Welcome to FYI - For Your Innovation. In this episode, Brett Winton is joined by ARK's Chief Investment Strategist, Dr. Charles Roberts, ARK Venture Capital Research Associate, Chase Prather, and Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, a leading platform for cap table management and venture data analysis. Together, they dive into the evolving venture capital landscape, discussing funding trends, challenges for startups, and the role of artificial intelligence in reshaping the industry.

• Introduction to Venture Capital Trends: Why early-stage and emerging managers are facing challenges amid a shifting funding environment.
• AI’s Dominance in VC: The outsized role of artificial intelligence, with 30-50% of late-stage venture funding allocated to AI companies.
• Pareto Dynamics in Funding: How a few startups and funds are attracting the lion’s share of investments while smaller players struggle to raise capital.
• Transparency Issues in Private Markets: The delayed realizations and opaque reporting practices in private funding cycles.
• Emerging Secondary Markets: The rise of secondary transactions as a liquidity option for late-stage private companies.
• The Changing Venture Lifecycle: Why traditional 10-year fund cycles are no longer a realistic benchmark in today’s market.

How big of an opportunity is Robotaxi for Tesla?  In this episode, Sam Korus and Nicholas Grous are joined by ARK’s Director of Investment Analysis & Institutional Strategies, Tasha Keeney, and Research Associate, Varshika Prasanna, to discuss the burgeoning field of live streaming commerce, its potential to reshape retail, and the significant market opportunities it presents. The discussion transitions to Tesla's recent earnings call, highlighting the divide between traditional financial analysts and retail investors regarding Tesla's future, particularly in autonomous driving and robotics. The episode concludes with insights into the future of AI and robotics, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for companies like Tesla in scaling their technologies.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Live streaming commerce is transforming how brands sell products.
• The US market for live streaming commerce is projected to grow significantly.
• Tesla's approach to scaling its services differs from competitors like Waymo.
• The potential for AI in real-world applications is vast but complex.
• Investors are excited about AI but cautious about hardware-based implementations.
• Tesla plans to launch its Robotaxi service in Austin soon.
• Humanoid robots present significant technical challenges for development.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

X: https://twitter.com/public

Are we witnessing China take the lead in the AI race? In this episode, Sam Korus and Nicholas Grous are joined by ARK’s Chief Futurist, Brett Winton, to discuss the implications of the emergence of open-source AI models, particularly focusing on the DeepSeek R1 model from China. They explore the efficiency of AI training, the competitive dynamics in the AI landscape, and the impact of inference on hardware demand. The conversation also touches on the role of China in the AI sector and the future of AI model providers in a rapidly evolving market.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Open-source AI models are changing the competitive landscape.
• Efficiency in AI training does not equate to reduced demand for hardware.
• The emergence of new models can scramble existing competitive dynamics.
• The cost of machine intelligence is declining, leading to increased application development.
• Meta has significant potential for growth due to its vast user base.
• Apple's current strategy may not be enough to maintain its market position.
• The rapid advancement of AI technology is akin to compounding interest, leading to exponential growth.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

X: https://twitter.com/public

Is TikTok on the chopping block? In this episode, Sam Korus and Nicholas Grous discuss the recent TikTok ban and its implications for creators and the social media landscape. They explore how competitors like Instagram and YouTube are positioning themselves to capture TikTok's user base. The conversation then shifts to the latest developments in space exploration, focusing on Blue Origin's successful launch and SpaceX's ongoing efforts with Starship. The hosts analyze the competitive dynamics between these companies and the challenges they face in the evolving space industry.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The TikTok ban has been a long-standing concern.
• Creators are diversifying their revenue streams due to uncertainty.
• Blue Origin is currently behind SpaceX in capabilities.
• SpaceX's success has opened the market for new entrants.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

X: https://twitter.com/public

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton and Nemo Marjanovic sit down with Professor Thomas Hartung, MD-PhD, a leading expert in biomedical innovation at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. They explore how human organoids—3D organ proxies—are revolutionizing drug discovery and toxicology testing by reducing reliance on animal models. Professor Hartung explains how advancements in stem cell science, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence are converging to accelerate clinical trials, increase safety, and lower costs. The conversation also delves into the ethical considerations of biological computing, where organoids may one day aid in cognition and pattern recognition tasks. 

• The limitations of animal testing in preclinical drug discovery.
• How human organoids replicate organ functionality, improving research accuracy.
• The role of stem cells and microfluidics in advancing organ-on-chip technology.
• The impact of AI and big data in analyzing organoid testing outcomes.
• Examples of pharmaceutical companies adopting human-based models.
• Discussion on rapid vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The potential for brain organoids in studying neurological diseases like autism and Alzheimer’s.
• Speculation on the use of organoids in biological computing and sensors.
• Ethical challenges surrounding the development of self-aware organoids.

