Sepia interior in the premium Pacifica Pinnacle model and two eye-catching exterior colours: Red Hot and Baltic Grey. The Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid lineup will feature two editions: Select and Pinnacle. For those wanting a bit more, there are optional packages like the S Appearance, Premium S Appearance, and Road Tripper.
But Chrysler’s vision extends far beyond this year or the next. The company has plans to roll out its first all-electric vehicle by 2025, aiming for a fully electric portfolio by 2028. The minivan, the very vehicle that started this journey, will continue to play a pivotal role in Chrysler’s electrified future.


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Queen Latifah, a COVERGIRL brand ambassador, really looked stunning at the taping of BET’s Black Girls Rock! event in New Jersey on Oct. 27. We spoke to her makeup artist to bring you her exact look!
Queen Latifahwas honored at the awards and looked amazing on the red carpet. Her makeup was done by COVERGIRL Beauty Ambassador Sam Fine — he is spilling the exact tips, tricks and products used below!
View original post 424 more words


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In many respects, the decision by the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) compelling suppliers to serve Senior High Schools, (SHSs) with only Ghana rice is not only timely but also appropriate.
The company announced at a press conference in Accra on Monday that, all public senior High Schools under the free SHS programme would from next semester be supplied with only Ghana rice.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, the decision is mandatory and suppliers who flout the directive may suffer sanctions including non-payment for services provided and revocation of licences.
Currently under the free SHS programme, he said, NAFCO had been providing 100 per cent supply of Ghana rice in Ashanti and five regions in the Northern part of the country.
“We are going to cover the remaining 10 regions with 100 per Ghana rice” he emphasised.
Clearly, this is a timely move by NAFCO even though the decision could have come much earlier.
The Ghanaian Times is pleased that NAFCO’s decision is coming at the heel of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s appeal to Ghanaians to consume local rice.
In fact, local rice consumption is gaining ground and we believe the decision, such as the one taken by NAFCO would go a long way to boost local rice consumption in the country.
It is our firm conviction that had all public institutions including security agencies been compelled to buy and eat local rice in the past, the narrative around consumption of local rice would have been different long ago.
But sadly, we all looked the other way while the country became the dumping ground for imported rice.
We support the current efforts by the president, as well as individuals and institutions in promoting eating of local rice.
This is the time for all Ghanaians to join the crusade to make local rice consumption a national agenda in order to reverse the craze for imported rice by the public.
Indeed, apart from the Ghana rice being highly nutritious and healthy, we are more than convinced that its consumption can save the country millions of dollars that are used to import rice into the country.
Besides, increase in production of the local rice would create jobs within the agricultural and agribusiness value chain and in the long term help grow the economy.
We must all support the crusade to consume Ghana rice at all times.


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The All Island Canteen Owners Association says operations at several restaurants have resumed following the distribution of gas cylinders to the market.
President of the Association Asela Sampath said around 80 percent of restaurants were preparing to close down as a result of the gas shortage.
Sampath claimed the restaurants were due to close by the weekend, adding there were no food packets at shops in Hulftsdorp as of last Thursday.
He added canteens at hospitals were also at risk of closing, adding they are essential for operations at hospitals.
Sampath noted the matter was resolved by promptly inspecting a ship carrying gas, which was held at the port, and releasing the stocks to the market.
He said as a result restaurants in Colombo that were going to close have resumed operations.
He added however there is still a gas shortage in rural areas.
Asela Sampath said Court ordered gas companies to issue gas cylinders that are up to the set standards, adding concerns have arisen in this regard.
He said however with the distribution of gas, concerns relating to the restaurant industry have been resolved to a certain extent.


