👩‍🔧 How Tough Are Ya?

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🌟 Headlines in Startupland 🌟 

New York-based Startup Narrativ Pioneers the Ethical AI Use in Art Movement with SAG-AFTRA Deal

Narrativ, a NY-based digital voice replica startup, has not only taken on the quest to emphasize ethical AI in entertainment but has inked a landmark deal with SAG-AFTRA itself.

Narrativ hosts an online marketplace for advertisers, where they can access a variety of tools to create audio spots. The process of auditioning actors, scheduling time to record voiceovers and edit audio is time-consuming. Narrativ streamlines this process with digital voice replicas, uploaded to its database for advertisers to use with the actors' expressed permission. 

The SAG-AFTRA deal “promises to give the union’s 160,000 members the opportunity to add themselves to a database that connects voice talent to advertisers,” per Variety. Union members can choose whether they want to opt in or not. Those who do will be able to outline personal preferences and have final approval over the use of their voice in an ad. If any aspect of the ad does not appeal to the performer, be it the product or copy, they have full authority to turn down the ad. Performers can also negotiate fees for the use of their voice, and for every ad created through Narrativ’s platform, a pension and health contribution will be generated for all performers involved.

Despite the union’s fight with AI, SAG-AFTRA is interested in pursuing partnerships with AI companies committed to the ethical application of disruptive technology. Narrativ’s deal with SAG-AFTRA is a seminal one that will set a far-reaching precedent for AI’s role in entertainment and creative fields at large.

⚡️ Community Poll ⚡️

62% of the TechDay Express community voted ‘Yes’ to AI becoming the new dot-com bubble burst, while 35% indicated ‘No’ and 3% ‘Too early to say.’

Responses:

“If investments in AI focus on sustainable and practical applications rather than speculative ventures, the industry could avoid a bubble burst.”

Even More Headlines

🦄 28 out of 70 startups became unicorns in 2024 after an early-stage funding round.

🕵️‍♂️ Following CrowdTangle’s shutdown on August 14, the EU opened a request for information from Meta.

🌬️ Queens, NY-based decarbonization startup Hydronic Shell Technologies announced its first public housing installation.

💳 Fintech startup Tally announced it is shutting down despite raising $80 million less than two years prior.

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🎤 Founder Spotlight 🎤 

This month’s Founder Spotlight is on Robin Schaffer, the founder of Schaffer AR, a B2B analyst relations agency that connects startups and scale-ups with industry analysts. These analysts, such as Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, advise corporations and enterprises on technological business solutions. 

Schaffer is an expert in the field of analyst relations, with experience managing programs at mid- to large-size vendors leveraging industry analysts. “[Industry analysts] are very influential on that buyer's journey,” Schaffer explained. “They advise buyers, vendors and investors, impact[ing] investors’ understanding of a technology, a market and vendor.” Such experts with industry knowledge, connections and influence can be highly impactful for early-stage startups looking to sell to big-name enterprises. 

However, in her work, she noticed a gap between startups and industry analysts. Startups struggled to navigate the process of sourcing industry analysts. Startups underestimate their value to analysts and the value analysts have to them.  Analysts want to be informed about the startup world and have a vested interest in the startups disrupting the spaces they concentrate on. Schaffer AR works with startups to find the best industry analysts for their business. From there, industry analysts can act as brand advocates, business advisers and dealmakers for startups.

Schaffer AR focuses on B2B startups in the earlier funding stages that have an MVP and are beginning to expand their companies. In Schaffer’s experience, Series A or Series B, “is when they put their foot on the gas with analyst relations.” However, Schaffer AR does work with smaller startups that “see the value in starting to get positioned with analysts,” coaching them on how to navigate analyst relations early in their company journeys. Schaffer believes it is never too early to invest in your company’s future success. She concludes with this thought, “I want founders to understand and appreciate how much they can learn from analysts that can help them speed their journey and be more successful and be a stronger, better company.”

Robin can be reached at [email protected]

📚 Dive A Bit Deeper 📚

👩‍🔧 HOW TOUGH ARE YA? — Tech-wise, not physically. The Cambridge, MA-based Engine Accelerator is not an accelerator exactly, but it does provide facilities, specialized equipment and partnerships to “tough tech” startups like those in climate and human health. Read more about this all-in-one lab.

💼 EMERGENTS VS. THE OLD GUARD — Emerging managers are not having a great go of it in the VC environment. In Q1 2024, the top 5 largest fundraises made up 45% of the total capital raised by VC firms. Established VC firms are favored over emerging ones, but this year the contrast is stark.

🗣️ OF STARTUPS & PR — Having a good PR strategy is essential for startups at any stage. Whether they are building an MVP, trying to raise a seed round or IPO-ing, startups should have a masterful PR strategy that matches the development stage they are in. Here are some tips.