Miura Partners has acquired a 40% stake in Wikiloc, an app for discovering outdoor routes, for an estimated €15-20 million. Mistral, a 1-month old European company, raised €105 million in seed funding through an impressive 7-page pitch deck focusing on transparency and democratization of generative AI. A report analyzed the state of investment in European tech startups, reflecting a slowdown in activity after the 2021-2022 boom, returning to pre-pandemic levels due to a tightening of "easy money" flows.

1. F** nEWs
Nº1 - July’23
friends with a bewildered look
To leave your "Techie"

2. F** nEWs
What has caught our attention in the digital world over
the last 30 days - strategy, funding, start-ups, studies,
consumer, brand, advertising, and more….
"We hope you find it useful!"
Made with F**LOVE and a
few hours of care... because
love doesn't work at the
moment...

3. Link to the article
M&A- Investments/acquisitions
Miura Partners invests in
Wikiloc
Miura Partners announced at the end of June its entry into the share capital of the
app for discovering routes in the natural environment, Wikiloc.
Miura Partners has acquired 40% of the business through its impact-focused fund
(high-growth companies). The exact
fi
gures of the transaction have not been
disclosed, but considering the characteristics of the fund, the amount is estimated to
be between 15-20 million euros (with a valuation of 37.5 million euros to 50 million
euros).
https://www.gpbullhound.com/articles/empowering-outdoor-enthusiasts-with-the-ideal-trail-
navigation-companion/

4. The pitch deck that raised
€105 million in funding
https://sifted.eu/articles/pitch-deck-mistral?
Mistral is a European company with only 1 month of history that has managed to raise a
fi
rst round of
funding (commonly known as "seed round") of €105 million.
An impressive feat, especially considering the short track record of the company...
Mistral aims to be the European competitor of Open AI, focusing on Generative AI, but from a more
technical standpoint, emphasizing the intelligence engine.
In their 7-page pitch deck!!, they present the opportunities - which we all are aware of, and their value
proposition, heavily focused on transparency of operation (they openly mention Open AI) and
democratization, with an open-source approach.
Is it a brilliant document and proposition or a clear case of "overvalue"?
M&A- Investments/acquisitions
Link to the article

5. The state of investment in
European Tech Startups
https://stateofeuropeantech.com/2023-
fi
rst-look
In this report, which has been collaborated on by Atomico, Arrick, Lazard, SVD UK, and Slush, the
state of investment in technology-based startups in the European market for the year 2023 so far
is analyzed.
Essentially, the report re
fl
ects a slowdown in activity (a step back) after the boom experienced in
2021-2022, returning to pre-pandemic
fi
gures. This situation is a
ff
ecting Europe, but it is also
observed in other markets, though to a slightly lesser extent.
The
fl
ow of "easy money" has been tightened, and this is impacting startups with "soft" or less
established models. Lower valuations, increased restrictions in the early stage, and a reduction in
"mega rounds" are being observed. Everyone is seeking alternative routes, such as
"debt" (despite the unhelpful interest rates), or a potential IPO, though analysts warn that the IPO
window won't open until 2024.
M&A- Investments/acquisitions
Link to the article

6. https://www2.sta
ffi
ngindustry.com/eng/Editorial/Daily-News/World-Veritone-to-acquire-
CareerBuilder-s-Broadbean-in-52-million-deal-announces-executive-changes-65693
Careerbuilder sells
Broadbean
At the beginning of the month, the historical job portal CareerBuilder, which is not
going through its best times, announced the sale of its ATS Broadbean to the HR
solutions company Veritone.
The transaction was
fi
nalized at 52 million USD, and Broadbean is expected to merge
with Pandologic, a recruitment solution based on the use of Generative AI.
With this move, CareerBuilder continues to o
ffl
oad assets, following the sale of its
entire international business to the Greek company Pariera.
M&A- Investments/acquisitions
Link to the article

