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2025-05-16 16:56:48 ·

This Artificial Jelly Smells Like Home to Coral — And Helps Them Settle In

Coral reefs are natural wonders that don’t just mesmerize us with their colorful and diverse ecosystems — they’re also economically invaluable. Industries like aquaculture, tourism, and fisheries rely on them, amounting to a staggering USbillion globally each year. That means entire coastal communities depend on the health of local reefs.But reefs are in trouble. Climate change, pollution, and other human impacts are driving a rapid decline, with scientists warning that up to 90 percent of coral cover could vanish in the next decade. In response, researchers around the world have been scrambling to find solutions. One new approach, from a collaboration between scientists in the U.S., Italy, and the Netherlands, offers a surprisingly elegant fix: a nanogel that makes reefs smell like home.Their study, published in Trends in Biotechnology, details how a bio-inspired gel mimics the chemical cues coral larvae use to identify ideal habitats. It’s a breakthrough that in combination with other methods could seriously boost coral settlement rates.Coral Larvae’s Search for HomeCorals might look like underwater rocks, but they’re very much alive — and surprisingly picky when it comes to settling down. Coral larvae float through the ocean, guided by chemical signals released by algae, like the crustose coralline algae, which give clues about the surrounding reef’s health and potential. If the algae send the right signals, the larvae settle and grow. If not, they keep drifting.Unfortunately, environmental stress is changing the mix of algae in many reef areas, and some of these macroalgae release signals that actually deter coral settlement. So even when we try to help reefs regrow, either by transplanting coral fragments or sexually propagated juvenile corals, the larvae often reject their new homes. That’s where this new nanogel comes in.Read More: How Volunteers Are Helping Keep Coral Reefs AliveA Jelly That Tricks Corals To make reefs more appealing, the research team developed a soft, biodegradable material called SNAP-X, designed to recreate the chemical cues of healthy reefs.According to the study, SNAP-X is packed with ultra-tiny silica capsules, each smaller than 70 nanometers. These capsules are loaded with the same compounds crustose coralline algae naturally release. To gather those compounds, scientists collected live algae from Hawaii’s Kaneohe Bay, soaked them in seawater, and extracted the resulting chemical “soup” into a concentrated powder.Next, they mixed that powder into a special light-sensitive gel. Once applied to a reef surface, the gel turns into a jelly when hit with light, locking it in place. The result? A thin, algae-scented layer designed to slowly release attractive molecules over a full month.In lab tests, larvae were six times more likely to settle on surfaces treated with SNAP-X. In more realistic water-flow conditions, that number jumped to 20 times higher than untreated surfaces — especially when higher concentrations of the nanogel were used. In essence, the team created a synthetic chemical “welcome mat” that tricks coral babies into thinking a degraded reef is a great place to grow.Boosting Genetic Diversity in ReefsWhile promising, SNAP-X isn’t a silver bullet. The gel doesn’t work on its own and needs to be combined with other restoration techniques, like coral propagation and reef structuring. Still, it has serious potential.Because the compounds encourage sexual reproduction-based settlement, SNAP-X could help boost genetic diversity in reefs, a key for withstanding future stress like ocean warming. The core materialsare cheap and widely available, making this approach scalable.There’s still plenty of work ahead. Researchers don’t yet know which exact molecules in the algae extract are doing the heavy lifting, meaning they must keep harvesting them from live samples. The next step: testing SNAP-X in the wild, with more coral species, in more places.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Global Change Biology: An assessment of people living by coral reefs over space and timeMarine Ecology Progress Series: Chemical effects of macroalgae on larval settlement of the broadcast spawning coral Acropora milleporaTrends in Biotechnology: Biomimetic chemical microhabitats enhance coral settlementHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition – into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.
#this #artificial #jelly #smells #like

This Artificial Jelly Smells Like Home to Coral — And Helps Them Settle In
Coral reefs are natural wonders that don’t just mesmerize us with their colorful and diverse ecosystems — they’re also economically invaluable. Industries like aquaculture, tourism, and fisheries rely on them, amounting to a staggering USbillion globally each year. That means entire coastal communities depend on the health of local reefs.But reefs are in trouble. Climate change, pollution, and other human impacts are driving a rapid decline, with scientists warning that up to 90 percent of coral cover could vanish in the next decade. In response, researchers around the world have been scrambling to find solutions. One new approach, from a collaboration between scientists in the U.S., Italy, and the Netherlands, offers a surprisingly elegant fix: a nanogel that makes reefs smell like home.Their study, published in Trends in Biotechnology, details how a bio-inspired gel mimics the chemical cues coral larvae use to identify ideal habitats. It’s a breakthrough that in combination with other methods could seriously boost coral settlement rates.Coral Larvae’s Search for HomeCorals might look like underwater rocks, but they’re very much alive — and surprisingly picky when it comes to settling down. Coral larvae float through the ocean, guided by chemical signals released by algae, like the crustose coralline algae, which give clues about the surrounding reef’s health and potential. If the algae send the right signals, the larvae settle and grow. If not, they keep drifting.Unfortunately, environmental stress is changing the mix of algae in many reef areas, and some of these macroalgae release signals that actually deter coral settlement. So even when we try to help reefs regrow, either by transplanting coral fragments or sexually propagated juvenile corals, the larvae often reject their new homes. That’s where this new nanogel comes in.Read More: How Volunteers Are Helping Keep Coral Reefs AliveA Jelly That Tricks Corals To make reefs more appealing, the research team developed a soft, biodegradable material called SNAP-X, designed to recreate the chemical cues of healthy reefs.According to the study, SNAP-X is packed with ultra-tiny silica capsules, each smaller than 70 nanometers. These capsules are loaded with the same compounds crustose coralline algae naturally release. To gather those compounds, scientists collected live algae from Hawaii’s Kaneohe Bay, soaked them in seawater, and extracted the resulting chemical “soup” into a concentrated powder.Next, they mixed that powder into a special light-sensitive gel. Once applied to a reef surface, the gel turns into a jelly when hit with light, locking it in place. The result? A thin, algae-scented layer designed to slowly release attractive molecules over a full month.In lab tests, larvae were six times more likely to settle on surfaces treated with SNAP-X. In more realistic water-flow conditions, that number jumped to 20 times higher than untreated surfaces — especially when higher concentrations of the nanogel were used. In essence, the team created a synthetic chemical “welcome mat” that tricks coral babies into thinking a degraded reef is a great place to grow.Boosting Genetic Diversity in ReefsWhile promising, SNAP-X isn’t a silver bullet. The gel doesn’t work on its own and needs to be combined with other restoration techniques, like coral propagation and reef structuring. Still, it has serious potential.Because the compounds encourage sexual reproduction-based settlement, SNAP-X could help boost genetic diversity in reefs, a key for withstanding future stress like ocean warming. The core materialsare cheap and widely available, making this approach scalable.There’s still plenty of work ahead. Researchers don’t yet know which exact molecules in the algae extract are doing the heavy lifting, meaning they must keep harvesting them from live samples. The next step: testing SNAP-X in the wild, with more coral species, in more places.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Global Change Biology: An assessment of people living by coral reefs over space and timeMarine Ecology Progress Series: Chemical effects of macroalgae on larval settlement of the broadcast spawning coral Acropora milleporaTrends in Biotechnology: Biomimetic chemical microhabitats enhance coral settlementHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition – into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard. #this #artificial #jelly #smells #like

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This Artificial Jelly Smells Like Home to Coral — And Helps Them Settle In

Coral reefs are natural wonders that don’t just mesmerize us with their colorful and diverse ecosystems — they’re also economically invaluable. Industries like aquaculture, tourism, and fisheries rely on them, amounting to a staggering US$375 billion globally each year. That means entire coastal communities depend on the health of local reefs.But reefs are in trouble. Climate change, pollution, and other human impacts are driving a rapid decline, with scientists warning that up to 90 percent of coral cover could vanish in the next decade. In response, researchers around the world have been scrambling to find solutions. One new approach, from a collaboration between scientists in the U.S., Italy, and the Netherlands, offers a surprisingly elegant fix: a nanogel that makes reefs smell like home.Their study, published in Trends in Biotechnology, details how a bio-inspired gel mimics the chemical cues coral larvae use to identify ideal habitats. It’s a breakthrough that in combination with other methods could seriously boost coral settlement rates.Coral Larvae’s Search for HomeCorals might look like underwater rocks, but they’re very much alive — and surprisingly picky when it comes to settling down. Coral larvae float through the ocean, guided by chemical signals released by algae, like the crustose coralline algae, which give clues about the surrounding reef’s health and potential. If the algae send the right signals, the larvae settle and grow. If not, they keep drifting.Unfortunately, environmental stress is changing the mix of algae in many reef areas, and some of these macroalgae release signals that actually deter coral settlement. So even when we try to help reefs regrow, either by transplanting coral fragments or sexually propagated juvenile corals, the larvae often reject their new homes. That’s where this new nanogel comes in.Read More: How Volunteers Are Helping Keep Coral Reefs AliveA Jelly That Tricks Corals To make reefs more appealing, the research team developed a soft, biodegradable material called SNAP-X, designed to recreate the chemical cues of healthy reefs.According to the study, SNAP-X is packed with ultra-tiny silica capsules, each smaller than 70 nanometers (for comparison, the average human hair is 80,000-100,000 nanometers wide). These capsules are loaded with the same compounds crustose coralline algae naturally release. To gather those compounds, scientists collected live algae from Hawaii’s Kaneohe Bay, soaked them in seawater, and extracted the resulting chemical “soup” into a concentrated powder.Next, they mixed that powder into a special light-sensitive gel. Once applied to a reef surface, the gel turns into a jelly when hit with light, locking it in place. The result? A thin, algae-scented layer designed to slowly release attractive molecules over a full month.In lab tests, larvae were six times more likely to settle on surfaces treated with SNAP-X. In more realistic water-flow conditions, that number jumped to 20 times higher than untreated surfaces — especially when higher concentrations of the nanogel were used. In essence, the team created a synthetic chemical “welcome mat” that tricks coral babies into thinking a degraded reef is a great place to grow.Boosting Genetic Diversity in ReefsWhile promising, SNAP-X isn’t a silver bullet. The gel doesn’t work on its own and needs to be combined with other restoration techniques, like coral propagation and reef structuring. Still, it has serious potential.Because the compounds encourage sexual reproduction-based settlement, SNAP-X could help boost genetic diversity in reefs, a key for withstanding future stress like ocean warming. The core materials (gelatin and silica) are cheap and widely available, making this approach scalable.There’s still plenty of work ahead. Researchers don’t yet know which exact molecules in the algae extract are doing the heavy lifting, meaning they must keep harvesting them from live samples. The next step: testing SNAP-X in the wild, with more coral species, in more places.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Global Change Biology: An assessment of people living by coral reefs over space and timeMarine Ecology Progress Series: Chemical effects of macroalgae on larval settlement of the broadcast spawning coral Acropora millepora (pdf)Trends in Biotechnology: Biomimetic chemical microhabitats enhance coral settlementHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition – into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.

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2025-05-16 15:59:27 ·

Scientist warn 80% of the Himalayan glaciers could be lost due to global warming

An environment conference opened in Nepal on Friday to discuss global climate change, including the impact on the highest Himalayan peaks where snow and ice are melting.The three-day conference in Kathmandu titled, “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” is expected to include discussions of critical climate issues.“From the lap of Sagarmatha, the world’s highest peak, we send this message loud and clear that to protect the mountains is to protect the planet. To protect the mountains is to protect our seas. To protect the mountains is to protect humanity itself,” Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli told participants at the opening meeting.Nepal is home to eight of the tallest mountains in the world including Mount Everest. A high level of glaciers melting in the Himalayan mountains because of global warming has raised signficant concerns. Melting snow and ice have exposed the mountains and increased the risk of rock slides, landslides and avalanches.Scientists have warned the Himalayan mountains could lose up to 80% of their glaciers if the Earth warms in coming decades or centuries. They say flash floods and avalanches also could become more likely in coming years, in part because of climate change.“The tragedy is that the Himalayas are facing an unprecedented stress test in real time today, exposing not only the fragile nature of our mountain ecosystems but also a glaring evidence of the lack of meaningful global climate action,” Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said. “As a mountainous country with high disaster risk vulnerability, Nepal faces a stark predicament.”Nepal has experienced a series of severe weather events in the recent past with devastating impacts on people and their livelihoods, Deuba said.“Floods and glacial lake outbursts have caused large-scale destruction and damage, and droughts, water scarcity and forest fires have brought untold suffering to the people across the country,” she said.Ministers from neighboring India, Bhutan, and Maldives are attending the conference.Organizers have said they intend to publish a Kathmandu declaration after the discussions end Sunday.

