Fwd: Abundance Insider: September 29 Edition

In this week's Abundance Insider: Robot dentists implanting 3D printed teeth, blockchain "bank" cards, and AI that generates 3D faces from 2D photos. In this week's Abundance Insider: Robot dentists implanting 3D printed teeth, blockchain "bank" cards, and AI that generates 3D faces from 2D photos. Cheers, Peter, Marissa, Kelley, Greg, Sydney, AJ, Bri and Jason P.S. Send any tips to our team by clicking hereto this link to subscribe, and send your friends and family to Abundance Insider. First Fully Robotic Dental Surgery is a Success What it is: For the first time, a robot has successfully implanted two 3D-printed teeth into a live patient. The procedure was only assisted in its initial step: a human initially oriented the machine to the patient and programmed the correct measurements and movements. It is estimated that around 400 million Chinese are in need of dental implants, yet just 1 million operations are done each year. For those that seek cheaper alternatives, additional complications are commonplace. In addition to meeting this unmet need, robotics should also dramatically reduce error rates and complications. Why it's important: As with other professional services like law and medicine, many people simply do not have access to dental services due to the cost of inadequate supply. Robotics and AI fill this need, recursively providing a source of funding that drives experimentation and innovation into robotics. Look for rapid adoption in China in the near term, and for those developments to filter into markets globally.  Share on Facebook Spotted by Dan Swift / Written by Jason Goodwin Microsoft, Facebook & Telxius Install Cutting-Edge Subsea Cable Across Atlantic What it is: Working with the Telxius infrastructure company, Microsoft and Facebook recently completed installation of Marea (Spanish for "tide"), a 4,000-mile subsea cable across the Atlantic Ocean. The cable rests 17,000 feet beneath the ocean's surface, and has the ability to transmit 160 terabytes of data per second -- equivalent to, as The Verge points out, streaming 71 million HD videos simultaneously. Why it's important: As our bandwidth consumption increases across the world, we'll need to upgrade our infrastructure in a way that anticipates future technological growth and user demands. Microsoft President Brad Smith says of the project, "Submarine cables in the Atlantic already carry 55 percent more data than trans-Pacific routes and 40 percent more data than between the US and Latin America. There is no question that the demand for data flows across the Atlantic will continue to increase." Share on Facebook Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Marissa Brassfield  3D Face Reconstruction from a Single Image What it is: Image reconstruction has been a challenging problem in computer vision, but University of Nottingham researchers Aaron Jackson and Adrian Bulat have devised a method of creating a 3D reconstruction of face from a single 2D image. Using a type of deep learning called a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), the system can map 3D coordinates from 2D pixels across arbitrary facial expressions, different lighting conditions, and even fill in non-visible parts of the face. Why it's important: 3D facial models will undoubtedly have applications in areas such as social VR, video game avatars, and even 3D printing. What else can we create or enable when facial and 3D image reconstruction become radically faster, cheaper and more accurate? Share on Facebook Spotted by Marconi Pereira  / Written by Jason Goodwin Finland Has Created a Digital Money System for Refugees What it is: Partnering with the Finnish government, startup MONI is helping refugees access funds, receive paychecks and restore their identities. By providing prepaid debit cards tied to the blockchain, MONI is enabling a variety of financial transactions — even loaning money to friends — without requiring a bank. Why it's important: Almost 2 billion people remain "unbanked," which is an often-overlooked contributor to poverty. Look for other applications of blockchain to emerge as a cheap, efficient mechanism to help those in need, and for large financial institutions to follow suit in more developed markets. Share on Facebook Spotted by Aryadeep S. Acharya  / Written by Jason Goodwin How Humans Can Thrive in a World of AI What it is: Unanimous AI founder Dr. Louis Rosenberg recently gave a TEDxKC talk in which he posed a compelling question: Is there hope for humans in an AI world? His talk, which showcased the same UNU swarm intelligence system that used humans to correctly predict the Kentucky Derby superfecta and the outcome of the MLB playoffs, spotlighted how humans