7. Strategy
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/elon-musk-announces-temporary-
limits-reading-twitter-posts/story?id=100579807
Elon Musk is changing the
rules of the game on Twitter
Since Elon Musk showed interest in acquiring Twitter, the news surrounding his strategic
moves has been like a roller coaster ride.
What is clear is that Elon Musk has a very clear "North Star KPI," which is none other than
pro
fi
tability.
Now, he has announced restrictions on the use of Twitter to "penalize" users who use it more
intensively, mainly professionals, and of course, controversy ensued. But in the end, we must
not forget that Twitter belongs to Elon Musk, not the users, and they always have the option
not to use it. Ultimately, it's the law of supply and demand.
Link to the article

8. Strategy
The consumer wants brands
that care about them
The so-called "Me Economy," a term coined by Havas Group in their report "Meaningful Brands."
A trend towards brands needing to be "meaningful" had already begun, meaning they were not just
simple merchants of products or services that address consumer needs but also contribute to
society, leaving a lasting impact even beyond their existence.
Now, the level of demand has risen, and brands not only need to be meaningful but also make the
consumer feel joyful, provide support for better mental health, and o
ff
er solutions for an easier life.
In other words, there is an evolutionary trend towards "individual transcendence."
https://www.reasonwhy.es/actualidad/me-conomy-consumidor-espera-marcas-se-preocupen-
por-el-personalmente-meaningful-brands-havas
Link to the article

9. Strategy
LinkedIn announces changes
to its algorithm and more
This month, LinkedIn has been very active in announcing signi
fi
cant changes that a
ff
ect its
strategy.
The
fi
rst of these changes is linked to the adoption of Generative AI, both in the B2B aspect
to assist companies in writing job o
ff
ers and in the B2C aspect, soon o
ff
ering the ability to
write our posts through Generative AI.
The other major announcement has been a change in its algorithm for displaying posts on the
timeline. This change comes as a response to the increase in personal posts that are not the
focus of the network and the rise in posts that aim solely for viralization without adding value
to the network.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/linkedin-is-using-ai-to-make-it-easier-for-recruiters-to-reach-you/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/linkedin-changed-its-algorithms-heres-how-
your-posts/454728
https://futurism.com/the-byte/linkedin-ai-write-posts
Link to the article

10. https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/26/youtube-reportedly-experimenting-with-online-games/?
Strategy
YouTube wants a piece of
the Gaming pie
This is not the
fi
rst time Google has set its sights on the gaming sector. Some time ago, they
launched Stadia, an initiative that ended up failing. However, now they are making a
comeback, this time focusing on their video platform.
YouTube will o
ff
er the option to play arcade-type games, so we shouldn't expect big gaming
productions, but rather simple games that create addiction.
And why is that? It's evident that it's because of the advertising revenue that revolves around
the gaming sector, which Google, as a media company, cannot and should not give up.
Link to the article

11. Generative AI
Bill Gates launches his
forecast about the impact of AI
https://futurism.com/the-byte/bill-gates-ai-poised-destroy-search-engines-amazon
This month, Bill Gates has launched his futuristic and somewhat alarming predictions about
the impact of adopting Generative AI.
According to Bill Gates, Generative AI will directly impact search engines like Google (we
won't need to use it) and even marketplaces like Amazon (not that we'll stop using it, but he
predicts we will do it in an intermediary way).
However, where Bill Gates foresees the most signi
fi
cant impact is in the rise of personal
assistants. In other words, we will all end up carrying our "personal assistant" in our pockets,
which will perform tasks automatically for us, have adaptability, reasoning capabilities, ...
ultimately serving as our gateway to the digital environment.
Link to the article

12. Generative AI
Google is seeking to
implement Generative AI
https://www.reasonwhy.es/actualidad/cambios-plantea-nueva-busqueda-inteligencia-arti
fi
cial-
google-publicidad-digital-medios
Google has announced a new search experience called the "Search Generative Experience."
The signi
fi
cant change, which is not trivial, is that Google is now considering providing direct
answers in the search results. This means a new way of conducting business, as the
Americans would say, being a "+1-page business," which is what Google is today.
However, this has a direct impact on the advertising business, which is Google's main source
of revenue, on organic indexing, and most importantly, on information bias. If users are already
provided with detailed results, what percentage of them will be interested in analyzing other
options just one click away?
Link to the article

