Manoj Narender Madnani

Now live: Our market map of the World Chain ecosystem. The part two of Web3 x AI written by my colleague Abdul Al Ali is a must-read for founders tackling digital human identity in the frontier of an AI world. Abdul explores how World Chain, #SamAltman’s human-first blockchain, is setting a new standard by bridging on-chain and off-chain identity, creating a blockchain that enhances verified human engagement in an AI-dominated world. Why It Matters for Web3 Builders: As AI agents and bots continue to blur online rap and synthetic interactions, authentic digital identity is more important than ever. Proving real personhood forms the foundation for our AI future. World Chain’s infrastructure, grounded in “Proof of Personhood,” is redefining what it means to be human on the blockchain. By prioritizing real users, World Chain paves the way for sustainable and impactful community interactions. Key Highlights from the Market Map: Combating Deepfakes: The biometric World ID feature safeguards authenticity by verifying creators, a strong countermeasure to rising deepfake risks. Ensuring Authentic Airdrop Distribution: By filtering bots from airdrop distributions, World Chain reinforces genuine community engagement and ecosystem trust. Human-First Infrastructure: Unlike blockchains designed exclusively for AI, World Chain strikes a balance between human and AI interaction, protecting the integrity of verified identities. For founders pioneering at the intersection of #Web3 and #AI, our blog insights on World Chain’s human-centric approach offer a valuable perspective on the future of digital identity. #WorldChain https://lnkd.in/emDVqcy7

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Just arrived in Doha for the Qatar Economic Forum, where I’ll be speaking on a panel about Practical Artificial Intelligence with WHOOP founder Will Ahmed and Inceptio Technology founder Julian Zheren Ma.   The discussion, moderated by Bloomberg's Mallika Kapur, comes at a moment when AI is dominating both the public news cycle (thanks to GPT-4o’s heralded arrival this week) and the private conversations we’re having with investors and founders all over the world.   I’ll be sharing B Capital 's perspective on the most promising applications of AI in the short-term, the appropriate role for AI technologies within a long-term portfolio strategy, and why we’re optimistic about the AI innovations emerging from different regions, including the Middle East.   Hope to see you there or you can also watch here: https://lnkd.in/dmWPt9ch #QatarEconomicForum

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"Saudi Arabia is second with six VC funds – Raed Ventures, Saudi Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures, Vision Ventures, Impact46, Seedra Ventures and Oqal – with a total of 67 investments. The UAE has two: Abu Dhabi's Shorooq Partners and Dubai's Global Ventures, with a combined 16 investments. The region falls behind others like Asia which has 786 and Europe with 1,227 VC funds. The US is the runaway leader with 2,298 – with the top seven VCs alone surpassing the Middle East's total. Data on how much these VCs are investing in AI is not clear, yet looking at the regional number of AI start-ups serves as a telling indicator of the sector's growth. There are 1,843 AI start-ups in the Middle East, with a total of 1,773 funding rounds that have raised $12.9 billion, data from industry tracker Crunchbase shows. In comparison, the whole of Europe has 9,994 AI start-ups with 10,598 funding rounds attracting $37.8 billion, according to the San Francisco-based start-up data platform. The top 10,000 AI start-ups in Asia have conducted 8,989 rounds that have raised $105.3 billion, while those in the US have had 17,320 rounds attracting $211.5 billion, it said. However, according to industry tracker Tracxn, there are an estimated 23,209 AI start-ups in the US."

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The biggest opportunity for healthcare is in emerging markets! At the recent Milken Institute Conference Middle East, Helmut Schuehsler of TVM Capital Healthcare (a specialised healthcare PE/Growth equity firm with over $1bn AUM focused on Asia & the Middle East) highlighted a significant insight for the healthcare sector: "The biggest opportunity for healthcare is in emerging markets." Schuehsler emphasized that healthcare in these regions: -Is less ossified, offering a less rigid framework for innovation. -Has fewer entrenched systems, which allows for more flexibility and adaptability. -Is more open to new ideas, fostering an environment ripe for groundbreaking advancements. I was also truly honored to witness my friend, Geetha Tharmaratnam, speak passionately & compellingly about the critical issues of health equity and access, highlighting that these challenges persist not just in developing regions, but also in developed markets. Her dedication to these global health issues is both inspiring and a clear call to action. These perspectives not only underscore the potential for growth and innovation,but also call for strategic investments and collaborations in these dynamic markets. Could this be a pivotal moment for rethinking global healthcare strategies? #LeadershipInHealthcare #EmergingMarkets #Innovation #HealthcareInvestment