Will AI enable a 4 day work week? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by ARK Director of Research, Next Generation Internet, Frank Downing, to discuss Disney's strategic acquisition of a controlling stake in Fubo TV, highlighting the competitive landscape of streaming services and the ongoing trend of cord-cutting. They then transition to Nvidia's recent innovations showcased at CES, focusing on AI advancements in gaming and enterprise applications. The conversation concludes with reflections on how AI may reshape work-life balance, potentially leading to increased leisure time for gaming and streaming.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• YouTube TV is currently leading the live TV market.
• The decline of traditional cable is inevitable but gradual.
• Consumers are increasingly frustrated with ad loads in streaming services.
• Nvidia's AI innovations are set to revolutionize gaming experiences.
• The future of work may allow for more leisure activities.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton, ARK’s Chief Futurist, hosts an enlightening discussion with Peter Diamandis, founder of the XPRIZE Foundation and author of the upcoming Longevity Guidebook, alongside ARK Invest CEO/CIO Cathie Wood. They explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence and biotechnology in extending human health span and lifespan. Peter delves into the revolutionary advancements in diagnostics, gene editing, and epigenetic reprogramming, while Cathie highlights the market implications of these breakthroughs. Tune in to understand how these technologies are reshaping the future of healthcare, the economy, and our approach to aging.

• The premise of Peter Diamandis’ Longevity Guidebook and its focus on reversing aging.
• AI's pivotal role in drug discovery, healthcare diagnostics, and personalized medicine.
• How advancements like CRISPR and epigenetic reprogramming are redefining longevity science.
• The market's undervaluation of biotech innovations and their transformative potential.
• The concept of "longevity escape velocity" and its implications for human life expectancy.
• Maintaining a "longevity mindset" through sleep, exercise, and diet is important.
• Economic and societal shifts from extended lifespans and productivity.
• The future of brain mapping and AI-assisted preservation of consciousness.
• Innovations in healthcare delivery, from diagnostics to preventative therapies.

Are we on the verge of an economic transformation? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by ARK Chief Futurist Brett Winton to discuss ambitious projections for global GDP growth, driven by technological advancements and innovations such as Robotaxis and AI. They explore the historical context of economic growth, the potential for significant productivity increases, and the implications for different regions, particularly the U.S. and Europe. The conversation then shifts to SpaceX's advancements in satellite technology, highlighting the impressive capabilities of the new V3 satellites and their potential to revolutionize global connectivity.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Technological advancements are expected to drive significant economic transformation.
• Historical context shows that periods of growth are often followed by technological infusions.
• SpaceX's new V3 satellites will dramatically increase bandwidth and reduce costs.

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

Since inception, ARK has researched and published thoughts on the cryptocurrency ecosystem within Big Ideas and through articles, whitepapers, monthly Bitcoin reports and podcasts. Now, in coordination with Bitcoin Park, ARK is pleased to host a monthly conversation with leaders in the Bitcoin space, to discuss everything happening in the rapidly-changing and still nascent Bitcoin ecosystem. Published through the For Your Innovation podcast channels, this monthly series aims to be informative and enlightening, including experts with diverse viewpoints.

Guests on this month’s Bitcoin Brainstorm include:

Cathie Wood: Founder, CEO and CIO, ARK Invest

Matt O’Dell: Managing Partner, Ten31 and Co-Founder, Bitcoin Park

Adam Back: CEO, Blockstream

Matt Corallo: Open Source Engineer, Spiral

Frank Downing: Director of Research, Next Generation Internet, ARK Invest

Rod Roudi: Co-Founder, Bitcoin Park

• Insights into the quantum computing threat to bitcoin and how close we are to its impact.
• Key advancements in post-quantum cryptography and Bitcoin’s preparedness.
• Evolution and future potential of the Lightning Network.
• Exploring the intersection of bitcoin with stablecoins like Tether on Tron and their implications.
• Reflections on bitcoin’s adoption trends in 2024, including institutional engagement and emerging markets.
• Highlighting non-protocol advancements, such as user-friendly wallets and tools for self-custody.
• The growth of Nostr and its integration of bitcoin payments via Lightning.
• Bitcoin’s future as a global financial base and the pragmatic steps needed for broader adoption.

• Learn more about Bitcoin Park: bitcoinpark.com

On this year’s final episode of FYI, we will be taking the opportunity to highlight some of the best moments from throughout the year. While we are grateful for every single guest that has joined the For Your Innovation podcast, here is a compilation of some of our favorite moments.

• SoFi CEO Anthony Noto explains how he managed to diversify SoFi’s product line from beyond it’s start as a student loan platform, and why Anthony felt he needed to purchase the rights to a stadium to grow SoFi's business.
• NBA stars Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner talk about their early intellectual pursuits in financial literacy, and how they parleyed their experience as NBA athletes into the world of venture capital.
• OpenAI CFO, Sarah Friar, discusses the scope of the AI opportunity and how OpenAI is just getting started.
• Jack Dorsey explains the importance and implications of bitcoins open source nature, and how it’s truly a disruptive innovation.
• Shopify’s president, Harley Finkelstein, explains the rise of entrepreneurship globally, the critical role of AI in reducing barriers for entrepreneurs, and Shopify’s vision for the future.