Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Negotiation Skills: Lessons from Landing an Airbnb Job

2025-04-05

This article details the author's experience landing a job at Airbnb, debunking the myth that successful negotiation is an innate talent. Instead, it argues negotiation is a learnable skill, criticizing the vague advice commonly offered. The author presents ten rules of negotiation, covering information protection, maintaining positivity, having alternatives, and more. He emphasizes viewing job hunting as selling labor, advocating for proactive negotiation rather than passive acceptance. Part one focuses on conceptualizing the negotiation process and handling initial offer conversations, providing practical advice.

(haseebq.com)

Startup negotiation skills job hunting

UK's Economic Paradox: Rich Yet Broke?

2025-04-04

Despite being the world's 6th largest economy with decades of high tax revenue, Britain faces a significant economic paradox: widespread financial strain. The article explores two key factors contributing to this: insufficient public and private investment, hindering economic growth; and shockingly inefficient public spending, evidenced by the NHS and defense procurement. The author argues for sweeping reforms to address waste and inefficiency, paving the way for economic improvement.

(martinrobbins.substack.com)

Startup Fiscal Crisis Public Investment

High School Founders' Calorie-Counting App Hits $2M in Monthly Revenue

2025-04-04

Eighteen-year-old high schoolers Zach Yadegari and Henry Langmack launched Cal AI, a calorie-counting app, which boasts over 5 million downloads in eight months and generated over $2 million in revenue last month. Cal AI uses image recognition to calculate food calories and macros, leveraging large image models from Anthropic and OpenAI for 90% accuracy. The founders' entrepreneurial journey began in high school; Yadegari sold his first company at 16. Cal AI's success showcases the dynamism of young entrepreneurs and the potential of AI in practical applications.

(techcrunch.com)

Startup teen entrepreneurs

Capsul: From Rooftop to Cloud – The Story of a Tiny Cloud Provider

2025-04-03

Capsul, a small cloud service provider, has a legendary origin story. It began in a community called Cyberia.club, with its first server, "Baikal," literally cobbled together on the rooftop of an apartment building. From manually creating VMs to a self-service web interface, and weathering server crashes and payment system outages, the Capsul team persevered, continuously improving to offer better service to small communities. Now, with a new server, "Rathouse," they're focused on making Capsul a genuinely excellent, accessible, and reliable cloud platform, not just another rent-seeking project.

(capsul.bearblog.dev)

Startup small community startup story

Vets Who Code: A Nonprofit That Changed a Veteran's Life

2025-04-02

Osvaldo Vargas, a US Army veteran and now a Senior Software Engineering Manager at Accenture Federal Services, leveraged over 14 different resources during his transition to civilian life. While he participated in numerous programs, only three significantly aided his transition. He credits Vets Who Code as the single organization that truly changed his life for the better, providing more value than twelve other nonprofits combined.

(vetswhocode.io)

Startup Veteran Transition Nonprofit Impact Coding Bootcamp

Automattic Announces Restructuring, 16% Workforce Reduction

2025-04-02

Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg announced a company restructuring involving a 16% workforce reduction. This decision aims to improve efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market. Affected employees will receive severance packages, benefits, and job placement resources. Automattic stated this restructuring is necessary to ensure long-term success and continue its mission to democratize the internet.

(automattic.com)

Startup

Skip College, Build a $5k/mo Business: A 2016 Retrospective

2025-04-02

The author reflects on what he'd do if he were 18 in 2016, arguing that traditional paths are obsolete and young people have unprecedented opportunities. He advises skipping college, focusing instead on learning coding, design, and marketing; building an online business generating $5,000/month; and practicing extreme frugality. Through online learning and low-cost living, young people can build financial freedom in a few years, investing consistently in ETFs for long-term wealth growth. Once financially secure, they can pursue passions freely.

(levels.io)

Startup Skill Acquisition

AI Revolution Shakes Up Consulting: Efficiency Boost or Quality Drop?

2025-04-01

Major consulting firms like Boston Consulting Group (BCG) are enthusiastically adopting generative AI, using it for tasks like research and data analysis. However, this shift has placed immense pressure on junior consultants. AI-driven shorter deadlines force consultants to rush subpar reports to meet unrealistic expectations from senior partners, sacrificing creativity and in-depth analysis. This has led to discontent among consultants who argue that AI is not a 'magic bullet' but rather exacerbates workload and pressure.