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Join us to discuss #Neom and other Arms of the PIF at Strong AI Summit. Sanabil commits approximately $3 billion annually to private investments, Sanabil allocates 50% of its portfolio to venture capital, 30% to private equity. In a strategic move on August 7, 2024, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a decision to transfer 4% of the state's ownership in Saudi #Aramco to Sanabil Investments, valued at $77.3 billion. 🔅 Sanabil's Partnerships and Investments: 🔹️ Strategic Partnerships: Sanabil collaborates with over 50 leading venture capital and private equity firms, including Blackstone, KKR, Andreessen Horowitz, and General Atlantic. 🔹️ Diverse Investment Portfolios: Sanabil actively invests in multiple asset classes: ✔️ Venture Capital Portfolio: Allocating $2 billion annually, Sanabil is committed to fueling growth in startups and innovative enterprises. ✔️ Private Equity Portfolio: Sanabil's investments include industry leaders across various sectors, fostering sustainable growth. ✔️ Liquid Assets Portfolio: Sanabil ensures liquidity and stability by investing in quickly convertible assets. 🔅 Sanabil's Strategy: 🔹️ Focus on Innovation and Growth: Sanabil targets early-stage investments, with a particular focus on high-growth sectors such as technology and healthcare. 🔹️ Future Vision: Since its founding in 2009, Sanabil has embraced a forward-looking investment approach, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by pursuing higher-risk, higher-return opportunities. 🔹️ Seizing Global Opportunities: Sanabil is strategically positioned to capture and maximize value from the most promising global investments, contributing to accelerated economic growth in Saudi Arabia. Credits Mohammed AlQahtani Read books of Winston Ma, CFA Esq. , moderator of Strong AI Summit and this Mastermind https://lnkd.in/dfQMNSKJ #venturecapital #pif #investment

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"Sovereign wealth funds out of the Middle East are emerging as key backers of Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence darlings. Oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar have been looking to diversify their economies, and are turning to tech investments as a hedge. In the past year, funding for AI companies by Middle-Eastern sovereigns has increased fivefold, according to data from Pitchbook. MGX, a new AI fund out of The United Arab Emirates, was among investors looking to get a slice of OpenAI’s latest fundraise this week, two sources told CNBC. The round is set to value OpenAI at $150 billion, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are confidential. Few venture funds have deep enough pockets to compete with the multibillion-dollar checks coming from the likes of Microsoft and Amazon. But these sovereign funds have no problem coming up with cash for AI deals. They invest on behalf of their governments, which have been helped by rising energy prices in recent years. The Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, countries’ total wealth is expected to rise from $2.7 trillion to $3.5 trillion by 2026, according to Goldman Sachs. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, or PIF, has topped $925 billion, and has been on an investing spree as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” initiative. The PIF has investments in companies including Uber, while also spending heavily on the LIV golf league and professional soccer. UAE’s Mubadala has $302 billion under management, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has $1 trillion under management. Qatar Investment Authority has $475 billion, while Kuwait’s fund has topped $800 billion. Earlier this week, Abu Dhabi-based MGX joined a partnership on AI infrastructure with BlackRock, Microsoft and Global Infrastructure Partners, aiming to raise as much as $100 billion for data centers and other infrastructure investments. MGX was launched as a dedicated AI fund in March, with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala and AI firm G42 as founding partners. UAE’s Mubadala has also invested in OpenAI rival Anthropic, and is among the most active venture investors, with eight AI deals in the past four years, according to Pitchbook. Anthropic ruled out taking money from the Saudis in its last funding round, citing national security, sources told CNBC.  Saudi Arabia’s PIF is in talks to create a $40 billion partnership with U.S. venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. It also launched a dedicated AI fund called the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence, or SCAI."

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🌳 Is #MENA #ClimateTech on the upswing? When stripping away the impact of 2022’s mega deals, MAGNiTT's data reveals that #ClimateTech funding in #MENA saw a 40% YoY uptick in 2023 coupled with a steady deal flow. This goes against the wider VC space which saw a 23% decline in funding and a 34% in deal flow. The lion's share of MENA's ClimateTech funding, a substantial 94%, was concentrated in the #UAE and #SaudiArabia. The #UAE continued to lead the region by both capital deployed and transactions, experiencing an impressive 118% YoY increase in non-mega ClimateTech funding. This is likely in part due to last year’s #COP28 which positioned the UAE as the hotspot for ClimateTech activity in MENA. In fact, the UAE had attracted a significantly higher number of deals in 2023, more than doubling the figures observed in 2022. Curious to learn more about this steadily growing sector? Access our full Climate Tech #MarketMap report here: https://lnkd.in/d7EksvyS #climatechange #techstartup #venturecapital #funding