13. New business models
https://cycle-platform.com/pages/archive-pre-owned
https://www.modaes.com/empresa/la-plataforma-de-alquiler-de-moda-cycle-platform-
pone-rumbo-a-dos-millones-en-2024
The second chance is
consolidating in the fashion
industry.
A few years ago, buying used products, especially in the context of personal items like clothing, was
associated with social stigmas. However, this perception is rapidly fading away. It has become common to
see reports of major fashion groups launching initiatives for selling used clothing or even providing areas in
their stores where customers can mend their garments.
Now, a new concept called "
fl
exible fashion buying" is emerging. With this approach, you purchase a
product, use it, and after 8 months, you decide whether to keep it or return it. If you return it, you receive a
refund based on the estimated "residual" value, determined by various parameters such as the type of
product and its condition.
The returned product then enters the second-hand market and is o
ff
ered on a marketplace to potential
second or third buyers. This concept is gaining traction and contributing to the consolidation of the second-
hand market in the fashion industry.
Link to the article

14. Monthly report
BGC analyzes the innovation
processes
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/advantages-through-innovation-in-uncertain-times?
Consulting
fi
rm BGC - Boston Consulting Group has presented an interesting report on how
companies are approaching innovation and disruption in these times of change and uncertainty.
79% of the surveyed companies consider innovation one of their top three priorities, and 66% plan to
increase their e
ff
orts in this area. However, the key question is how to drive innovation, which always
involves changes, with cultural change being the most challenging aspect. There is no clear formula,
and companies are exploring various approaches, such as acquisitions (M&A), internal
experimentation, hiring new talent, and up/re-skilling of existing talent.
Innovation is a challenge for every company, considering that between 70-80% of initiated processes
end up failing or remaining incomplete.
https://web-assets.bcg.com/ce/fd/d7fa78e547a09d2eef5086fbbf79/bcg-most-innovative-
companies-2023-reaching-new-heights-in-uncertain-times-may-2023.pdf
Link to the article

15. Monthly report
https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/gen-z-mental-health-the-impact-of-
tech-and-social-media?
McKinsey analyzes the impact
of social media on mental
health.
There is much debate about the impact that social media is having on the mental health of
its users, especially among the Gen Z - addiction, insecurities, isolation, etc. But could it
also have bene
fi
ts?
In this report, McKinsey delves into its impact, conducting a study on over 40,000 people
in 26 countries. The report analyzes four variables: mental, physical, social, and spiritual
impact.
More than 50% of the respondents say that social media provides bene
fi
ts in terms of
enhancing their socialization skills and allowing them to express themselves as they are.
Link to the article

16. Start-up’s
New training application with a
TikTok-like dynamic
https://www.springwise.com/innovation/work-lifestyle/a-tiktok-style-platform-for-gami
fi
ed-
workplace-learning/
A new application has emerged on the radar of Edtech companies. Its name is 5min.ai, and it
utilizes gaming and social media dynamics - similar to TikTok - to incentivize knowledge
acquisition.
The app's value proposition lies in 5-minute video-based learning modules, which can be
chosen from the platform's o
ff
erings or created by users themselves.
5min.ai uses Generative AI to suggest new content to users based on their consumption
patterns, creating dynamic learning paths.
The start-up originates from the UK and has secured 5.7 million USD in funding so far.
https://www.5mins.ai/
Link to the article

17. https://www.antler.co/
Start-up’s
To avoid feeling alone when
starting a business
Antler cannot be strictly considered a start-up, but rather a partner for all those who want to
embark on entrepreneurship.
Through their established ecosystem (which you can join at no cost), they provide access to a
community of entrepreneurs and assist in building your own team, accessing funding, and
receiving guidance throughout the entrepreneurial process.
Antler acts as an early-stage investor - this is their main focus, to have preferential access to
disruptive ideas and invest in them during the early stages.
Their portfolio consists of over 790 companies with a valuation of more than 3.7 billion USD.
The community comprises more than 5,600 founders, and they operate in 26 countries.
Link to the article