—Binaj Gurubacharya, Associated Press
#scientist #warn #himalayan #glaciers #could

Scientist warn 80% of the Himalayan glaciers could be lost due to global warming
An environment conference opened in Nepal on Friday to discuss global climate change, including the impact on the highest Himalayan peaks where snow and ice are melting.The three-day conference in Kathmandu titled, “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” is expected to include discussions of critical climate issues.“From the lap of Sagarmatha, the world’s highest peak, we send this message loud and clear that to protect the mountains is to protect the planet. To protect the mountains is to protect our seas. To protect the mountains is to protect humanity itself,” Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli told participants at the opening meeting.Nepal is home to eight of the tallest mountains in the world including Mount Everest. A high level of glaciers melting in the Himalayan mountains because of global warming has raised signficant concerns. Melting snow and ice have exposed the mountains and increased the risk of rock slides, landslides and avalanches.Scientists have warned the Himalayan mountains could lose up to 80% of their glaciers if the Earth warms in coming decades or centuries. They say flash floods and avalanches also could become more likely in coming years, in part because of climate change.“The tragedy is that the Himalayas are facing an unprecedented stress test in real time today, exposing not only the fragile nature of our mountain ecosystems but also a glaring evidence of the lack of meaningful global climate action,” Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said. “As a mountainous country with high disaster risk vulnerability, Nepal faces a stark predicament.”Nepal has experienced a series of severe weather events in the recent past with devastating impacts on people and their livelihoods, Deuba said.“Floods and glacial lake outbursts have caused large-scale destruction and damage, and droughts, water scarcity and forest fires have brought untold suffering to the people across the country,” she said.Ministers from neighboring India, Bhutan, and Maldives are attending the conference.Organizers have said they intend to publish a Kathmandu declaration after the discussions end Sunday. —Binaj Gurubacharya, Associated Press #scientist #warn #himalayan #glaciers #could

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Scientist warn 80% of the Himalayan glaciers could be lost due to global warming

An environment conference opened in Nepal on Friday to discuss global climate change, including the impact on the highest Himalayan peaks where snow and ice are melting.The three-day conference in Kathmandu titled, “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity,” is expected to include discussions of critical climate issues.“From the lap of Sagarmatha (Everest), the world’s highest peak, we send this message loud and clear that to protect the mountains is to protect the planet. To protect the mountains is to protect our seas. To protect the mountains is to protect humanity itself,” Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli told participants at the opening meeting.Nepal is home to eight of the tallest mountains in the world including Mount Everest. A high level of glaciers melting in the Himalayan mountains because of global warming has raised signficant concerns. Melting snow and ice have exposed the mountains and increased the risk of rock slides, landslides and avalanches.Scientists have warned the Himalayan mountains could lose up to 80% of their glaciers if the Earth warms in coming decades or centuries. They say flash floods and avalanches also could become more likely in coming years, in part because of climate change.“The tragedy is that the Himalayas are facing an unprecedented stress test in real time today, exposing not only the fragile nature of our mountain ecosystems but also a glaring evidence of the lack of meaningful global climate action,” Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said. “As a mountainous country with high disaster risk vulnerability, Nepal faces a stark predicament.”Nepal has experienced a series of severe weather events in the recent past with devastating impacts on people and their livelihoods, Deuba said.“Floods and glacial lake outbursts have caused large-scale destruction and damage, and droughts, water scarcity and forest fires have brought untold suffering to the people across the country,” she said.Ministers from neighboring India, Bhutan, and Maldives are attending the conference.Organizers have said they intend to publish a Kathmandu declaration after the discussions end Sunday. —Binaj Gurubacharya, Associated Press

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2025-05-16 13:28:40 ·

Bosch Launches €250M Fund to Back Deep-Tech Startups in AI and Energy Efficiency

Bosch Ventures, the corporate investment arm of German technology supplier Robert Bosch GmbH, has announced a new €250 million venture capital fund to support startups developing breakthrough technologies. Introduced during Bosch’s 2024 annual financial presentation, the fund reinforces the company’s long-term strategy of supporting early-stage innovation, even amid global economic turbulence. Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung emphasized that such investments serve both societal and internal strategic goals: “Startups can boost innovation in a way that delivers important growth impetus for a country’s economy.”
How does 3DPI content meet your needs and help you in your job? How can we improve? Take the reader survey now.
The new fund will expand Bosch Ventures’ existing portfolio by focusing on areas with long-term technological and environmental impact. Since 2007, Bosch’s investment arm has prioritized companies developing solutions in artificial intelligence and energy efficiency, aligned with its broader objectives of sustainable mobility and climate-neutral technology. According to managing director Ingo Ramesohl, “We invest in particular in deep-tech startups, which are based on scientific breakthroughs or technological innovations.”
Dr. Ingo Ramesohl, Managing Director and co-head of Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH. Photo via Bosch.
Startup screening and selection takes place through Bosch Ventures’ global network, which includes offices in Boston, Sunnyvale, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt. Investment professionals at these locations assess more than 2,000 startups annually. From this pool, approximately 100 are shortlisted, with six to ten ultimately receiving financial support and operational guidance. Ramesohl stated that being embedded in local ecosystems enables the team to identify disruptive technologies with high-impact potential across diverse markets.
Collaboration between startups and Bosch’s internal divisions is facilitated by Open Bosch, a program launched in 2018 to integrate early-stage technologies into corporate workflows. The initiative allows selected startups to act as suppliers, customers, or technology partners. In return, Bosch gains access to emerging tools and platforms that may enhance its innovation pipeline. Hundreds of partnerships have been formed through this program. “This win-win partnership enables Bosch to strengthen and secure its innovation efficiency and support the company’s long-term success,” said Ramesohl.
The Open Bosch Award recognizes outstanding startup partnerships integrated through Bosch’s Open Bosch collaboration program. Photo via Bosch.
More than 60 companies currently comprise the active Bosch Ventures portfolio. Notable investments include U.S.-based Xometry, a platform for on-demand industrial parts, and IonQ, a quantum computing firm that completed a public listing. Additional stakes include Quantum Motion in the United Kingdom, Aleph Alpha in Germany, Arduino in Italy, and battery recycling startup Jin Sheng in China. The firm also holds equity in TrunkTech, a developer of autonomous vehicle technologies, and Syntiant and Motive, which operate in the edge AI and fleet management sectors respectively.
AI Investment Expands in Manufacturing Infrastructure and Software Platforms
Siemens, the German industrial technology firm specializing in automation and electrification, has announced over billion in investments to expand its presence in the United States. The initiative includes two new manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pomona, California, totaling million and projected to generate more than 900 skilled jobs. These sites will produce electrical equipment for industrial and construction applications and supply hardware for AI data centers. Siemens also acquired a U.S. software firm as part of its broader strategy to support domestic production and expand AI-related capabilities across its operational footprint.
Meanwhile, 3D Spark, a Hamburg-based B2B software startup focused on industrial manufacturing and procurement, secured €2 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered decision-making platform. The round was led by Swedish investor Triplefair, alongside Fraunhofer Technologie-Transfer Fonds and Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg. 3D Spark’s platform provides manufacturability analysis, cost estimation, quoting features with market pricing, and CO₂ tracking. It supports over 15 manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, casting, milling, and sheet metal fabrication. Customers using the platform include Alstom, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, and Siemens Mobility.
Siemens’ new manufacturing site in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo via Siemens.
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Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.
Featured image shows the Open Bosch Award. Photo via Bosch.

Anyer Tenorio Lara
Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology.
#bosch #launches #250m #fund #back

Bosch Launches €250M Fund to Back Deep-Tech Startups in AI and Energy Efficiency
Bosch Ventures, the corporate investment arm of German technology supplier Robert Bosch GmbH, has announced a new €250 million venture capital fund to support startups developing breakthrough technologies. Introduced during Bosch’s 2024 annual financial presentation, the fund reinforces the company’s long-term strategy of supporting early-stage innovation, even amid global economic turbulence. Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung emphasized that such investments serve both societal and internal strategic goals: “Startups can boost innovation in a way that delivers important growth impetus for a country’s economy.” How does 3DPI content meet your needs and help you in your job? How can we improve? Take the reader survey now. The new fund will expand Bosch Ventures’ existing portfolio by focusing on areas with long-term technological and environmental impact. Since 2007, Bosch’s investment arm has prioritized companies developing solutions in artificial intelligence and energy efficiency, aligned with its broader objectives of sustainable mobility and climate-neutral technology. According to managing director Ingo Ramesohl, “We invest in particular in deep-tech startups, which are based on scientific breakthroughs or technological innovations.” Dr. Ingo Ramesohl, Managing Director and co-head of Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH. Photo via Bosch. Startup screening and selection takes place through Bosch Ventures’ global network, which includes offices in Boston, Sunnyvale, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt. Investment professionals at these locations assess more than 2,000 startups annually. From this pool, approximately 100 are shortlisted, with six to ten ultimately receiving financial support and operational guidance. Ramesohl stated that being embedded in local ecosystems enables the team to identify disruptive technologies with high-impact potential across diverse markets. Collaboration between startups and Bosch’s internal divisions is facilitated by Open Bosch, a program launched in 2018 to integrate early-stage technologies into corporate workflows. The initiative allows selected startups to act as suppliers, customers, or technology partners. In return, Bosch gains access to emerging tools and platforms that may enhance its innovation pipeline. Hundreds of partnerships have been formed through this program. “This win-win partnership enables Bosch to strengthen and secure its innovation efficiency and support the company’s long-term success,” said Ramesohl. The Open Bosch Award recognizes outstanding startup partnerships integrated through Bosch’s Open Bosch collaboration program. Photo via Bosch. More than 60 companies currently comprise the active Bosch Ventures portfolio. Notable investments include U.S.-based Xometry, a platform for on-demand industrial parts, and IonQ, a quantum computing firm that completed a public listing. Additional stakes include Quantum Motion in the United Kingdom, Aleph Alpha in Germany, Arduino in Italy, and battery recycling startup Jin Sheng in China. The firm also holds equity in TrunkTech, a developer of autonomous vehicle technologies, and Syntiant and Motive, which operate in the edge AI and fleet management sectors respectively. AI Investment Expands in Manufacturing Infrastructure and Software Platforms Siemens, the German industrial technology firm specializing in automation and electrification, has announced over billion in investments to expand its presence in the United States. The initiative includes two new manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pomona, California, totaling million and projected to generate more than 900 skilled jobs. These sites will produce electrical equipment for industrial and construction applications and supply hardware for AI data centers. Siemens also acquired a U.S. software firm as part of its broader strategy to support domestic production and expand AI-related capabilities across its operational footprint. Meanwhile, 3D Spark, a Hamburg-based B2B software startup focused on industrial manufacturing and procurement, secured €2 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered decision-making platform. The round was led by Swedish investor Triplefair, alongside Fraunhofer Technologie-Transfer Fonds and Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg. 3D Spark’s platform provides manufacturability analysis, cost estimation, quoting features with market pricing, and CO₂ tracking. It supports over 15 manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, casting, milling, and sheet metal fabrication. Customers using the platform include Alstom, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, and Siemens Mobility. Siemens’ new manufacturing site in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo via Siemens. Ready to discover who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured image shows the Open Bosch Award. Photo via Bosch. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology. #bosch #launches #250m #fund #back

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Bosch Launches €250M Fund to Back Deep-Tech Startups in AI and Energy Efficiency

Bosch Ventures, the corporate investment arm of German technology supplier Robert Bosch GmbH, has announced a new €250 million venture capital fund to support startups developing breakthrough technologies. Introduced during Bosch’s 2024 annual financial presentation, the fund reinforces the company’s long-term strategy of supporting early-stage innovation, even amid global economic turbulence. Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung emphasized that such investments serve both societal and internal strategic goals: “Startups can boost innovation in a way that delivers important growth impetus for a country’s economy.” How does 3DPI content meet your needs and help you in your job? How can we improve? Take the reader survey now. The new fund will expand Bosch Ventures’ existing portfolio by focusing on areas with long-term technological and environmental impact. Since 2007, Bosch’s investment arm has prioritized companies developing solutions in artificial intelligence and energy efficiency, aligned with its broader objectives of sustainable mobility and climate-neutral technology. According to managing director Ingo Ramesohl, “We invest in particular in deep-tech startups, which are based on scientific breakthroughs or technological innovations.” Dr. Ingo Ramesohl, Managing Director and co-head of Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH. Photo via Bosch. Startup screening and selection takes place through Bosch Ventures’ global network, which includes offices in Boston, Sunnyvale, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt. Investment professionals at these locations assess more than 2,000 startups annually. From this pool, approximately 100 are shortlisted, with six to ten ultimately receiving financial support and operational guidance. Ramesohl stated that being embedded in local ecosystems enables the team to identify disruptive technologies with high-impact potential across diverse markets. Collaboration between startups and Bosch’s internal divisions is facilitated by Open Bosch, a program launched in 2018 to integrate early-stage technologies into corporate workflows. The initiative allows selected startups to act as suppliers, customers, or technology partners. In return, Bosch gains access to emerging tools and platforms that may enhance its innovation pipeline. Hundreds of partnerships have been formed through this program. “This win-win partnership enables Bosch to strengthen and secure its innovation efficiency and support the company’s long-term success,” said Ramesohl. The Open Bosch Award recognizes outstanding startup partnerships integrated through Bosch’s Open Bosch collaboration program. Photo via Bosch. More than 60 companies currently comprise the active Bosch Ventures portfolio. Notable investments include U.S.-based Xometry, a platform for on-demand industrial parts, and IonQ, a quantum computing firm that completed a public listing. Additional stakes include Quantum Motion in the United Kingdom, Aleph Alpha in Germany, Arduino in Italy, and battery recycling startup Jin Sheng in China. The firm also holds equity in TrunkTech, a developer of autonomous vehicle technologies, and Syntiant and Motive, which operate in the edge AI and fleet management sectors respectively. AI Investment Expands in Manufacturing Infrastructure and Software Platforms Siemens, the German industrial technology firm specializing in automation and electrification, has announced over $10 billion in investments to expand its presence in the United States. The initiative includes two new manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pomona, California, totaling $285 million and projected to generate more than 900 skilled jobs. These sites will produce electrical equipment for industrial and construction applications and supply hardware for AI data centers. Siemens also acquired a U.S. software firm as part of its broader strategy to support domestic production and expand AI-related capabilities across its operational footprint. Meanwhile, 3D Spark, a Hamburg-based B2B software startup focused on industrial manufacturing and procurement, secured €2 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered decision-making platform. The round was led by Swedish investor Triplefair, alongside Fraunhofer Technologie-Transfer Fonds and Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg. 3D Spark’s platform provides manufacturability analysis, cost estimation, quoting features with market pricing, and CO₂ tracking. It supports over 15 manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, casting, milling, and sheet metal fabrication. Customers using the platform include Alstom, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, and Siemens Mobility. Siemens’ new manufacturing site in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo via Siemens. Ready to discover who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured image shows the Open Bosch Award. Photo via Bosch. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology.

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2025-05-16 05:05:10 ·

The Strongest Solar Storm in History Impacted Earth 14,300 Years Ago

Solar storms batter Earth every year, creating the occasional aurora and sometimes even paralyzing power grids. But these common phenomena pale in comparison to a monstrous event that inundated the planet with particles from the Sun around 14,300 years ago, identified as the strongest solar storm ever recorded in a recent study.The study, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, has shed light on the extreme solar particle event that Earth experienced in 12,350 B.C.E. Such extreme events have only occurred a handful of times throughout history, and this is the first time one has been observed before the Holocene, around the end of the last Ice Age. The Impacts of Solar StormsOccasionally, the Sun launches a burst of accelerated particles into space, prompting what is called a solar particle event. These are often too weak to have considerable impacts here on Earth, although stronger events can pierce the planet’s magnetic field and disrupt technological systems.   Extreme solar particle events, however, are in a class of their own. Only eight of these events have been identified during the Holocene— notable storms took place around 994 A.D., 663 B.C.E., 5259 B.C.E., and 7176 B.C.E. A separate 2024 study states that ESPEs are “up to three orders of magnitude stronger than” any solar particle event that has been observed directly by satellites in the modern age. The same study predicts that if an ESPE were to hit Earth during a period when its magnetic field is weakened, it could cause DNA damage in humans and impair aquatic ecosystems.Measuring the Strongest Solar StormThe ESPE that occurred in 12,350 B.C.E. takes the word “extreme” to a new level, having been much stronger than solar storms that followed in the Holocene.“Compared to the largest event of the modern satellite era — the 2005 particle storm — the ancient 12,350 B.C.E. event was over 500 times more intense, according to our estimates,” said Kseniia Golubenko, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, in a statement.The researchers gleaned the details of this storm — including its strength, timing, and terrestrial effects — through a model they developed, called SOCOL:14C-Ex. The data used to assess the 12,350 B.C.E. event comes from a radiocarbon deposit in a tree from Southwestern Europe; tree rings act like records for solar particle storms, preserving radiocarbon spikes in the atmospherethat were once caused by ESPEs.  The model was first tested on an ESPE that occurred around 775 A.D., the previous titleholder of the strongest solar storm. It then determined the intensity of the 12,350 B.C.E. event, confirming that it was 18 percent stronger than the 775 A.D. event. Preparing for Solar StormsThe newly developed model has allowed researchers to better understand radiocarbon data in ancient glacial conditions, different from the relatively stable and warm conditions of the Holocene. In the present day, we likely won’t have to worry about an ESPE as intense as the 12,350 B.C.E. event in our lifetime; less intense, yet still formidable solar storms are still a cause for concern, however. For example, the Gannon solar storm that hit Earth in May 2024 caused a series of short-lived communication and navigation problems. Although the current solar cycle reached its peak near the end of 2024, scientists are still determined to improve solar storm predictions. Details surrounding the 12,350 B.C.E. event may even assist preparation efforts in the future.“This event establishes a new worst-case scenario,” said Golubenko. “Understanding its scale is critical for evaluating the risks posed by future solar storms to modern infrastructure like satellites, power grids, and communication systems.”Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Earth and Planetary Science Letters. New SOCOL:14C-Ex model reveals that the Late-Glacial radiocarbon spike in 12350 BC was caused by the record-strong extreme solar stormJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine.
#strongest #solar #storm #history #impacted

The Strongest Solar Storm in History Impacted Earth 14,300 Years Ago
Solar storms batter Earth every year, creating the occasional aurora and sometimes even paralyzing power grids. But these common phenomena pale in comparison to a monstrous event that inundated the planet with particles from the Sun around 14,300 years ago, identified as the strongest solar storm ever recorded in a recent study.The study, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, has shed light on the extreme solar particle event that Earth experienced in 12,350 B.C.E. Such extreme events have only occurred a handful of times throughout history, and this is the first time one has been observed before the Holocene, around the end of the last Ice Age. The Impacts of Solar StormsOccasionally, the Sun launches a burst of accelerated particles into space, prompting what is called a solar particle event. These are often too weak to have considerable impacts here on Earth, although stronger events can pierce the planet’s magnetic field and disrupt technological systems.   Extreme solar particle events, however, are in a class of their own. Only eight of these events have been identified during the Holocene— notable storms took place around 994 A.D., 663 B.C.E., 5259 B.C.E., and 7176 B.C.E. A separate 2024 study states that ESPEs are “up to three orders of magnitude stronger than” any solar particle event that has been observed directly by satellites in the modern age. The same study predicts that if an ESPE were to hit Earth during a period when its magnetic field is weakened, it could cause DNA damage in humans and impair aquatic ecosystems.Measuring the Strongest Solar StormThe ESPE that occurred in 12,350 B.C.E. takes the word “extreme” to a new level, having been much stronger than solar storms that followed in the Holocene.“Compared to the largest event of the modern satellite era — the 2005 particle storm — the ancient 12,350 B.C.E. event was over 500 times more intense, according to our estimates,” said Kseniia Golubenko, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, in a statement.The researchers gleaned the details of this storm — including its strength, timing, and terrestrial effects — through a model they developed, called SOCOL:14C-Ex. The data used to assess the 12,350 B.C.E. event comes from a radiocarbon deposit in a tree from Southwestern Europe; tree rings act like records for solar particle storms, preserving radiocarbon spikes in the atmospherethat were once caused by ESPEs.  The model was first tested on an ESPE that occurred around 775 A.D., the previous titleholder of the strongest solar storm. It then determined the intensity of the 12,350 B.C.E. event, confirming that it was 18 percent stronger than the 775 A.D. event. Preparing for Solar StormsThe newly developed model has allowed researchers to better understand radiocarbon data in ancient glacial conditions, different from the relatively stable and warm conditions of the Holocene. In the present day, we likely won’t have to worry about an ESPE as intense as the 12,350 B.C.E. event in our lifetime; less intense, yet still formidable solar storms are still a cause for concern, however. For example, the Gannon solar storm that hit Earth in May 2024 caused a series of short-lived communication and navigation problems. Although the current solar cycle reached its peak near the end of 2024, scientists are still determined to improve solar storm predictions. Details surrounding the 12,350 B.C.E. event may even assist preparation efforts in the future.“This event establishes a new worst-case scenario,” said Golubenko. “Understanding its scale is critical for evaluating the risks posed by future solar storms to modern infrastructure like satellites, power grids, and communication systems.”Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Earth and Planetary Science Letters. New SOCOL:14C-Ex model reveals that the Late-Glacial radiocarbon spike in 12350 BC was caused by the record-strong extreme solar stormJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine. #strongest #solar #storm #history #impacted

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The Strongest Solar Storm in History Impacted Earth 14,300 Years Ago

Solar storms batter Earth every year, creating the occasional aurora and sometimes even paralyzing power grids. But these common phenomena pale in comparison to a monstrous event that inundated the planet with particles from the Sun around 14,300 years ago, identified as the strongest solar storm ever recorded in a recent study.The study, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, has shed light on the extreme solar particle event that Earth experienced in 12,350 B.C.E. Such extreme events have only occurred a handful of times throughout history, and this is the first time one has been observed before the Holocene, around the end of the last Ice Age. The Impacts of Solar StormsOccasionally, the Sun launches a burst of accelerated particles into space, prompting what is called a solar particle event. These are often too weak to have considerable impacts here on Earth, although stronger events can pierce the planet’s magnetic field and disrupt technological systems.   Extreme solar particle events (ESPEs), however, are in a class of their own. Only eight of these events have been identified during the Holocene (the current epoch, ongoing for almost 12,000 years) — notable storms took place around 994 A.D., 663 B.C.E., 5259 B.C.E., and 7176 B.C.E. A separate 2024 study states that ESPEs are “up to three orders of magnitude stronger than” any solar particle event that has been observed directly by satellites in the modern age. The same study predicts that if an ESPE were to hit Earth during a period when its magnetic field is weakened, it could cause DNA damage in humans and impair aquatic ecosystems.Measuring the Strongest Solar StormThe ESPE that occurred in 12,350 B.C.E. takes the word “extreme” to a new level, having been much stronger than solar storms that followed in the Holocene.“Compared to the largest event of the modern satellite era — the 2005 particle storm — the ancient 12,350 B.C.E. event was over 500 times more intense, according to our estimates,” said Kseniia Golubenko, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, in a statement.The researchers gleaned the details of this storm — including its strength, timing, and terrestrial effects — through a model they developed, called SOCOL:14C-Ex. The data used to assess the 12,350 B.C.E. event comes from a radiocarbon deposit in a tree from Southwestern Europe; tree rings act like records for solar particle storms, preserving radiocarbon spikes in the atmosphere (called Miyake events) that were once caused by ESPEs.  The model was first tested on an ESPE that occurred around 775 A.D., the previous titleholder of the strongest solar storm. It then determined the intensity of the 12,350 B.C.E. event, confirming that it was 18 percent stronger than the 775 A.D. event. Preparing for Solar StormsThe newly developed model has allowed researchers to better understand radiocarbon data in ancient glacial conditions, different from the relatively stable and warm conditions of the Holocene. In the present day, we likely won’t have to worry about an ESPE as intense as the 12,350 B.C.E. event in our lifetime; less intense, yet still formidable solar storms are still a cause for concern, however. For example, the Gannon solar storm that hit Earth in May 2024 caused a series of short-lived communication and navigation problems. Although the current solar cycle reached its peak near the end of 2024 (meaning an overall decline in solar activity is soon to follow), scientists are still determined to improve solar storm predictions. Details surrounding the 12,350 B.C.E. event may even assist preparation efforts in the future.“This event establishes a new worst-case scenario,” said Golubenko. “Understanding its scale is critical for evaluating the risks posed by future solar storms to modern infrastructure like satellites, power grids, and communication systems.”Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Earth and Planetary Science Letters. New SOCOL:14C-Ex model reveals that the Late-Glacial radiocarbon spike in 12350 BC was caused by the record-strong extreme solar stormJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine.

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2025-05-16 01:46:21 ·

I've lived in 6 places since becoming a digital nomad last year. One stood out above the others.

It's been 12 months since Sarah Khan and her husband became digital nomads. Bali was her favorite place to work.

Sarah Khan

2025-05-16T00:14:01Z

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Last year, Sarah Khan, 33, and her husband moved out and became digital nomads.
So far, they've worked from Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and Alicante.
Bali has been her favorite place to work.

The Mediterranean sparkles to my left as I type from a foldable desk on the terrace of a cozy home in a quiet coastal town in Spain. Rolling green hills stretch to my right, framing the space that will be home for the next three months, until we pack up and move again.It's been 12 months since my husband and I embarked on a nomadic life. We sold everything, ended our four-year apartment lease in Singapore, and boarded a one-way flight to Bali. Since then, we've worked from Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and now the coast of Alicante in Spain.Friends and fellow travelers often ask, "Where's your favorite place to work?" I'm sometimes hesitant to answer because it's so subjective. Choosing a base as a nomad involves a different set of criteria than picking a vacation spot. For me, factors like community, longer-stay visas, reliable WiFi, easy access to nature, and a vibrant wellness scene are at the top of the checklist.

Still, if I had to choose, the place that stands out— and one I'd happily return to — is Bali.

Rent for the villa in Bali was a month, which included a pool, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning.

Sarah Khan

I felt at homeBali was my first port of call as a digital nomad, and I spent a happy four months working and living there.Despite internet discourse about how "overrun" parts of the island have become, it remains my favourite place to work remotely to this day. Perhaps I'm biased — with my Indonesian roots and years of vacationing there, I feel instantly at home.My husband and I chose Berawa as our base, a laidback neighbourhood just outside the buzz of Canggu. Located on Bali's southern coast, Canggu has transformed from a sleepy surf village into the island's hippest enclave, packed with trendy cafés and black sand beaches that draw yogis and surfers in equal measure.This was my first time staying in Berawa, and it turned out to be the ideal spot for an extended stay. You get proximity to the action of Canggu without actually living in the thick of it. My two-bedroom villa, tucked down a quiet lane off a main road, placed me less than 10 minutes from central Canggu.Bali's cost of living has crept up in recent years, but it still offered value for our longer stay. Our villa rent was a month, which included a pool, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning — less than half of what I'd paid for my apartment in Singapore.A remote worker's dream setupBali was an easy place to get started on my nomad life. The island is exceptionally well-equipped for long stays: the WiFi is generally reliable, there are plenty of supermarkets and pharmacies available for daily necessities, and ride-hailing apps are affordable and convenient.
After a year on the road, I've come to appreciate how rare this combination is.The island also boasts one of the best remote work ecosystems I've experienced, from coworking spaces like Outpost and BWork to laptop-friendly cafés. I rotated through a few favourites: the workspace upstairs at Woods, Zin Cafe, and Lighthouse, a coworking café with beautiful rice field views and its own on-site podcast and video studio.

Lighthouse is a coworking café with beautiful rice field views.

Sarah Khan

It's also easy to stay active and healthy in Bali. Gyms, yoga studios, and affordable massages are aplenty, especially around Berawa. And food options are great: from warungs serving fragrant local dishes to health-forward cafés and world-class restaurants.When work felt overwhelming and I needed a break, I could hop on a scooter and be at the beach in minutes. There were also many options for weekend escapes: We managed trips to the pristine Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan islands, a day trip to serene Sidemen, and explored the east coast's slower-paced beach towns like Amed and Candidasa.These experiences revealed a quieter, more soulful side of Bali — one I'd missed on past short trips.

Weekend escapes included a visit to an outdoor spa in Sidemen.

Sarah Khan

The downsidesOf course, no place is perfect. Traffic in Canggu can be chaotic, and the island's infrastructure is still catching up with its tourism growth. There's also a digital nomad community that, at times, can feel like a bubble and disconnected from authentic local life.But once you find your rhythm and favourite nooks, it's easy to tune out the noise and settle into Bali's slower, softer pace.I made it a point to skip the touristy spots, stay just outside the main areas, and design my life and routine around the kind of experience I wanted.A year into nomadic living, I've felt uprooted, disoriented, and occasionally exhausted. But in Bali, I found a version of myself I liked: Focused, centered, and rested.

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#i039ve #lived #places #since #becoming

I've lived in 6 places since becoming a digital nomad last year. One stood out above the others.
It's been 12 months since Sarah Khan and her husband became digital nomads. Bali was her favorite place to work. Sarah Khan 2025-05-16T00:14:01Z d Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Last year, Sarah Khan, 33, and her husband moved out and became digital nomads. So far, they've worked from Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and Alicante. Bali has been her favorite place to work. The Mediterranean sparkles to my left as I type from a foldable desk on the terrace of a cozy home in a quiet coastal town in Spain. Rolling green hills stretch to my right, framing the space that will be home for the next three months, until we pack up and move again.It's been 12 months since my husband and I embarked on a nomadic life. We sold everything, ended our four-year apartment lease in Singapore, and boarded a one-way flight to Bali. Since then, we've worked from Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and now the coast of Alicante in Spain.Friends and fellow travelers often ask, "Where's your favorite place to work?" I'm sometimes hesitant to answer because it's so subjective. Choosing a base as a nomad involves a different set of criteria than picking a vacation spot. For me, factors like community, longer-stay visas, reliable WiFi, easy access to nature, and a vibrant wellness scene are at the top of the checklist. Still, if I had to choose, the place that stands out— and one I'd happily return to — is Bali. Rent for the villa in Bali was a month, which included a pool, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning. Sarah Khan I felt at homeBali was my first port of call as a digital nomad, and I spent a happy four months working and living there.Despite internet discourse about how "overrun" parts of the island have become, it remains my favourite place to work remotely to this day. Perhaps I'm biased — with my Indonesian roots and years of vacationing there, I feel instantly at home.My husband and I chose Berawa as our base, a laidback neighbourhood just outside the buzz of Canggu. Located on Bali's southern coast, Canggu has transformed from a sleepy surf village into the island's hippest enclave, packed with trendy cafés and black sand beaches that draw yogis and surfers in equal measure.This was my first time staying in Berawa, and it turned out to be the ideal spot for an extended stay. You get proximity to the action of Canggu without actually living in the thick of it. My two-bedroom villa, tucked down a quiet lane off a main road, placed me less than 10 minutes from central Canggu.Bali's cost of living has crept up in recent years, but it still offered value for our longer stay. Our villa rent was a month, which included a pool, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning — less than half of what I'd paid for my apartment in Singapore.A remote worker's dream setupBali was an easy place to get started on my nomad life. The island is exceptionally well-equipped for long stays: the WiFi is generally reliable, there are plenty of supermarkets and pharmacies available for daily necessities, and ride-hailing apps are affordable and convenient. After a year on the road, I've come to appreciate how rare this combination is.The island also boasts one of the best remote work ecosystems I've experienced, from coworking spaces like Outpost and BWork to laptop-friendly cafés. I rotated through a few favourites: the workspace upstairs at Woods, Zin Cafe, and Lighthouse, a coworking café with beautiful rice field views and its own on-site podcast and video studio. Lighthouse is a coworking café with beautiful rice field views. Sarah Khan It's also easy to stay active and healthy in Bali. Gyms, yoga studios, and affordable massages are aplenty, especially around Berawa. And food options are great: from warungs serving fragrant local dishes to health-forward cafés and world-class restaurants.When work felt overwhelming and I needed a break, I could hop on a scooter and be at the beach in minutes. There were also many options for weekend escapes: We managed trips to the pristine Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan islands, a day trip to serene Sidemen, and explored the east coast's slower-paced beach towns like Amed and Candidasa.These experiences revealed a quieter, more soulful side of Bali — one I'd missed on past short trips. Weekend escapes included a visit to an outdoor spa in Sidemen. Sarah Khan The downsidesOf course, no place is perfect. Traffic in Canggu can be chaotic, and the island's infrastructure is still catching up with its tourism growth. There's also a digital nomad community that, at times, can feel like a bubble and disconnected from authentic local life.But once you find your rhythm and favourite nooks, it's easy to tune out the noise and settle into Bali's slower, softer pace.I made it a point to skip the touristy spots, stay just outside the main areas, and design my life and routine around the kind of experience I wanted.A year into nomadic living, I've felt uprooted, disoriented, and occasionally exhausted. But in Bali, I found a version of myself I liked: Focused, centered, and rested. Recommended video #i039ve #lived #places #since #becoming

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I've lived in 6 places since becoming a digital nomad last year. One stood out above the others.

It's been 12 months since Sarah Khan and her husband became digital nomads. Bali was her favorite place to work. Sarah Khan 2025-05-16T00:14:01Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Last year, Sarah Khan, 33, and her husband moved out and became digital nomads. So far, they've worked from Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and Alicante. Bali has been her favorite place to work. The Mediterranean sparkles to my left as I type from a foldable desk on the terrace of a cozy home in a quiet coastal town in Spain. Rolling green hills stretch to my right, framing the space that will be home for the next three months, until we pack up and move again.It's been 12 months since my husband and I embarked on a nomadic life. We sold everything, ended our four-year apartment lease in Singapore, and boarded a one-way flight to Bali. Since then, we've worked from Bali, Rome, Tuscany, Bangkok, Phuket, and now the coast of Alicante in Spain.Friends and fellow travelers often ask, "Where's your favorite place to work?" I'm sometimes hesitant to answer because it's so subjective. Choosing a base as a nomad involves a different set of criteria than picking a vacation spot. For me, factors like community, longer-stay visas, reliable WiFi, easy access to nature, and a vibrant wellness scene are at the top of the checklist. Still, if I had to choose, the place that stands out— and one I'd happily return to — is Bali. Rent for the villa in Bali was $1,800 a month, which included a pool, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning. Sarah Khan I felt at homeBali was my first port of call as a digital nomad, and I spent a happy four months working and living there.Despite internet discourse about how "overrun" parts of the island have become, it remains my favourite place to work remotely to this day. Perhaps I'm biased — with my Indonesian roots and years of vacationing there, I feel instantly at home.My husband and I chose Berawa as our base, a laidback neighbourhood just outside the buzz of Canggu. Located on Bali's southern coast, Canggu has transformed from a sleepy surf village into the island's hippest enclave, packed with trendy cafés and black sand beaches that draw yogis and surfers in equal measure.This was my first time staying in Berawa, and it turned out to be the ideal spot for an extended stay. You get proximity to the action of Canggu without actually living in the thick of it. My two-bedroom villa, tucked down a quiet lane off a main road, placed me less than 10 minutes from central Canggu.Bali's cost of living has crept up in recent years, but it still offered value for our longer stay. Our villa rent was $1,800 a month, which included a pool, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning — less than half of what I'd paid for my apartment in Singapore.A remote worker's dream setupBali was an easy place to get started on my nomad life. The island is exceptionally well-equipped for long stays: the WiFi is generally reliable, there are plenty of supermarkets and pharmacies available for daily necessities, and ride-hailing apps are affordable and convenient. After a year on the road, I've come to appreciate how rare this combination is.The island also boasts one of the best remote work ecosystems I've experienced, from coworking spaces like Outpost and BWork to laptop-friendly cafés. I rotated through a few favourites: the workspace upstairs at Woods, Zin Cafe, and Lighthouse, a coworking café with beautiful rice field views and its own on-site podcast and video studio. Lighthouse is a coworking café with beautiful rice field views. Sarah Khan It's also easy to stay active and healthy in Bali. Gyms, yoga studios, and affordable massages are aplenty, especially around Berawa. And food options are great: from warungs serving fragrant local dishes to health-forward cafés and world-class restaurants.When work felt overwhelming and I needed a break, I could hop on a scooter and be at the beach in minutes. There were also many options for weekend escapes: We managed trips to the pristine Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan islands, a day trip to serene Sidemen, and explored the east coast's slower-paced beach towns like Amed and Candidasa.These experiences revealed a quieter, more soulful side of Bali — one I'd missed on past short trips. Weekend escapes included a visit to an outdoor spa in Sidemen. Sarah Khan The downsidesOf course, no place is perfect. Traffic in Canggu can be chaotic, and the island's infrastructure is still catching up with its tourism growth. There's also a digital nomad community that, at times, can feel like a bubble and disconnected from authentic local life.But once you find your rhythm and favourite nooks, it's easy to tune out the noise and settle into Bali's slower, softer pace.I made it a point to skip the touristy spots, stay just outside the main areas, and design my life and routine around the kind of experience I wanted.A year into nomadic living, I've felt uprooted, disoriented, and occasionally exhausted. But in Bali, I found a version of myself I liked: Focused, centered, and rested. Recommended video

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2025-05-16 01:01:25 ·

Gaming is the key to reaching Gen Alpha consumers

If brands want to reach the shoppers of the future, they’ll need to meet them where they already are: playing video games.

For this youngest generation, the coolest places to hang out aren’t the local mall or park but inside virtual worlds. While millennials had Sega Mega Drive and Mario Kart, and Gen Z grew up on The Sims and Angry Birds, Gen Alpha—born between 2010 and 2024 and still younger than 17—is coming of age in a world even more seamlessly integrated with technology. Gaming is no longer fringe culture; it’s where they socialize.

Analysts at investment bank UBS recently found that while older generations still spend about two more hours per week on social platforms than on games, Gen Alpha splits their time evenly between the two. Their engagement with digital platforms goes far beyond passive scrolling. For them, gaming is a medium for creativity and self-expression. If Gen Z and millennials were the social generations—raised on MySpace, Facebook, and Instagram—Gen Alpha is the gaming generation.

Now, brands are stepping further into these virtual spaces. Just today, Roblox announced it’s opening its Commerce APIs to eligible creators and brands, with Shopify as the first integrated partner. That means Shopify merchants can now sell physical goods directly within their Roblox experiences. It also works the other way. Through Roblox’s new Approved Merchandiser Program, users can buy physical items in the real world that unlock digital content in-game.

Among popular gaming platforms, Roblox reaches one of the youngest audiences, with 60% of its users under the age of 16. “These digital worlds have replaced group chats and casual hangouts with avatars serving as extensions of personality and style,” Liv Burke, associate director of social at social media agency Superdigital, recently wrote in an op-ed for Variety. In these spaces, Gen Alpha is building and personalizing virtual worlds with limited-edition skins and viral emotes—and inviting their friends to join.

For a generation that grew up with iPads in hand, their entertainment ecosystems exist largely beyond the reach of traditional advertising. As a result, advertisers’ investment in gaming is projected to nearly double over the next five years, according to Futurescape. After all, this generation already accounts for an estimated billion in annual spending—a figure expected to reach trillion by 2029.

For brands looking to connect with the next wave of consumers, it’s game on.
#gaming #key #reaching #gen #alpha

Gaming is the key to reaching Gen Alpha consumers
If brands want to reach the shoppers of the future, they’ll need to meet them where they already are: playing video games. For this youngest generation, the coolest places to hang out aren’t the local mall or park but inside virtual worlds. While millennials had Sega Mega Drive and Mario Kart, and Gen Z grew up on The Sims and Angry Birds, Gen Alpha—born between 2010 and 2024 and still younger than 17—is coming of age in a world even more seamlessly integrated with technology. Gaming is no longer fringe culture; it’s where they socialize. Analysts at investment bank UBS recently found that while older generations still spend about two more hours per week on social platforms than on games, Gen Alpha splits their time evenly between the two. Their engagement with digital platforms goes far beyond passive scrolling. For them, gaming is a medium for creativity and self-expression. If Gen Z and millennials were the social generations—raised on MySpace, Facebook, and Instagram—Gen Alpha is the gaming generation. Now, brands are stepping further into these virtual spaces. Just today, Roblox announced it’s opening its Commerce APIs to eligible creators and brands, with Shopify as the first integrated partner. That means Shopify merchants can now sell physical goods directly within their Roblox experiences. It also works the other way. Through Roblox’s new Approved Merchandiser Program, users can buy physical items in the real world that unlock digital content in-game. Among popular gaming platforms, Roblox reaches one of the youngest audiences, with 60% of its users under the age of 16. “These digital worlds have replaced group chats and casual hangouts with avatars serving as extensions of personality and style,” Liv Burke, associate director of social at social media agency Superdigital, recently wrote in an op-ed for Variety. In these spaces, Gen Alpha is building and personalizing virtual worlds with limited-edition skins and viral emotes—and inviting their friends to join. For a generation that grew up with iPads in hand, their entertainment ecosystems exist largely beyond the reach of traditional advertising. As a result, advertisers’ investment in gaming is projected to nearly double over the next five years, according to Futurescape. After all, this generation already accounts for an estimated billion in annual spending—a figure expected to reach trillion by 2029. For brands looking to connect with the next wave of consumers, it’s game on. #gaming #key #reaching #gen #alpha

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Gaming is the key to reaching Gen Alpha consumers

If brands want to reach the shoppers of the future, they’ll need to meet them where they already are: playing video games. For this youngest generation, the coolest places to hang out aren’t the local mall or park but inside virtual worlds. While millennials had Sega Mega Drive and Mario Kart, and Gen Z grew up on The Sims and Angry Birds, Gen Alpha—born between 2010 and 2024 and still younger than 17—is coming of age in a world even more seamlessly integrated with technology. Gaming is no longer fringe culture; it’s where they socialize. Analysts at investment bank UBS recently found that while older generations still spend about two more hours per week on social platforms than on games, Gen Alpha splits their time evenly between the two. Their engagement with digital platforms goes far beyond passive scrolling. For them, gaming is a medium for creativity and self-expression. If Gen Z and millennials were the social generations—raised on MySpace, Facebook, and Instagram—Gen Alpha is the gaming generation. Now, brands are stepping further into these virtual spaces. Just today, Roblox announced it’s opening its Commerce APIs to eligible creators and brands, with Shopify as the first integrated partner. That means Shopify merchants can now sell physical goods directly within their Roblox experiences. It also works the other way. Through Roblox’s new Approved Merchandiser Program, users can buy physical items in the real world that unlock digital content in-game. Among popular gaming platforms, Roblox reaches one of the youngest audiences, with 60% of its users under the age of 16. “These digital worlds have replaced group chats and casual hangouts with avatars serving as extensions of personality and style,” Liv Burke, associate director of social at social media agency Superdigital, recently wrote in an op-ed for Variety. In these spaces, Gen Alpha is building and personalizing virtual worlds with limited-edition skins and viral emotes—and inviting their friends to join. For a generation that grew up with iPads in hand, their entertainment ecosystems exist largely beyond the reach of traditional advertising. As a result, advertisers’ investment in gaming is projected to nearly double over the next five years, according to Futurescape. After all, this generation already accounts for an estimated $50 billion in annual spending—a figure expected to reach $5.5 trillion by 2029. For brands looking to connect with the next wave of consumers, it’s game on.