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September 21 2024 – 5 Notable Articles To Read Article: OpenAI in Talks with UAE Investment Fund for $7B Fundraising Takeaway: MGX was launched this year by Mubadala Investment Co., a state-owned entity, and G42, a tech conglomerate partnered with OpenAI, which supplies AI services to businesses in the region. Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest supporter, also holds a seat on G42's board. Source: The Information Link: https://lnkd.in/dTc5r3cc Article: Danish Freight Firm DSV - Global Transport and Logistics Buys German Rival for €14.3B Takeaway: The deal makes the Danish company the world’s largest freight forwarder, with DSV surpassing private equity firm CVC in the race to acquire DB Schenker. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dFh_QCRb Article: Blackstone Said to Weigh Sale of $7B Consular Tech Firm Takeaway: Blackstone Inc. is exploring options, including the sale of its majority stake in VFS Global, a visa outsourcing and technology services company, following interest from potential investors, according to sources familiar with the matter. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dkwebFta Article: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala takes stake in Revolut Takeaway: Taking part in a share sale last month that valued the London-based fintech at $45B and earned at least $200M for its founder and CEO, Nik Storonsky. Source: Financial Times Link: https://lnkd.in/dcz4XJ9K Article: An ESG Backlash Erupts in Europe on World's Strictest Rules Takeaway: As valuations and competitiveness decline, companies are protesting, claiming that the U.S. is handling the climate issue more effectively. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/d7GXi3jQ #news #business #research #ai

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More and more #GCC #SWF and other regional players are looking at #education as a serious asset class from an #infrastructure and #growth perspective. Expect more emphasis and interest to grow from here. #k12education #earlyyears #m&a #privateequity #growthcapital #edtech

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Saudi aramco's corporate venture arm Aramco Ventures are building one of the largest and most active corporate investment platforms I have come across globally, and investing in AI companies that can bring strategic impact to Aramco’s different businesses, converting that strategic value into sustainable dollar figures. Aramco Ventures has 105 active portfolio companies with initiatives that include the $500m Wa'ed Ventures fund that targets #Saudi startups; the $500m Digital/Industrial Fund, investing in areas strategic to the firm; the $1bn Prosperity7 Ventures Fund I and the $2bn Prosperity7 Ventures Fund II that focus on technologies beyond the energy sector with an emphasis on financial returns; the #Sustainability Fund, which manages $1.5bn and makes impact investments; and the $2bn Late-Stage Fund, which allows Aramco Ventures to be a longer-term investor in its early-stage investments. I have also heard they are making LP commitments to sustainability-focused venture capital funds! #corporateventurecapital #saudiaramco #saudivision2030 #saudiarabia #investments #corporates #limitedpartners #institutionalinvestors #sustainability #energytransition #decarbonization #venturecapital #artificialintelligence #middleeast #capitalmarkets https://lnkd.in/grSJn4gF

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🌍 Are Foreign Investors Regaining Interest in MENA? 🚨 That's the question we've been exploring at MAGNiTT with our latest piece. Early 2023 saw major Silicon Valley players like Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, and IVP visiting regional sovereign wealth funds, signaling potential interest. However, that interest didn’t fully materialize last year in the form of investments. This year tells a different story. In 2024, #MENA has experienced a 32% YoY increase in investor participation in the first half, driven largely by international investors. While late-stage investments remain cautious, these investors are contributing with smaller tickets. 🇦🇪 🇸🇦 Unsurprisingly, the #UAE and #SaudiArabia are the prime destinations for global investors in MENA. The UAE stands out, accounting for about 57% of the country's investors in H1'24. While familiar names like 500 Global and Antler continue to make big waves in the region, we've also seen new players such as India’s Cogitent Ventures, the UK’s Quadri Ventures, and Denmark’s A.P. Moller Capital making their first regional investments. MAGNiTT’s latest article dives into the numbers, explores the evolution, and discusses the main reasons behind this trend and what to expect next. Check it out here: Read More https://lnkd.in/dxqJ9iXR Got any guesses on which big leagues are eyeing their entry into the region? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #MENA #Global #InvestmentTrends #VentureCapital #Funding #UAE #KSA #Investors #Investment #Innovation

