<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Nikola Motor Company (Nikola), a developer of heavy-duty battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV), has delivered its first two &ldquo;Nikola Tre&rdquo; BEV pilot trucks to California-based port trucking company Total Transportation Services Inc (TTSI).
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The trucks will be piloted at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Depending on the success of the pilot program and government backing, TTSI will order 30 BEVs to be delivered next year and 70 FCEVs to be delivered in 2023.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
    <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
    TTSI first partnered with Nikola in 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/sectors/commerce-and-hospitality/updates/3396">
      May 2021
    </a>
     to order 100 BEV and FCEV trucks, starting with two BEV and two FCEV pilot trucks (yet to be delivered). Today&rsquo;s news marks a milestone for Nikola, as it achieves the company&rsquo;s commitment to delivering its first Nikola Tre BEV units this quarter. Furthermore, another similar use case for Nikola Tre involves a 
    <a href="https://nikolamotor.com/press_releases/iveco-and-nikola-sign-mou-with-hamburg-port-authority-for-zero-emission-class-8-battery-electric-trucks-132">
      September 2021
    </a>
     agreement with the Hamburg Port Authority to deliver up to 25 Nikola Tre BEVs by 2022 to be used in the port.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nikola-delivers-first-nikola-tre-battery-electric-trucks-to-total-transportation-services-inc-301447587.html">
      Press Release
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38569564/nikola-electric-semi-trucks-delivered/">
      Car and Driver
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.ccjdigital.com/alternative-power/article/15286556/nikola-delivers-first-battery-electric-truck">
      Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ)
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Truck Industry Tech

Nikola delivers first battery-electric trucks to Total Transportation

Using AI to automate, enhance and optimize marketing activities

Marketing Automation

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>AdTech company, GumGum, known for its contextual analytics intelligence platform, has incorporated ad media from Playground xyz into its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. This move completes the global rollout of its Mindset Platform, which had previously been launched in North America and Europe. This platform is devised to understand user mindsets and to deliver advertisements that are most likely to resonate with users.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>The Attention Intelligence Platform (AIP) of Playground xyz will continue to operate as a distinct data solution. It will measure attention for GumGum's media business across a variety of different platforms, such as Display, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and OLV.&nbsp;</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake</b> :<br>
 The integration of Playground xyz's media portfolio into GumGum's APAC business is part of the company's strategy to solidify its position as a leader in digital advertising innovation. Building on the successful launch of The Mindset Platform in North America and Europe and the introduction of the <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/24563"> Mindset Index </a> for enhanced audience engagement measurement, this integration allows GumGum to leverage technology to deliver actionable insights and enhanced advertising solutions tailored to the unique needs of the APAC market.</p>

GumGum integrates Playground xyz's media portfolio into APAC business

Reinventing gene therapies with next-generation technologies

Human Gene Editing

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Gene editing firm Mammoth Biosciences has teamed up with biopharma company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to create in vivo (within the body) CRISPR-based gene editing treatments. Regeneron will provide Mammoth with an initial $100 million, including $95 million in equity, and possibly a further $370 million based on accomplishments.</p>
 <p>This partnership will merge Regeneron's Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vectors - a delivery technology - and Mammoth’s gene editing systems, improving the delivery of gene editing therapies beyond the liver. Regeneron will take the reign on developing and commercializing the drug targets while its use of Mammoth’s technology will be confined to specified targets in the deal. However, by paying a research extension fee, the collaboration can be extended for an additional two years.</p>
</div>

