Assembly Ventures

Ukraine has set a goal that it will produce 1,000,000 militarized drones / sUAS/ small unmanned aerial systems and also sea drones (surface and sub vehicles). The the circuits, onboard sensory systems/ GPS navigation & orientation tech, digital cameras, EO/ FLIR, NGVs, etc. sensors, flight control devices, the viewing screens, telemetry transmission radios, wiring harnesses, electric motors, control surface actuators, and LiPO batteries/ power storage systems all use critical minerals and strategic minerals in their component production & assembly pipelines. The US & other NATO member nations are racing to modernize their military drone warfare capabilities to adapt to the lessons learned from the Ukraine battlefield. These upgrades to our military drone inventory will require critical & strategic minerals supply chains to feed our defense industrial base. Drone swarm technology, AI, and advanced computing power will play a large part in our coming global conflicts / great power completion. When China begins their naval blockade of Taiwan and the sanctions war starts. The refined critical minerals flowing from China will stop shipping to the western democracies and their allies. The advanced semiconductor chips will stop shipping from Taiwan. The US IC predicts China will make its move on Taiwan at a time of their choosing (2027 - 2030). What is our plan for sustaining our critical & mineral supply chains when this occurs. America must get serious and prepare for this reality and take action steps to facilitate the development of our advanced war fighting capabilities. It’s a matter of National Security. This is not just a Department of Commerce Issue or a Department of Energy Issue, this is a Department of Defense Issue.

This week Co-Founder and Chief Integration Officer?Courtney Fukuda represented Metropolis at Web Summit 2024 on two panels discussing business growth and AI. This year’s summit in Lisbon packed 70,000+ attendees over a week-long conference that brings together the global tech industry to explore emerging technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and venture capital. In her first panel on the main stage Courtney appeared with Vidya Peters, CEO of Data Snipper and Nicole Baer, CMO of Carta. Hosted by Susan Li of Fox News Business, the conversation focused on the state of the fundraising and IPO market where Courtney highlighted our recent funding and growth buyout as a paradigm shift for late stage technology companies. She closed Tuesday's programming on the AI Stage with a fireside chat with Fortune's AI Editor, Jeremy Kahn focusing on AI and urban innovation. The conversation centered on our investment in urban development and how we're deploying AI to make cities more livable. Courtney spoke about how our AI and computer vision technology works in tandem with best in class operations to create remarkable experiences for our members and partners alike. Thank you #WebSummit for inviting Courtney and Metropolis to your impressive lineup of speakers and innovators. We’re leaving this conference feeling inspired by the state of tech around the world!

?? ASSEMBLY SUMMIT RECAP ?? Three weeks ago, we had the privilege of hosting the 3rd annual Assembly Summit in the heart of Detroit. The event gathered industry leaders, innovators, and partners to dive deep into the future of mobility and the critical theme of "The Geopolitics of Movement." From an exclusive tour of Michigan Central and Newlab to insightful panels on today's geopolitical and economic realities, along with outstanding presentations from our 10 portfolio companies, the event truly exceeded expectations! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and made the event such a success. We’re excited to build on the insights and connections forged at the Summit and can’t wait to welcome you all to the next Summit next May... in London! Our portfolio: Apptronik, CesiumAstro, Dephy, Inc., Digit, Metropolis Technologies, Monogoto, NAVIT , Our Next Energy (ONE), Sortera, Two Boxes Speakers: Jeffrey Cardenas, Will R., Luke Mooney, Dan Koukol, Alena Dagneau, Simon Kronenberg, Zach Matthews, Itamar Kunik, René Braun, Mujeeb Ijaz, Ben Pope, Kyle Bertin, Peter Meijer, Benjamin Qiu, Scott Hiipakka, Courtney McBean, Andrew Harper, Mark Dinner, Jennifer Dungs Assembly Team: Felix Scheuffelen, Jessica Robinson, Chris Thomas, Sujoy Sarkar, Christine Tash, Genevieve Hummer, Christian Saur, John Cullen ?? : Anthony Baez #Mobility #VentureCapital #Detroit #Berlin #SiliconValley #MoveToWin #MoveTheWorld