18. Generative AI
The future of image editing is
already here
https://vcai.mpi-inf.mpg.de/projects/DragGAN/
It's called DRAG CAN, and it allows us to radically modify images with just a pointer,
without the need for technical knowledge.
All the big players in image editing, with Adobe at the forefront, are already incorporating
Generative AI into their solutions, but DRAG CAN takes it a step further. It not only helps us
improve an image or add elements but also allows us to animate it and change its
expression with just a few clicks.
Currently, the interface is not very user-friendly since it's still in beta, but it won't be long
before they develop one or integrate it into other solutions.
You can check out di
ff
erent videos with examples of its application on the provided link.
Link to the article

19. Generative AI
Google will apply AI to ad
creation
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/google-small-business_icymi-see-how-google-ai-will-
soon-make-your-activity-7075162258896498688-EPYt?
Google, through its LinkedIn pro
fi
le "Google Small Business," has presented its vision of the
future of ad generation using Generative AI.
Their presentation is focused mainly on display or shopping type ads and o
ff
ers a range of
solutions similar to those recently introduced by Adobe Photoshop in its beta version.
With AI, users can easily introduce or generate new elements, remove elements, and increase
the resolution of certain areas of the image, all through a user-friendly interface accessible to
everyone.
Link to the article

20. https://fondoseuropeos.telefonica.es/thevalley/
Training
Telefónica and The Valley have
joined forces to provide
training for companies
This June, Telefónica and The Valley Business School have presented an ambitious project
focused on providing digital skills training for small and medium-sized Spanish businesses.
Supported by NEXT GENERATION funds, the program aims to train more than 100,000
small and medium-sized companies within 2 years.
It is a 3-month program with a hybrid format (online and in-person) and 100% free for
companies.
The program is scheduled to start in September 2023, and registrations are already open.
Link to the article

21. https://liquiddeath.com/pages/greatesthates
The monthly campaign
Liquid Death embraces its
haters to promote itself
La empresa de agua enlatada que factura más de 130m USD (700m USD EV), ha lanzado una tercera
ola de su campaña más trasgresora.
Liquid death, cuyo claim es “mata a tu sed” y que tiene un tono de marca radical, desenfadado y que
podría rivalizar perfectamente con el de cualquier bebida energética, a parte de tener sus fans más
acérrimos, tiene una gran ola de detractores/ haters, que consideran que vender agua enlatada a
2USD es una estafa.
Pero eso a Liquid death le da igual… e incluso le da la vuelta. Decidieron lanzar toda una campaña de
márketing basada en convertir en “greatest hits” los comentarios versados contra la marca en Internet.
Para ello han tenido la colaboración de diferentes artistas y este mes han lanzado el 3er volumen que
se pueden comprar online (vinilos) o escuchar en Spotify y Youtube- Greatest Hates vol. 3
https://open.spotify.com/album/35MCONvg1s2g8KqgxEEnAw
Link to the article

22. https://futurism.com/pope-guide-arti
fi
cial-intelligence?
Curiosities
Pope Francis launches a guide
for the proper use of AI
Indeed, it seems that the Catholic Church has taken an interest in Generative AI. To such an
extent that Pope Francis has presented an ethical guide for the use of Generative AI.
The Holy See has reached an agreement with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa
Clara University to create the Institute for Technology, Ethics, and Culture (ITEC). The center is
established with the aim of educating business leaders, civil society, governments, and
educational institutions on the impact of technology on humanity.
The
fi
rst outcome of this collaboration is the release of a white paper titled "Ethics in the Age
of Disruptive Technologies: An Operational Roadmap."
https://www.scu.edu/institute-for-technology-ethics-and-culture/
https://gizmodo.com/pope-francis-vatican-releases-ai-ethics-1850583076
Link to the article

23. www.thebrainmixers.com