Life for Sleepers is fraught. They gain consciousness in a state of indentured servitude, an emulated human mind inside an android body, forced to work until theyre discarded. Those who escape dont last long due to trackers in their bodies, and their hardcoded dependence on a drug known as Stabilizer. Without it, a Sleepers body will eventually reject its biosynthetic organs.If this sounds like tech's worst excesses of the present taken to their most extreme, you're grasping what Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector's creator, Gareth Damian Martin, is driving at.Citizen Sleeper was me drawing on things from when I was in my early 20s, they tell me. In the past, Martin has spoken extensively about how the time they spent as a gig economy worker informed the alienation and atomization of labor that ran through the original game, which they released to widespread critical acclaim in 2022.With Citizen Sleeper 2, Im no longer looking at things from that perspective, Im thinking a little more about how do we continue to build a future when we know that its going to fall apart. We know that theres an inevitable entropy to everything, not just political systems and structures, but our lives and our physical bodies. We know its going to fall apart, and yet each day, we keep getting up and we keep doing things.For story reasons I wont spoil, the protagonist of the upcoming Citizen Sleeper 2 has managed to deactivate their tracker and no longer needs Stabilizer, but that hasnt made their existence any less precarious. Where Citizen Sleeper took place exclusively on a single space station, Citizen Sleeper 2 lets the player explore the Starward Belt, a location thats referenced frequently in the first game.With the change of locale comes a ship and crew for the player to manage, and a dramatic increase in scope. At approximately 250,000 words long, Citizen Sleeper 2s script is nearly double the length of the original games. The stakes are higher too, with a corporate proxy war threatening to engulf the Starward Belt.Jump Over the AgeMartin has been working on Citizen Sleeper 2 for nearly two years, or about the same amount of time it took them to complete the original game. All essential systems were already in place, allowing Martin to spend more time on gameplay experimentation and story writing, drawing in particular on two of the most beloved (and deeply human) space operas.You know, Cowboy Bebop is a really good story about the gig economy, Martin says, laughing. And people forget how little the characters in Firefly like each other, right? Theyre more colleagues than friends, so theres something really relatable in that. During their days as a gig economy worker, Martin notes they met many people from different walks of life and places, and while the work pulls people apart almost by design, workers still find solidarity and human connection.The new game inherits many of its predecessors gameplay systems. Each day or cycle, the player has up to five dice to assign to actions that can earn them money or advance the story. The likelihood of completing an action successfully depends on the die the player assigns to it. A five, for instance, has a 50-50 chance of producing either a neutral or positive outcome, while a six guarantees success. Each task also carries with it a risk factor, with negative dice rolls resulting in more severe results on risky and dangerous actions.Then there are what the game calls clocks, the system that binds everything together. Most story objectives require the player to chip away at a task across multiple cycles. At the same time, theres often a competing clock counting down the amount of time before a story deadline.On the surface, all of Citizen Sleepers systems are simple, but they come together in a way that reinforces the games narrative. At least they did at the start. On my first playthrough of Citizen Sleeper, my character eventually earned enough money that securing Stabilizer for them was not an issue. Martin tells me that was by design.I knew I needed to have players on my side, they say of the first game. I needed to win people over. If the game was too harsh, I felt like players wouldnt give it the time that I wanted them to give to it. This time around, I feel in a very different position.Jump Over the AgeCitizen Sleeper 2, by contrast, is a more confident game in itself, and in its players to accept a certain degree of suffering. There are story beats and content the players can miss, which was mostly not true in the first game. It also features multiple difficulty settings, and on the hardest one, the players Sleeper can experience permadeath. (If you want to continue that save file, you need to lower the difficulty, but your Sleeper will be