Dear Fellow Entrepreneurs,

It’s time for more changes, not just the weather but of course the new year !

Our next meeting in January the 8th, Wednesday at the Marriott.  

For those focused on business, I think we can all agree there are few firms that don’t have some need and applications in the tech world. With the advent of AI being prolific and clearly here to stay it’s challenging keeping up hence our co-meeting.

Many of our regular attendees, along with several new members, are tech-oriented. With that in mind, let’s connect the dots and meet with those who can offer expertise and networking in tech.

Bring your questions and keep in mind Startup Corvallis remains here to help your business in any way possible.

We trust that your business is thriving and you’re keeping up with the tsunami of change in everyone’s digital environment.  Not unlike last month’s updates the AI front is still the key news item.

Please RSVP at the meetup site. People need to know that you’re attending.  Have you thought about bringing a friend or colleague ?

Meet us in the lounge and enjoy some food or drink and get ready for some great conversations.

Is there some specific information you want or need to assist your business ? Drop us a line and let’s focus our monthly newsletter for your needs and make referrals.

For this month’s updates we have;

  1.    ChatGPT on your phone ?
  2.    Lama 3.2 on your phone ?
  3.    MindNode Hackathon with a $1k prize….
  4.    Warm Investor Intro Playbook lecture
  5.    Longevity increase by 25% ?
  6.    Cyber Issues to consider for 2025
  7.    Refugee to Unicorn…interesting story
  8.    Looking for funding, from any source and… with free access as a founder ?

Quote of the day:

“Do today what should be done. Your tomorrow may never come” — Harry F. Banks

ChatGPT to US users: ‘Call me on my cell phone’:

In a blast from the past, you can now talk to ChatGPT toll-free by dialing 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478). But the retro throwback isn’t just for fun. It also means you can now use the platform even if you have no access to the internet.

  • If you’re in the US, you’ll get 15 minutes of call time per month at no cost, then you’ll have to create an account to keep using the platform
  • To really immerse yourself in the old-school vibe, you can even call from a flip phone — or a rotary phone
  • If you’re an international user, you’ll now be able to text ChatGPT directly on WhatsApp via the same number (although the call feature is only available in the US and Canada for now)

 

mindstudio hackathon

Warm Intros

Warm Investor Intros Playbooks Masterclass: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Jan
21
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM PST
Zoom
Get Tickets
Welcome! Please choose your desired ticket type:
Standard
£3.99
Standard + Angel Investor Map
£3.99
Includes access to the Masterclass (21st Jan 2025) and an Angel Investor Mapping Playbook.

​An all-brand new Fundraising Playbooks Masterclass from Eva Dobrzanska just dropped.

​Learn how to bypass gatekeepers, craft irresistible outreach messages, and land meetings with top-tier investors—even if you don’t have a network yet.


 

25% Lifespan Extension Treatment

What It Is: Groundbreaking research reveals a new anti-aging therapy that increased mice lifespans by 25%. Blocking the inflammation-promoting protein IL-11 in middle age boosted metabolism, reduced muscle wasting and frailty, and lowered cancer risks. The therapy not only extended life but also improved healthspan. IL-11 blockers, already in clinical trials for cancer and tissue scarring, show promise for future use in elderly humans. This exciting development offers hope for a healthier, longer life for all.

Why It Matters: The decade ahead is the start of a healthcare revolution driven by converging tech like AI, gene therapies, and cellular medicines. I get excited by announcements like this one because they demonstrate that we still have large levers to pull to optimize healthspan. With IL-11 blockers already in human trials, we’re potentially on the cusp of a game-changing therapy that could redefine aging. Unlike previous studies, this breakthrough worked in both male and female mice, potentially adding 20 years to human lifespans—from 77.5 to 97 years. This is what we call a “bridge-two intervention,” where bridge-one is sleep, diet, exercise and not dying from something stupid.   Peter H. Diamandis, MD


 

TechRepublic asked cyber experts to predict the top trends that will impact the security field in 2025.

The cyber landscape is more turbulent than ever and from reading this article it’s clear that the waters will be churning and take caution to a new level.
Microsoft recently reported a 2.75-fold increase in ransomware attempts this year, while research predicts that global cyber attacks in 2024 will surge 105% compared to 2020. There is a dire need for more qualified cyber professionals as generative AI is lowering the barrier to entry for attacks. Unfortunately, cyber skills gaps have been reported in both the U.K. and Australia, with women making up only a quarter of the industry.But how will we roll into next year? TechRepublic asked cyber experts to predict the top trends impacting the security field in 2025.

Here is the abbreviated 5 areas to consider from the TechRepublic article. 

1. Renewed focus on third-party risk management, including the AI software supply chain

2. Macs will become more targeted by cybercriminals

3. Identity to shift into the jurisdiction of security teams

4. Cyber regulations will divide countries

5. Specific employees targeted via social media and AI

Acumen Academy

In our Human-Centered Design 201: Prototyping course, discover how to move from concept to prototype.

This course will guide you in creating low-cost prototypes that bring your ideas to life, allowing you to test them with real users and gather meaningful feedback. With each round of feedback and iteration, you’ll refine your prototype into a solution that makes a real difference.

Read how URCSF, working to provide agricultural training for rural farmers in Uganda, used Conversation Starters as a prototyping method to understand farmers’ preferences for loan structures and timing, allowing them to gain greater insight into farmers’ needs than traditional interview methods. 

Refugee to Unicorn

THU, JAN 16, 2025 – People First: Lessons from a Refugee-Turned-Unicorn Founder
How do you transform life’s most challenging journeys into opportunities for extraordinary success? Payam Zamani’s story is a testament to the resilience and vision that drive entrepreneurship. From arriving in the U.S. as a teenage refugee with less than $100 to his name to cofounding the billion-dollar AutoWeb IPO within a decade, Payam’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and purpose. Payam, Founder and CEO at One Planet Group and author of Crossing the Desert: The Power of Embracing Life’s Difficult Journeys, will join us for an inspiring session that blends personal narrative with actionable insights for entrepreneurs.
Register

Need funding or are you a funder looking to reduce your due diligence overhead, find new deal flow and LP’s or reduce your inbox overload with aligned founders exclusively ?

InvestorMatch.ai is an excellent resource that matches funders to founders, using AI. The platform is the ideal way to find funding sources and is available to founders, at no charge.

Unlike other platforms, the software eliminates 2-3 meetings and gives all parties the whole picture of who and what you’re doing allowing for alignment, from the start.

When there’s alignment all parties have the comprehensive details needed for an actionable meeting. Think of this process as a warm introduction with both parties ready to get into gear immediately.

The funders are international in scope, from private, public, and commercial sources, and it’s industry agnostic. A real opportunity for any founder to find the right people, in your industry who are interested in seeing you succeed, with funding. InvestorMatch.ai,  Finding alignment with AI