(the-ken.com)

Startup Consulting

Meru Health: Revolutionizing Healthcare, Tackling Mental Health Challenges

2025-04-01

Founded in 2016, Meru Health aims to help and empower individuals struggling with mental health issues. This diverse team of scientists, engineers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs is dedicated to making treatment for depression, anxiety, and burnout accessible, effective, and outcome-driven. Their mission is deeply personal; driven by founders' losses to depression, they strive to aid those suffering.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Startup

Fintech Founder Convicted of $175M JPMorgan Chase Fraud

2025-04-01

Charlie Javice, founder of the fintech startup Frank, was convicted of defrauding JPMorgan Chase out of $175 million by grossly exaggerating her customer base. Javice claimed millions of users, but the actual number was far lower. She and her co-defendant fabricated data to support the false claims. The case draws parallels to the Theranos scandal, highlighting concerns about fraud and misrepresentation in the tech startup world. Despite Javice's defense arguing JPMorgan was aware of the deception, the jury found her guilty, and she faces decades in prison.

(apnews.com)

Startup

The Guardian US: Thriving on Reader Donations, Defying Traditional Media

2025-03-31

During the Trump era, many US media outlets lost credibility due to their owners' political leanings. The Guardian US, however, took a different approach, relying on reader donations to sustain its operations and achieving remarkable success. Its anti-Trump fundraising strategy cleverly capitalized on the public's yearning for press freedom and reliable information, leading to explosive audience growth and significant revenue increases, even surpassing the Wall Street Journal's US readership. While the donation-based model has inherent volatility, The Guardian's global perspective and high-quality journalism have successfully challenged traditional media business models, offering a new paradigm for other publications.

(nymag.com)

Startup media operations reader donations

Netflix CEO: YouTube is a Training Ground, Come to Netflix for Monetization and De-risking

2025-03-31

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently commented on the relationship between YouTube and Netflix. He views YouTube as a platform for creators to hone their skills and develop ideas, but lacking financial support. Netflix, on the other hand, offers funding, reduces creator risk, and provides better monetization avenues. He specifically highlighted creators producing high-quality content on YouTube without compensation, inviting them to join Netflix for payment and reduced risk.

(www.semafor.com)

Startup

Distro Hiring Lead Solutions Engineer: AI-Powered Sales Platform

2025-03-31

Distro, an AI-powered sales platform for industrial wholesalers and distributors, is seeking a Lead Solutions Engineer. This role requires 7+ years of experience in software implementation, system integration, and troubleshooting. Responsibilities include leading customer implementations, providing technical support, and ensuring customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate possesses strong technical skills, project management expertise, and problem-solving abilities. Located in Palo Alto, CA.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Startup Lead Solutions Engineer

Village Roadshow Files for Bankruptcy: A Casualty of the Streaming Wars

2025-03-31

Village Roadshow Entertainment, the prolific film financing company behind franchises like “Joker,” “The Matrix,” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A protracted legal battle with Warner Bros., stemming from the studio's release of “The Matrix Resurrections” on HBO Max simultaneously with its theatrical release, is cited as a major factor. The company's ambitious, pre-pandemic expansion into independent film and television production proved unprofitable, further exacerbating its financial woes. The bankruptcy highlights the disruptive impact of streaming on traditional entertainment businesses.

(www.latimes.com)

Startup

Finley Technologies is Hiring!

2025-03-28

Finley Technologies is seeking to fill 8 roles across various departments, including Engineering, Operations, Sales, and Post-Sales, with locations in SF, NY, and remote options. Open positions include a Founding Product Manager, Software Engineers, People Operations, Capital Markets Associate, Implementation Lead, Technical Implementation Specialist, Account Executives, and a Growth Associate focused on Financial Institutions.

(ats.rippling.com)

Startup Tech Jobs

Kerala's Economic Miracle: From Poverty to Prosperity

2025-03-28

Kerala, a relatively small state in southwestern India, was once among the poorest in the country. However, in a few decades, it experienced a remarkable economic transformation, surpassing the national average per capita income. High literacy rates, excellent healthcare, and low population growth played crucial roles. Furthermore, the long-standing social welfare policies of Left-wing governments, coupled with deep integration into the global economy, remittances from the Gulf, and booming private sector investment, contributed to Kerala's economic miracle. However, overdevelopment and climate change pose new challenges, requiring Kerala to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

(aeon.co)

Startup Kerala

The Death of Corporate Peacocking: Why RTO Mandates Are Failing

2025-03-28

The article argues that many companies' return-to-office (RTO) mandates are driven by factors other than increased productivity, such as saving face, paying off massive commercial real estate debt, and managers reasserting control. Data shows hybrid work boosts productivity, while RTO mandates increase employee turnover. The author advocates for an evidence-based approach to work design, focusing on outcomes over presenteeism and embracing flexible work arrangements. The era of 'corporate peacocking,' where managers flaunt their status through office presence, is coming to an end, replaced by a future of trust, clarity, and impact.