can amplify their intelligence with advanced algorithms. Dr. Rosenberg posits that the "hive mind" his technology enables can help us retain our humanity while also leveraging the potential of AI and machine learning. Why it's important: Further evidence that human-technology teamwork can help entrepreneurs and big thinkers work more effectively and address global challenges. "By swarming," says Dr. Rosenberg, "groups average about 130 percent amplification in intelligence over the individuals who comprise it. By thinking together using Swarm AI, we might be able to finally solve the hardest problems we face -- poverty, inequality, sustainability." Share on Facebook Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Marissa Brassfield  Boeing & HeroX Launch Incentive Competition for Personal Flight Machines What it is: HeroX recently announced the GoFly Prize, sponsored by Boeing — a $2 million challenge to create a personal flying machine that is useful, safe and thrilling. The goal is to foster the development of a safe, quiet, ultra-compact, near-VTOL personal flying device capable of flying 20 miles while carrying a single person. Why it's important: Each week, we feature examples of converging exponential technologies that are helping us go from science fiction to science fact. Boeing's sponsorship of this unique incentive competition reflects how its leadership is thinking about the future of transportation — especially considering its simultaneous exploration of pilotless planes and Mars travel.  Share on Facebook Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Marissa Brassfield  What is Abundance Insider? This email is a briefing of the week's most compelling, abundance-enabling tech developments, curated by Marissa Brassfield in preparation for Abundance 360. Read more about A360 below. Want more conversations like this? At Abundance 360, Peter's 250-person executive mastermind, we teach the metatrends, implications and unfair advantages for entrepreneurs enabled by breakthroughs like those featured above. We're looking for CEOs and entrepreneurs who want to change the world. The program is highly selective. If you'd like to be considered, apply here.  Know someone who would benefit from getting Abundance Insider? Send them to this link to sign up. PHD Ventures   800 Corporate Pointe  Suite 350  Culver City,  California   90230   United States You received this email because you are subscribed to Abundance Insider from PHD Ventures. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.  Unsubscribe from all future emails

Fwd: Abundance Insider: September 22 Edition

In this week's Abundance Insider: Mini MRI simulator chips, "last-centimeter" delivery drones, and cargo-sorting DNA robots. In this week's Abundance Insider: Mini MRI simulator chips, "last-centimeter" delivery drones, and cargo-sorting DNA robots. Cheers, Peter, Marissa, Kelley, Greg, Sydney, AJ, Bri and Jason P.S. Send any tips to our team by clicking hereto this link to subscribe, and send your friends and family to Abundance Insider. A Drone for Last-Centimeter Delivery What it is: A new machine vision-equipped drone designed by EPFL's Laboratory of Intelligent Systems delivers small packages in a highly efficient manner. Designed to fold flat and fit into a backpack in seconds, the origami-inspired drone surrounds up to 500 g (1.1 lbs.) of cargo like a protective carbon fiber cage, traveling as far as 2 km (1.24 mi) per trip. It's equipped with machine vision, self-flying software and real-time mobile tracking — and a safety system to deter hacks. Why it's important: This drone is engineered so that package recipients can grab it mid flight without damaging the drone, cargo, or themselves — and its flat-pack size and onboard flight plan software make it portable and reusable. It could accelerate a variety of situations where speed is key (for example, helping first responders deploy first aid kits before they arrive on scene, supporting mail delivery in remote villages, or delivering medicine and food after natural disasters).  