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Icelandic VC closes $87M fund as country’s startup scene comes of age
Amid increasing interest in Iceland’s tech ecosystem, Reykjavik-based Frumtak Ventures has closed a $87M fund aimed at local startups. This is the venture capital firm’s fourth fund, following a €57mn predecessor in 2021. While sector-agnostic, Frumtak Ventures has so far mostly invested in B2B SaaS startups at the seed or Series A stage. The new fund will focus on the intersection of AI, software, and deeptech. It will especially target historically strong industries in Iceland, such as ocean tech, life sciences, logistics, travel, energy, and gender equality. “While the venture capital scene is relatively young compared to mature ecosystems such…This story continues at The Next Web
Amid increasing interest in Iceland’s tech ecosystem, Reykjavik-based Frumtak Ventures has closed a $87M fund aimed at local startups. This is the venture capital firm’s fourth fund, following a €57mn predecessor in 2021. While sector-agnostic, Frumtak Ventures has so far mostly invested in B2B SaaS startups at the seed or Series A stage. The new fund will focus on the intersection of AI, software, and deeptech. It will especially target historically strong industries in Iceland, such as ocean tech, life sciences, logistics, travel, energy, and gender equality. “While the venture capital scene is relatively young compared to mature ecosystems such…
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Air taxis cleared for Paris Olympics, Macron offered seat on first flight
Air taxis have been cleared for takeoff during the Paris Olympics — and President Macron has been offered a seat on the first flight. German startup Volocopter will deliver the flying taxis. A barge on the River Seine will provide a tiny airport for the vehicles. The French government confirmed the plans on Tuesday. In an official degree, public officials named the terminal the “Vertiport de Paris-Austerlitz.” The airport will accommodate vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles. Volocopter’s all-electric Volocity is the only air taxi authorised to use the terminal. The two-seater, 18-rotor craft earned the rubber stamp after over…This story continues at The Next Web
Air taxis have been cleared for takeoff during the Paris Olympics — and President Macron has been offered a seat on the first flight. German startup Volocopter will deliver the flying taxis. A barge on the River Seine will provide a tiny airport for the vehicles. The French government confirmed the plans on Tuesday. In an official degree, public officials named the terminal the “Vertiport de Paris-Austerlitz.” The airport will accommodate vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles. Volocopter’s all-electric Volocity is the only air taxi authorised to use the terminal. The two-seater, 18-rotor craft earned the rubber stamp after over…
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Ariane 6 has lift off! Historic rocket launches Europe back into space
Finally, Europe has regained independent access to space. The continent reestablished a sovereign launch capacity on Tuesday with the maiden flight of the Ariane 6 rocket. Built to take satellites into orbit, Ariane 6 lifted off from the European Spaceport in French Guiana at 16:00 local time (21:00 CEST). The rocket is now soaring into the cosmos with a payload of satellites and experiments. Once the cargo is dropped off, Ariane 6’s upper stage will burn up to reduce space trash. The demonstration mission aims to prove the launcher’s capabilities. It alsos close a dismal chapter for the European Space Agency…This story continues at The Next Web
Finally, Europe has regained independent access to space. The continent reestablished a sovereign launch capacity on Tuesday with the maiden flight of the Ariane 6 rocket. Built to take satellites into orbit, Ariane 6 lifted off from the European Spaceport in French Guiana at 16:00 local time (21:00 CEST). The rocket is now soaring into the cosmos with a payload of satellites and experiments. Once the cargo is dropped off, Ariane 6’s upper stage will burn up to reduce space trash. The demonstration mission aims to prove the launcher’s capabilities. It alsos close a dismal chapter for the European Space Agency…
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Meta and Vodafone collaborate to boost short-form video quality across Europe
