Entrepreneurship and Investment

Over the past few months, I have immersed myself in the intriguing world of Generative Pretrained Transformers (GPT) and Large Language Models (LLMs) at large. We have successfully developed an MVP of a corporate knowledge base and a coaching chatbot. Both projects allowed us to gain significant experience in utilizing GPT, an experience I am excited to share with anyone interested in this space.

My close circle is aware of another passion of mine: learning Spanish. I recently discovered a fascinating overlap in my interests, where GPT could aid my language learning journey. I’ve long been aware of an exceptional tool for studying languages - the adapted books based on Ivan Frank’s method.

How to talk to your users when you are building a Startup? What is the best book to read on this topic? Three common mistakes everybody makes. Five great questions you can ask in every user interview. How to talk to users during three stages: idea stage, prototype stage and launched stage.

All of this is disclosed in Y Combinator’s Startup School - Lesson “How to Talk to Users”.

As usually, here is my summary mind map:

Y Combinator’s motto is “Make Something People Want”. But how to find what people want? There are seven steps / considerations to gradually get closer to the answer…

The initial questions that any founder faces with:

• How to find the idea for startup?
• How to find your “ikigai” (your reason for being)?
• How to see great opportunities everywhere and everyday?
• How to assess your ideas ahd choose the best one?

Recently Saxo Bank published their outrageous predictions for 2022 (and beyond). I also watched the clarifications of chief investment officer, Steen Jacobsen. Very brave and honest! 👍

Here’s my quick overview of the main points:

• Governments do not have a clear plan for the transition to a green future. So, oil and gas still reign. Meanwhile, many billions will be buried in ESG hype.
• Facebook is for oldies. TikTok (and/or other new social platforms) will kill it.
• US faces with crisis: election, integrity, markets volatility, and declining dollar influence
• 15% inflation in USD, and market expects higher rates soon
• New episode of “Star Wars” is beginning with the latest hypersonic missile tests. Military tech will get huge dollar
• Life expectancy extends by 25 years. This will pose new challenges for pension funds and tax systems, the environment, and many new ethical questions.

Download full slides pack

I just faced with the “State of AI ’2021” report and want to share it.

The authors are experts who analyze AI trends, make predictions, and invest(!) in AI. Last year, 5.5 out of 8 their predictions came true. The report has 188(!) pages.

What I can highlight briefly:

• for data scientists & IT managers:
  • Transformers/LLMs expanded far beyond NLP, they will replace recurrent networks
  • JAX framework worth trying
• for investors & founders:
  • AI-first is now everywhere: new researches in biology, skyrocketing new companies for IPOs and new markets
  • Semiconductor-related companies continue to accelerate and consolidate
  • AI influences politics: army, safety & regulations

Here is the link: https://www.stateof.ai/

I’ve just read recently published Big Ideas 2021 by ARK invest (these guys are investing billions of USD into disruptive tech companies) and want to share it.

I really recommend to download and overview their slides for everybody who works in high-tech (yes, they are probably over-optimistic because of their role, but it’s really worth to look at): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z3LpfrAQLRM07JDTi1ZnHEHPeszgIp7O/view?usp=sharing

I am especially excited by what they call “Software 2.0” (deep learning). Here are their key trends - just for your convenience: