<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Social VR platform VRChat announced that it is downsizing its workforce by around 30% due to slower-than-expected growth in the VR market and the company's over-hiring in 2021. The company noted that it was in a sound financial position and would focus on capital efficiency given a dampened fundraising environment.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The company plans to offer departing staff severance packages, which include 12 weeks of severance pay, additional weeks for each year of service, and up to six months of healthcare coverage. Additionally, it is simplifying the process for affected employees to vest and exercise stock options.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
        The news comes as funding has dried up for social MEPs over the last few years. This is coupled with a shift away from VR social platforms given the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. VRChat&rsquo;s close competitor, 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/669986">
          Rec Room
        </a>
        , may be impacted by the external changes, too, given similarities in its product offering.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://ask.vrchat.com/t/an-email-from-our-ceo/25060">
      Company blog
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.roadtovr.com/vrchat-lays-off-30-of-company/">
      RoadToVR
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


Metaverse Experience Platforms

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>VRChat, a Social VR platform, has stated its plan to reduce its staff by approximately 30%. This decision has been made due to slower-than-anticipated growth in the Virtual Reality market and over-hiring by the company in the year 2021. Even though it is downsizing, VRChat maintains that it is in a good financial position. The company has decided to concentrate more on capital efficiency, particularly in the present fundraising environment, which is not too encouraging.</p>
 <p>In terms of compensation for the employees who are leaving, VRChat is offering severance packages. These include severance pay for 12 weeks, additional weeks of pay for each year the employee has served, and healthcare coverage for up to six months. Additionally, it is making the process to vest and exercise stock options simpler for employees who are affected by this downsizing.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The news comes as funding has dried up for social MEPs over the last few years. This is coupled with a shift away from VR social platforms given the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. VRChat’s close competitor, <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/669986"> Rec Room </a> , may be impacted by the external changes, too, given similarities in its product offering.</p>

VRChat lays off 30% of staff from growth slowdown; iterates sound financial position

Additive manufacturing makes objects by systematically adding material via a CAD program

Additive Manufacturing

<div>
 
 <p>6K Additive, a supplier of additive manufacturing materials, has been chosen by America Makes, an institution that collaborates on 3D printing projects in the US, to participate in the "Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM)" project.</p>
 <p>The project, endowed with six million dollars from the Air Force Research Laboratory, aims to enhance the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of the production of niobium C-103 powder for laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition (DED) 3D printing processes. Additionally, it aims to extend the source pool and utilize a wider range of particle sizes for C-103, a niobium alloy utilized in high-temperature applications. The project will also include collaboration with Castheon, NASA Glenn Research Center, NSL Analytical, Lockheed Martin, and Firefly Aerospace.</p>
 <p>&nbsp;6K Additive plans to use its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process to generate C-103 powders from revert sources, reportedly enhancing efficiency in high-temperature and space applications.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst Quicktake:<br>
 </b> This news marks the second time that American Makes has selected the company to participate in one of its projects. Last month, the company <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32452"> partnered with RTX Technology Research Center and the University of Arizona </a> as part of the EARTH project under America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining to make aerospace and defense product manufacturing more sustainable.</p>

6K Additive awarded project to develop C-103 powder for additive manufacturing

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>

<p>Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), a company in Tokyo specializing in space transportation systems, has entered into a partnership with WAAM3D, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo. All these organizations bring different specialties to the table - WAAM3D is a metal AM solutions provider, while Aichi Sangyo is known for their metal 3D printers. The collaboration aims to develop reusable space transportation vehicles.</p>
<p>The partnership will allow ISC to procure 3D printers from WAAM3D in Japan for the purpose of creating propellant tanks and other necessary components for space transport. This should contribute to the flexibility and efficiency of the development process.&nbsp;</p>

</div>

WAAM3D partners with Innovative Space Carrier, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo for space transport development

Facial recognition delivers incredible convenience to consumers, as well as serious risks.

Facial Recognition

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 
 <p>Microsoft has introduced a new tool, Face Check with Microsoft Entra Verified, aimed at enhancing identity verifications. The system employs Azure AI services to compare a current selfie of a user with their Verified ID photo. This aids in identifying and combating several spoofing methods, inclusive of deepfakes, thereby safeguarding user identities.</p>
 
</div>

Microsoft launches Face Check with Microsoft Entra Verified ID

<div>
 
 <p>3DEO, an on-demand additive manufacturing services provider, secured a strategic investment of USD 3.5 million from Mizuho Bank.</p>
 <p>The funds will be used to fuel the company's growth and enhance its advanced AM capabilities in the aerospace, medical, industrial, and semiconductor sectors.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This news comes amidst the appointment of <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/33216"> Scott Dennis </a> as the company’s CEO, succeeding Co-founder Matt Petros. Notably, this is the second round of funding the company has received this year – after securing <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25752"> &nbsp;investment </a> from the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) to expand into critical manufacturing sectors.</p>