In a collab between big tech and telcos, Meta and Vodafone today announced the roll-out of network optimisation across 11 different markets in Europe to free up capacity and boost video quality. It is no secret that video content has exploded on the internet over the past couple of years. And it’s not just your ice-bathing guys or gals pushing the latest longevity schtick on YouTube, or Lady Gaga doing the “Wednesday dance.” Everyone from LinkedIn “thought leaders” to grandmothers dishing out life and baking advice are posting TikToks, reels, stories, and all the other kinds of short video snippets…This story continues at The Next Web
In a collab between big tech and telcos, Meta and Vodafone today announced the roll-out of network optimisation across 11 different markets in Europe to free up capacity and boost video quality. It is no secret that video content has exploded on the internet over the past couple of years. And it’s not just your ice-bathing guys or gals pushing the latest longevity schtick on YouTube, or Lady Gaga doing the “Wednesday dance.” Everyone from LinkedIn “thought leaders” to grandmothers dishing out life and baking advice are posting TikToks, reels, stories, and all the other kinds of short video snippets…
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Belgian startup to build LLM that detects hate speech in all EU languages
Belgian startup Textgrain is building the world’s first AI model that will be capable of detecting hate speech online in all 24 official EU languages. Founded in 2016, Textgrain is a spinoff from the University of Antwerp. The company develops AI-based data management and analysis tools for enterprises, with services ranging from text analytics to measuring online sentiment on social media platforms and websites. It also focuses on the analysis of hate speech. In June, Textgrain was among the four winners of the EU’s Large AI Grand Challenge, calling for innovations in generative artificial intelligence and large language models (LLM).…This story continues at The Next Web
Belgian startup Textgrain is building the world’s first AI model that will be capable of detecting hate speech online in all 24 official EU languages. Founded in 2016, Textgrain is a spinoff from the University of Antwerp. The company develops AI-based data management and analysis tools for enterprises, with services ranging from text analytics to measuring online sentiment on social media platforms and websites. It also focuses on the analysis of hate speech. In June, Textgrain was among the four winners of the EU’s Large AI Grand Challenge, calling for innovations in generative artificial intelligence and large language models (LLM).…
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TNW Conference 2024 sparks call for collaboration across European tech
TNW Conference 2024 showed us plenty of pathways the future of tech may take. As I mull over this year’s event, there are several lessons that stand out for Europe’s tech community while it seeks to navigate current challenges and opportunities. Tech growth in Europe We live in unprecedented times, to use one of the holdover clichés from the COVID era. The world is tackling several crises simultaneously: an attempted shift away from fossil fuels in the midst of lagging economic growth; and rising global tensions as the world seems to move towards multipolarity after a century of US dominance.…This story continues at The Next Web
TNW Conference 2024 showed us plenty of pathways the future of tech may take. As I mull over this year’s event, there are several lessons that stand out for Europe’s tech community while it seeks to navigate current challenges and opportunities. Tech growth in Europe We live in unprecedented times, to use one of the holdover clichés from the COVID era. The world is tackling several crises simultaneously: an attempted shift away from fossil fuels in the midst of lagging economic growth; and rising global tensions as the world seems to move towards multipolarity after a century of US dominance.…
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NATO-backed Project HEIST to protect subsea internet by diverting it to space
To protect critical underwater infrastructure from potential attacks or natural disasters, NATO is backing a project that aims to reroute internet from subsea cables to satellites in space. The Alliance will reportedly support the project with a grant of €400mn through its Science for Peace and Security Programme (SPS). While the initiative hasn’t been publicly announced yet, Eyup Kuntay Turmus — adviser and programme manager of the SPS — confirmed the project’s recent approval and imminent start to Bloomberg. Subsea infrastructure is vital but vulnerable Invisible but vital, subsea cables enable over 95% of the global internet traffic. They also…This story continues at The Next Web
