Juggling and Running: Part II

Dear Readers,

It's a pleasure to connect with you again, even if it's just a brief "coming up for air" moment.

Continuing from our last update, the trip to Athens was truly extraordinary. We explored numerous sites in preparation for our upcoming YPO event on Stoicism for Business & Life in April 2024. The site visits included the ancient site of Eleusina where Marcus Aurelius was initiated in the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Agora where Democracy was born. During our stay, we had the privilege of meeting with a Cabinet Minister who will be joining our event, and engaging in discussions with the "Immortals" at the Academy of Athens.

Next came the trip to Montreaux in Switzerland to present on AI for Tourism at the Montreaux International Tourism Forum as a Research Fellow of GIHE. In events of this nature, a recurring question from the audience is: which jobs will be replaced by AI? I prefer to envision strong AI or AGI as a means for humanity to alleviate stress by "spending more time at the beach" — a phrase I use both literally and metaphorically to convey the idea that people can pursue their passions without worrying about income. Universal Basic Income (UBI) has been in discussions for years anticipating AI taking over the world.

Here is whatelse is worth reporting on in this DMR Digest:

• Funding round

We are at the verge of finalising our first institutional funding round. A lot of agreements to be signed and lot of amendments to existing official documents but we are getting through all of it. It is a slow but steady process. Soon we will be able to start investing on our growth.

• Recruitment

In anticipation of the funds we started recruting for one senior data scientist, in Thailand, two senior software engineers in Eastern Europe, a marketing manager and two Data Solutions Executives in South Africa.

• Go to market partnership discussions on three continents

We are actively engaged in advanced discussions with potential go-to-market partners in Europe, Asia, and Africa. These partners include a market research agency, an advertising agency, and a strategy and investment team.

• MVP for DataVinci is close

We are nearing the completion of our first generative AI application, DataVinci. This widget will soon be integrated into the online dashboards of interested clients, allowing them to use natural language to explore their own listening247 dataset.

• Nikkei and Unicef

The Economist article on the Gaza Conflict, based on over 1 million online posts gathered with listening247 from October 7th to 23rd, has sparked significant interest in DMR solutions. Ongoing discussions with Nikkei and Unicef suggest potential partnerships in the pipeline.

In other updates, in-person meetings in London are gaining momentum, accompanied by a rise in unsolicited requests for proposals and demos.

We owe a considerable debt to Open AI for democratizing AI and playing a pivotal role in the momentum of the DMR business. Like the rest of the world, we eagerly await the unfolding events at Open AI after the departure of Sam Altman, their CEO, and the subsequent resignations.

Until next time...all the best!

Michalis