The new feature “Startup’s made in Germany” features interesting, upcoming ventures and tells their story on boldventureblog.com. The first release will feature three promising startups from Germany’s secret Startup capital “Hamburg”. Stay tuned…
After months of back and forth the conflict between Uber and Europe’s biggest economy seems to have come to an end: On Wednesday a German court ruled that Uber violates the nation’s taxi laws and has imposed a nationwide ban on the ride-sharing service, uberPOP.
The Frankfurt regional court sided with Taxi Deutschland, a taxi union that has been fighting Uber in the courts since August 2014. Uber however is not planning on giving up just yet. The company released a statement this week saying that it is planning to appeal the ban.
It will be interesting to see, how the company tries to wiggle its way around lawmakers this time. We will most certainly take a close look at it.
Now that the World Cup is over and most of the hype in Brazil is gone one very important question remains: What to do with all the empty soccer stadiums?
Of the twelve stadiums that Brazilian cities built or renovated for the 2014 World Cup, four have futures that look dismal. Situated in a rain forest in one case, in a city without a top-tier soccer team in another, these stadiums will likely struggle to attract the crowds needed to support their massive upkeep costs. That can’t help but make one wonder: Was the $2 billion that went into building them a colossal waste?
Maybe, but perhaps Brazil can come up with a plan to put the hulking structures to good use. “Casa Futebol,” an architectural proposal from the visionaries at 1 Week 1 Project, is probably not that plan, but its heart is in the right place. They’d like to convert the stadiums into much-needed housing complexes, leaving the fields untouched so people can still enjoy the occasional soccer game.
Axel de Stampa et Sylvain Macaux, architects based both in France and Chile, are responsible for the whimsical collaboration 1 Week 1 Project. The project, called Casa Futebol, would put an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 1,130-square-feet housing units into each new stadium, resulting in roughly 20,000 homes. Here’s the duo laying out their grand scheme:
…within the host country, the housing shortage is estimated to be at 5.2 million homes according to the institute of applied economic research. by analyzing the current structures of the athletic venues, the architects envision the possibility for alternative modes of housing that counteract the deficit to be placed within their spaces. the existing architecture requires mass amounts of light for its activities along with a common repetition of construction components that evenly divide spaces. these typological characteristics allow the dispersement of modules throughout the perimeter, where residents can have sunlit views to the interior and exterior. meanwhile, soccer games will continue to be played and watched by people from the city, where a portion of the profits can be used to finance the maintenance of the residences.
Macaux believes that the World Cup stadiums are so massive that “it is almost absurd.” And this high-concept design could easily accommodate many of the 250,000 people displaced by the World Cup. Despite the fact that this is being called an insane idea that would never become reality, I believe that Casa Futbol is a particularly exciting idea given Brazil’s serious issues with poverty and human displacement (two issues exacerbated by the 2014 World Cup). Hopefully, Macaux and de Stampa can turn this idea into a reality.
Check out the illustrations below:
The European Commission presented details of a new €100 million “Fast Track to Innovation” (FTI) pilot action and five innovation prizes under Horizon 2020, the European Union’s €80 billion research and innovation programme. The FTI aims to support Europe’s economy by offering innovative businesses and organisations grants to give a final push to get great ideas to market. The prizes offer a reward for technological breakthroughs of high societal relevance. The initiatives underscore the drive to support innovation in Europe as part of the first, two-year Horizon 2020 work programme. So, it appears the EU Commission has got religion about the new tech world. Let’s see what the details are:
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from owner-managed company based in the EU, which have developed innovative products or services and are now looking for additional capital for project financing. Other requirements are that the company has an annual turnover of less than EUR 50 million and fewer than 250 employees. The funded industries range from R&D driven biotech and energy companies up to the FinTech apps that would save costs for EU companies. The added value and innovative nature of the start-ups is what counts.
How much money do I get?