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This is a noteworthy move for global private markets advisory firm Campbell Lutyens to establish an office in Dubai - the capital markets hub of the Middle East and most connected city to the #India market, and frankly to the world. The region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has a core base of increasingly sophisticated investors into global alternative asset strategies as more #familyoffices are being established and several relocating to the region. Then there is the growth of #wealthmanagers and perhaps local #endowments & #insurancecompanies. As one peer noted, the old days of flying in and out to cover the regional capital market base is "colonial". You need to be on the ground and committed long-term to engage and deliver results in the region. Well done and congratulations Phiras Soubra and Team! #middleeast #unitedarabemirates #alternativeassets #capitalmarkets #fundraising #institutionalinvestors #limitedpartners #fundmanagers #offices #localpresence #dubai #saudiarabia https://lnkd.in/gwxaUC7t

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The prevailing zeitgeist around UAE capital markets is too short-sighted. Breathless ‘boomer’ commentators now wax eloquent about each day’s gyrations (for instance, that of Phoenix), along with corporate moves such as restructurings (by Drake & Scull, Uniion Properties) and buybacks (that by IHC). We await with bated breath from the same boomer analysts to point out that more than a third of returns in the domestic markets have been in the form of dividends, and not reflected in the stock price. My column for Gulf News today explores the shortcomings of the prevailing market 'wisdom' as it pertains to the fixation on UAE IPOs and first day gains. #economics #business #uae #dubai #gulfnews #news #businessnews #macroeconomics #dubaibusiness #dubaibusinessnews #finance #dubaifinance #financenews #uaenews #uaebusiness #uaeeconomy #dubaieconomy #assetprices #inflation #interestrates #moneysupply #propertymarket #dubaipropertymarket #realestate #dubairealestate #offplan #uaeinterestrates #markettrends #economictrends #banking #uaebank #centralbank #paymentplans #assetmarket #supplychain #economicgrowth #inventory #mortgagerate #uaemortgagerate #dubaimortgage #sameerlakhani #globalcapitalpartners #recession #boom #bust #monetarypolicy #uaemonetarypolicy #analysis #economicanalysis #marketanalysis #primarymarket #secondarymarket #ipo #adx #dfm #capitalmarket #capitalasset #stockmarket #stocks #uaestocks #dubaistocks #loans #credit #trading #leveragedtrading #fertiglobe #dewa #borouge #tecom #alansari #yahsat #valuation #value #alef #phoenix #crypto #alef #education #ai #artificialintelligence #dividends #capitalgains #returns #dividendreturns #capitalreturns #returnoninvestment #investindubai

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The increasing sophistication of Saudi Arabia's institutional investor base over the past 7 years continues to fascinate me, and Riyadh-based SVC has been at the forefront, executing investment partnerships such as this $30 million commitment to global $84 billion+ AUM growth private markets fund manager General Atlantic, with the aim to attract global fund managers to Saudi Arabia and deploy capital in later stage, high-growth companies. SVC is an investment firm established in 2018 and is a subsidiary of the SME Bank, one of the development banks of the National Development Fund (NDF). SVC aims to stimulate and develop financing solutions for startups and SMEs from pre-Seed to pre-IPO by investing $2 billion through investment in Private Capital funds (Venture Capital, Private Equity, Venture Debt, Private Debt) and co-investment in startups and SMEs. The focus of this venture will be on investing in high-growth, tech-enabled companies within Saudi Arabia.  The initiative aims to bolster #innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, particularly in key sectors such as #consumer goods, financial services, #healthcare, life sciences, and #technology.  No doubt, General Atlantic are one of the best and most established partners for this endeavor. Congratulations Nabeel Koshak and the SVC Team in Saudi! #partnerships #saudiarabia #alternativeinvestments #fundmanagers #capitalmarkets #saudivision2030 #riyadh #mena #gcc #privatemarkets #growthequity #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #privateequity #institutionalinvestors