Share on Facebook Spotted by Aryadeep S. Acharya / Written by Marissa Brassfield  Hampton Creek Announces Major IP Milestones What it is: Hampton Creek, on a mission to create healthier, more sustainable foods, was awarded a patent for the combination of its machine learning, robotics, and proprietary plant databases, enabling scientists to significantly increase their rate of discovery. Additionally, building on the goal of producing the first commercially available clean meat by 2018, the company also announced the acquisition of a patent portfolio covering various methods of manufacturing clean meat and other food products. (Disclosure: Peter Diamandis is an advisor to Hampton Creek.) Why it's important: Once ridiculed, Larry Page's million-dollar lab grown hamburger and clean meat are becoming increasingly feasible. As we learn to culture and engineer food at a molecular level, we enable entirely new perspectives on food, sustainability, animal cruelty, and feeding a growing population. Share on Facebook Spotted by Peter Diamandis  / Written by Jason Goodwin  Mobile Chip Beams Data for Miles Using Almost No Power What it is: University of Washington researchers have created a highly efficient chip that selectively reflects radio waves to form a new signal. The chips can create signals and broadcast data over great distances — the team reports a chip can send data through "a 41-room office or a three-story house" — all while using 1,000 times less power than similar wireless data transmission systems, as MIT Technology Review points out. This performance comes at a cost of about 10 cents per chip when produced at scale. Why it's important: While this chip has clear benefits for all manner of digital devices, the researchers tested their chip on two compelling prototypes: a smart contact lens and a flexible skin patch sensor. Peter has previously written about the implications of nanorobotics on and inside our bodies, and this chip is a key enabling technology. Share on Facebook Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Marissa Brassfield  Miniature MRI Simulator Chip Could Help Diagnose and Treat Diseases in the Body at Sub-Millimeter Precision What it is: One challenge with smart pills, biosensors and drug-delivery systems inside is their dependence on the location inside the body, as EM and acoustic accuracy differs substantially depending on the surrounding tissue. To overcome this, researchers from Cal Tech have created a mini wireless chip that can vary its output frequency in relation to a local magnetic field, enabling a precise location to be determined. Why it's important: In addition to one day measuring factors such as pH, blood sugar, and temperature inside the body, developments like this should enable massive improvements in our ability to diagnose and treat disease, not to mention the possibilities for life extension. Share on Facebook Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Jason Goodwin Machine Vision Drones Monitor Animals in the African Savanna What it is: Nicolas Rey and his team at EPFL in Switzerland are using machine learning algorithms and drone mapping data to monitor wild animals in the Kalahari savanna of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Rey's team used the crowd to train a machine learning algorithm to spot specific animals from drone footage. While this algorithm won't replace human operators, it significantly reduces their workload. Rather than manually counting animals via helicopter or footage from prepositioned camera traps, a human operator simply eliminate any false detections from the machine learning data. Why it's important: Exponential technologies aren't just designed to benefit First World metropolises. Around the world, we're seeing people apply powerful tools — like machine learning, drones, and robotics — to solve problems and address opportunities in remote and developing regions. In this research, we see how the area of animal conservation is being digitized, dematerialized and demonetized. Share on Facebook Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Marissa Brassfield  A Cargo-Sorting DNA Robot What it is: Researchers at Cal Tech have devised a DNA robot able to move over the surface of a two-dimensional DNA origami sheet while also picking up and sorting two types of molecular cargo. Up until now, the challenge has been the complexity involved in constructing robots capable of performing complex functions, such as walking more than 10 steps while carrying a load of cargo and making a turn. Here, by enabling the robot to walk randomly across the sheet, without requiring energy, the team expanded that range to 300 steps or more, an order of magnitude improvement. Why it's important: When we simplify the complex, we see breakthroughs and adoption rates skyrocket. As noted by the researchers, the potential applications these building blocks enable include chemical synthesis, programmable therapeutics, and uses outside of cargo transport as robots begin to communicate and work in concert. Share on Facebook Spotted by Marconi Pereira  / Written by Jason Goodwin What is Abundance Insider? This email is a briefing of the week's most compelling, abundance-enabling tech developments, curated by Marissa Brassfield in preparation for Abundance 360. Read more about A360 below. Want more conversations like this? At Abundance 360, Peter's 250-person executive mastermind, we teach the metatrends, implications and unfair advantages for entrepreneurs enabled by breakthroughs like those featured above. We're looking for CEOs and entrepreneurs who want to change the world. The program is highly selective. If you'd like to be considered, apply here.  Know someone who would benefit from getting Abundance Insider? Send them to this link to sign up. PHD Ventures   800 Corporate Pointe  Suite 350  Culver City,  California   90230   United States You received this email because you are subscribed to Abundance Insider from PHD Ventures. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.  Unsubscribe from all future emails