To protect critical underwater infrastructure from potential attacks or natural disasters, NATO is backing a project that aims to reroute internet from subsea cables to satellites in space. The Alliance will reportedly support the project with a grant of €400mn through its Science for Peace and Security Programme (SPS). While the initiative hasn’t been publicly announced yet, Eyup Kuntay Turmus — adviser and programme manager of the SPS — confirmed the project’s recent approval and imminent start to Bloomberg. Subsea infrastructure is vital but vulnerable Invisible but vital, subsea cables enable over 95% of the global internet traffic. They also…
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Munich startup planqc secures €50M for ‘Made in Germany’ quantum computers
German quantum computing startup planqc yesterday announced a Series A raise of €50mn. A mere 18 months after its founding, the startup has already scaled its digital atom-based technology to over 1,000 qubits — something that puts it on par with industry giant IBM. The company is a spinout from the Max Planck Institute, and its technology was built at the Institute’s Quantum Optics (MPQ) department. Planqc says it expects to scale to 10,000 or even 100,000 qubits “in the next couple of years.” That would be a significant milestone not only for planqc, but for the European quantum computing…This story continues at The Next Web
German quantum computing startup planqc yesterday announced a Series A raise of €50mn. A mere 18 months after its founding, the startup has already scaled its digital atom-based technology to over 1,000 qubits — something that puts it on par with industry giant IBM. The company is a spinout from the Max Planck Institute, and its technology was built at the Institute’s Quantum Optics (MPQ) department. Planqc says it expects to scale to 10,000 or even 100,000 qubits “in the next couple of years.” That would be a significant milestone not only for planqc, but for the European quantum computing…
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How data drove McLaren’s race car to the fastest pit stop in F1 history
In Formula One, races are often won by slimmer margins than the naked eye can see. A tiny twist of a steering wheel, a twitchy step on a pedal, a fleeting lapse of concentration: any moment can determine success or failure. Frequently, these moments arrive when the car comes to a halt. When a driver hears the “box, box” call on their radio, they exit the main track for a pit stop. Instantly, a swarm of mechanics start changing tyres, making repairs, and adjusting settings. Within a few seconds, the vehicle is back in the race with a winning upgrade. At…This story continues at The Next Web
In Formula One, races are often won by slimmer margins than the naked eye can see. A tiny twist of a steering wheel, a twitchy step on a pedal, a fleeting lapse of concentration: any moment can determine success or failure. Frequently, these moments arrive when the car comes to a halt. When a driver hears the “box, box” call on their radio, they exit the main track for a pit stop. Instantly, a swarm of mechanics start changing tyres, making repairs, and adjusting settings. Within a few seconds, the vehicle is back in the race with a winning upgrade. At…
This story continues at The Next Web
Apple director backs Swift to replace C++ as choice programming language
When it comes to programming languages, it’s often the newest that garner the most attention. But according to Ted Kremenek, Apple director of languages and runtimes, programmers should be shaking off programming stalwart C++ in favour of Swift. “Swift’s safety, speed, and approachability, combined with built-in C and C++ interoperability, mean Swift is the best choice to succeed C++,” Kremenek said. 3 developer jobs hiring this week Software Developer F/M, Lyric Management Integrations, France Fullstack Developer (all genders), Mazars GmbH & Co. KG, Düsseldorf Software Developer, InTraffic, Woerden Even the White House has recommended that programmers move to memory-safe programming…This story continues at The Next WebOr just read more coverage about: Apple
When it comes to programming languages, it’s often the newest that garner the most attention. But according to Ted Kremenek, Apple director of languages and runtimes, programmers should be shaking off programming stalwart C++ in favour of Swift. “Swift’s safety, speed, and approachability, combined with built-in C and C++ interoperability, mean Swift is the best choice to succeed C++,” Kremenek said. 3 developer jobs hiring this week Software Developer F/M, Lyric Management Integrations, France Fullstack Developer (all genders), Mazars GmbH & Co. KG, Düsseldorf Software Developer, InTraffic, Woerden Even the White House has recommended that programmers move to memory-safe programming…
This story continues at The Next Web
Or just read more coverage about: Apple