Dr Loretta Chen

USC just posted a nice writeup of the Incubator's run up to 250 companies. Nice brief on the program, which includes hundreds of founders, many funding rounds, acquisitions, funded accelerator participants, grant awardees, and more. Thanks to the many people who have been involved over the years, as founders, mentors, investors, supporters, and more. Looking forward to the next cohorts... (Article link in the comments)

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What the what? I woke up today and my first conversation was with Ron Stewart about the mind-blowing announcement by Google on their latest quantum experiment. This latest chip, measuring just 1.5 inches has just rewritten all of the rules of computation. Hartmut Neven of Google's Quantum AI lab, said this new Willow chip 'paves the way to a useful, large-scale quantum computer'. We aren’t even there yet. I think it’s so interesting when we think about where artificial intelligence is today and it’s just its infancy but yet still so powerful. Just think about that same context in the world of compute - this quantum race hasn’t even started. 'Willow performed a standard benchmark computation in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years,' he said. 'This mind-boggling number exceeds known timescales in physics and vastly exceeds the age of the universe. This is so radical and hard to wrap my head around. But it feels like our use of machines is about to move into a place with staggering outcomes: 1) Revolutionary medical tech: Personalized treatments, curing diseases, and unlocking the secrets of human biology. 2) Understanding the universe: From quantum physics to unraveling black holes, it’s a ticket to cosmic discovery. 3) Sustainable solutions: Clean energy breakthroughs that could heal the planet Science meets spirituality: Exploring consciousness and existence like never before? Will we connect science, Mr. ism, spirituality and religion? And I think what is the interface to this powerful computing capability? It has to be conversational and that makes me think about how eventually synthetic intelligence will be impacted. It’s “everything” potentially. Quantum AI Systems capable of creativity, empathy, and unthinkable complexity. Goodness. Did anybody think 2025 was gonna be boring? https://lnkd.in/gFaaBckN

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HawkTower is a new venture capital firm focused on Underleveraged California. Our mission is to foster innovation and commercialization in critical rising and emerging regions of California, a state that still holds untapped potential as the world's fifth-largest economy. A thriving California, one that continues to grow, compete, and innovate on a global scale, is crucial for America's overall prosperity. Today, our website launched. We are also excited to announce additions to the team and advisory, including: Bill Sherrod, EdD, a 29-year Navy veteran and former Strategic Advisor to the President of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), has joined HawkTower as a Venture Partner. Bill, who initially joined us as an advisor in February, has quickly become an indispensable part of our team. His extensive experience in dual-use technology, advanced air mobility, and more brings HawkTower a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Vittoria Lecomte is a new Venture Partner. Tori is a former Forbes 30 Under 30 and an investment banker at Barclays in their Technology, Media, and Telecom Group. She was lead analyst on the Fitbit (now part of Google) and GoPro IPOs. Before joining HawkTower, she was the founder and CEO of Sesh which had a successful exit to Caraway. HawkTower is thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Tesserakt Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Central California. This collaboration, at a time of critical opportunity for emerging California, will drive cohesion in the marketplace. Daniel Emilio Sabzehzar (Venture Partner) and Phoenix Skeahan (Operating Partner) will join HawkTower, enhancing our sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support capabilities. Lenny Mendonca, a Turlock native, is a new advisor. He served as Governor Newsom's Chief Economic and Business Advisor and is also a Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company, where he founded the firm's U.S. state and local public sector consulting practice. Walt Duflock, head of innovation for the Western Growers , is also a new advisor. Walt is a partner at a 5th-generation family farming operation in Monterey County. In addition to 30 years of experience at Silicon Valley tech startups, Walt and his team at WGA are extraordinary thought leaders in the AgTech ecosystem. Our technical advisory capacity is significantly strengthened with the support of Alexander Wolf, Dean of the Baskin School of Engineering at University of California, Santa Cruz, Amy Fleischer, Dean, the College of Engineering California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), and Rakesh Goel, Dean, School of Engineering, University of California, Merced. HawkTower is confident in the entrepreneurial acumen and potential of each of these universities (as well as NPS, UC Davis, Fresno St., and others). I'm humbled to share these updates with you as we continue to grow our firm out in the open with your input.