Fwd: Here’s a meeting that investors simply had to come to

Where do you convene important business meetings or negotiations? Your office? A local restaurant? Have you ever thought about taking your clients and colleagues to a rock climbing gym, or on a helicopter ride? Don't do it. Do this Instead, pick an epic meeting room that clearly communicates: deals get done here. Here's how I designed a meeting that investors simply had to come to. If you missed any previous episodes, look here: episode 1: a surprise call episode 2: I jump on a plane but where is it going? episode 3: a man worth $5.8 billion episode 4: overcoming huge obstacles If you want to have a meeting your guests will never forget - The Beverly Hills Hotel, or the "Pink Palace" as the famous regulars call it, is at the center of old Hollywood and will do the job, as you will see in a moment. The hotel is older than Beverly Hills itself, and in many ways, it helped build this small, 6-square-mile city, I knew that the valets at the Beverly Hills Hotel, who were the most discriminating car snobs in the world, would be sure to park my car in the front lot, which was a crucial part of my plan to raise $50 million.  Admittedly, it was not a good plan ... but don't dismiss it either until you read what happened next. Celebrities, hollywood & history The walls of the Beverly Hills Hotel shine with the larger than life personalities that have passed through these hallways, many actors made deals with studios here, others made deals with the devil. From the moment you step into the pink chessboard lobby you can't help but feel like a part of Hollywood history. No wives allowed In this hotel, Michael Milken threw his no-wives-allowed predator balls, and later, it was here that Ivan Boesky wore the wire that brought down Millken's empire. Affairs and nekkedness Marilyn Monroe had an affair with Yves Montand in Bungalows 20 and 21. Sidney Poitier danced naked in the lobby after winning his Oscar for Lilies of the Field. Mike Tyson, Lindsay Lohan, Tom Cruise ... all had ramontic "incidents" here behind closed doors. Crazy rich guys, rock & roll Howard Hughes lived in Bungalow 4 for thirty years. It was pictured on the Eagles' 1976 album "Hotel California"  and the title track's lyrics include the lines, "Mirrors on the ceiling/The pink champagne on ice/And she said, We are all just prisoners here/of our own device." A job to do My boss, Marvin Davis and owner of the hotel had set us up in bungalow 22, which was known as the Frank Sinatra because it had been his favorite. It was good, but I knew I could do better - I got us moved to #4, into the Howard Hughes bungalow. It was beyond opulent but you kind of forgave the place for being so over-the-top because of the history. This was a man cave on steroids, leather doors, gold leaf rimmed high balls, a cellar stocked with 18-year old bourbon, a grand piano in the dining room and a fireplace by the pool. It was like the set designer for Mad Men threw up in there. Seriously, if I couldn't sell a deal in this joint, I needed to have my head examined. There are many reasons people attend meetings, including: - gaining insight and information on an important matter - complaining about issues and situations - making decisions - fulfilling a job requirement, and - the chance to drive my restored '68 Chevy along world-famous Mulholland Drive then 10-minutes later be drinking 18-year old bourbon, leaned back on Howard Hughes' living room sofa.  The Ties (that's what I call the accountants working for me) were waiting for me in the lobby and they looked hungry. I led them to the bungalow and threw two pounds of Copper River gravlox and a bagel at them ($425) then sat down to make my my calls. Dialing for millions of dollars This was a hurry-up deal and the clock was ticking. I had no time to eat anything but some kale chips, even if the best smoked salmon in the world was 5 feet away resting delicately atop a rosemary crostini with a dollop of lemon basil aioli. I was dialing everybody I knew, friends, enemies, colleagues, my gardener's uncle. Anybody I thought might be interested in the deal, and now I was waiting to see who would nibble. Here was my offer:       1. Come meet with me in the historic Howard Hughes bungalow           at the Beverly Hills Hotel to hear the full pitch.        