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2025-05-15 15:29:28 ·

Europe must ‘get real’ on tech sovereignty and stay open, warns industry group

As Europe pushes for tech sovereignty, one open-source advocate has a warning: don’t forget global cooperation.
Amanda Brock, CEO of industry group OpenUK, told TNW that the EU must “get real” about the trade-offs of going it alone.
Brock said tech policymakers must move beyond “tit-for-tat schoolyard politics” and instead “protect global collaboration whilst ensuring the needs of their citizens are met.”
Her comments follow a speech by Eva Maydell in Brussels yesterday, where the Bulgarian lawmaker urged Europe to “sober up” in its quest for tech independence.
The of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“We need to have a very clear outline plan which, first and foremost, assesses where our strengths are, where we have certain dependencies, and where we need to cooperate,” said Maydell.
In a bid to reduce reliance on global tech giants, European institutions have been ramping up efforts to grow homegrown capabilities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. These efforts have gained urgency amid rising tensions with the US and China.
However, Brock believes Europe must beware of the trade-offs of tech sovereignty. She points to open-source software, which is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share — and inherently requires cross-border cooperation.
“Every time we hear talk of ‘sovereignty’ from the EU, in the next breath we hear ‘open-source’,” she said. “Yet these two concepts sit in direct conflict, as open-source has global collaboration at its heart.”
Brock urged Europe to invest in tech infrastructure and talent to support the growth of technologies such as AI, while remaining open to the rest of the world. “No one said it would be easy,” she added.
Andreas Riegler, general partner at APEX Ventures, agrees that Europe must continue to embrace global collaboration.
He warned against competing head-on with the US and China in technologies like cloud infrastructure or foundational AI models.
“Europe must resist isolationist instincts and instead integrate into global tech ecosystems where appropriate,” he said. “Not doing so risks duplication of effort, talent drain, and diminished geopolitical influence in setting global standards.”
Europe’s tech sovereignty will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off.

Story by

Siôn Geschwindt

Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicSiôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindtprotonmailcom

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Europe must ‘get real’ on tech sovereignty and stay open, warns industry group
As Europe pushes for tech sovereignty, one open-source advocate has a warning: don’t forget global cooperation. Amanda Brock, CEO of industry group OpenUK, told TNW that the EU must “get real” about the trade-offs of going it alone. Brock said tech policymakers must move beyond “tit-for-tat schoolyard politics” and instead “protect global collaboration whilst ensuring the needs of their citizens are met.”   Her comments follow a speech by Eva Maydell in Brussels yesterday, where the Bulgarian lawmaker urged Europe to “sober up” in its quest for tech independence.   The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“We need to have a very clear outline plan which, first and foremost, assesses where our strengths are, where we have certain dependencies, and where we need to cooperate,” said Maydell. In a bid to reduce reliance on global tech giants, European institutions have been ramping up efforts to grow homegrown capabilities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. These efforts have gained urgency amid rising tensions with the US and China. However, Brock believes Europe must beware of the trade-offs of tech sovereignty. She points to open-source software, which is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share — and inherently requires cross-border cooperation. “Every time we hear talk of ‘sovereignty’ from the EU, in the next breath we hear ‘open-source’,” she said. “Yet these two concepts sit in direct conflict, as open-source has global collaboration at its heart.” Brock urged Europe to invest in tech infrastructure and talent to support the growth of technologies such as AI, while remaining open to the rest of the world. “No one said it would be easy,” she added. Andreas Riegler, general partner at APEX Ventures, agrees that Europe must continue to embrace global collaboration. He warned against competing head-on with the US and China in technologies like cloud infrastructure or foundational AI models. “Europe must resist isolationist instincts and instead integrate into global tech ecosystems where appropriate,” he said. “Not doing so risks duplication of effort, talent drain, and diminished geopolitical influence in setting global standards.” Europe’s tech sovereignty will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicSiôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindtprotonmailcom Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with #europe #must #get #real #tech

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Europe must ‘get real’ on tech sovereignty and stay open, warns industry group

As Europe pushes for tech sovereignty, one open-source advocate has a warning: don’t forget global cooperation. Amanda Brock, CEO of industry group OpenUK, told TNW that the EU must “get real” about the trade-offs of going it alone. Brock said tech policymakers must move beyond “tit-for-tat schoolyard politics” and instead “protect global collaboration whilst ensuring the needs of their citizens are met.”   Her comments follow a speech by Eva Maydell in Brussels yesterday, where the Bulgarian lawmaker urged Europe to “sober up” in its quest for tech independence.   The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“We need to have a very clear outline plan which, first and foremost, assesses where our strengths are, where we have certain dependencies, and where we need to cooperate,” said Maydell. In a bid to reduce reliance on global tech giants, European institutions have been ramping up efforts to grow homegrown capabilities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. These efforts have gained urgency amid rising tensions with the US and China. However, Brock believes Europe must beware of the trade-offs of tech sovereignty. She points to open-source software, which is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share — and inherently requires cross-border cooperation. “Every time we hear talk of ‘sovereignty’ from the EU, in the next breath we hear ‘open-source’,” she said. “Yet these two concepts sit in direct conflict, as open-source has global collaboration at its heart.” Brock urged Europe to invest in tech infrastructure and talent to support the growth of technologies such as AI, while remaining open to the rest of the world. “No one said it would be easy,” she added. Andreas Riegler, general partner at APEX Ventures, agrees that Europe must continue to embrace global collaboration. He warned against competing head-on with the US and China in technologies like cloud infrastructure or foundational AI models. “Europe must resist isolationist instincts and instead integrate into global tech ecosystems where appropriate,” he said. “Not doing so risks duplication of effort, talent drain, and diminished geopolitical influence in setting global standards.” Europe’s tech sovereignty will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

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2025-05-15 13:50:46 ·

Trump officials are trying to yank this animal’s last shot at survival

The bird above is not your typical charismatic species. It’s no bald eagle, no peregrine falcon. It’s a groundbird known as the lesser prairie-chicken that lives in the southern Great Plains. It’s not even the greater prairie-chicken, another, related avian species, that’s a bit larger. Today, however, this bird is very much worth paying attention to. In 2023, lesser prairie-chickens — which are actually fascinating birds, not least for their ridiculous mating rituals — were granted protection under the Endangered Species Act, the country’s strongest wildlife law. Scientists say this protection is justified: The population of lesser prairie-chickens has crashed since the last century from hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of birds to roughly 30,000 today. Now the Trump administration is trying to axe those extinction-thwarting protections. In a motion filed earlier this month in a Texas court, the administration argued that federal officials made an error when listing prairie-chickens under the Endangered Species Act. The listing — which makes it illegal to kill or harm the birds, with a number of exceptions — should be tossed out, the administration said. The move isn’t totally unexpected. Prairie-chickens overlap in some areas with oil and gas drilling. And President Donald Trump has signaled that he will prioritize drilling over environmental safeguards. Yet it reveals that his administration will take extreme steps to undo wildlife protections if they stand in the way of his agenda. If his administration is successful in delisting the bird, it will signal that no endangered species is safe — especially those, like these chickens, that happen to live where fossil fuels are buried.Send us a tipDo you have a story idea or a tip to share? Reach Benji Jones at benji.jones@vox.com or at the secure encrypted address benjijones@protonmail.com. You can also find him on Signal at @benji.90.The dance of the prairie-chickenMale lesser prairie-chickens are extremely extra.Each spring, they come together in breeding grounds called leks to dance for females, hoping to attract them as mates. They inflate large sacs on their neck, flare yellow combs above their eyes, and raise wing-like feathers behind their heads. Then they stomp their feet and start booming, producing a noise that sounds like sped-up yodeling.The Great Plains were once filled with these unusual dancing birds, which play important roles in grassland ecosystems: They provide food for raptors, spread seeds, and control insects. But in the last few centuries, prairie-chickens lost most of their habitat — largely to the expansion of oil and gas, commercial farming, housing developments, and, more recently, wind energy. Scientists estimate that the range of lesser prairie-chickens has shrunk by 83 percent to 90 percent since European settlement.“Grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem on the continent and in the world, and nowhere more so than in the southwestern Great Plains,” said Ted Koch, executive director of the North American Grouse Partnership, a bird conservation group. Facing extinction as a result of powerful industries, the prairie-chicken has been caught up in a game of political ping pong. The government first granted them federal protection in 2014. Then, in response to a lawsuit filed by an oil-industry trade group and several counties in New Mexico, the Texas court tossed out the listing in 2015. They were officially delisted in 2016. The suit argued that in granting federal protections the government didn’t adequately consider existing voluntary efforts, such as habitat conservation, to conserve the birds.Shortly after, the Interior Department — the government agency that oversees endangered species listings — reevaluated the bird and once again determined, under the Biden administration, that it is at risk of extinction, even with those voluntary efforts in place. In 2023, Interior added the chickens back on the endangered species list. That brings us to the present day, when these forsaken birds could once again lose protection. Trump moves to strip endangered species protections on a technicalityThe Trump administration is arguing that the Interior Department made a mistake when it recently listed the birds again. It comes down to a somewhat wonky technicality. Briefly, the Endangered Species Act allows the government to grant formal protection to a species or to a population of a species — if those populations are important on their own, and at risk. That’s what the Biden administration did: It determined that there were two distinct populations of lesser-prairie chickens and it granted each of them slightly different protections. One of the populations is in the northern end of the birds’ range, including Oklahoma and Kansas, and the other is in the southern reaches of its range, in Texas and New Mexico. Under the Trump administration, Interior claims that it didn’t provide enough information to show that the two bird populations are distinct. That’s reason enough to delist the birds, the administration argues, while it reviews their status over the next year. If the species is delisted — even temporarily — the government would be able to permit activities, such as energy projects, even if they might harm the bird and the endangered grasslands it’s found in. Male lesser prairie-chickens fight for territory at a lek in Edwards County, Kansas. Michael Pearce/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAvian experts, meanwhile, say the reasoning behind the original listing — which was the result of months of work and more than 30,000 public comments — is sound, and these birds are very clearly in trouble. “The North American Grouse Partnership agrees completely that listing of chickens is warranted,” said Koch, a former biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the division within Interior that implements the Endangered Species Act.The move to delist prairie-chickens appears to be an effort by the Trump administration to skirt wildlife regulations that some perceive to stand in the way of the oil industry, said Jonathan Hayes, executive director of Audubon Southwest, a regional office of the National Audubon Society, a large environmental nonprofit. “Whether it’s true or not, this chicken symbolizes a challenge, or an impediment, to oil and gas development for industry,” Hayes told Vox. “We would expect this administration to push back on regulations that may or may not impact oil and gas. That’s what it feels like is happening here.” In a statement to Vox, the Interior Department said it has an “unwavering commitment to conserving and managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources…and overseeing public lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility for the American people.”The new administration can quibble with the technical points of the listing, Koch said, but that will do nothing to change the reality: The bird is at risk of extinction and needs to be protected. “Whether somebody wants to engage in debate on technicalities is up to them, but simply and fundamentally lesser prairie-chickens are threatened with extinction,” Koch said. “Delisting lesser prairie chickens on a technicality is going to do nothing to address the underlying threat to these ecosystems.”The future for threatened species in the US There’s no guarantee that prairie-chickens will lose protection. The Trump administration’s motion to delist the birds came in response to a pair of lawsuits filed by both the state of Texas and groups representing the oil and livestock industries. The suits allege that the Interior Department made a mistake in splitting the birds into two distinct populations and failed to follow the best available information.Before Trump took office, the government was planning to defend its decision to protect the birds — and to split them up — in court, in response to those lawsuits. Now it’s reversing course and agreeing with Texas and the oil industry to toss out the listing.It’s possible that the judge overseeing this case could agree to remove protections, said Jason Rylander, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. In that case, groups like his would try to appeal to block the delisting. The court could also tell the government to review the bird’s status while keeping existing protections in place, Rylander says. What’s key here is that the decision to list lesser prairie-chickens involved a formal rulemaking process with public input. It’s not clear that the government can simply reverse its decision and yank federal protections without going through that process again.“The government can’t act in a capricious way,” Hayes of Audubon said. “It can’t just blow with the wind, and that’s exactly what it did here. They just changed their minds when the administration changed. I’m not sure how they will legally defend their complete 180.”But no matter how this plays out, this effort to delist lesser prairie-chickens puts other threatened species in an even more precarious spot, especially those that live in regions with oil and gas.One example is the endangered dunes sagebrush lizard. It’s a small, scaly reptile that lives in the Permian Basin of Texas, the largest oil-producing region in the country, and nowhere else on Earth.The state of Texas similarly sued the government after it listed the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered last year. The suit — which asks the court to vacate the endangered listing — alleges, among other things, that the government didn’t rely on the best available data to evaluate the lizard’s extinction risk. That case is still pending, though environmental advocates fear that the Trump administration could side with Texas and claim it made a mistake when listing the lizard. Then there’s the beloved monarch butterfly. Following decades of population decline, the government proposed federal protections for the iconic insect late last year. Monarch habitat similarly overlaps with the oil and gas industry, as well as commercial farmland. Fossil-fuel groups have already asked the Trump administration to reconsider the listing. “As the Trump administration is in power, we can expect that endangered species protections are going to be under attack,” Rylander said. “I think there’s a chance we can stop this in court,” he said of efforts to delist the prairie-chicken, “but I think if we don’t, we will see more efforts to remand and vacate listings that theydon’t want to have in place anymore.” It’s important to remember that wildlife protections benefit people, Koch said. And prairie-chickens are a good example. Most of the remaining birds live on sustainably managed, private ranchlands in the Great Plains, he said. Those lands — those working grassland ecosystems — are under threat from energy development and other industries that are more profitable. Saving prairie chickens means saving those lands. And saving those lands benefits the ranchers that live on them, he said.“The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to conserve the ecosystems upon which we and all other species depend,” Koch said. “People depend on grassland ecosystems, and so do lesser prairie-chickens. We need to save grasslands for both of us.”See More:
#trump #officials #are #trying #yank