3DEO raises USD 3.5 million in strategic investment from Mizuho Bank

Exploring the limitless possibilities of AI

Generative AI Applications

<div>
 
 <p>HyperWrite, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence-based writing, has introduced a new open-source language model called Reflection 70 billion.</p>
 <p>The Reflection 70 billion utilizes a unique technique called Reflection-Tuning. This technique allows the model to identify and rectify its own errors prior to finalizing a response.</p>
 <p>HyperWrite stated that Reflection 70 billion has exhibited superior performance in comparison to closed-source models such as OpenAI's GPT-4o and Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 3.5 during multiple benchmark tests. The firm voiced that this progression is aimed at tackling the frequent occurrence of model hallucinations and elevating the accuracy of reasoning.</p>
 
</div>

HyperWrite launches open-source AI model Reflection 70 billion

<div>
 
 <p>Google is beginning to introduce its AI-enhanced Ask Photos feature to some users in the US. This feature, incorporated in Google Photos, permits users to search through their photo galleries using complex natural language inquiries.</p>
 <p>Powered by Google's Gemini AI model, Ask Photos can comprehend photo contents and metadata, enabling users to pose complicated queries such as identifying the best photo from each National Park they've been to or figuring out themes from previous birthday celebrations.</p>
 
</div>

Google begins US rollout of AI-powered Ask Photos feature

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

<div>
 
 <p>HDAX Therapeutics has secured USD 3.2 million in a heavily subscribed seed funding round. Major investors include SeedFolio, FACIT, Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP), Eos Bioinnovation and Ontario Centre of Innovation. The raised capital is earmarked for fostering the advancement of its early-stage candidate nomination while bolstering its pipeline ventures.</p>
 
 <p>Concurrent to the funding announcement, the CEO of Eos and the vice president of TIAP have been inaugurated into the HDAX board of directors. </p>
 
 <p>The biotech firm HDAX Therapeutics specialises in crafting innovative small molecule treatments which target HDAC6 (Histone Deacetylase 6) for neurological, cardiac and metabolic disorders. A unique two-site binding mechanism distinguishes the technology used by the company to fabricate powerful and selective HDAC6 inhibitors, providing a solution to pivotal drug design issues such as weak binding, poor pharmacokinetics and toxicities that are off-target.</p>

</div>

HDAX Therapeutics raises USD 3.2 million in seed funding to progress pipeline and advance preclinical candidates into trials

<div>

 <p>Sequentify, a company specializing in DNA sequencing technology, has entered a partnership with Dexter to bring its InfiniSeq library preparation solutions for next-generation sequencing (NGS) to Romania. This collaboration provides an affordable alternative to NGS via the introduction of Sequentify's technology, which accelerates and simplifies the sample preparation stages of sequencing.</p>
 <p>Dexter plans to help expand the availability of Sequentify's genomic solutions throughout Romania. The objective is to enhance access to genomics diagnostic tools such as the InfiniSeq Expanded BRCA Panel, a tool used to monitor cancer progression and evaluate hereditary cancer risks.</p>
 <p>Originating as a spinoff from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, Sequentify focuses on DNA sequencing technology. At the heart of their work is the InfiniSeq technology which facilitates rapid, targeted DNA sequencing via the fusion of synthetic biology and AI software tools. It is compatible with most sequencing instruments. Alongside this, Sequentify also offers NGS libraries and software suitable for applications such as cancer diagnostics, carrier screening, and Covid-19 surveillance.</p>

</div>

Sequentify partners with Dexter to expand genomic diagnostics in Romania

Bringing fresh produce closer to consumers with efficient, advanced technology.

Vertical Farming

<div>

 <p>Elevate Farms, a Canadian vertical farming company, has partnered with Cultivatd, an indoor farming service provider, for expansion in Europe.</p>
 <p>After the Pre-Series B funding round in July 2024, the companies plan to expand their sales team, prep sites in Switzerland, and to establish a vertical farm in Solothurn, Switzerland.</p>

</div>

Elevate partners with Cultivatd for European expansion

Enhancing seed and crop traits via biotechnology

Crop Biotech

<div>
 
 <p>Moolec Science, a plant-based ingredient startup, has revealed plans to harvest its genetically engineered plant products, GLASO™ and Piggy Sooy™, in October 2024. </p>
 <p>GLASO™ is stated to possess 3 times higher gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content than conventional sources. Piggy Sooy™ could potentially yield pork meat proteins equivalent to 10 pigs per acre.</p>
 <p>The company has indicated its goal is to extend its commercial approach to connect with bigger markets and more customers.</p>
  
</div>

All Updates

VRChat lays off 30% of staff from growth slowdown; iterates sound financial position

6K Additive awarded project to develop C-103 powder for additive manufacturing

WAAM3D partners with Innovative Space Carrier, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo for space transport development

Microsoft launches Face Check with Microsoft Entra Verified ID

3DEO raises USD 3.5 million in strategic investment from Mizuho Bank

HyperWrite launches open-source AI model Reflection 70 billion

Google begins US rollout of AI-powered Ask Photos feature

HDAX Therapeutics raises USD 3.2 million in seed funding to progress pipeline and advance preclinical candidates into trials

Sequentify partners with Dexter to expand genomic diagnostics in Romania

Elevate partners with Cultivatd for European expansion

Moolec confirms harvest of its genetically engineered plant-grown products

Metaverse Experience Platforms

VRChat lays off 30% of staff from growth slowdown; iterates sound financial position

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