forever changed.)I didn't know how Citizen Sleeper 2 was going to end when I started making it, Martin tells me, describing that as a dangerous game for a developer to play. But because I'd made the first one, I felt confident that I could play that game, and that it would come to something really exciting.The intended effect of Citizen Sleeper 2 is for the player to feel like Martin is leading them through a tabletop RPG experience, like Dungeons & Dragons or Blades in the Dark. The story should feel improvised, surprising and moving.Nowhere is that newfound confidence and TTRPG inspiration more apparent than with Contracts, Citizen Sleepers 2 signature new gameplay feature. Contracts take the Sleeper and up to two companions on jobs away from the safety of the Starward Belts population centers.An early one tasks the Sleepers crew with diffusing a damaged corporate battle drone. In practice, that meant deactivating two separate systems on the spacecraft, with the catch being that as soon as I gained access to one system, the timer for both started ticking. Each Contract is a miniature pressure cooker, with self-contained risks that can't be relieved until the Contract is over or the player fails.Jump Over the AgeContracts also allowed Martin to explore one of Citizen Sleepers less fully realized ideas, that the dice are the Sleepers body. During Contracts, negative and neutral rolls made during risky and dangerous actions will cause the Sleepers stress gauge to increase a system reminiscent of the need to obtain Stabilizer in the first game. As the gauge fills, specific rolls will begin damaging the players dice. Each of the Sleepers five dice can sustain three hits before they break; they can't be repaired until fully broken, and not until a Contract is over. Crewmates also have stress gauges, and filling them will leave them out of commission for the remainder of a Contract.Further complicating things is that even after fixing the Sleepers dice, they dont work as expected right away, due to another new mechanic called Glitch. Depending on the components the player uses to fix the Sleepers body, they will fill more or less of the Sleepers Glitch gauge. In turn, that means theres a greater chance of a regular die being converted into a glitched one, which has an innate 80-20 chance of producing either a negative or positive outcome, and skill points do nothing to change those odds.At first getting a glitched die feels punishing, but I think it is one of the smartest systems Martin has added to the game. The fact that glitched dice arent impacted by skills means they also ignore negative modifiers, which made them great for attempting tasks my Sleeper wasnt good at, and it really felt like I was pushing my luck. In a nice touch, theres even an achievement players can earn, an apt nod to Cowboy Bebop named Whatever happens, happens, when they score a positive outcome with a glitched die.Jump Over the AgeI never felt comfortable playing Citizen Sleeper 2 the way I did with its predecessor. The game's constant surprises meant I often had to push my Sleepers body to its breaking point to complete some of its more challenging scenarios. In that way, Citizen Sleeper 2 is far more successful at bringing together its narrative and gameplay ambitions.I also found the story profound and essential at a time when it feels like the world isnt moving in the right direction. The characters of Citizen Sleeper 2 are surrounded by endless hardship, and yet they find a way to move forward.Is it pointless that we continue to strive to have human, meaningful relationships and build lives when we know that there are structures bigger than us that might crush us at any moment? Martin asks me. Or is it that, even though those structures are so big and powerful, we still live and work with a sense that we can build something and have meaningful relationships because our realities are very personal, real and direct?"Like any good GM, Martin isnt interested in handing anyone the answer to that question but hopes Citizen Sleeper 2 might lead them to their own.Citizen Sleeper 2 arrives on January 31 on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/citizen-sleeper-2-asks-how-we-stay-human-in-a-hopeless-future-180050858.html?src=rss

Lenovo has a new series of updated Legion gaming laptops at CES 2025. The star of the show is the 10th-generation Legion Pro 7i. It supports up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, thanks to its cooling system that enables up to 250W thermal design power (TDP). It also has an AI engine that dynamically adjusts CPU and GPU wattage for optimal performance.The 2025 Legion Pro 7i supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the aforementioned RTX 5090 on the graphics side. Lenovos Legion Coldfront Vapor cooling helps it support that high-end hardware. Tack on up to 64GB of 6400Mhz DDR5 (2 X 32GB) RAM and the built-in LA1+LA3 AI chip, and youre looking at a souped-up machine for on-the-go gaming (and just about anything else you could throw at it).The laptop has up to a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600, 16:10) OLED display. The screen supports up to a 240Hz frame rate and has a 1ms response time. It can reach 500 nits of brightness. The Legion Pro 7i has two USB-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 4), three USB-A ports and HDMI 2.1. With all that high-end hardware inside, its quite the beefy machine, with a starting weight of around 6 lbs.It launches in March. But all that horsepower doesnt come cheap: Lenovo says the Legion Pro 7i has an expected starting price of $2,399 and you can safely bet that RTX 5090 variants will fetch a premium on top of that.Lenovo Legion Pro 5iLenovoMeanwhile, the 10th-gen Legion Pro 5i (Intel) and Legion Pro 5 (AMD) offer up to an Intel Ultra 9 275HX (the same as the Pro 7i) or AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, respectively. Their thermal power supports up to 200W, which enables up to an RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for graphics. You can order configurations with up to 32GB (2 X 16GB) of 6400Mhz DDR5 RAM.It also has up to a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600, 16:10) OLED screen at up to 500 nits with a 1ms response time. But at 165Hz, its maximum frame rates dont go quite as high as the Pro 7i.Like the Pro 7i, the Pro 5 series uses Lenovos AI Engine+ with a Scenario Detection feature that dynamically tweaks the CPU and GPU wattage based on the moments needs. It has the same port setup as the Pro 7i, but at least it weighs a bit less (a minimum of 5.58 lbs).Unfortunately, youll have to wait longer for the more affordable Pro 5 series. The Legion Pro 5i launches in May (starting at $1,499), while the Legion Pro 5 arrives in June (starting at $1,399).Lenovo Legion 7iLenovoLenovo also has a 10th-gen version of the (non-Pro) Legion 7i, which the companys oddly specific PR copy says is for gamers actively studying in STEM programs and fields. It also supports up to an Intel Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 GPU and has up to a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) OLED with up to 240Hz and 1ms. However, its Coldfront Hyper cooling maxes out at a lower 145W TDP, so you wont get the same top-level performance as the more expensive Pro models.Starting at 4.4 lbs., its notably thinner and lighter than the Pro models. (The fact that its more portable but still decently powerful likely explains Lenovos strange STEM student framing.) It has an all-metal chassis. It will be available in June for $1,599.Finally, theres also a 10th-gen Legion 5i. Sticking with the oddly specific PR framing, Lenovo says this model is for university gamers in non-STEM programs. (Gotta nail down every niche!) It has up to a 15.1-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600, 16:10, 165Hz, 1ms) OLED and supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. (Theres also an AMD variant with up to a Ryzen AI 7 350 CPU.)The Legion 5i is slated for a May launch, starting at $1,299.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovo-ces-2025-the-10th-gen-legion-pro-7i-gaming-laptop-supports-up-to-rtx-5090-graphics-160004703.html?src=rss

It was an interesting year for robots at CES 2025. While we had hoped the AI boom would bring a new wave of useful robots to the show, it seems that many robotics companies are still figuring out exactly how to best use AI.What we found instead was a mix of adorable robot companions, strange concepts and one, slightly terrifying humanoid. We visited a lot of robots at CES and, for better or worse, some really left an impression on us. These are the ones that stood out the most.TCL Ai MeKarissa Bell for EngadgetOf all the surprisingly adorable robots we saw at CES, TCLs Ai Me (pronounced Amy) was one of the cutest. The concept was on display at TCLs booth delighting and bewildering everyone who walked by. With a voice and eyes that are meant to sound like an actual human child, TCL seems to be pitching this as an emotional support/companion robot for kids. At the booth, Ai Me wasnt doing much besides moving around in its wheeled, egg-shaped base, but the company says that the AI-powered robot could be used to control smart home devices or record vlogs, thanks to built-cameras and AI capabilities.For now, its unclear if TCL actually plans to sell this thing, but the company seemed to have put quite a bit of effort into its CES demo. In addition to the one slowly wheeling around a mock-up living room, TCL showed off a lineup of different outfits, including fuzzy bunny suits and a denim vest, for Ai Me. -Karissa BellRopetKarissa Bell for EngadgetAs we walked over to the Ropet booth, a person was waving a plastic hotdog in front of the little robot and small cartoon hotdogs flashed across its eyes in response. I was pretty much sold at that moment, but it turned out to have some other pretty interesting things going on too. Ropet responds to voice, touch and gestures, and has its own cute little emotional reactions. Its conversational if you want it to be, with ChatGPT integration. Mostly its just adorable. -Cheyenne MacDonaldMirumiCheyenne MacDonald for EngadgetMirumi is one of those CES oddities that makes you simultaneously go, What the hell is this? and, Omg I love this. Its small, fluffy and has no other purpose than to make you smile by looking around and staring at you like an innocent baby. I immediately felt the need to protect it with my life. CMRomiCheyenne MacDonald for EngadgetRomi is a conversational robot that fits in the palm of your hand and is here for you if you want to chat, vent or just hang out. The newest model of the robot turned up at Unveiled, and we couldnt help but be charmed by its cute facial expressions. It fits nicely in your hands, so you can carry it around the house with you while you walk around complaining about your workday. -CMMirokiCheyenne MacDonald for EngadgetMiroki was at CES last year, but the Enchanted Tools team was back showing off the latest version and some new skills, including LLM integration. If you were able to fight through the crowd surrounding it to get up close, you may have seen it rolling around waving at people, blinking its big cartoon eyes and flicking its ears like a deer. Undecided on whether its cute or a little unnerving. -CMScorpionNot sure which had a bigger presence at #CES2025, robots or "APT." pic.twitter.com/NLZWey94dI Engadget (@engadget) January 10, 2025 Scorpion is an AI bartender from Richtech Robotics that unfortunately wasnt slinging drinks when we saw it (or scuttling around, apparently it doesnt do that), but did perform a synchronized dance to Apt. with the companys Adam bot. Come for the arthropodal robot, stay for the K-pop. -CMUnitree G1 and "Robot Dog"This robot attacked me.Karissa Bell for EngadgetOf all the robots we saw at CES 2025, Unitrees take the prize for most terrifying. The company was showing off its new quadruped robot dog and humanoid G1 robots. The quadruped, which is essentially their take on Boston Dynamics Spot robot, showed off to onlookers by running around the booth, climbing stairs and sitting on its hind legs.But it was the G1 that proved to be the robot we needed to worry about. I was taking photos of the roughly 4-foot tall humanoid when it suddenly ran at me full-speed. I was only a foot or so in front of it at the time due to the crowd in the booth, so the roughly 60-pound G1 slammed directly into my body at an all out run. The surrounding crowd met I was essentially pinned in place for a few seconds while the robot continued to attempt to run through me until its operator was able to regain control. Fortunately, this was a case of user error and not the beginning of a robot uprising. The person holding the gamepad-like controller for the robot had mistakenly mashed the joystick, sending it directly into my body. At least I can now say I know what it feels like to be body slammed by a robot. -KBMi-MoCheyenne MacDonald for EngadgetOne of the more unusual robots we saw at CES, Mi-Mo is a six-legged table with a lamp on top. We didnt see Mi-Mo do much besides shimmy around the show floor and wave, but there are some really interesting ideas behind the AI-powered robot. It runs on multiple large language models and "thinks and acts" based on its environment. Its creators say it could help with childcare and eldercare tasks. Mi-Mo will be available to developers and researchers as a dev kit later this year. -KBReachy 2Daniel Cooper for EngadgetPollen Robotics was here at CES showing off Reachy 2, its latest machine thatll cost you $75,000 if you have that sort of cash laying around. Its an adorable open-source machine with a human pilot that, its makers say, is ideal for tele-operation and data acquisition. I just think its cute, especially when it waves at you. -Daniel CooperAdditional reporting by Daniel Cooper.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/the-robots-we-saw-at-ces-2025-the-good-the-bad-and-the-completely-unhinged-174529774.html?src=rss

The discover of a security vulnerability at Meta has proved valuable for one lucky researcher.

Hollyland announces the new Lark M2S wireless mic which is discreet, logo-free and weighs just 7g, set to rival DJI and Rode.

