☕️ Innovation Espresso #8
Black friday week, AI in legal tech, what happens when robots don't need us anymore and the usual shots of corporate venturing news!
Welcome to Innovation Espresso, a quick yet powerful dose of curated news, articles, videos, reels, newsletters, and podcasts that I’ve found particularly interesting throughout the week. While I focus on Open Innovation and Corporate Venturing, you’ll find this quick yet potent dose covers more ground. Enjoy with your morning coffee!
💊 Innovation Pills
• Tesla’s Chinese rivals are building humanoid robots.
• The DOJ proposes breaking up Google’s monopoly by selling Chrome (read more).
• Early black Friday deals bring huge discounts on top tech gadgets.
• Jaguar unveils a new logo in its all-electric rebranding, but critics argue it lacks originality and alienates loyalists.
• Apple’s next-gen Siri, powered by AI, takes on ChatGPT.
• A company develops futuristic “human washing machines” (learn about it).
• Amazon’s warehouse robots still struggle to keep up with human workers, raising questions about automation limits.
• An AI-generated Alan Turing portrait sells for over $1 million (NYT article).
☕️ Your weekly sip of Corporate Venturing News
• AI accelerates legal tech funding: The surge in AI advancements, notably tools like ChatGPT, is propelling legal technology startups to new heights. Investors are keen on AI-driven solutions that streamline legal workflows, from contract drafting to complex legal analyses. Global Venturing
• Established brands must embrace agility: Even long-standing companies face challenges in today’s fast-paced market. As competition rises, especially from subsidized Chinese models, industry giants are being urged to adopt nimble approaches to foster innovation and maintain relevance. Financial Times
• Open innovation: A catalyst for SME growth: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to leverage open innovation to scale faster. Collaborating with external partners and integrating diverse ideas can enhance competitiveness and drive growth in an interconnected business landscape. Financial Express
• EIT Food and Mars launch petcare innovation challenge: EIT Food, in partnership with Mars, has introduced an open innovation challenge aimed at transforming fiber in petcare. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to enhance pet nutrition, emphasizing sustainability and health. EIT Food
• Munich Airport’s open innovation program for startups: Munich Airport has joined the “Airports for Innovation” network, launching a program to collaborate with startups. The initiative focuses on improving passenger experiences, promoting sustainable aviation, and testing AI-powered solutions. Munich Airport
• JERA Ventures partners with Plug and Play: JERA Ventures has joined the global Plug and Play innovation platform to boost corporate venture capital activity. This collaboration aims to foster innovation in the energy sector by supporting startups and leveraging emerging technologies to address energy challenges. PR Newswire
📹 Something to watch
In this Bloomberg Originals documentary, Emily Chang meets some of the most advanced robots in the world. The video delves into a future where synthetic species with human-like intelligence could reshape how we live.
🎧 Something to listen
In this episode of “Remarkable People,” Reid Hoffman discusses how AI is reshaping industries, ethical challenges in tech, and how innovation can bolster democratic values.
🛠️ Something to try
Meco: A must-have for newsletter lovers
If you’re drowning in a sea of email newsletters, Meco might just save your sanity. This tool has become crucial for me—it organizes all your newsletters into a clean, distraction-free space, turning them into an enjoyable reading experience. Check it out: Meco
🥐 Espresso is not enough?
Accenture’s “Life Trends 2025” report explores how emerging technologies, like generative AI, are reshaping online interactions, work dynamics, and personal aspirations. It’s an insightful look into five key trends shaping our future.
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See you next week,
Davide