Inside Helsinki's Slush 2024, a startup event described as a mix of TED Talks, Eurovision, and Shark Tank, attended by ~13K people, with LPs up 46% YoY to 350+ (Bloomberg)

Privacy International and Liberty are challenging the UK government's order for Apple to create a backdoor into its encrypted user data, arguing that it violates customers' privacy and free expression rights. The complaint has been filed with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which is set to hear Apple's appeal. The UK order requires Apple to give the government access to private user data encrypted through its Advanced Data Protection feature, potentially exposing all Apple account users...

Kerry Washington expands her angel investment portfolio by leading the pre-seed round for wedding marketplace Cheersy, founded by Amy Shack Egan, which connects couples with day-of service wedding coordinators and has raised $550,000 from investors like Christina Tosi and Jennifer Gilbert. Shack Egan met Washington through a mutual connection, and Washington, known for investing in startups like Spill and Equip, is one of many Hollywood figures entering the startup world. Cheersy, similar to Airbnb, allows...

Chinese asset managers are engaging in an AI arms race following High-Flyer's use of DeepSeek in trading markets, potentially disrupting the $10 trillion fund management industry. The competition is driving firms to expand AI research and adopt DeepSeek technology, leading to significant changes in the way investments are managed in China. This shift towards AI-driven strategies marks a pivotal moment for Chinese asset managers as they strive to remain competitive in the evolving market landscape....

Meta secured a legal victory against former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams, temporarily banning her from promoting or distributing her tell-all memoir containing allegations of sexual harassment at the company. The arbitrator found grounds for a potential contract violation, leading to private arbitration. While Ms. Wynn-Williams must halt book promotions and retract disparaging comments, the publisher, Flatiron Books, plans to continue promoting the book despite Meta's denial of the allegations. Full Article

The Torras PolarCircle Qi2 MagSafe Charger offers active cooling with an almost silent fan, effectively dissipating heat during wireless charging. Priced at $50 on Amazon, it attaches magnetically to devices and features a stand function for easy viewing. Requiring a minimum of 30W power input, the charger is a versatile accessory that eliminates overheating and appeals to gamers. Full Article

iRobot, known for its Roomba robotic vacuums, is facing financial struggles and potential closure within the next year. After agreeing to sell to Amazon for $1.7 billion in 2022, the deal fell through due to regulatory issues. Revenue has plummeted, resulting in layoffs and a significant drop in stock value, from a peak of $133 to just $4.06 per share. Full Article