Trump officials are trying to yank this animal’s last shot at survival
The bird above is not your typical charismatic species. It’s no bald eagle, no peregrine falcon. It’s a groundbird known as the lesser prairie-chicken that lives in the southern Great Plains. It’s not even the greater prairie-chicken, another, related avian species, that’s a bit larger. Today, however, this bird is very much worth paying attention to. In 2023, lesser prairie-chickens — which are actually fascinating birds, not least for their ridiculous mating rituals — were granted protection under the Endangered Species Act, the country’s strongest wildlife law. Scientists say this protection is justified: The population of lesser prairie-chickens has crashed since the last century from hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of birds to roughly 30,000 today. Now the Trump administration is trying to axe those extinction-thwarting protections. In a motion filed earlier this month in a Texas court, the administration argued that federal officials made an error when listing prairie-chickens under the Endangered Species Act. The listing — which makes it illegal to kill or harm the birds, with a number of exceptions — should be tossed out, the administration said. The move isn’t totally unexpected. Prairie-chickens overlap in some areas with oil and gas drilling. And President Donald Trump has signaled that he will prioritize drilling over environmental safeguards. Yet it reveals that his administration will take extreme steps to undo wildlife protections if they stand in the way of his agenda. If his administration is successful in delisting the bird, it will signal that no endangered species is safe — especially those, like these chickens, that happen to live where fossil fuels are buried.Send us a tipDo you have a story idea or a tip to share? Reach Benji Jones at benji.jones@vox.com or at the secure encrypted address benjijones@protonmail.com. You can also find him on Signal at @benji.90.The dance of the prairie-chickenMale lesser prairie-chickens are extremely extra.Each spring, they come together in breeding grounds called leks to dance for females, hoping to attract them as mates. They inflate large sacs on their neck, flare yellow combs above their eyes, and raise wing-like feathers behind their heads. Then they stomp their feet and start booming, producing a noise that sounds like sped-up yodeling.The Great Plains were once filled with these unusual dancing birds, which play important roles in grassland ecosystems: They provide food for raptors, spread seeds, and control insects. But in the last few centuries, prairie-chickens lost most of their habitat — largely to the expansion of oil and gas, commercial farming, housing developments, and, more recently, wind energy. Scientists estimate that the range of lesser prairie-chickens has shrunk by 83 percent to 90 percent since European settlement.“Grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem on the continent and in the world, and nowhere more so than in the southwestern Great Plains,” said Ted Koch, executive director of the North American Grouse Partnership, a bird conservation group. Facing extinction as a result of powerful industries, the prairie-chicken has been caught up in a game of political ping pong. The government first granted them federal protection in 2014. Then, in response to a lawsuit filed by an oil-industry trade group and several counties in New Mexico, the Texas court tossed out the listing in 2015. They were officially delisted in 2016. The suit argued that in granting federal protections the government didn’t adequately consider existing voluntary efforts, such as habitat conservation, to conserve the birds.Shortly after, the Interior Department — the government agency that oversees endangered species listings — reevaluated the bird and once again determined, under the Biden administration, that it is at risk of extinction, even with those voluntary efforts in place. In 2023, Interior added the chickens back on the endangered species list. That brings us to the present day, when these forsaken birds could once again lose protection. Trump moves to strip endangered species protections on a technicalityThe Trump administration is arguing that the Interior Department made a mistake when it recently listed the birds again. It comes down to a somewhat wonky technicality. Briefly, the Endangered Species Act allows the government to grant formal protection to a species or to a population of a species — if those populations are important on their own, and at risk. That’s what the Biden administration did: It determined that there were two distinct populations of lesser-prairie chickens and it granted each of them slightly different protections. One of the populations is in the northern end of the birds’ range, including Oklahoma and Kansas, and the other is in the southern reaches of its range, in Texas and New Mexico. Under the Trump administration, Interior claims that it didn’t provide enough information to show that the two bird populations are distinct. That’s reason enough to delist the birds, the administration argues, while it reviews their status over the next year. If the species is delisted — even temporarily — the government would be able to permit activities, such as energy projects, even if they might harm the bird and the endangered grasslands it’s found in. Male lesser prairie-chickens fight for territory at a lek in Edwards County, Kansas. Michael Pearce/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAvian experts, meanwhile, say the reasoning behind the original listing — which was the result of months of work and more than 30,000 public comments — is sound, and these birds are very clearly in trouble. “The North American Grouse Partnership agrees completely that listing of chickens is warranted,” said Koch, a former biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the division within Interior that implements the Endangered Species Act.The move to delist prairie-chickens appears to be an effort by the Trump administration to skirt wildlife regulations that some perceive to stand in the way of the oil industry, said Jonathan Hayes, executive director of Audubon Southwest, a regional office of the National Audubon Society, a large environmental nonprofit. “Whether it’s true or not, this chicken symbolizes a challenge, or an impediment, to oil and gas development for industry,” Hayes told Vox. “We would expect this administration to push back on regulations that may or may not impact oil and gas. That’s what it feels like is happening here.” In a statement to Vox, the Interior Department said it has an “unwavering commitment to conserving and managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources…and overseeing public lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility for the American people.”The new administration can quibble with the technical points of the listing, Koch said, but that will do nothing to change the reality: The bird is at risk of extinction and needs to be protected. “Whether somebody wants to engage in debate on technicalities is up to them, but simply and fundamentally lesser prairie-chickens are threatened with extinction,” Koch said. “Delisting lesser prairie chickens on a technicality is going to do nothing to address the underlying threat to these ecosystems.”The future for threatened species in the US There’s no guarantee that prairie-chickens will lose protection. The Trump administration’s motion to delist the birds came in response to a pair of lawsuits filed by both the state of Texas and groups representing the oil and livestock industries. The suits allege that the Interior Department made a mistake in splitting the birds into two distinct populations and failed to follow the best available information.Before Trump took office, the government was planning to defend its decision to protect the birds — and to split them up — in court, in response to those lawsuits. Now it’s reversing course and agreeing with Texas and the oil industry to toss out the listing.It’s possible that the judge overseeing this case could agree to remove protections, said Jason Rylander, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. In that case, groups like his would try to appeal to block the delisting. The court could also tell the government to review the bird’s status while keeping existing protections in place, Rylander says. What’s key here is that the decision to list lesser prairie-chickens involved a formal rulemaking process with public input. It’s not clear that the government can simply reverse its decision and yank federal protections without going through that process again.“The government can’t act in a capricious way,” Hayes of Audubon said. “It can’t just blow with the wind, and that’s exactly what it did here. They just changed their minds when the administration changed. I’m not sure how they will legally defend their complete 180.”But no matter how this plays out, this effort to delist lesser prairie-chickens puts other threatened species in an even more precarious spot, especially those that live in regions with oil and gas.One example is the endangered dunes sagebrush lizard. It’s a small, scaly reptile that lives in the Permian Basin of Texas, the largest oil-producing region in the country, and nowhere else on Earth.The state of Texas similarly sued the government after it listed the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered last year. The suit — which asks the court to vacate the endangered listing — alleges, among other things, that the government didn’t rely on the best available data to evaluate the lizard’s extinction risk. That case is still pending, though environmental advocates fear that the Trump administration could side with Texas and claim it made a mistake when listing the lizard. Then there’s the beloved monarch butterfly. Following decades of population decline, the government proposed federal protections for the iconic insect late last year. Monarch habitat similarly overlaps with the oil and gas industry, as well as commercial farmland. Fossil-fuel groups have already asked the Trump administration to reconsider the listing. “As the Trump administration is in power, we can expect that endangered species protections are going to be under attack,” Rylander said. “I think there’s a chance we can stop this in court,” he said of efforts to delist the prairie-chicken, “but I think if we don’t, we will see more efforts to remand and vacate listings that theydon’t want to have in place anymore.” It’s important to remember that wildlife protections benefit people, Koch said. And prairie-chickens are a good example. Most of the remaining birds live on sustainably managed, private ranchlands in the Great Plains, he said. Those lands — those working grassland ecosystems — are under threat from energy development and other industries that are more profitable. Saving prairie chickens means saving those lands. And saving those lands benefits the ranchers that live on them, he said.“The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to conserve the ecosystems upon which we and all other species depend,” Koch said. “People depend on grassland ecosystems, and so do lesser prairie-chickens. We need to save grasslands for both of us.”See More: #trump #officials #are #trying #yank

WWW.VOX.COM

Trump officials are trying to yank this animal’s last shot at survival

The bird above is not your typical charismatic species. It’s no bald eagle, no peregrine falcon. It’s a groundbird known as the lesser prairie-chicken that lives in the southern Great Plains. It’s not even the greater prairie-chicken, another, related avian species, that’s a bit larger. Today, however, this bird is very much worth paying attention to. In 2023, lesser prairie-chickens — which are actually fascinating birds, not least for their ridiculous mating rituals — were granted protection under the Endangered Species Act, the country’s strongest wildlife law. Scientists say this protection is justified: The population of lesser prairie-chickens has crashed since the last century from hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of birds to roughly 30,000 today. Now the Trump administration is trying to axe those extinction-thwarting protections. In a motion filed earlier this month in a Texas court, the administration argued that federal officials made an error when listing prairie-chickens under the Endangered Species Act. The listing — which makes it illegal to kill or harm the birds, with a number of exceptions — should be tossed out, the administration said. The move isn’t totally unexpected. Prairie-chickens overlap in some areas with oil and gas drilling. And President Donald Trump has signaled that he will prioritize drilling over environmental safeguards. Yet it reveals that his administration will take extreme steps to undo wildlife protections if they stand in the way of his agenda. If his administration is successful in delisting the bird, it will signal that no endangered species is safe — especially those, like these chickens, that happen to live where fossil fuels are buried.Send us a tipDo you have a story idea or a tip to share? Reach Benji Jones at benji.jones@vox.com or at the secure encrypted address benjijones@protonmail.com. You can also find him on Signal at @benji.90.The dance of the prairie-chickenMale lesser prairie-chickens are extremely extra.Each spring, they come together in breeding grounds called leks to dance for females, hoping to attract them as mates. They inflate large sacs on their neck, flare yellow combs above their eyes, and raise wing-like feathers behind their heads. Then they stomp their feet and start booming, producing a noise that sounds like sped-up yodeling. (These are not to be confused with the greater sage-grouse, a bird in the same family that has a similarly spectacular display.)The Great Plains were once filled with these unusual dancing birds, which play important roles in grassland ecosystems: They provide food for raptors, spread seeds, and control insects. But in the last few centuries, prairie-chickens lost most of their habitat — largely to the expansion of oil and gas, commercial farming, housing developments, and, more recently, wind energy. Scientists estimate that the range of lesser prairie-chickens has shrunk by 83 percent to 90 percent since European settlement.“Grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem on the continent and in the world, and nowhere more so than in the southwestern Great Plains,” said Ted Koch, executive director of the North American Grouse Partnership, a bird conservation group. Facing extinction as a result of powerful industries, the prairie-chicken has been caught up in a game of political ping pong. The government first granted them federal protection in 2014. Then, in response to a lawsuit filed by an oil-industry trade group and several counties in New Mexico, the Texas court tossed out the listing in 2015. They were officially delisted in 2016. The suit argued that in granting federal protections the government didn’t adequately consider existing voluntary efforts, such as habitat conservation, to conserve the birds.Shortly after, the Interior Department — the government agency that oversees endangered species listings — reevaluated the bird and once again determined, under the Biden administration, that it is at risk of extinction, even with those voluntary efforts in place. In 2023, Interior added the chickens back on the endangered species list. That brings us to the present day, when these forsaken birds could once again lose protection. Trump moves to strip endangered species protections on a technicalityThe Trump administration is arguing that the Interior Department made a mistake when it recently listed the birds again. It comes down to a somewhat wonky technicality. Briefly, the Endangered Species Act allows the government to grant formal protection to a species or to a population of a species — if those populations are important on their own, and at risk. That’s what the Biden administration did: It determined that there were two distinct populations of lesser-prairie chickens and it granted each of them slightly different protections. One of the populations is in the northern end of the birds’ range, including Oklahoma and Kansas, and the other is in the southern reaches of its range, in Texas and New Mexico. Under the Trump administration, Interior claims that it didn’t provide enough information to show that the two bird populations are distinct. That’s reason enough to delist the birds, the administration argues, while it reviews their status over the next year. If the species is delisted — even temporarily — the government would be able to permit activities, such as energy projects, even if they might harm the bird and the endangered grasslands it’s found in. Male lesser prairie-chickens fight for territory at a lek in Edwards County, Kansas. Michael Pearce/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAvian experts, meanwhile, say the reasoning behind the original listing — which was the result of months of work and more than 30,000 public comments — is sound, and these birds are very clearly in trouble. “The North American Grouse Partnership agrees completely that listing of chickens is warranted,” said Koch, a former biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the division within Interior that implements the Endangered Species Act.The move to delist prairie-chickens appears to be an effort by the Trump administration to skirt wildlife regulations that some perceive to stand in the way of the oil industry, said Jonathan Hayes, executive director of Audubon Southwest, a regional office of the National Audubon Society, a large environmental nonprofit. “Whether it’s true or not, this chicken symbolizes a challenge, or an impediment, to oil and gas development for industry,” Hayes told Vox. “We would expect this administration to push back on regulations that may or may not impact oil and gas. That’s what it feels like is happening here.” In a statement to Vox, the Interior Department said it has an “unwavering commitment to conserving and managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources…and overseeing public lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility for the American people.”The new administration can quibble with the technical points of the listing, Koch said, but that will do nothing to change the reality: The bird is at risk of extinction and needs to be protected. “Whether somebody wants to engage in debate on technicalities is up to them, but simply and fundamentally lesser prairie-chickens are threatened with extinction,” Koch said. “Delisting lesser prairie chickens on a technicality is going to do nothing to address the underlying threat to these ecosystems.”The future for threatened species in the US There’s no guarantee that prairie-chickens will lose protection. The Trump administration’s motion to delist the birds came in response to a pair of lawsuits filed by both the state of Texas and groups representing the oil and livestock industries. The suits allege that the Interior Department made a mistake in splitting the birds into two distinct populations and failed to follow the best available information. (Interior’s spokesperson told Vox they will not comment on ongoing litigation.)Before Trump took office, the government was planning to defend its decision to protect the birds — and to split them up — in court, in response to those lawsuits. Now it’s reversing course and agreeing with Texas and the oil industry to toss out the listing.It’s possible that the judge overseeing this case could agree to remove protections, said Jason Rylander, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. In that case, groups like his would try to appeal to block the delisting. The court could also tell the government to review the bird’s status while keeping existing protections in place, Rylander says. What’s key here is that the decision to list lesser prairie-chickens involved a formal rulemaking process with public input. It’s not clear that the government can simply reverse its decision and yank federal protections without going through that process again.“The government can’t act in a capricious way,” Hayes of Audubon said. “It can’t just blow with the wind, and that’s exactly what it did here. They just changed their minds when the administration changed. I’m not sure how they will legally defend their complete 180.”But no matter how this plays out, this effort to delist lesser prairie-chickens puts other threatened species in an even more precarious spot, especially those that live in regions with oil and gas.One example is the endangered dunes sagebrush lizard. It’s a small, scaly reptile that lives in the Permian Basin of Texas, the largest oil-producing region in the country, and nowhere else on Earth.The state of Texas similarly sued the government after it listed the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered last year. The suit — which asks the court to vacate the endangered listing — alleges, among other things, that the government didn’t rely on the best available data to evaluate the lizard’s extinction risk. That case is still pending, though environmental advocates fear that the Trump administration could side with Texas and claim it made a mistake when listing the lizard. Then there’s the beloved monarch butterfly. Following decades of population decline, the government proposed federal protections for the iconic insect late last year. Monarch habitat similarly overlaps with the oil and gas industry, as well as commercial farmland. Fossil-fuel groups have already asked the Trump administration to reconsider the listing. “As the Trump administration is in power, we can expect that endangered species protections are going to be under attack,” Rylander said. “I think there’s a chance we can stop this in court,” he said of efforts to delist the prairie-chicken, “but I think if we don’t, we will see more efforts to remand and vacate listings that they [the Trump administration] don’t want to have in place anymore.” It’s important to remember that wildlife protections benefit people, Koch said. And prairie-chickens are a good example. Most of the remaining birds live on sustainably managed, private ranchlands in the Great Plains, he said. Those lands — those working grassland ecosystems — are under threat from energy development and other industries that are more profitable. Saving prairie chickens means saving those lands. And saving those lands benefits the ranchers that live on them, he said.“The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to conserve the ecosystems upon which we and all other species depend,” Koch said. “People depend on grassland ecosystems, and so do lesser prairie-chickens. We need to save grasslands for both of us.”See More:

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2025-05-15 01:16:53 ·

Europe must ‘get real’ on tech sovereignty and stay open, warns industry group

As Europe pushes for tech sovereignty, one open-source advocate has a warning: don’t forget global cooperation.
Amanda Brock, CEO of industry group OpenUK, told TNW that the EU must “get real” about the trade-offs of going it alone.
Brock said tech policymakers must move beyond “tit-for-tat schoolyard politics” and instead “protect global collaboration whilst ensuring the needs of their citizens are met.”
Her comments follow a speech by Eva Maydell in Brussels yesterday, where the Bulgarian lawmaker urged Europe to “sober up” in its quest for tech independence.
The of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“We need to have a very clear outline plan which, first and foremost, assesses where our strengths are, where we have certain dependencies, and where we need to cooperate,” said Maydell.
In a bid to reduce reliance on global tech giants, European institutions have been ramping up efforts to grow homegrown capabilities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. These efforts have gained urgency amid rising tensions with the US and China.
However, Brock believes Europe must beware of the trade-offs of tech sovereignty. She points to open-source software, which is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share — and inherently requires cross-border cooperation.
“Every time we hear talk of ‘sovereignty’ from the EU, in the next breath we hear ‘open-source’,” she said. “Yet these two concepts sit in direct conflict, as open-source has global collaboration at its heart.”
Brock urged Europe to invest in tech infrastructure and talent to support the growth of technologies such as AI, while remaining open to the rest of the world. “No one said it would be easy,” she added.
Andreas Riegler, general partner at APEX Ventures, agrees that Europe must continue to embrace global collaboration.
He warned against competing head-on with the US and China in technologies like cloud infrastructure or foundational AI models.
“Europe must resist isolationist instincts and instead integrate into global tech ecosystems where appropriate,” he said. “Not doing so risks duplication of effort, talent drain, and diminished geopolitical influence in setting global standards.”
Europe’s tech sovereignty will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off.

Story by

Siôn Geschwindt

Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicSiôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindtprotonmailcom

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Europe must ‘get real’ on tech sovereignty and stay open, warns industry group
As Europe pushes for tech sovereignty, one open-source advocate has a warning: don’t forget global cooperation. Amanda Brock, CEO of industry group OpenUK, told TNW that the EU must “get real” about the trade-offs of going it alone. Brock said tech policymakers must move beyond “tit-for-tat schoolyard politics” and instead “protect global collaboration whilst ensuring the needs of their citizens are met.”   Her comments follow a speech by Eva Maydell in Brussels yesterday, where the Bulgarian lawmaker urged Europe to “sober up” in its quest for tech independence.   The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“We need to have a very clear outline plan which, first and foremost, assesses where our strengths are, where we have certain dependencies, and where we need to cooperate,” said Maydell. In a bid to reduce reliance on global tech giants, European institutions have been ramping up efforts to grow homegrown capabilities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. These efforts have gained urgency amid rising tensions with the US and China. However, Brock believes Europe must beware of the trade-offs of tech sovereignty. She points to open-source software, which is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share — and inherently requires cross-border cooperation. “Every time we hear talk of ‘sovereignty’ from the EU, in the next breath we hear ‘open-source’,” she said. “Yet these two concepts sit in direct conflict, as open-source has global collaboration at its heart.” Brock urged Europe to invest in tech infrastructure and talent to support the growth of technologies such as AI, while remaining open to the rest of the world. “No one said it would be easy,” she added. Andreas Riegler, general partner at APEX Ventures, agrees that Europe must continue to embrace global collaboration. He warned against competing head-on with the US and China in technologies like cloud infrastructure or foundational AI models. “Europe must resist isolationist instincts and instead integrate into global tech ecosystems where appropriate,” he said. “Not doing so risks duplication of effort, talent drain, and diminished geopolitical influence in setting global standards.” Europe’s tech sovereignty will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicSiôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindtprotonmailcom Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with #europe #must #get #real #tech

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Europe must ‘get real’ on tech sovereignty and stay open, warns industry group

As Europe pushes for tech sovereignty, one open-source advocate has a warning: don’t forget global cooperation. Amanda Brock, CEO of industry group OpenUK, told TNW that the EU must “get real” about the trade-offs of going it alone. Brock said tech policymakers must move beyond “tit-for-tat schoolyard politics” and instead “protect global collaboration whilst ensuring the needs of their citizens are met.”   Her comments follow a speech by Eva Maydell in Brussels yesterday, where the Bulgarian lawmaker urged Europe to “sober up” in its quest for tech independence.   The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“We need to have a very clear outline plan which, first and foremost, assesses where our strengths are, where we have certain dependencies, and where we need to cooperate,” said Maydell. In a bid to reduce reliance on global tech giants, European institutions have been ramping up efforts to grow homegrown capabilities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. These efforts have gained urgency amid rising tensions with the US and China. However, Brock believes Europe must beware of the trade-offs of tech sovereignty. She points to open-source software, which is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and share — and inherently requires cross-border cooperation. “Every time we hear talk of ‘sovereignty’ from the EU, in the next breath we hear ‘open-source’,” she said. “Yet these two concepts sit in direct conflict, as open-source has global collaboration at its heart.” Brock urged Europe to invest in tech infrastructure and talent to support the growth of technologies such as AI, while remaining open to the rest of the world. “No one said it would be easy,” she added. Andreas Riegler, general partner at APEX Ventures, agrees that Europe must continue to embrace global collaboration. He warned against competing head-on with the US and China in technologies like cloud infrastructure or foundational AI models. “Europe must resist isolationist instincts and instead integrate into global tech ecosystems where appropriate,” he said. “Not doing so risks duplication of effort, talent drain, and diminished geopolitical influence in setting global standards.” Europe’s tech sovereignty will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

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2025-05-14 22:32:02 ·

From Myth To Moonshot: Athens Panathēnea Ascent As A Startup City

Athens Panathēnea: Re-celebrating innovation and connection with a modern festival of tech, art, and ... More startups, ending in an epic street party beneath the Acropolis.Timothy Papandreou
Imagine a city where the spirit of innovation and connection has thrived for thousands of years. Last week in Athens, that spirit was reborn with the sold-out inaugural Panathēnea festival. This vibrant event, a modern echo of ancient gatherings, powerfully announced a bold ambition: this historic city is not just a birthplace of civilization, democracy and innovation, but a rising force aiming to be Europe's next major startup hub. Anchored by the timeless values of "connection, competition, celebration" and with the confident declaration, "throwing festivals since 566 BC," Panathēnea was more than an industry and arts convergence for me. It felt like a bright signal flare, clearly indicating Athens' readiness to take its rightful place on the global startup landscape.

Returning to my Greek roots as part of the diaspora, I attended the multi-day event impressed by the student-driven and designed program. A mini moonshot in itself, this went from idea to event in a few months! even the Mayor of Athens was surprised. What set thios apart was how the event drew in a significant international contingent, from the big AI tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon , OpenAI and Canva, to a surprise attendance of pop star Ke$ha to discuss her new startup Smash. It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet with and learn about the burgeoning local startup scene in Athens, which is making great strides in areas from AI, defense, robotics, and more, demonstrating a growing global interest in the Greek capital’s talent. Meeting these founders and learning about their challenges and dreams was incredibly insightful and felt like were at the tip of an unstoppable force. A truly surreal moment for me was meeting former Prime Minister of Greeceand having it confirmed we are distant relatives!
At the intersection of tech and music: Jen Hallinterviews Ke$ha on her innovative startup, ... More Smash.Timothy Papandreou

The Unfolding Story: Athens' Potential as Europe's Next Tech Hub
The trajectory of the global startup landscape, while dominated by established powerhouses from where I was based in San Francisco in the US consistently reveals the emergence of innovation from unexpected locales. The United States, for instance, continues to lead in overall venture capital investment by a long shot followed by cities in China. However, several cities in Europe demonstrate significant strength in early-stage funding and deep tech development, indicating a robust capacity for future growth. According to several industry reports, early-stage funding in key startup hubs in Europe have shown consistent year-on-year increases, and deep tech investments are attracting a larger share of capital compared to a decade ago. This reflects a strategic shift towards longer-term, more research-intensive ventures with the potential for transformative impact.

The ultimate success of these nascent ecosystems, however, hinges not so much on geography, but on fundamental drivers: product-market fit and the adaptability of founders. Location, while influential, serves as an amplifier of these core dynamics. A supportive environment can significantly increase a startup's chances of finding product-market fit and adapting to market changes, while a challenging environment can exacerbate these inherent risks.

From Perth to global dominance: Lars Rasmussentalks ... Morescaling with Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, exploring their design-wave ride and AI integration.Timothy Papandreou
Why Athens? The Seeds of a Thriving Ecosystem
The city presents a unique value proposition anchored by a substantial reservoir of highly educated, multilingual and technically proficient talent, a strategic geopolitical location at the nexus of Europe, Asia, and Africa offering access to diverse markets, and a significantly more attractive cost structurecompared to established European hubs in the north-west. Furthermore, the increasingly engaged global Greek diaspora in their own respective tech hubs from London, San Francisco, New York and as far as Sydney represent a potent source of capital, mentorship, and international networks.

Athens has a unique opportunity to not just catch up, but to strategically leapfrog legacy issues hindering industries. By embracing the transformative power of AI, Athens start ups can bypass traditional talent, funding and other bottlenecks and pioneer innovative solutions and go-to-market products and services quicker than ever before. This future-forward approach allows Athens to transcend any notion of "too small" a market or succumb to "imposter syndrome." The confluence of factors, coupled with what I call a "gritty yet chic" urban energy is something of a unique and authentic offering in today’s overly generic, chain-store dominated and hollowed-out central cities.
Sophia Nunes, Portugal's pioneering woman co-founder of the Unicorn startup Mambu, shares insights ... More on scaling for successTimothy Papandreou
Germination Amidst the Grit: Addressing Foundational Needs
The energy witnessed at Panathēnea and in conversations with local founders signals that the seeds of a thriving startup ecosystem are indeed beginning to germinate. Having personally observed similar early-stage vibrancy in the nascent phases of ecosystems like San Francisco, Berlin, London and Tel Aviv, it’s clear that Athens possesses the raw ingredients for success. However, for Athens, to truly realize its moonshot potential, certain foundational elements require significant cultivation. Building upon initial steps, the immediate priority is laser focus policies to bolster startup infrastructure. This includes streamlining and digital one-stop-shop business formation, taxation, and residency processes to create a frictionless environment for entrepreneurs. Concurrently from the business community, fostering a more collaborative culture, one that actively encourages mentorship and currency of learning over internal competition, is paramount. To ensure long-term viability and attract significant investment, a concerted effort must be made to evolve the funding landscape, actively courting later-stage venture capital to complement existing seed funding. This unwavering focus on these core pillars from efficient infrastructure, a collaborative culture, and a mature funding ecosystem, will be crucial in attracting and retaining both domestic and international talent, ultimately solidifying Athens' position on the global startup map.
The Decades in the Making: Athens' Emerging Startup LandscapeMarathon VC's Panos Papadopoulos and Hack The Box CEO Haris Pylarinos share their insights on ... More scaling passion projects into thriving international businessesTimothy Papandreou
Athens is not without its hurdles; it is just recovering from a deeply painful and prolonged fiscal crisis, Covid shutdowns and acute cost of living impact. While the wounds over this last decade run deep, this is not the first time Athens has been tested. In fact, these ground-truths highlighted a recurring theme at the event- the resilience born from these hardships. While failure in startups can feel inevitable, it happens quickly, and the concept of 'failing forward’ means these Greek startups are unlikely to retreat easily.
This tenacity gives the impression that Athens is already an overnight success, but in reality, it has been decades in the making. Credit is due to the founders, VCs, and policy supporters who have diligently addressed each barrier over the years. Addressing infrastructural limitations and fostering a risk-tolerant, 'fail fast’ investment culture will be crucial. However, the fundamental ingredients: the rising talent, strategic location, compelling value proposition, and burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit are undeniably present. The energy is shifting, the ambition and hunger is real, and the various pieces are starting to come together. The potential for Athens to become Europe’s next significant startup 'moonshot’ is increasingly viable. The world of venture capital and global innovation would be wise to pay close attention to the unfolding future story in this ancient city.
#myth #moonshot #athens #panathēnea #ascent