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The FTC’s second Spanish-language fotonovela is about scams that promise you can make money selling high-end products or brand-name merchandise. If the pitch sounds familiar, that’s because the story is based on facts from a recent FTC lawsuit against a company that targeted Spanish speakers nationwide. Income Scams tells the story of Fatima, a consumer who is looking for a way to earn some extra money.
This is the Civil Investigations Unit. We are contacting you in regards to a complaint being filed against you, pursuant to claim and affidavit number D00D-2932, where you have been named a respondent in a court action and must appear… Please forward this information to your attorney in that the order to show cause contains a restraining order. You or your attorney will have 24 to 48 hours to oppose this matter… Call 757-555-1234.
The Federal Trade Commission works closely with legal services providers and consumer advocates to root out frauds affecting communities across the nation. Several of our partners have told us about an income scam that’s targeting Latino organizations -- even churches. Here’s how it works:
At the Federal Trade Commission, when we say we protect the nation’s consumers, we mean that the agency protects every community in the nation from fraud and scams. This includes African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, immigrants, older consumers, lower-income communities, and veterans and service members.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s a good time to look back on how the FTC has worked to protect the Latino community, in particular, in the past year. Here are some highlights:
Before you sign up and pay any money for health insurance or discount plans, check out all the available options — and any claims they make about coverage. Some people who call you up promoting a way for you to save could be pitching a scam.
You got a robocall from someone working with the FTC with a message that promised to help you get a refund from the agency. If you ever lost money to a scam, it might have been a tough call to ignore. Turns out ignoring the call would have been the right call because — you guessed it: it was a scam.
When severe weather strikes, utility outages often are par for the course. Unfortunately, utility scams are becoming part of the drill, too.
Here’s how the scam works: Someone claiming to be with your local utility company comes around during an outage and offers to reconnect your service for a cash payment. Sure, you think it’s a bit odd that they’re asking for cash, but maybe the company’s power is out, too, and they can’t operate the computers to process payments. Besides, the person looks and sounds legitimate, and you really need your service turned on.
Your caller ID says “FTC” or “IRS,” and the phone number has the “202” Washington, DC area code. You might even look the number up and see that it’s a real government phone number.
But the person calling isn’t really from the FTC, IRS, or any other agency. It’s a government imposter whose goal is to convince you to send money before you figure out it’s a scam. The big giveaway? They want you to send money.