(wrk3.substack.com)

Startup Workplace Culture

An Entrepreneur's Unconventional Path to Success: Prioritize Passion, Then Profit

2025-03-28

A seasoned entrepreneur shares his unconventional path to success: prioritizing passion over profit maximization. He believes life's meaning lies in experience, with money serving as a supporting tool. Thus, he only works on projects he's passionate about, even if it means potentially lower income. His experience demonstrates that focusing on what you love not only boosts efficiency but can ultimately lead to commercial success, even without an initial clear profit model. He uses multiple projects as examples, illustrating the viability of this philosophy and highlighting the importance of work-life balance. His success isn't measured in wealth, but in personal fulfillment and quality of life.

(tynan.com)

Startup personal development

From 'Good Enough' to 'Emptying the Pond': How America is Facing Resource Scarcity

2025-03-27

This article explores the current resource scarcity facing America, particularly the housing shortage. The author argues that excessive regulations and approval processes lead to inefficiency and hinder the effective use of resources. This 'perfect is the enemy of good' mentality has led to widespread public discontent. The article calls for the government to improve efficiency, prioritize tangible results over cumbersome procedures, and address the increasingly severe resource scarcity.

(inpractice.yimbyaction.org)

Startup resource scarcity

Craniometrix: $7M+ in Revenue and Hiring a Chief of Staff to Scale

2025-03-27

Craniometrix, a healthcare startup, has secured over $7 million in revenue and is seeking a Chief of Staff to help scale its operations. Leveraging Medicare's new GUIDE program, they provide innovative care for dementia patients while generating additional income for physicians. The company uses a software and services model, with payments starting July 1st, and has already signed a significant number of doctors. The ideal candidate will be highly detail-oriented, work across all aspects of the business, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Responsibilities include onboarding customers, building processes (AI-powered outbound calling, etc.), translating operations into product requirements, assisting with investor decks, responding to sales inquiries, and identifying expansion opportunities. The position requires 3+ years of healthcare experience, strong operations management skills, and a commitment to working 60+ hours per week. Craniometrix is building the world's first one-stop-shop care platform for Alzheimer's disease, focusing on optimizing care monitoring, management, and intervention.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Startup Healthcare Tech Healthcare Startup

California Makes Building Friend Compounds Way Easier

2025-03-26

Two new California laws, SB 684 and SB 1211, significantly simplify the process of building "friend compounds." SB 684 allows subdividing large lots into smaller ones for individually owned homes, perfect for friends to live together. SB 1211 permits building many more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on existing properties, up to 8! These laws reduce costs and streamline approvals, offering Californians flexible housing options. The author plans to use SB 684 to build a 6-home compound in Alameda.

(supernuclear.substack.com)

Startup California housing policy friend compounds ADUs

Europe's Largest Makerspace Opens in Berlin, Powered by MotionLab.Berlin

2025-03-26

Berlin's ringberlin campus is set to house Europe's largest makerspace, a 17,000-square-meter collaborative hub for startups, SMEs, and creators. Operated by MotionLab.Berlin, a leading German hard-tech accelerator, the space will offer state-of-the-art workshops, coworking areas, and testing facilities. With over €60 million invested, including €36 million in regional economic development funds from the Berlin Senate, the makerspace aims to foster hard-tech and deep-tech innovation within a sustainable and collaborative environment. It's a flagship project of Berlin's Masterplan Industrial City, promoting circular economy principles.

(www.berlin-partner.de)

Startup Hard-tech Makerspace Berlin

DoorDash Partners with Klarna for Buy Now, Pay Later Food Delivery – Controversy Ensues

2025-03-24

Food delivery service DoorDash has partnered with buy now, pay later giant Klarna to offer a four-installment, interest-free payment option in the US. While DoorDash promotes this as enhancing user convenience and affordability, the move has sparked controversy. Critics argue that it encourages overspending and financial hardship for those who can't afford upfront payment, while proponents highlight the flexibility it offers. This collaboration reflects the growing trend of 'buy now, pay later' services expanding beyond retail into daily expenses like food delivery. The partnership will roll out nationwide in the coming weeks, potentially setting a precedent for similar integrations in the on-demand economy.