From Myth To Moonshot: Athens Panathēnea Ascent As A Startup City
Athens Panathēnea: Re-celebrating innovation and connection with a modern festival of tech, art, and ... More startups, ending in an epic street party beneath the Acropolis.Timothy Papandreou Imagine a city where the spirit of innovation and connection has thrived for thousands of years. Last week in Athens, that spirit was reborn with the sold-out inaugural Panathēnea festival. This vibrant event, a modern echo of ancient gatherings, powerfully announced a bold ambition: this historic city is not just a birthplace of civilization, democracy and innovation, but a rising force aiming to be Europe's next major startup hub. Anchored by the timeless values of "connection, competition, celebration" and with the confident declaration, "throwing festivals since 566 BC," Panathēnea was more than an industry and arts convergence for me. It felt like a bright signal flare, clearly indicating Athens' readiness to take its rightful place on the global startup landscape. Returning to my Greek roots as part of the diaspora, I attended the multi-day event impressed by the student-driven and designed program. A mini moonshot in itself, this went from idea to event in a few months! even the Mayor of Athens was surprised. What set thios apart was how the event drew in a significant international contingent, from the big AI tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon , OpenAI and Canva, to a surprise attendance of pop star Ke$ha to discuss her new startup Smash. It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet with and learn about the burgeoning local startup scene in Athens, which is making great strides in areas from AI, defense, robotics, and more, demonstrating a growing global interest in the Greek capital’s talent. Meeting these founders and learning about their challenges and dreams was incredibly insightful and felt like were at the tip of an unstoppable force. A truly surreal moment for me was meeting former Prime Minister of Greeceand having it confirmed we are distant relatives! At the intersection of tech and music: Jen Hallinterviews Ke$ha on her innovative startup, ... More Smash.Timothy Papandreou The Unfolding Story: Athens' Potential as Europe's Next Tech Hub The trajectory of the global startup landscape, while dominated by established powerhouses from where I was based in San Francisco in the US consistently reveals the emergence of innovation from unexpected locales. The United States, for instance, continues to lead in overall venture capital investment by a long shot followed by cities in China. However, several cities in Europe demonstrate significant strength in early-stage funding and deep tech development, indicating a robust capacity for future growth. According to several industry reports, early-stage funding in key startup hubs in Europe have shown consistent year-on-year increases, and deep tech investments are attracting a larger share of capital compared to a decade ago. This reflects a strategic shift towards longer-term, more research-intensive ventures with the potential for transformative impact. The ultimate success of these nascent ecosystems, however, hinges not so much on geography, but on fundamental drivers: product-market fit and the adaptability of founders. Location, while influential, serves as an amplifier of these core dynamics. A supportive environment can significantly increase a startup's chances of finding product-market fit and adapting to market changes, while a challenging environment can exacerbate these inherent risks. From Perth to global dominance: Lars Rasmussentalks ... Morescaling with Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, exploring their design-wave ride and AI integration.Timothy Papandreou Why Athens? The Seeds of a Thriving Ecosystem The city presents a unique value proposition anchored by a substantial reservoir of highly educated, multilingual and technically proficient talent, a strategic geopolitical location at the nexus of Europe, Asia, and Africa offering access to diverse markets, and a significantly more attractive cost structurecompared to established European hubs in the north-west. Furthermore, the increasingly engaged global Greek diaspora in their own respective tech hubs from London, San Francisco, New York and as far as Sydney represent a potent source of capital, mentorship, and international networks. Athens has a unique opportunity to not just catch up, but to strategically leapfrog legacy issues hindering industries. By embracing the transformative power of AI, Athens start ups can bypass traditional talent, funding and other bottlenecks and pioneer innovative solutions and go-to-market products and services quicker than ever before. This future-forward approach allows Athens to transcend any notion of "too small" a market or succumb to "imposter syndrome." The confluence of factors, coupled with what I call a "gritty yet chic" urban energy is something of a unique and authentic offering in today’s overly generic, chain-store dominated and hollowed-out central cities. Sophia Nunes, Portugal's pioneering woman co-founder of the Unicorn startup Mambu, shares insights ... More on scaling for successTimothy Papandreou Germination Amidst the Grit: Addressing Foundational Needs The energy witnessed at Panathēnea and in conversations with local founders signals that the seeds of a thriving startup ecosystem are indeed beginning to germinate. Having personally observed similar early-stage vibrancy in the nascent phases of ecosystems like San Francisco, Berlin, London and Tel Aviv, it’s clear that Athens possesses the raw ingredients for success. However, for Athens, to truly realize its moonshot potential, certain foundational elements require significant cultivation. Building upon initial steps, the immediate priority is laser focus policies to bolster startup infrastructure. This includes streamlining and digital one-stop-shop business formation, taxation, and residency processes to create a frictionless environment for entrepreneurs. Concurrently from the business community, fostering a more collaborative culture, one that actively encourages mentorship and currency of learning over internal competition, is paramount. To ensure long-term viability and attract significant investment, a concerted effort must be made to evolve the funding landscape, actively courting later-stage venture capital to complement existing seed funding. This unwavering focus on these core pillars from efficient infrastructure, a collaborative culture, and a mature funding ecosystem, will be crucial in attracting and retaining both domestic and international talent, ultimately solidifying Athens' position on the global startup map. The Decades in the Making: Athens' Emerging Startup LandscapeMarathon VC's Panos Papadopoulos and Hack The Box CEO Haris Pylarinos share their insights on ... More scaling passion projects into thriving international businessesTimothy Papandreou Athens is not without its hurdles; it is just recovering from a deeply painful and prolonged fiscal crisis, Covid shutdowns and acute cost of living impact. While the wounds over this last decade run deep, this is not the first time Athens has been tested. In fact, these ground-truths highlighted a recurring theme at the event- the resilience born from these hardships. While failure in startups can feel inevitable, it happens quickly, and the concept of 'failing forward’ means these Greek startups are unlikely to retreat easily. This tenacity gives the impression that Athens is already an overnight success, but in reality, it has been decades in the making. Credit is due to the founders, VCs, and policy supporters who have diligently addressed each barrier over the years. Addressing infrastructural limitations and fostering a risk-tolerant, 'fail fast’ investment culture will be crucial. However, the fundamental ingredients: the rising talent, strategic location, compelling value proposition, and burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit are undeniably present. The energy is shifting, the ambition and hunger is real, and the various pieces are starting to come together. The potential for Athens to become Europe’s next significant startup 'moonshot’ is increasingly viable. The world of venture capital and global innovation would be wise to pay close attention to the unfolding future story in this ancient city. #myth #moonshot #athens #panathēnea #ascent

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From Myth To Moonshot: Athens Panathēnea Ascent As A Startup City

Athens Panathēnea: Re-celebrating innovation and connection with a modern festival of tech, art, and ... More startups, ending in an epic street party beneath the Acropolis.Timothy Papandreou Imagine a city where the spirit of innovation and connection has thrived for thousands of years. Last week in Athens, that spirit was reborn with the sold-out inaugural Panathēnea festival (with a waiting list!). This vibrant event, a modern echo of ancient gatherings, powerfully announced a bold ambition: this historic city is not just a birthplace of civilization, democracy and innovation, but a rising force aiming to be Europe's next major startup hub. Anchored by the timeless values of "connection, competition, celebration" and with the confident declaration, "throwing festivals since 566 BC," Panathēnea was more than an industry and arts convergence for me. It felt like a bright signal flare, clearly indicating Athens' readiness to take its rightful place on the global startup landscape. Returning to my Greek roots as part of the diaspora, I attended the multi-day event impressed by the student-driven and designed program (similar to SLUSH). A mini moonshot in itself, this went from idea to event in a few months! even the Mayor of Athens was surprised. What set thios apart was how the event drew in a significant international contingent, from the big AI tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon , OpenAI and Canva, to a surprise attendance of pop star Ke$ha to discuss her new startup Smash ( I was fanboying and also deeply touched by her personal story and drive to launch her startup). It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet with and learn about the burgeoning local startup scene in Athens, which is making great strides in areas from AI, defense, robotics, and more, demonstrating a growing global interest in the Greek capital’s talent. Meeting these founders and learning about their challenges and dreams was incredibly insightful and felt like were at the tip of an unstoppable force. A truly surreal moment for me was meeting former Prime Minister of Greece (George Papandreou) and having it confirmed we are distant relatives! At the intersection of tech and music: Jen Hall (Amazon) interviews Ke$ha on her innovative startup, ... More Smash.Timothy Papandreou The Unfolding Story: Athens' Potential as Europe's Next Tech Hub The trajectory of the global startup landscape, while dominated by established powerhouses from where I was based in San Francisco in the US consistently reveals the emergence of innovation from unexpected locales. The United States (particularly Californian cities), for instance, continues to lead in overall venture capital investment by a long shot followed by cities in China. However, several cities in Europe demonstrate significant strength in early-stage funding and deep tech development, indicating a robust capacity for future growth. According to several industry reports, early-stage funding in key startup hubs in Europe have shown consistent year-on-year increases, and deep tech investments are attracting a larger share of capital compared to a decade ago. This reflects a strategic shift towards longer-term, more research-intensive ventures with the potential for transformative impact. The ultimate success of these nascent ecosystems, however, hinges not so much on geography, but on fundamental drivers: product-market fit and the adaptability of founders. Location, while influential, serves as an amplifier of these core dynamics. A supportive environment can significantly increase a startup's chances of finding product-market fit and adapting to market changes, while a challenging environment can exacerbate these inherent risks. From Perth to global dominance: Lars Rasmussen (Co-0founder Google Maps and Panathēnea mentor) talks ... More (via live video box) scaling with Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, exploring their design-wave ride and AI integration.Timothy Papandreou Why Athens? The Seeds of a Thriving Ecosystem The city presents a unique value proposition anchored by a substantial reservoir of highly educated, multilingual and technically proficient talent, a strategic geopolitical location at the nexus of Europe, Asia, and Africa offering access to diverse markets, and a significantly more attractive cost structure (critical for startup runway) compared to established European hubs in the north-west. Furthermore, the increasingly engaged global Greek diaspora in their own respective tech hubs from London, San Francisco, New York and as far as Sydney represent a potent source of capital, mentorship, and international networks. Athens has a unique opportunity to not just catch up, but to strategically leapfrog legacy issues hindering industries. By embracing the transformative power of AI, Athens start ups can bypass traditional talent, funding and other bottlenecks and pioneer innovative solutions and go-to-market products and services quicker than ever before. This future-forward approach allows Athens to transcend any notion of "too small" a market or succumb to "imposter syndrome." The confluence of factors, coupled with what I call a "gritty yet chic" urban energy is something of a unique and authentic offering in today’s overly generic, chain-store dominated and hollowed-out central cities. Sophia Nunes, Portugal's pioneering woman co-founder of the Unicorn startup Mambu, shares insights ... More on scaling for successTimothy Papandreou Germination Amidst the Grit: Addressing Foundational Needs The energy witnessed at Panathēnea and in conversations with local founders signals that the seeds of a thriving startup ecosystem are indeed beginning to germinate. Having personally observed similar early-stage vibrancy in the nascent phases of ecosystems like San Francisco, Berlin, London and Tel Aviv, it’s clear that Athens possesses the raw ingredients for success. However, for Athens ( like cities before it), to truly realize its moonshot potential, certain foundational elements require significant cultivation. Building upon initial steps, the immediate priority is laser focus policies to bolster startup infrastructure. This includes streamlining and digital one-stop-shop business formation, taxation, and residency processes to create a frictionless environment for entrepreneurs. Concurrently from the business community, fostering a more collaborative culture, one that actively encourages mentorship and currency of learning over internal competition, is paramount. To ensure long-term viability and attract significant investment, a concerted effort must be made to evolve the funding landscape, actively courting later-stage venture capital to complement existing seed funding. This unwavering focus on these core pillars from efficient infrastructure, a collaborative culture, and a mature funding ecosystem, will be crucial in attracting and retaining both domestic and international talent, ultimately solidifying Athens' position on the global startup map. The Decades in the Making: Athens' Emerging Startup LandscapeMarathon VC's Panos Papadopoulos and Hack The Box CEO Haris Pylarinos share their insights on ... More scaling passion projects into thriving international businessesTimothy Papandreou Athens is not without its hurdles; it is just recovering from a deeply painful and prolonged fiscal crisis, Covid shutdowns and acute cost of living impact. While the wounds over this last decade run deep, this is not the first time Athens has been tested. In fact, these ground-truths highlighted a recurring theme at the event- the resilience born from these hardships. While failure in startups can feel inevitable, it happens quickly, and the concept of 'failing forward’ means these Greek startups are unlikely to retreat easily. This tenacity gives the impression that Athens is already an overnight success, but in reality, it has been decades in the making. Credit is due to the founders, VCs, and policy supporters who have diligently addressed each barrier over the years. Addressing infrastructural limitations and fostering a risk-tolerant, 'fail fast’ investment culture will be crucial. However, the fundamental ingredients: the rising talent, strategic location, compelling value proposition, and burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit are undeniably present. The energy is shifting, the ambition and hunger is real, and the various pieces are starting to come together. The potential for Athens to become Europe’s next significant startup 'moonshot’ is increasingly viable. The world of venture capital and global innovation would be wise to pay close attention to the unfolding future story in this ancient city.

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