The grants are divided into different categories. Smaller amounts of funding of up to € 50,000 may be requested for the purpose of idea validation. Funding of half a million to € 2.5m are primarily for scaling of ideas or growth realization. There is no repayment obligation, which makes the funds all the more attractive. The financial aid is in fact not recognized as a loan but as equity excluding a transfer of shares of the company.
Where’s the catch?
There is no catch. The EU expects a very high demand. The competition is not sleeping. Therefore, the formal and substantive requirements of the application are very high. Each smallest form of error or inadequate answers to the questionnaire will result in disqualification. The content of the application will be evaluated by external industry experts on a point system. The main evaluation categories are:
How can I apply?
The application portfolio provides a maximum ten-page pitch deck and answering a questionnaire. But beware – The principle of awarding points is: “In God we trust, all others bring data”. The deck should be strong in number and based on facts and portray the idea of milestones, objectives, and resource utilization of the project clear and realistic. A detailed description of the added value and industry impacts of start-ups is essential. For funding in the amount of €0.5 to €2.5 million, a detailed business plan is needed.
When can I apply?
Every year there are four application rounds. The next dates are September 24th and December 17th 2014. Your startup has to apply to a certain round (so-called “Calls”), which are published on the website of Horizon 2020. The calls are aimed at different topics and industries – find your perfect call and off we go. The application costs nothing. On the Horizon 2020 site, you can get a first overview of the EU initiative and the current call.
Ryan Grepper from Portland, Oregon was sick of the traditional cooler. The regular cooler we know break easily and was just a pain to carry around on trips, so he came up with this brand new concept. Just watch and see what his new invention can do.
Apple and IBM are putting aside a rivalry started at the dawn of the personal-computing era to get more businesses to embrace iPhones and iPads. The two former rivals today announced a broad partnership to help companies deploy wireless devices and business-specific applications to run on them.
More than 100 new apps for iPhone and iPad will be programmed to represent various business process. IBM will also offer customized cloud services specifically designed for Apple devices and sell its customers iPhones and iPads.The deal could be a major growth factor for Apple: IBM is a major provider of IT services and technology equipment provider. Thus it could also be an important distribution channel for Apple. IBM Services will also offer an around the clock service for Apples devices. IBM for its part, lately having recorded stagnating sales could use a new impetus as well. Apple’s devices could act as a carthorse for the sale of IBM services. Seems like a win-win situation for both Companies.
The partnership is all the more spectacular because Apple once stood at loggerheads with IBM. When Apple developed its first personal computer in the mid-70s, IBM was the industry veteran and powerful rival – it was not foreseeable that in the end Microsoft Windows, would dominate the PC industry. 30 years ago, Apple’s legendary “1984” commercial spot was directed against an IBM dictatorship, the young founder Steve Jobs had his picture taken with a stinky finger under an IBM logo.
Nowadays there are no more overlaps between the business of the two Companies according to Apple’s Cook and IBM CEO Rometty. IBM sold its PC business about a decade ago to the Chinese company Lenovo. Although Apple sells its devices to companies, it does not provide enterprise software. Cook told the technology blog “Recode”, Apple and IBM fit together like puzzle pieces.
Coming to an agreement with your archrival that will benefit both sides is a pretty bold idea in my opinion. Well done Apple and IBM. Now the partnership just has to pay off in the long term. We’ll be there to assess if it did. Check out the video below to find out what Cook and Rometty had to say about the partnership:
http://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/3000292886/code/cnbcplayershare
Everyone seems mad at ReservationHop. I mean, it’s not quite the hottest topic on Twitter, but among the folks who have heard about it, the idea seems to have unleashed a shitstorm of creativity.
The idea, basically, is that ReservationHop will help users get a table at in-demand restaurants. How? The company will make reservations in advance, and then allow users to claim those reservations up until four hours ahead of time, for a price. (The startup says pricing starts at $5.)
