The HOBT: Targeting | FinTech crippling | Web3 Apps

👋Hey! Perplexity is making a bold play by zeroing in on India’s massive, mobile-first population to fast-track its global ambitions. The AI-powered search startup just struck an exclusive deal with Airtel, offering 360 million users a free year of Perplexity Pro, normally a $200 subscription. That move, alongside partnerships with Paytm and 25+ global telcos, is helping Perplexity gain serious traction in India, where its downloads jumped 600% year-over-year in Q2. While it’s still far behind ChatGPT in revenue, the user growth in the world’s most populous country could be a signal of where the next big wave of AI adoption begins. Read More

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?

JPMorgan’s plan to charge for data could ‘cripple’ crypto and fintech startups, execs warn

💥🔒 JPMorgan Chase is shaking up the financial ecosystem by planning to charge for access to customer banking data, a move that could crush early-stage fintech and crypto startups. While giants like PayPal and Block may weather the storm, smaller players relying on aggregators like Plaid will face a financial squeeze that some executives say could force them to raise prices tenfold or even shut down. Critics argue JPMorgan isn’t just covering infrastructure costs, it’s building a paywall around data to fend off competition. With other banks eyeing similar moves and regulators in legal limbo, the future of open banking in the U.S. is now on the line. Read More

🚀📱 Coinbase just launched Base, a sleek new super app built on its own blockchain, and it could mark a major shift in how everyday users interact with crypto. Replacing the clunky Coinbase Wallet, Base now bundles payments, social features, and AI agents in a user-friendly interface, even letting users fund accounts with Apple Pay. Beyond smoother UX, Base pushes for mainstream adoption of Web3 identity and USDC payments, with big incentives like 1% cashback. If it catches on, Base could unlock a major new revenue stream for Coinbase, positioning it to challenge both fintech players and Big Tech in the years ahead. Read More

🌐📊 Governments chasing tech relevance may be looking in the wrong place. Instead of mimicking Silicon Valley, countries could learn more from Japan and South Korea, where startups aren't built to disrupt giants; they're designed to empower them. Through initiatives like Korea’s innovation centres anchored by chaebols and Japan’s tax incentives for startup acquisitions, these nations have created systems where big firms and startups grow together. The result isn’t just innovation, it’s integration. For policymakers aiming to compete globally, this model offers a compelling blueprint to turn startup energy into national industrial strength. Read More

MORE NEWS

🤖🚀 Meta and AWS are joining forces to supercharge AI innovation by offering 30 US startups $200,000 in AWS cloud credits and six months of hands-on support to build on Meta’s open-source Llama AI model. Announced at the AWS Summit in NYC, this program aims to empower founders to create breakthrough AI tools, blending Meta’s vision for open access with AWS’s cloud muscle. Mark Zuckerberg’s push to make Llama the go-to AI platform meets Amazon’s strategy of giving startups flexible, powerful tech, making this collaboration a major step toward shaping the future of AI development. Read More

💉📉 Venture funding for biotech startups took a sharp hit in Q2, dropping from $7 billion to $4.8 billion, with “first financings” plunging to the lowest level in five quarters, HSBC reports. Investors are pulling back amid worries over tariffs, funding cuts, and public health shifts, favoring bigger “megarounds” over smaller early-stage deals. Even crossover investors, crucial for IPO prep, are retreating due to poor 2024 public market performance. Still, steady M&A activity offers a glimmer of hope for exits and returns in this challenging landscape. Read More

RECOMMENDED READS

Nyla Clayton makes Harlem sweeter with her bakery 🍫- Read

Inside the Silicon Valley push to breed super-babies 👶🏻- Read

Indigenous youth meet trailblazers ahead of Nelson Mandela Day ✨- Read

MARKETING IN ACTION

Instead of just focusing on products or services, successful marketing today revolves around crafting authentic, compelling stories that resonate with customers’ emotions and values. When you tell a story that people relate to, you build trust, create deeper engagement, and turn your audience into loyal advocates. It’s about creating meaningful connections that go beyond features and prices, making your brand memorable and impactful in a crowded market.

LET’S TALK MONEY

Whether it’s budgeting, investing, or managing debt, gaining financial literacy empowers you to make confident decisions that grow your wealth over time. Treat learning about your money as the foundation of your strategy; it’s the best way to avoid costly mistakes and unlock lasting financial success. Investing in knowledge today multiplies your returns for years to come.

INSIDE THE CONVERSATION

This quote emphasizes that real power comes from inspiring and guiding others rather than relying on formal titles or control. Influence is built through trust, empathy, and clear communication, allowing you to motivate people to act because they believe in your vision, not because they have to. Mastering this approach leads to stronger relationships, greater collaboration, and lasting impact in any environment where you want to lead or persuade effectively.

THE WISDOM LINE

Someday is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.

Hope you like today’s issue. Have a good day! Bye 👋