2. Later, we'll drive my museum quality '68 Chevy down           Sunset Blvd, and finally       3. Eat dinner at The Tasting Room in Santa Monica. Who could say "no"? Apparently, a lot of people. This obviously wasn't for everone. But it was a conversation starter.  There were some hell yes, I'll be there tomorrow! Others felt differently, hell no ... lose my number! But at least people were paying attention, and I was getting the enough yesses for all this to make sense. My idea had proven workable, there were enough adventurous investors willing to fly to Los Angeles to see a great deal and bungalow #4. I did not expect this I played my messages and almost dropped the phone when I heard the voice of Capital Group Ventures on the other end. This was a white shoe Palo Alto firm and an almost impossible meeting to get. I submitted to them almost as an afterthought, to keep myself busy while waiting for other meeting confirmations. I did not in a million years expect that they would respond. I should have been over the moon, but there were a couple of small hitches. First, I had promised to take this deal off the grid, and Capital Ventures was as on the grid as you get. Second, the woman who was coming to meet me to review the deal was the wife of a board member of Marvin's company. This was a horrible coincidence: a deal I was supposed to be selling quietly to a low-key buyer, had attracted the wife of the current investor.  Oh God, I thought, this was the opposite of "doing my job."  A chinese wall I set a meeting with her for the next afternoon. The first thing we talked about was her ability to maintain a Chinese Wall, and not discuss this at all with her husband. An impossible secret to keep? Actually, this happens all the time in finance. note, a Chinese wall is an ethical barrier between different divisions of a financial institution in order to avoid conflicts. During the meeting, Blue Tie, one of my staff accountants watched all this happening, thought about it a moment and then laughed. "You're an idiot," he said to me, knowing our boss Marvin would be mad.  Otherwise, the meeting with the Vice President at Capital Ventures went well, the Chinese Wall held, Marvin got over it, I sold 50 million dollars worth of his shares three days before the deadline, my company made 1.5 million, and together, my accountants Blue Tie and Red Tie and I had added another successful deal to the history of the Beverly Hills Hotel. What's the takeaway here? There's a lot of advice out there about how to get people to meetings and make meetings more efficient and productive. And while it's true that leading focused, fact-based conversations is critical to getting buyers and investors to do a deal with you,  -- meetings aren't just about delivering information. There's another outcome that leaders should be paying more attention to: creating a quality experience for each participant. What is a quality experience in a meeting? Should you rent a $30,000 hotel suite? Who knows it its right for you, every deal is different, but a luxury presentation suite is a common strategy that works. Here's how I define a quality meeting experience When buyers leave feeling more connected, fulfilled and grateful to have learned about an interesting opportunity.  Of course, you should still be focused on achieving the meeting outcomes, and getting a deal, but interesting meetings and productive ones don't have to be at odds. Finally, remember the higher the deal stakes, the better the meeting place should be.  To celebrate closing a deal, we threw a midcentury modern bash in Bungalow 4 that would have made Howard Hughes blush. While waiting to make my escape before housekeeping found the piles of White Castle wrappers that Blue Tie had left behind in Howard's lounge, my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number but it seemed like my lucky day so I picked up. "Oren," a voice said on the other end. "This is Brenden. I'm in trouble and I need your help. Please Oren, can you have lunch tomorrow?" SHARE. If you found any value in this newsletter, or it made you laugh or smile, forward it to colleagues and friends who might be interested. They'll thank you and so will I. SUBSCRIBE. If you received this newsletter from a friend, and would like to subscribe (it's fr/ee!), just enter your name and email address in the box on my blog. If you wish to stop receiving our emails or change your subscription options, please Manage Your Subscription Pitch Industries, 5825 Avenida Encinas #110, Carlsbad, CA 92008