To be clear, there have been some positive responses, and some neutral ones, but I think it’s fair to say that most of the tweets, particularly the most passionate ones, have been intensely negative. And beyond Twitter, Josh Ong at The Next Web described the idea as “sleazy” and as “tech enabled scalping.”
Others have noted that this could make it even harder for folks who don’t want to use ReservationHop to get a reservation, and have compared it to apps that basically allow users to sell street parking. At least ReservationHop isn’t dealing with public property, so isn’t likely to run into the same legal problems as those parking apps.
Despite the slams, ReservationHop founder Brian Mayer defended the concept itself. He pointed to other startups like Zurvu and Killer Rezzy that do something similar and to restaurants like Alinea that offer pre-paid tickets. He also said that he’s open to working directly with restaurants (which should help avoid one of the more awkward things about the current system — the fact that you have to claim a reservation that’s under a different name).
“There are a lot of claims that we are selling something that’s ‘free,’ Mayer added. “But if you think about it, there’s nothing free about restaurant seating. There’s a limited number of tables in high demand and there are very long wait times for walk-ins.”
Personally, I found the response to ReservationHop as interesting, or at least as entertaining, as the idea itself. Something about it must have struck a nerve of the people in the Bay Area. It will be interesting to see if and when the concept will be implemented in Europe. ReservationHop lists only US cities such as Boston, NYC or Seattle on their website as their next targets. More to come…
Want to eat healthier? Foodini is here to help.This awesome machine helps create savory or sweet cuisine made from fresh ingredients. Promoting cooking with fresh ingredients, Foodini manages the difficult and time-consuming parts of food preparation that often discourage people from creating homemade food. Throw some ingredients into the machine and it’ll automate the cooking preparation process by, for example, printing out individual ravioli instead of having to make the dough and fill and assemble each individual piece. See the revolution in cooking in action.
Urban planner Nick Falbo wants more people to ride bicycles and came up with a simple yet amazing idea of “protected intersections” for the George Mason University 2014 Outside the Box Competition. Take a look and you’ll see what he means…
Taking a weekend city trip is a great experience, but somehow it always seems like the locals are having all the fun. You, as the stranger on the other hand, all too often miss out on so many things. If you’ve visited Berlin, Germany, and wished you knew where to find the best entertainment or the “in” places to eat, most of the time you don’t have any other choice rather than checking what your travel guide suggests. Travel guides – designed to meet the interests of the greatest possible group of people by neglecting any type of individuality. The problem to be solved here is obvious, isn’t it?
“The local experience” is what everyone hopes for when taking a trip to a foreign city. Clare Freeman, world traveller and entrepreneur, provides just that. The concept of her startup My Plus One is simple: “Most of us travel these days and often know people abroad. But if you’re going somewhere you don’t know, perhaps for business or just an adventure, it’s easy to waste time seeing the wrong places, getting lost or ending up in tourist traps”, she explains on her website. Clare has launched the city break with a difference – you not only have a choice of selected hand-picked accommodations, you also get the company of a local resident who can show you where it’s all happening.
My Plus One has a selection of local guides who are chosen for their knowledge and passion of the city. When a guest makes their reservation, they choose what they wish to experience. There are many options to choose from, ranging from a coffee hangout with a local, just to get their tips and recommendations, up to a long booking when you go out with them. The costs differ (20-40€) but payment method doesn’t always have to be monetary: You may also choose to pay in the form of a gift or skill-share up to the value of the booking. For example, you could offer your Plus One an item of clothing, a bottle of wine, or perhaps a lesson in juggling! In short: it’s all a matter of negotiation between you and your local.
My Plus One launched in Berlin in March 2012 with 15 friends and one studio. Since then, the community has grown to nearly 100 locals and 14 accommodation partners across 5 cities (Berlin, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona). By now Claire has gathered a small team in Berlin, passionate about making travel more enjoyable, beneficial and interesting for all of us. What a great example of changing the way we travel by thinking outside the box. So before booking your next weekend city trip make sure to make this one a true local experience.
Picture: © http://www.myplusone.net
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