Mammoth Biosciences signs USD 100 million gene editing deal with Regeneron

Disrupting the traditional financial system using blockchain

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

<div>
 
<p>Asset tokenization platform, Tokeny, has partnered with private markets workflow digitization platform, Globacap, to expand its "DINO Network." This network uses the ERC-3643 token standard for the distribution of digital securities. Through this partnership, Tokeny will utilize Globacap's workflow automation software to enhance execution capabilities in secondary markets, optimize workflows, and ensure record integrity. Tokeny will also act as a link between Globacap and the network.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Tokeny provides a blockchain-based platform for users to tokenize real-world assets such as debt, real estate, private equity, and funds. The platform allows users to create and distribute tokenized assets, automate KYC/AML processes, and enable peer-to-peer trading in secondary markets. Tokeny is also credited with the creation of ERC-3643, a standard for tokenized securities restricting token interactions to approved users whilst maintaining interoperability with applications supporting other Ethereum-based tokens.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Real-world asset tokenization has seen a growing interest within the DeFi industry in the last six months with a number of recent fundraises, including <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/2311454"> Untangled Finance </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/2873315"> Ostium Labs </a> , and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/826434"> GenTwo </a> , which raised <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/22651"> USD 13.5 million </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/22537"> USD 3.5 million </a> , and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/21536"> USD 15 million </a> , respectively. Notably, Tokeny aims to differentiate itself via the DINO Network, a liquidity and distribution network for new tokens launched via its platform. The network includes digital trading desks, regulated trading venues, decentralized exchanges, and other DeFi protocols</p>

Tokeny partners with Globacap to expand DINO network

Exploring the limitless possibilities of AI

Generative AI Applications

<div>
 
 <p>Dropzone AI, an AI-based security operations centers (SOCs) provider, has successfully raised USD 16.85 million in a Series A funding round. The leading contributor in this funding round was Theory Ventures, and existing investors like Decibel Ventures, Pioneer Square Ventures, and In-Q-Tel (IQT) also participated.</p>
 <p>The company intends to use the new influx of funds to further develop their AI technology. Other areas of focus include expanding their go-to-market (GTM) strategy and bolstering their engineering team.</p>
 <p>Dropzone AI operates with a team of autonomous AI SOC analysts who work in collaboration with human security teams. The primary objective is to streamline investigations, thereby enabling faster and more accurate responses to cybersecurity threats. Through the adoption of automation, Dropzone AI seeks to mitigate issues in security operations by reducing manual analysis. This would help to decrease alert fatigue amongst security teams and improve response times significantly.</p>
 
</div>

Dropzone AI raises USD 16.85 million in Series A funding to expand operations

Empowering efficiency, visibility and collaboration throughout supply networks

Supply Chain Tech

<div>
 <p>Retraced has introduced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven audit management tool, currently in its beta stage, aimed at automating the often labor-intensive and error-prone tasks involved in supply chain audits. This tool aims to improve efficiency by automating data extraction from factory audit documents.</p>
 <p>Importantly, the tool provides feedback in real-time, and generates actionable suggestions based on the data collected. It also offers a user-friendly interface that allows corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers to easily navigate and use the data.</p>
 <p>Retraced asserts that this tool can significantly reduce the time and effort spent on analyzing factory audits. The company hopes that by leveraging AI, it can enhance sustainability, social impact, and increase transparency within the industry.&nbsp;</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The adoption of AI to streamline supply chain operations is on the rise. Recently, Supply Chain Tech companies such as <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28562"> o9 Solutions </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27573"> RELEX Solutions </a> , and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27454"> upguard </a> also introduced AI features to their offerings to increase efficiencies in supply chain operations.</p>

Retraced launches AI-driven audit management tool for apparel brands

Empowering Tomorrow's Innovations with Generative AI Infrastructure

Generative AI Infrastructure

<div>
 
 <p>Data engineering company, Innodata Inc, has launched an open-source LLM Evaluation Toolkit and a set of 14 evaluation datasets. These new tools are designed to assist enterprises in ensuring the safety of their LLMs in a variety of business tasks. Presently, these resources are available exclusively for enterprise LLM developers. However, there are plans to release a commercial version and additional benchmarking datasets later in the year.</p>
 <p>The toolkit offers data scientists the means to automatically appraise LLM safety across different categories of potential harm. It facilitates the identification of specific input conditions that may lead to unfavorable outputs, allowing developers to understand their AI systems' reactions to a range of prompts. Additionally, it aids in the recognition of the necessary changes required to achieve the intended outcomes.</p>
 <p>In addition to the newly launched tools, Innodata has also publicized research outlining the methods followed to benchmark LLM safety. This research paper cites reproducible results acquired during evaluations of LLaMa2, Mistral, Gemma, and GPT, considering factors like factuality, toxicity, bias, and inclination towards hallucination.</p>
 <p>Innodata is an international data engineering company that aids multiple top-tier companies in unlocking the potential of AI. Its offerings include AI-infused software platforms and managed services for data collection and annotation. It also provides services for digital transformation in the AI sector.</p>
 
