Sweetgreen

Worthy reading

- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/business/sweetgreen-salads.html?emc=rss&partner=rss

Vector Launch

Vector Launch (a space startup) announces 'pause' even after $100m invested into the startup.

- http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/081019_vector_launch/failure-launch-vector-ousts-tucson-ceo-rocket-firm-locks-out-employees

Advancing AI

Great 60 minutes article last weekend that might interest some of you
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-ai-facial-and-emotional-recognition-how-kai-fu-lee-is-advancing-artificial-intelligence-2019-07-14

 I just ordered Kai-Fu Lee’s book off Amazon - https://amzn.to/2YgryYl

I wonder how many Australian politicians are thinking about this and how we can use this to get Australia ahead globally eg how do you think Australian politicians/teachers would react to putting a camera into classrooms to monitor attention.

VC fad money being thrown at indoor farms

Sorry Felicity, but I see lots of VC fad money being thrown at terribly inefficient startups.....im pro indoor farms but Chatswood.....who cares if your shipping containers are recycled-no wonder you are losing money

- https://www.sbs.com.au/news/indoor-vertical-farming-touted-as-future-source-of-produce

(and yes i've been following the space for a long time eg see my posts on Sundrop Farms).

Iacocca dead

Lee Iacocca, Visionary Automaker Who Led Both Ford and Chrysler, Is Dead at 94

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/obituaries/lee-iacocca-dead.html

Still have his autobiography, was one of my favorite books 30 years ago.
A powerhouse example of leading from the top.

- https://amzn.to/2RNd2kY

Nike Fortnite sneakers

hmmm @Nike should have made the business model was that you could only get a pair in Fortnite if you owned them in real life......then that would be cool.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-22/nike-s-latest-sneakers-are-only-available-on-fortnite-game?

Uber Australia didnt make $875m

Yet again another failure in Australian press;

 

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/uber-makes-785-million-in-australia-in-2018-but-pays-just-8-5-million-tax-2019-5?utm_source=Startup+Soda+Subscribers&utm_campaign=e890992212-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_05_02_11_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ee39d43b6-e890992212-174977265

 

Uber Australia DIDN’T make $875 million – Uber USA made $875m, Uber Australia did Zero development, Zero management, Zero capital risk.

Uber Australia is just a local “booking agent” and put in minimal effort. If the ATO wants to tax Uber more than $8.5m then they should encourage startups to form and stay in Australia instead of letting the USA do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to developing and funding new technologies and startups.

The ball is in your court Scott Morrison.