A new declaration of In:Dependence.?A surgical focus on the geopolitics of movement. A mobility conference featuring companies and content more important, more thought-provoking, and more moving than any other in the world today.?The 2024 Assembly Summit was all this and more. ? Alongside my co-founders Jessica Robinson and Felix Scheuffelen – and my colleagues Sujoy Sarkar, Christian Saur, John Cullen, Christine Tash and Genevieve Hummer – Assembly Ventures had the pleasure of bringing our annual Assembly Summit back to the City of Detroit in the great State of Michigan.?It was moving and reflective. ? We announced and pre-released our new whitepaper: “In:Dependence – The Geopolitics of Movement” which builds on a unique thesis that has been cultivated over the last decade of bifurcation between the U.S. and China (and the East and West holistically) and the importance of the legacy industrial centers of the economic West.?We held the deepest and most honest macro realist discussions – focused on the factors that will impact how the world moves over the next decade in both positive and potentially damaging ways – that I have heard, let along participated in, in my career.?We brought together the most dynamic group of mobility executives (across #automotive, #aerospace, #rail, #maritime, #manufacturing, #logistics and #supplychain), start-ups (Apptronik, CesiumAstro, Dephy, Inc., Digit, Metropolis Technologies, Monogoto, NAVIT , Our Next Energy (ONE), Sortera Technologies, Inc., and Two Boxes) and investors that has ever been assembled in one place, at one time, in the Western world.?We did this fueled by a deeply held conviction that if the West is to overwhelmingly win – and make no mistake empowering our people, our communities, our states, our country, and our allies around the globe to move the world toward dignity, democracy, technological dominance, earned freedom and economic opportunity is how we will win – the maximization of Western In:Dependence is the only way. ? A very special thank you to the many friends, founders, investors, corporate leaders and doers who attended and who believe in the Assembly Ventures vision and strategy as deeply as we do. ? The world is moving.?The direction should be set by those of us who are in the arena with our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor on the line.?If you seek to partner with the entrepreneurs, executives, investors, companies, and public servants who are earnestly dedicated and working to ensure that we power the physical and digital movement of people, goods, data and energy around the globe for the next 100?years - reach out. None of us can do this alone – but if all of us who embrace these ideals come together we will move the world in the direction of innovation, In:Dependence, and success. ? #assemblysummit2024detroit #geopolitics #assemblyventures #movetheworld #movetowin #assemblysummit2025london

?? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????????????????: ?????? ???????????? ???? ????????????’?? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????? With the echoes of the Super Heavy rocket’s engines still fading, it’s time to reflect on what this technical feat could mean for the future. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves—this isn’t some futuristic Noah’s Ark, ready to take brave souls on a one-way trip to Mars. Instead, we’re talking about a new form of suborbital transport. Just like ships evolved into trucks and airplanes started competing with ships, this could become the next big step in global transport. ???? ?????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? SpaceX has created a reusable transport system that could reach 100 tons in less than an hour at a target cost of $20 per kilo. Yes, it’s about three times more expensive than air transport, but the potential speed boost—up to 15 times faster—makes us think. Is the drastic time reduction worth the extra cost? ??Could it impact global production locations??? ??Would it reshape “Just in Time” manufacturing??? ??Would it dominate certain premium markets? ?? These questions are tough, and the answers will take time. But within five years, we might see a new transportation option—one currently led by the US, with China possibly joining soon. On the other hand, Europe faces higher costs with the Ariane VI at around €6,000 per kilo without reusability. ?????? Technology shakes things first, but economic, social, and geopolitical shifts aren’t far behind. Watching this milestone is exciting but raises questions about staying competitive in a rapidly changing world. #SpaceX #Innovation #FutureOfTransport #DigitalTransformation #Leadership

This is not an accident. The Chinese Communist Party has vested decades on preparing the battlefield for this asymmetric conflict with the West. By galvanizing control over #criticalminerals #rareearths and critical infrastructure and manufacturing, they can use this assert economic pressure on the West. #nationalsecurity #economicsecurity #greatpowercompetition

As we get closer to Veterans Day, I was thinking about Ford Motor Company’s long-standing relationship with those who served. Since 1903, Ford has prided itself on being a home for those who risked their lives to protect our country. It’s in our DNA to want to give back. I found some interesting items in our Heritage Vault that really speak to this relationship, and how it has shaped our future. I hope you’ll watch, and let me know what you think. To all the Veterans, thank you for your service.

11/8/2024 weekly recap at @Two Boxes! ???? 1. We hosted our first webinar with Narvar to discuss how merchants can make their returns more profitable, while maintaining a great customer experience. If you missed the webinar, I've linked a white paper in the comments. Download it and let us know what you think! 2. Last week, we processed the most returns and inventory GMV in company history. Compared to last year, we're up over 5x on both metrics. The level of effort that has gone into this can't be understated. Thanks to our entire team! 3. We completed two hugely requested features this week that will be rolling out to our customers soon. The first is our new Item Details Page that will make it easier than ever for warehouse staff to audit previously completed returns. The second is an integration to a very popular WMS that will make inventory putaway a breeze. Excited to share more on that soon. #ecommerce #returns #twoboxes #3pllogistics

Dive into the world of Chinese auto exports with Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights LLC and host of the Driving with Dunne podcast! In this insightful conversation, Michael breaks down the latest trends and their impact on the global automotive landscape. Don't miss out on his expert analysis—tap in now! ?? #DrivingWithDunne #AutoExports #MichaelDunne #AutomotiveInsights #PodcastHighlights

11/1/2024 weekly recap at Two Boxes! ???? 1. We've signed 3 new 3PL customers in the past 10 days! Huge couple of weeks for our commercial team and we're excited about the growth ahead. This includes another new customer in the UK. If you're a brand or 3PL in the UK struggling with returns, please reach out as we are open for business! 2. We finalized details for our webinar with Narvar next week! Link in comments. If you're a brand struggling with the right strategy for returns, join us on 11/7 to learn more about how to make returns more profitable for you without sacrificing your customer experience. 3. I made a quick trip to Columbus, OH and was able to spend some time with our great friends and partners at Loop, Maven Circular, NFI, and more! 4. I had a meeting with our head of finance yesterday and it's pretty amazing to see our YTD return volumes and revenue up 6x and 8x, respectively, YoY. #ecommerce #returns #twoboxes #3pllogistics