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Notes on the Classical Authors Poster design: ‪1. Author choices: these are specifically the authors read in the Old Western Culture series. ‬ ‪2. Author size: authors like Homer and Vergil and Plato and St. Augustine are larger than authors like Hesiod or Einhard because students read more of those authors’ works in Old Western Culture. ‬ ‪3. Designs: the symbolic designs around each author reflect a work the student reads. So if there is one symbol, that represents one work. If three (like Dante, which in this case the three canticles are treated separately, you have three). Shakespeare gets 4: three plays, and a collection of sonnets. ‬ ‪4. Greyscale (for Early Moderns): These are authors covered in the curriculum lectures and important (often read previously), but not assigned reading in that unit. ‬ ‪It would be a fantastic classroom activity to have students identify the symbolism of each author and work! Some are obvious, some are less so. If you’re stumped, reach out and ask! (But only if you read the book first!)‬ Learn more: romanroadspress.com/swag

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The 'sugar daddy effect' is evident in the success of Google's venture investments, according to Aswath, prof. at NYU's Stern School of Business https://lnkd.in/eGpuV6yq Damodaran pointed out that Google benefited from investing beyond its comfort zone in startups such as Uber, Airbnb, and Slack early in their lifecycle. But, like a good sugar daddy, Alphabet (Google's parent) has provided the cash and left Google Ventures (now known as GV) to be more independent (CapitalG and Gradient, its other CVC units, are probably more closely aligned) with Fortune's excellent profile of David Krane stressing its ability to make independent decisions and focus on financial returns, rather than strategic alignment. https://lnkd.in/em5WagM2 However, with $10bn invested - $1bn a year through the peak financial bubble era of the pandemic years and an average of 50 new portfolio companies every year since 2020 - it's good Ruth as CFO has given GV a 300-year time horizon to return the cash. By comparison, however, with its international competitors, Alphabet is still remarkably cautious - Tencent has been doing $5-10bn per year in its CVC unit for 15 years while SoftBank has equally invested tens of billions in venture. To see the world, register for the GCV Keystone benchmarking and update our annual survey of ~500 CVCs: https://lnkd.in/eZV3rpAv

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UC Berkeley stands out as a powerhouse for startup founders, leading the world in graduates who launch venture-backed companies. Their approach to innovation and inclusivity has created a significant impact, particularly among female entrepreneurs. With the highest number of female-founded companies and substantial capital raised, Berkeley is rewriting the narrative around women in business. This success is not just a byproduct of policies or happenstance. It stems from a culture that challenges the norm and fosters a community of engaged alumni. This raises an important question: What should other institutions learn from Berkeley’s model? Debate respectfully. https://lnkd.in/etHY_TBZ

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Shout out to Hugo Rauch for having me come and waffle on about the un:hurd music journey on his awesome business podcast Explore - Startups and VC Podcast ♥️ The infinitely high ‘peaks’ and lonely ‘troughs’ of the journey are sometimes hard to vocalise, but you gave me the space to speak freely on these topics! If you’re interested in business podcasts, Hugo’s is a good one to check out.

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I had a great time talking with Dr. Jeremy Weisz on "The INspired INsider" podcast. We talked about a wide range of topics; creativity, entrepreneurship, writing, collaborations, fashion shoots, and monkeys that hurl feces. There is something for everyone in this podcast. Check it out in the link below. #creativecareers #entrepreneurs #podcasts #creativity #writing #inspiredinsiderpodcast #behindthescenes #drjeremyweisz 🎤 Dr. Jeremy Weisz

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#ShortFilm: My First #ExecutiveProducer Credit Short Film via #California #LosAngeles For years, I’ve envisioned creating a powerful series that dives deep into the multifaceted effects of social media. The series would explore how social media influences families, impacts individual users’ mental and emotional well-being, and shapes the corporate world behind the scenes. It would highlight the interconnectedness of these areas, showing how seemingly small actions or unchecked behaviors can have profound consequences. Without proper checks and balances, the ripple effects of social media can lead to worst-case scenarios, from strained relationships and mental health crises to harmful corporate practices. This project aims to shine a light on the urgent need for responsible usage and regulation in the digital space. ( This will be turned into a series eventually ) different title but so much content can be made, it’s based on my life … dramatized https://lnkd.in/e5kaBRvp