</div>

Innodata launches open-source toolkit to evaluate LLM safety

Platforms, apps, and cards to keep the corporate wallet in check

Business Expense Management

<div>
 
 <p>Teampay, an AP automation platform serving small and mid-sized firms, has been acquired by Paystand, a B2B digital payment network. Post-acquisition, Paystand intends to upgrade Teampay's product infrastructure and user interface. The merger of both companies is expected to deliver faster transactions, reduced charges, and better transparency.</p>
   
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> The acquisition is expected to complement Paystand's activities in accounts receivable and enable it to leverage TeamPay’s patented payout platform.&nbsp;</p>

Paystand acquires Teampay to enhance B2B payments

Foundation Models

<div>
 <p>NVIDIA is reportedly in plans to acquire foundation model provider, Deci AI. The financial terms of this potential deal have not been disclosed or officially confirmed by either companies as of now. Following this deal, NVIDIA intends to utilize Deci AI's technology for compressing GenAI language models. By doing so, the company aims to generate more outputs from GPUs and AI servers procured or leased by its clients.</p>
</div>

Nvidia reportedly planning to acquire Deci AI to enhance server efficiency and AI capabilities

More important now than ever, telehealth will long outlast the pandemic that drove its growth.

Telehealth

<div>
 
 <p>UnitedHealth has unveiled plans to shut down its Optum Virtual Care Business, a piece of news that has been widely speculated in the media. The termination was communicated to staff on April 18, with a few contracts continuing until July. The company has yet to make the plan public. </p>
 <p>Additionally, an executive reshuffling at Optum Home &amp; Community and the Care Transitions sector will see Harrison Frist depart from his current role this summer, remaining momentarily in an advisory capacity. Heather Jarrett, who currently occupies the role of senior vice president of government clinical programs at UnitedHealth Group, is set to replace him.</p>
 <p>The company's home-based health care division, run under the Landmark Health banner, has also reduced its management ranks across the 37 states where it has operations. Even though precise data is not yet available, over 370 personnel, including health service directors, senior operations managers, ambassadors, and care coordinators, have reportedly lost their jobs at Landmark Health.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Recently, <b> </b> UnitedHealth Group has had several issues that have likely significantly contributed to the downsizing initiative. In an earnings call this week, the Group announced a loss of USD 1.4 billion for <a href="https:<br>
//www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2024/UNH-Q1-2024-Release.pdf"> Q1 2024 </a> , primarily driven by foreign exchange charges (amounting to <a href="https:<br>
//www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-29/unitedhealth-to-take-7-billion-charge-for-sale-of-brazil-unit"> USD 7 billion </a> ) associated with the sale of the company’s Brazilian operations and the impact of the company’s cyber-attack. While the cyber-attack only targeted UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare, which provides revenue and payment cycle management solutions, the entire group and providers felt the effects.</p>

UnitedHealth announces closing virtual care business, management changes, and downsizing Landmark Health

<div>
 
 <p>Technology firm Owlet has teamed up with telehealth service Wheel to enable Wheel's medical team to prescribe Owlet's wire-free product, BabySat, a certified infant pulse oximetry sock.</p>
 <p>This collaboration lets Wheel oversee the BabySat virtual telehealth platform. Moreover, caregivers can acquire prescriptions for BabySat and the device itself through Wheel's portal or clinicians. Wheel collaborates with medical equipment suppliers who can invoice insurers for the product, reducing caregivers' burden.</p>
 
</div>

All Updates