Good evening!
I’m on the hunt for new recipes. Reply with your favorite quick, delicious weeknight meal!
Here are the 7 things you missed today:
1. ✂️ Ozempic Maker Novo Nordisk is Cutting Jobs Due to Weight-Loss Drug Competition
Novo Nordisk, the Danish maker of Ozempic, is cutting approximately 9,000 jobs, amounting to around 11% of its global workforce, in response to intensifying competition from drugs like Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and cheaper alternatives. About half of these layoffs target its home base in Denmark. The restructuring is expected to generate annual savings of about $1.25 billion by the end of 2026, and CEO Mike Doustdar called the move part of building a “performance-based culture” and ensuring investment where it matters most. (Quartz)
2. 🤖 Brands Face New Battle as AI Search Replaces Google
Generative AI engines like ChatGPT and Gemini are reshaping discovery. If your brand isn’t showing up in AI answers, you’re invisible to buyers.
Peec AI helps marketing teams uncover what users are asking, measure visibility and sentiment, and spot competitor advantages.
3. 🥪 Potbelly was Acquired by a Popular Convenience Store Operator
RaceTrac, a family-owned operator of over 800 convenience stores in America, is acquiring sandwich chain Potbelly in a $566 million all-cash deal. Potbelly’s shares spiked more than 30% following the announcement. The deal is expected to close towards the end of this year, and is expected to value Potbelly’s shares at $17.12 each. (CNBC)
4. 🛡️ Rest Easy. Your Website’s Security and Performance Handled
Worried about downtime or security breaches?
WebXpress takes care of the heavy lifting, so you can focus on growing your business (and get that much-needed shut eye). Their expert team acts as your website’s vigilant guardian, handling development, monitoring, and optimization, ensuring your site is secure and ready to attract new business.
5. 🚁 Uber Will Soon Offer Helicopter and Seaplane Rides
Trying to visit your out-of-state friend? You might be able to call an Uber helicopter to get there, thanks to a new partnership with Joby Aviation. The rideshare company announced that it’ll soon allow customers to travel by air via a seaplane or helicopter, and we could see them in the app as early as next year. When asked how much they plan on charging, Uber was a bit cagey about it, which leads me to believe it won’t be very cheap. (Quartz)
6. 🐧 AI Gaming Startup Born Wants to Build Robots to Fight the Loneliness Epidemic
AI startup Born raised $15 million in Series A funding, bringing its total to $25 million, from investors like Accel, Tencent, and Laton Ventures to fuel its expansion of social AI companions. Its flagship app (which has already reached over 15 million users globally) features Pengu, a virtual pet that users co-parent and interact with via intentionally social minigames designed to help strengthen real-world bonds. Born plans to roll out new AI characters beyond Pengu and target broader youth-centric social AI products. (Tech Crunch)
7. 🌧️ Stripe Competition Rainforest Raises $29M Series B
Fintech startup Rainforest is coming for Stripe’s crown, securing $29 million in a Series B round co-led by Matrix Partners and Infinity Ventures, with participation from Accel, Tech Square Ventures, and The Fintech Fund. Rainforest offers payments-as-a-service tailored specifically for vertical software platforms, unlike Stripe and Adyen, which were initially built for merchants and later retrofitted for those platforms. The company plans to use the new funds to expand its team (currently over 40 employees), scale into Canada, and develop new features like tap-to-phone and alternative payment methods. (Crunchbase)
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