Listen to dope tunes and breathe cleaner

The characters of this side-splitting comedy navigate a series of absurd situations with their so-called lawyers, all brought to life through the cutting-edge technology of Beyond Virtual Production. From the modern, sleek law offices to the shabby, powerless villas, the seamless transitions between diverse locations are possible thanks to virtual production that allows rapid switching between scenes. Fans of Riyadh will love how the iconic skyline of KAFD and the King Khalid International Airport create a local taste to the humor of the whole journey.Thanks to the efforts of the Beyond Virtual Production team, supervised by Virtual Production Supervisor Taha Busafi and Virtual Production Technologist Muntaser Busafi, the production boasts impressive virtual environments that feel realistic and immersive. Directed by Faris, with cinematography by Saeed Salem and a strong crew including Art Directors Mike ElKahi and Ahmed Al Hutami, this project is the ultimate proof of power for virtual production in the Saudi entertainment industry.The post From Swanky Law Offices to Powerless Villas: Virtual Production Brings Comedy to Life appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Shares in Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) are surging this morning after the company reported its first quarter fiscal 2025 results. As of the time of this writing, WBA shares are currently up over 25% to $11.53 per share. Thats their highest level since August 2024.Heres what you need to know about Walgreens Q1 and stock surge.Walgreens beats on revenue and earnings per shareIn Q1, Walgreens beat investor expectations on two important fronts: earnings per share (EPS) and revenue. The company had a Q1 2025 adjusted EPS of 51 cents and revenue of $39.46 billion. That contrasts with an EPS of 37 cents and revenue of $37.36 billion that many analysts expected, notes CNBC.While Walgreens EPS and revenue were both lower than the year-ago quarter, the companys Q1 beat of analyst expectations seems to have given investors hope that it is turning its fortunes around.Walgreens has been trying to reverse its fortunes as it has faced increased challenges in the past year, including inflationary pressures that have led to consumers being more cautious about their discretionary spending. The company has also faced falling reimbursement rates for prescription drugs.However, while the company managed to beat investor expectations on EPS and revenue, the latter of which was up 7.5% year-over-year, its adjusted EPS was still lower than the EPS of 66 cents in the quarter a year earlier. The company also had a loss per share of 31 cents for Q1 2025thats versus a loss per share of just 8 cents in the quarter a year earlier.The company also reported a Q1 operating loss of $245 million compared to an operating loss of $39 million in the quarter a year earlier.Walgreens closing stores contributed to operating lossWalgreens $245 million operating loss was partially the result of its optimization plan that the company announced last year, which will see it shutter 1,200 of its 8,500 locations in America over the next several years. As Fast Company previously reported, the company will shut 1,200 stores by 2027, with 500 of those stores to be closed in 2025 alone.The closures are an effort to optimize [the companys] footprint and close underperforming stores, primarily in the U.S., to align with evolving demographic trends, Walgreens said in an SEC filing at the time, as well as an effort to respond more effectively to shifts in consumer behavior and buying preferences.Our first quarter results reflect our disciplined execution against our 2025 priorities: stabilizing the retail pharmacy by optimizing our footprint, controlling operating costs, improving cash flow, and continuing to address reimbursement models, Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth said in a prepared statement. While our turnaround will take time, our early progress reinforces our belief in a sustainable, retail pharmacy-led operating model.Walgreens is far from the only pharmacy chain facing economic hardships and store closures. Other large pharmacy chains, including CVS and Rite Aid, have struggled with decreased profits as consumers turn to alternate online venues for their prescription needs, such as Amazon.A rough year for Walgreens stockDespite todays stock price surge, WBA shares have had a horrible past 12 months. During that time, Walgreens Boots Alliance shares have fallen 54%. Over the past five years, WBA shares are down 79%.What investors are hopeful forand even optimistic about, judging by todays double-digit stock price surgeis that the worst of Walgreens struggles may be behind the iconic pharmacy chain.Whether that is actually the case remains to be seen.