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A thought-provoking blog post from Khosla Ventures explores AI's dual-edged nature. What sets this perspective apart from other venture capitalist views is its acknowledgment of challenges and the need for proactive measures. Including Addressing Inequality: Khosla recognizes the risk of AI exacerbating existing inequalities and emphasizes the importance of ensuring broad access to AI technologies. Proactive Governance: Unlike techno-optimists who advocate for unfettered AI development, Khosla stresses the need for robust AI governance frameworks to mitigate risks. Investment in Safety: The post calls for increased investment in AI safety research, demonstrating a commitment to responsible innovation. Policy Considerations: It advocates for policies to address potential job displacement, showing foresight about AI's societal impact The future of AI is not predetermined; it’s shaped by our choices today. Let’s engage in this critical dialogue about how to navigate the path ahead responsibly. Read the full blog post https://lnkd.in/gjb4cmjS #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Innovation #FutureOfWork #Technology

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🚀 Simplify your investor pitch with our new Music Therapy Practice Investment Pitch Deck 2025 Template in MS Word! 📝 Tackle these pain points head-on: ❌ Complex formatting ❌ Design struggles ❌ Presentation anxiety Enjoy these reliefs: ✅ Professional, polished design ✅ Easy-to-edit slides ✅ Clear, compelling storytelling https://lnkd.in/dxjrFpqY Perfect for startups aiming to shine. Get your template now and pitch like a pro! 💼 #sidehustle #businessopportunity #sidehustleideas #businessplan #businesstips #businessproposal #businessplanner #templates #startupbusiness #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #businessideas #smallbusinesstips

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If you're a startup investor or looking to get into startup investing this will be a great session on 14th August at 11am SG time. Syndicates provide several advantages to investors: 1) They allow investors to enter with a lower check size. This is important as the best deals often have a minimum check size that may be too high for many people. 2) There is a lead investor of the syndicate who usually manages many of the work that part time investors may find challenging like negotiating a valuation for the round, providing due diligence and handling the paperwork/legal. 3) Sourcing good deals. This is often where new Angels fail. They are new so they don't have a good network so they make bad investments and then give up. By going through a syndicate you have a better chance of avoiding this fate.

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Founder & CEO at Noble Books Publishing Pioneering the Future of Publishing and Marketing As the founder and driving force behind Noble Books Publishing, I've embarked on a mission to revolutionize the worlds of publishing and marketing. With a vision to empower aspiring authors and burgeoning businesses, Noble Books stands as the first-ever comprehensive solution for individuals and enterprises seeking to carve their niche in the literary and commercial spheres. Innovative Approach: At Noble Books, we don't just offer services; we provide holistic solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients. From ghostwriting and illustration to website development and design, our 360-degree marketing approach ensures that every facet of your project receives the attention it deserves. Transforming Dreams into Reality: Our company is more than just a publishing house; it's a catalyst for success. By offering unparalleled support and guidance, we empower aspiring authors to transform their literary dreams into tangible realities. Likewise, we partner with small businesses to unlock their full potential through strategic marketing and online reputation management (ORM) strategies. Setting the Standard: As the first US-based marketing and ebook publishing company headquartered in the United States, Noble Books is setting a new standard for excellence in the industry. Our commitment to quality, integrity, and personalized service sets us apart as the premier destination for individuals and organizations alike. Our Motto: "They do it over the phone, we do it in person." This mantra encapsulates our dedication to going above and beyond for our clients, ensuring that every interaction is characterized by authenticity, professionalism, and genuine care. Join me in shaping the future of publishing and marketing. Let's write the next chapter of success together at Noble Books Publishing.

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Watch this clip from Ep #4 of The 2.28% with Firas Mghames and Rudy Shoushany, Crypto expert, FinTech Consultant, and public speaker. Check out the full episode on YouTube to see how and why the world's of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Crypto collide for Rudy. https://t.ly/PIIIU

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Spy x Family CODE: White REVIEW: https://lnkd.in/gYwP_urt By Gerrymelyn Casupang, The Kitsune Network's newest member! #Crunchyroll #anime #spyxfamily #Toho #SpyXFamilyCODEWhite

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