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The 3 Scenarios Where It Makes Sense to Sell Your Mid-Stage Startup
Hello to the TechExit.io community,
For years, Canadian tech leaders lamented that entrepreneurs sell their companies too early. But Brent Holliday, co-founder of Garibaldi Capital Advisors sees it differently. With more Canadian companies chasing growth, more doors open for smaller-scale, but equally life-changing exits for bootstrapped or angel-funded companies. Speaking with TechExit.io ahead of his presentation at the April 20th event, Brent shared the three scenarios when it makes sense for mid-stage startups to consider an exit.
- At around $5 million in revenue, founders will reach a reckoning moment when they have to decide whether they want to keep growing the business.
- If you want to grow from $5 million to $50 million or more, founders need to raise a capital round and commit at least five more years to the company.
- Selling can also make sense when you have a lot of inbound interest or are VC-backed but realize that your business won’t reach VC-scale successfully.
Check out the full interview below. Enjoy
PS: TechExit.io is IN-PERSON and coming up on April 20th, (for the first time in 3 years!). We hope to see you there. Check out our amazing line up.
Knowing when to sell your startup is a controversial topic.
Internally, you have stakeholders to think about. Externally, there will always be detractors who say you sold too early.
Brent Holliday, co-founder of Garibaldi Capital Advisors, knows about this dilemma all too well. Starting his career as a tech founder, he sold his company and went first into venture capital before settling into tech mergers and acquisitions. Now, Brent advises mid-market tech company founders looking to sell for a price between $15 million and $100 million on average.
Speaking with TechExit.io, Brent shared the three scenarios where it makes sense to sell your mid-stage startup versus waiting longer to scale up before an exit.
1. The reckoning
Once a startup hits about $5 million in revenue, Brent says founders are due for a “reckoning.”
In short, this reckoning comes from two facts of building a startup:
- The skills (and patience) required to grow a company from nothing to $5 million in revenue are vastly different from the necessary skills to scale up from that point.
- After this tipping point, choosing to focus on growth usually means at least an additional five year commitment from the founding team.
At this level, founders might want to cash out for optionality. There might be opportune market conditions, different life goals for the founders, or simply wanting to remove some cash from the company and use it in different ways.“It’s a hard slog to get from $5 million to $50 million and usually takes three to 10 years to hit this reckoning point from start up,” said Brent. “And you have dilution to think about, which could lower your overall take even if the risks pay off. So founders start to ask themselves if they really have another five years in them at that point.”
2. The inbounded
Even if a founder is ready for growth, Brent said many companies begin to get inbound offers once they hit the $5 million-plus revenue mark.
“Before any reckoning, or maybe at the same time, a lot of founders get multiple inbound offers once they cross that growth threshold,” said Brent.
For companies with inbound interest, Brent cautions to pay attention to the type of buyer. He noted there are often two:
1. The Strategic Buyer: This buyer, often a large enterprise, wants to buy your company and integrate it into their existing business. Acquisitions of this sort are often for products that can be leveraged across their larger customer list and/or proprietary technology. Founders may have a 1-2 year retention agreement or earn out, but otherwise are no longer owners of their startup.
2. The Revenue Buyer: This buyer, often a private equity firm, wants to buy cash flowing companies and work with the founders to grow it even further. In this case, buyers will buy anywhere from 51% to 75% of the equity, giving founders a chance to get some cash off the table. However, they also expect founders to continue on as owner-employees, growing the company within the new acquirer. In the end, the typical hope is the founder’s remaining equity ends up worth more than the original purchase due to growth.
“Only about half of inbound acquisitions are strategic buyers,” said Brent. “The founders might have to stay on longer with a private equity firm, but it can still make sense to cash out potentially millions of dollars and still get the chance to grow your company even further in a more well-resourced environment.”
3. The rocket in need of fuel
Not all venture capital investments fall into the dichotomy of total failures or wild, multi-billion dollar successes. There is a slim middle of companies that are doing well and growing but not at the rate that venture capitalists need in order to sustain their business model.
This type of business - the sustainable, growing rocket ship that won’t quite get to the moon - is the third time when selling could be a good idea.
“Selling this kind of company makes sense because the fundamentals are strong enough to get investors some return, but this won’t be the huge home run for them,” said Brent.
Founders with this type of company might end up selling to a strategic buyer or private equity company, since the metrics make sense under different ownership structures even if they don’t work in VC-land. However, Brent said this kind of exit may not be as lucrative, depending on how many investors are on the cap table. It’s something founders should discuss with their advisors if they are looking at this path.
“We worked on one deal that was $20 million in sales, but only owned by two people,” said Brent. “On the other hand, another deal was over $40 million, but there were over 150 investors to worry about.”
Selling isn’t the only option
Now more than ever before, Brent is excited about two things in Canadian tech. First is that more acquirers are Canadian where previously companies could only get a decent exit selling to international firms.
Second is that selling is no longer the only option. With an increasing Canadian flywheel of second- and third-time founders plus seasoned engineering, product, and sales talent, company leaders don’t need to take the first acquisition offer they see. For this reason, Brent sees M&A continuing healthily in Canada, especially as companies that raised enormous growth rounds in 2020 and 2021 need to use that dry powder in the next 3-5 years.
“The combination of talent and capital means more companies growing bigger in Canada than ever before and attracting growth capital,” said Brent. “And for companies that decide an exit is right for them, that also means, in addition to the international buyers, there are more Canadian acquirers than ever before.”


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A new survey found that Americans check their phones 96 times a day – or, once every 10 minutes. That’s up 20% from last year – despite the fact that people say they are trying to disconnect more. Oh, and according to the survey, 18- to 24-year-olds check their phones twice as much as the national average. (PRNewswire)
- 96 times a day sounds like a lot when you say it, but we’re probably checking out phones a lot more than that.
Photo Credit: Getty Images