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I haven't been that impressed with the majority of DeAI (Decentralized AI), but I'm excited about what Sahara AI has accomplished on the knowledge agent front. I'm really excited to see Pantera and Polychain's most recent $43M funding. Sahara will be at Token2049; check them out in Singapore. I've closely followed the evolution of blockchain's potential in decentralized AI. Our early investment in blockchain enabling decentralized data labeling in 2018 laid the groundwork for our support of Sahara AI (which it has taken to the next level with its knowledge agents). Sahara AI’s platform, particularly its handling of data privacy and compensation through blockchain, enables real-world adoption of DeAI. This technology enhances security and democratizes access to AI, allowing a broad range of users to engage meaningfully in its development. Check Sahara AI out at TOKEN2049 in Singapore! Decentralized AI has taken over Token2049! September 16th 2:00 PM: Google X Chainbase: From Data to Intelligence 3:00-3:40 PM: AI Summit The Scaling 3:30-3:55 PM: StreamCon: Beyond Block Space 6:00-10:00 PM: Founder's Night September 17th 10:55-11:15 AM: Ethereum X AI Confluence 1:00-7:30 PM: Open House #AI 4:15-4:55 PM: AIFI Summit 2024 5:00-5:45 PM: Web3 Transitions Summit September 18th 12:30-1:00 PM: DNA X Aethir House 3:40-4:20 PM: Thought Leaders Summit 4:20-5:00 PM: Singularity 2.0 [AI X Web3] September 19th 12:00-6:00 PM: <AI/All> Summit 4:30-5:15 PM: AI and Web3: Building a Trusted Digital Future 4:00-4:45 PM: Web3 X AI: Cutting Through the Hype

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HETI RIPORT #UK #impact_investments Impact investments managed in the UK reached £76.8bn at the end of 2023, a 33.3% increase on 2020 figures, according to a study published yesterday by the Impact Investing Institute. The report, entitled The UK impact investing market – Size, scope and potential, was produced through a market survey and engagement with more than 100 stakeholders, estimates the amount of direct impact investments for which the majority of investment management activities occurs from the UK (the capital managed may be invested outside of the UK). It shows an increase of £19.2bn compared with the end of 2020, when the first iteration of the report estimated the size of the market at £57.6bn.

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Dear All, I am thrilled to share that I have recently relocated from Silicon Valley to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and joined Plug and Play Middle East - a very exciting new chapter for me professionally and for us as a family of 4. Special gratitude for Saeed Amidi, Seena Amidi and Omeed M. for trusting me with this opportunity - and for many of my colleagues in the global Plug and Play Tech Center family who have supported me and become a part of my journey in the past 8 years - to name a few Sanam (Amidi) Amidhozour Michael Olmstead George Damouny Ivan Zgomba Alireza Masrour Sobhan Khani Phillip Seiji Vincent Candela FitzGerald de Suñer Miguel Bello García Allison Romero Marc Steiner Michelle Hanna John Kouzmenko - and everyone from the front of the line to the back office in Accounting, HR, Legal, Marketing and IT. You all are very special and I am (will be) forever grateful. Having spent the last 8 years immersed in the heart of global innovation in the Bay Area, even from that far, I have been witnessing for a while the tremendous positive change happening right here in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s bold approach to innovation and progress is nothing short of remarkable, and I am excited to be part of this incredible transformation. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is built on three pillars that resonate deeply with me: 1. A Vibrant Society – Creating a rich cultural and social life for its people. 2. A Thriving Economy – Fostering a diversified economy driven by entrepreneurship and innovation. 3. An Ambitious Nation – Transforming the country through sustainable development and forward-thinking leadership. I am eager to leverage my background and experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and innovation to significantly contribute to the Vision 2030 goals. The opportunities here are boundless, and I am more motivated than ever to play a role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia! Let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive this exciting journey forward! #SaudiVision2030 #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Transformation

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Our advanced workshop on VC Fund Modelling is packed with value in just 2 hours: 🔹 Refresher on VC fund fundamentals 🔹 Deep dive into portfolio construction and decomposition 🔹 Analysis of portfolio investments and asset development 🔹 Q&A session to answer all your burning questions Ideal for Emerging Fund Managers, Established VCs, Family Office and CVC employees, and HNIs in venture capital. Register now! https://buff.ly/3zxG8Ph #VC #FundModelling #PortfolioConstruction #Workshop

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UAE-based fintech Ziina زينة has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round, led by US-based Altos Ventures along with other investors including FinTech Collective, Avenir, Activant Capital, Y Combinator, FJ Labs, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), and Jabbar Internet Group. Founded in 2020 by Faisal Toukan and Sarah Toukan, Ziina helps individuals send and receive payments through its app with just a phone number, no IBAN or Swift Code required. It launched its digital wallet in February 2022. The new round will fuel Ziina’s expansion beyond a #payments solution to providing end-to-end #financial services for businesses and consumers, starting with the soon-to-launch ZiiCard. In June 2021, Ziina, fresh from completing YC’s first cohort that year and securing a $7.5 million seed, launched its #fintech app to 20,000 #retail customers, allowing them to send and receive #money. Three years later, the Dubai-based startup, which now counts 50,000 retail and business customers after expanding its offerings to meet the needs of micro, small, and medium-sized #MSME businesses in the #UAE Full TechCrunch article in comments

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