Agile VC

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Autonomous Vehicles: Can You Get There From Here? (Part 2)

Agile VC

It’s also a reminder that, for the time being, driver attention is required even as more advanced aids or semi-autonomous systems are developed (all categorized as ADAS – advanced driver assistance systems). But the way forward will undoubtedly require meaningful changes to some combination of the following: Vehicle Development.

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The Difference Between Apple & Facebook ? AGILEVC

Agile VC

Apple and Facebook are both platforms , in the sense that their software and user networks are utilized by countless software developers to build their own businesses. billion to developers and Apple paid out something like $2B or so. June 5, 2012. In 2011 Facebook paid out $1.4

Java 170
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Small Tablets Are Further Atomizing Ubiquitous Computing

Agile VC

Developers already have to think about smartphones and tablets distinctly just as they think about platforms (iOS, Android, etc) distinctly. A bad ecosystem outcome is if small tablets create yet another class of experience that software developers have to consider.

Mobile 140
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Self-Driving Vehicles: The Future Always Takes Longer to Arrive (Part 1)

Agile VC

Adaptive cruise control –> Mitsubishi & Toyota developed LIDAR systems in early ’90s, Mercedes first launched radar systems in 1999). Electronic traction / stability control –> Toyota, Mercedes, and BMW all developed first systems in late ’80s.

Virginia 100
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Chewy S-1: Category Leadership + Conveyor Belt Into Consumers’ Homes

Agile VC

Chewy has also started to introduce some private label brands, which presumably will drive higher product gross margin, though this is still fairly early in development. Gross margins have been steadily improving in recent years from 16.6% in 2016, to 17.5% in 2017, and 20.2% The other way we often look at margins is contribution margin.

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LinkedIn: The Series A Fundraising Story ? AGILEVC

Agile VC

I certainly bear no ill will to the various firms that ultimately passed on our fundraise… as a seed stage VC myself now I can appreciate how hard it is evaluating companies at the earliest stages of development. Consumer internet plays in Canada are rare, and finding a VC willing to give you the cash to scale is even more so.

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The Rise & Fall of Great Venture Firms [Part 1] ? AGILEVC

Agile VC

The names of these once great, now defunct firms may not be terribly familiar today but here are just a few examples: American Research & Development [Boston] –> Founded by George Doriot and depending how you count it, either the first or second formal VC firm in the US.