Equity

Isabelle Johansson, Head of the Startup Battlefield program and host of Build Mode, joins the discussion on 2026 tech predictions. The panel explores why AI agents are set to finally shine next year and the implications of a looming regulatory crisis. They dissect the rise of alternative funding sources for startups and the struggles faced by founders in a tightening VC market. Predictions fly regarding potential blockbuster IPOs for major players like OpenAI and Anthropic, alongside playful insights into industry buzzwords and future trends.

Conor McGinn, Co-founder and CEO of Akara, is on a mission to revolutionize operating room efficiency with AI. He reveals how hospitals lose 2-4 hours daily due to disorganized coordination. Conor discusses Akara's transition from robotics to using thermal sensors for sensitive data collection, ensuring privacy while enhancing OR management. He also addresses the impending nursing workforce crisis and why now is the time for automation. Ultimately, Conor highlights the need for hospitals to adopt smarter infrastructure to enable robot technology.

This week saw a shocking wave of bankruptcies from hardware companies like iRobot, Luminar, and Rad Power Bikes. Each faced unique challenges, including tariff pressures and supply chain struggles, reflecting a broader crisis in the hardware industry. Meanwhile, Amazon is reportedly making a massive $10 billion investment in OpenAI, raising questions about the circular economy of AI. Plus, they discuss a significant merger in the online education space with Coursera's acquisition of Udemy, amid growing concerns about AI's impact on content quality.

Jiten Behl, a partner at Eclipse Ventures and former chief growth officer at Rivian, dives into the future of industrial startups. He believes the U.S. is heading towards re-industrialization, propelled by AI-driven automation. Behl discusses the importance of combining optimism with realism in founders. He highlights Rivian's unique ability to spin out successful ventures and argues that vertical integration isn't as essential for startups today. Lastly, he predicts that tangible autonomy will reshape industry and society within the next five years.

A baby born in a Waymo makes headlines and sparks discussions about autonomous vehicles becoming part of everyday life. Netflix aims high with an $82 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, raising questions about market consolidation. Meanwhile, Boom Supersonic finds a novel way to fund jet engine development by selling to data centers. In tech innovation, Hinge's CEO is leaving to create an AI dating app, while a fertility startup explores the use of AI-designed antibodies for home diagnostics.

Mati Staniszewski, Co-founder and CEO of ElevenLabs, reveals how the company evolved from two annoyed engineers into a $6.6 billion AI powerhouse. He shares bold predictions about voice models becoming commoditized and discusses ElevenLabs' pivot towards conversational AI and music generation. Mati tackles challenges like AI deepfakes with innovative solutions and emphasizes the enduring value of human-created content. He envisions a future where AI democratizes creativity, enabling more creators to thrive in the audio landscape.

AWS is launching AI tools, but can it truly compete in a market dominated by leaders? Hollywood is setting boundaries on AI's role in filmmaking while grappling with potential regulations. There's a buzz around Nothing's $5 million funding that's raising questions about genuine community engagement. Autolane's innovative funding aims to create a control system for robotaxis. Meanwhile, Spotify's viral Wrapped feature sparks a competition with others seeking their own versions of this fan-favorite annual recap.

Masha Bucher, founder and general partner of Day One Ventures, shares her unique blend of venture capital and PR expertise. She discusses the flaws in traditional PR models for startups and why being a VC enhances her supporting role. Masha emphasizes the need for founders to be active across multiple platforms and offers insights on how she identifies exceptional founders. She also touches on the importance of ethical considerations and the role of storytelling in tech, highlighting strategies that have helped portfolio companies thrive.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Copplestone, co-founder and CEO of Supabase, shares insights on building a $5 billion open-source database platform. He reveals his unique approach to rejecting lucrative enterprise contracts to focus on vibe coding, which he believes is shaping the future of tech. Paul dives into the scalability of Postgres, the importance of maintaining a strong developer experience, and how AI is redefining coding for both veterans and newcomers. He also emphasizes the ongoing need for skilled developers, even in an AI-driven landscape.

Dennis Green-Lieber, co-founder of AI-driven consumer intelligence platform Propane, dives deep into the evolution of the Nordic startup scene. He discusses how Denmark's social safety net allows founders to take risks without fear of personal ruin, leading to a surge in ambitious startups. Green-Lieber highlights free access to quantum computing resources and the competitive edge it gives to deep-tech ventures. He also explores the cultural shift towards greater transparency, longer employee tenures, and the rapid acceleration of innovation in the region.