(www.newsweek.com)

Startup Buy Now Pay Later

The Pioneer of Climbing Gyms: Peter Mayfield and City Rock

2025-03-23

Forty years ago, there wasn't a single purpose-built climbing gym in the US. In 1990, climbing prodigy Peter Mayfield founded City Rock Gym, California's first commercial climbing gym, revolutionizing the sport. He not only created a training space for experienced climbers but also made climbing accessible to the masses, particularly children and women. City Rock prioritized safety, introduced membership systems and professional climbing classes, setting a standard for future gyms. While City Rock eventually closed, Mayfield's innovative spirit and social responsibility continue through his non-profit, Gateway Mountain Center, benefiting youth.

(www.climbing.com)

Startup climbing

Hadrius: Seeking Founding Software Engineer to Prevent the Next Financial Crisis

2025-03-23

Hadrius, a rapidly growing FinTech startup, is hiring a full-time Founding Software Engineer and Technical Lead to build the automated back office for financial firms using AI. Backed by top-tier VCs and doubling revenue every 3 months, Hadrius uses AI to analyze massive datasets to identify regulatory violations. This role requires 4+ years of experience, proficiency in Django/Python and React/Next/Typescript, and a fast-paced, high-impact work style. The ideal candidate will contribute significantly within their first month, helping to prevent the next financial crisis. Hadrius already serves 100+ financial institutions managing over $400B in assets.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Startup

Hinge's $550M Secret: Selling Hope, Not Matches

2025-03-23

Dating app Hinge's success isn't about better matches; it's about masterful branding. Its tagline, "Designed to be deleted," positions it as the app that helps users find love and move on. This contrasts sharply with competitors focused on short-term engagement. In 2024, Hinge raked in $550 million in revenue with 1.5 million paying subscribers. Its story proves emotional marketing, building brand loyalty by selling hope, trumps purely functional features in driving business success.

(www.dikshaupadhyay.com)

Startup emotional marketing

High-Growth Voice AI Fintech Startup Seeking Senior Engineer

2025-03-23

Domu, a rapidly growing fintech startup, is seeking a senior engineer. They've tripled their ARR with Fortune 500 clients and 50% of their code is already AI-generated. The role involves daily feature releases, solving complex product challenges (like optimizing voice AI for collections), scaling infrastructure for millions of calls, client onboarding (including travel), and AI agent stress testing. Candidates need 3+ years experience, a proven track record of shipping scalable products, and a willingness to work long hours and travel frequently. Equity and revenue-based compensation are offered.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Startup

Kubient CEO Jailed for AI-Fueled Ad Fraud Scheme

2025-03-22

Paul Roberts, CEO of ad-tech firm Kubient, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for orchestrating a $1.3 million fraud scheme. Roberts inflated Kubient's IPO and sales of its AI tool, KAI, by engaging in a reciprocal billing scheme with another company and fabricating KAI performance reports. This case highlights the ethical risks in the pursuit of growth within AI companies and underscores the need for investor vigilance in evaluating tech company financials.

(arstechnica.com)

Startup AI fraud IPO fraud

AI Startup Guide: Become a Worse Netizen

2025-03-22

This satirical piece details the extreme measures an AI startup takes to obtain training data. Ignoring robots.txt and forging user-agents, they ruthlessly crawl forms, Git repositories, and even hijack their neighbor's Wi-Fi. They avoid connection pooling, refuse to close connections, and deliberately drop packets, all in the name of speed and data acquisition. The story humorously highlights the reckless disregard for rules and ethics exhibited by some AI startups in their pursuit of success, ultimately resulting in reputational damage.

(www.marginalia.nu)

Startup

Amazon's Jassy Slams Bureaucracy, Pushes for Meritocracy

2025-03-22

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is aggressively streamlining management layers and bureaucracy. He emphasized that promotions aren't about building large teams, but about efficient execution. He urged employees to act like owners, stay competitive, and use a dedicated "No Bureaucracy" email alias to report unnecessary processes. Over 375 changes have already been implemented based on employee feedback. The goal is to increase efficiency, fostering a more startup-like environment focused on customer experience and meritocracy, rather than size of team.

(www.businessinsider.com)

Startup management reform

Category: Startup