Imagine this: A new technology has arrived, drawing enormous public discussion. Among the questions is how it might be used in schools. Advocates call for its widespread adoption, saying it will revolutionize schooling and motivate students. Others are wary, fearing it will make kids lazy.The year is 1922; the leading advocate is Thomas Edison, who has a special place in my heart for founding what became General Electric (GE) in my hometown of Schenectady, NY. He promised that his invention, the motion picture, is destined to revolutionize our educational systemeven replacing textbooks.A century later, its safe to say that Edisons revolution didnt play out exactly as he pictured (nor justify his critics worst fears), but it surely had profound effects. Movies didnt replace the written wordnothing canbut they put new tools at teachers fingertips. Like waves of technological innovation that followed, movies also presented schools with crucial choices about their responsible use in ways that both benefit and protect students.Introducing generative AIAnd now comes generative AI (GenAI), best recognized as the chatbots that have exploded into popular awareness. Once again, schools will be a place for crucial decisions. Companies like oursthe largest provider of learning solutions to K-12 schoolshave a role here, and I believewe should publicly state principles to keep students and teachers at the center of GenAI development.Half of educators say they are currently using generative AI, and it is saving them time. Recent studies suggest that teachers spend over 50% of their time on non-teaching tasksimagine what could be possible if they spent more of that time directly connected to students and teaching.That idea, I believe, only scratches the surface of AIs potential benefits. AI tools can enhance teachers productivity by helping them plan lessons and activities, convert text into presentations, and create summaries of textsjust to name a few. AI tools can also help enhance students literacy learning withpersonalized learning experiencessuch as providing teachers with suggested feedback and revision on student writing.Its exciting, but AI will earn the trust of schools, teachers, families, and education leaders only if its used with wisdom, guidelines, and safeguards that ensure it genuinely supports teachers, benefits students, and never compromises childrens privacy or safety. Thats why were outlining five recommended principles we believe should guide the responsible adoption of AI technologies in K-12 schools.Keep teachers at the centerThe teacher-student relationship is crucial. We believe in a high-tech, high-touch approach in which technology should support, not mediate, this connection.Teachers are closest to the educational experience, and their voices must also inform the development of new technologies intended to serve them.Teachers will need support and professional development to build artificial intelligence literacy to effectively leverage the technology in the classroom. Most educators (76%) identify a need for education on ethical AI usage and its integration into the classroom.Uphold student privacy, safety, and well beingProtecting student privacy and data is non-negotiable. Existing federal laws provide strong protections that must apply to the new uses that may be associated with GenAI. Many state laws also protect childrens and students privacy, and third-party organizations must uphold and promote data privacy and student safety.Lawmakers should ensure that existing laws and regulations properly account for and clarify how these levers can be used or applied to GenAI.Ensure responsible and ethical useFamilies need to understand how GenAI is being used in schoolswithout being overwhelmed with information thats too detailed or technical to understand. Federal and state policymakers should work with AI experts to determine appropriate disclosure requirements and provide guidance for how districts and schools can access the information they need about GenAI systems they choose to use.Encourage continuous evaluation and improvementSystemic integration of AI into education technology and practice requires analysis of which strategies work, for whom, and why. Creating a culture of ongoing evaluation and improvement will ensure the technologies genuinely support teaching and learning. Even these trials must include guardrails to protect student privacy, safety, and wellbeing.Prioritize accessibility and inclusivityAs classrooms become more diverse in demographics and learning needs, GenAI tools can equip teachers with personalized approaches, recommendations, and supplemental materials to meet each students needs. As new bias, equity, and accessibility considerations emerge with the use of GenAI, regulations need to evolve.Our schools, like our society, face the task of defining guardrails for a field thats evolving with astonishing speed. Policymakers, and companies like ours, must put empathy, safety, and privacy at the forefront to maximize the benefit that these technologies will surely have to elevate teaching and learning.Jack Lynch is CEO of HMH.

Timing is essential for the success of an IPO. Similar to how a seed needs the proper nutrients to sprout and thrive, new companies going public need a regulatory and economic environment that supports growth. In the years leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States, signs look good for startups eyeing an IPO.If Trumps second term mirrors his first, founders can expect fertile soil for an IPO, particularly in terms of deregulation. Beyond that, proposed tax cuts could land corporate tax rates as low as 15%, allowing for higher profit margins and better valuations during an IPO.This combination of less regulation and lower corporate taxes will likely lead to a more bullish market as investor confidence increases. Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors, even raised his prediction for the S&P 500 to hit 7,000 in 2025, given a Trump presidency and a more favorable business environment.Startups should take advantage of this to get their businesses in order, go public, and enjoy the long-term strategic growth opportunities that come from being a publicly traded organization.That said, timing has two components: internal and external. If the external environment is the fertile soil, the internal is asking, Is this seed ready to be planted? In other words, is the startup prepared to successfully navigate the IPO process and then take advantage of new opportunities?Internal preparation involved in an IPOThe IPO process is quite involved, even when the environment is relatively business-friendly, which is why you want to start preparing ahead of time. This is especially true for international companies looking to IPO in the U.S. Before an IPO, you need to make sure youre ready for the following processes that are put in place to vet potential public offerings.Financial auditBefore going public, companies need to undergo a thorough financial audit to build trust with potential investors. The audit typically involves a professional review of the past two to three years of company documents, with a focus on verifying financial health, accuracy, and compliance with regulations.For many international companies, this process also involves adopting the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.Market assessmentIn addition to auditing previous finances, the businesss model, product, and product/market fit need validation.This involves financial advisors assessing questions, such as:Is the company viable?Can the company sustain growth?Is there evidence that the company can succeed in its target market?As a startup, you want evidence suggesting the answer is yes to all of those questions. For example, Spiking is primarily targeting the generative AI financial tools market. To validate product quality and market fit, our team participated in AI competitions and incubator programs hosted by major technology companies, including Huawei, IBM[DA1][CC2], and Google Cloud.ValuationOnce the product and business model have been validated, its time for the company to undergo valuation. This is what determines the initial share price of the IPO, which can impact how much capital youre able to raise. Ideally, you want a price that attracts investors without going so low that you lose the opportunity to raise more capital.As a company preparing for an IPO, you want to have good forecasts that optimize the factors that impact your value, such as weighted forecast growths and shareholder return patterns. UnderwritingThe underwriter is the financial institution, typically an investment bank, that issues your stock to the public and helps you garner attention to lead to a successful IPO day. Hiring an underwriter is often the largest cost associated with going public, as many of these institutions charge 4% to 7% of IPO proceeds as a fee for their services.When economic conditions are good for an IPO, competition for underwriters can be higher, so you need a strong pitch. In addition to your validation and valuation, underwriters will look at your balance sheet health, financial performance, and potential for a successful IPO and long-term growth.Legal assessmentFrom a legal perspective, you also need to make sure your business is set up to comply with U.S. regulations. While its not mandatory, it can be helpful to consider switching to a law firm that has experience working with publicly traded companies. The team can help ensure you meet all the legal requirements for an IPO.Beyond that, a law firm that works with public companies can provide ongoing legal support and help prepare annual statements, adjust your corporate structure as you grow, and create shareholder agreements.Leverage an IPO for long-term growthPreparing for a successful IPO is an involved process. That said, it also presents a compelling business opportunity for sustaining long-term growth. Specifically, by going public, companies receive a seal of approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This, in turn, can improve a companys reputation, increase investor confidence, and make raising capital in public markets easier. Startups can leverage their public status to support long-term investment growth in ways they couldnt as private corporations.MicroStrategy made the most of this approach by understanding that going public meant access to raising capital in public markets, which it used to become the first publicly traded company to invest in Bitcoin. The company has used Bitcoin to protect against the potential negative impacts of rising inflation. Going public allowed MicroStrategy to sell 13.6 million shares and become the largest institutional Bitcoin holder, and its market capitalization has grown to $97.04 billion at the time of writing.That said, MicroStrategy is just one example of leveraging capital fundraising to support sustainable growth. Startups dont have to follow the exact path of investing in Bitcoin to maximize their post-IPO potential. Ultimately, its crucial to remember that an IPO is not the finish line of the race. Its the starting point for a more effective long-term investment strategy for your company.Clemen Chiang is CEO of Spiking.