Willow Ventures

Building systems of trust in the age of AI while staying human at heart | Insights by Willow Ventures

Building systems of trust in the age of AI while staying human at heart | Insights by Willow Ventures

Building Trust Through Effective Advocacy Systems When I joined HubSpot as a former customer, I faced the unique challenge of modernizing an outdated customer reference system. In this blog post, I will share insights on how we transformed our advocacy processes, making them more efficient and impactful. Understanding Advocacy Work Advocacy is often perceived as […]

How superintelligent AI could rob us of agency, free will, and meaning | Insights by Willow Ventures

How superintelligent AI could rob us of agency, free will, and meaning | Insights by Willow Ventures

The Ancient Debate: Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yoshua, and the Future of AI As we navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence, lessons from ancient debates can shed light on modern dilemmas. The discussions between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yoshua illustrate the importance of human agency amid the potential rise of AI superintelligence. The Talmudic Debate In […]

Valve discontinued the last remaining LCD model of the Steam Deck | Insights by Willow Ventures

Valve discontinued the last remaining LCD model of the Steam Deck | Insights by Willow Ventures

The End of the Steam Deck LCD: What You Need to Know The Steam Deck has taken the gaming world by storm, but recent changes could alter your purchasing decisions. Valve has officially ceased production of the LCD models, which means potential buyers may face new pricing options. Goodbye, LCD Model Valve recently announced on […]

Sequoia partner spreads debunked Brown shooting theory, testing new leadership | Insights by Willow Ventures

Sequoia partner spreads debunked Brown shooting theory, testing new leadership | Insights by Willow Ventures

Sequoia Capital Partner Faces Backlash Over False Accusations Shaun Maguire, a partner at Sequoia Capital, has stirred controversy once again after making unfounded accusations against a Palestinian student in connection with a tragic mass shooting at Brown University. This incident has raised serious concerns about Maguire’s social media behavior and its implications for the venture […]

Cursor continues acquisition Spree with Graphite deal | Insights by Willow Ventures

Cursor continues acquisition Spree with Graphite deal | Insights by Willow Ventures

Anysphere Acquires Graphite: A Strategic Move in AI Coding Solutions Anysphere, the parent company of the AI-enabled coding assistant Cursor, has made headlines with its recent acquisition of Graphite, a startup specializing in AI-driven code review and debugging. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the efficiency of software development processes, marrying code generation with robust […]

Google Research 2025: Bolder breakthroughs, bigger impact | Insights by Willow Ventures

Google Research 2025: Bolder breakthroughs, bigger impact | Insights by Willow Ventures

AI as an Amplifier of Human Ingenuity In today’s world, we are witnessing an incredible surge in research and innovation, driven by rapid technological advancements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role, transforming ideas into actionable solutions that elevate human potential across various fields. The Magic Cycle of Research Research is entering a golden age, […]

A differentially private framework for gaining insights into AI chatbot use | Insights by Willow Ventures

A differentially private framework for gaining insights into AI chatbot use | Insights by Willow Ventures

Understanding Generative AI: A Comprehensive Guide Generative AI is revolutionizing various industries by creating unique content, from images to text. This advanced technology holds immense potential, making it essential to understand how it works and its applications. What is Generative AI? Generative AI refers to algorithms that generate new content by learning patterns from existing […]

Gemini provides automated feedback for theoretical computer scientists at STOC 2026 | Insights by Willow Ventures

Gemini provides automated feedback for theoretical computer scientists at STOC 2026 | Insights by Willow Ventures

Acknowledgements: Recognizing Contributions to Our Project In any collaborative project, acknowledging the contributions of team members is essential. This blog post highlights the key contributors to our recent initiative and expresses gratitude for their invaluable support and expertise. Project Leadership The project was co-led by Vincent Cohen-Addad, Rajesh Jayaram, Jon Schneider, and David Woodruff. Their […]

Monzo board reportedly pushed out CEO Anil over IPO timing | Insights by Willow Ventures

Monzo board reportedly pushed out CEO Anil over IPO timing | Insights by Willow Ventures

Monzo CEO TS Anil Steps Down Amid Board Tensions In a surprising move, TS Anil, the CEO of Monzo, has been asked to step down by the fintech company’s board. This decision raises questions about the future direction of Monzo, particularly concerning its international expansion plans. Leadership Tensions and IPO Timing According to reports from […]

Study shows Instacart may be charging some shoppers 20% more for the same product | Insights by Willow Ventures

Study shows Instacart may be charging some shoppers 20% more for the same product | Insights by Willow Ventures

Are Price Hikes on Instacart Due to Dynamic Pricing? In a recent study by Consumer Reports, it’s alleged that Instacart is utilizing AI-driven dynamic pricing experiments that significantly inflate grocery costs. The findings raise important questions about pricing transparency in online shopping. What Did the Study Reveal? Consumer Reports, in collaboration with Groundwork Collaborative, found […]

The best subscription box gifts for 2025 | Insights by Willow Ventures

The best subscription box gifts for 2025 | Insights by Willow Ventures

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Best Subscription Box Gifts Subscription boxes are the perfect present for anyone who enjoys the excitement of receiving surprises throughout the year. With just one thoughtful choice, you can bring joy to your loved ones long after the holiday season has ended. Why Choose Subscription Boxes as Gifts? Subscription […]

VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power | Insights by Willow Ventures

VCs discuss why most consumer AI startups still lack staying power | Insights by Willow Ventures

The Future of Consumer AI: Challenges and Opportunities As the generative AI revolution continues to unfold, startups are predominantly focusing on business applications rather than consumer products. Even after three years, specialized consumer AI applications are still finding their footing in a competitive landscape. The Shift in Consumer AI Applications Despite rapid adoption of general-purpose […]

Lightspeed raises record $9B in fresh capital | Insights by Willow Ventures

Lightspeed raises record $9B in fresh capital | Insights by Willow Ventures

The Rise of Major VC Firms Amidst Market Challenges The venture capital landscape is experiencing significant shifts as investors adapt to a challenging market environment. A surge of investments from the 2021 bubble has prompted limited partners to focus their resources on established firms with proven success. Lightspeed Venture Partners: A Historic Fundraise Lightspeed Venture […]

Google pulls AI-generated videos of Disney characters from YouTube in response to cease and desist | Insights by Willow Ventures

Google pulls AI-generated videos of Disney characters from YouTube in response to cease and desist | Insights by Willow Ventures

Google’s Crackdown on Disney Characters in AI-Generated Videos In recent developments, Google is tightening its policies around the use of Disney characters in AI-generated videos on YouTube. Following a cease-and-desist letter from Disney, the tech giant has begun removing numerous videos featuring popular characters. The Cease-and-Desist Letter Disney recently accused Google of “infringing Disney’s copyrights […]

India's Spinny lines up $160M funding to acquire GoMechanic, sources say | Insights by Willow Ventures

India’s Spinny lines up $160M funding to acquire GoMechanic, sources say | Insights by Willow Ventures

Spinny Sets Out to Acquire GoMechanic in Major Funding Round Spinny, a leading Indian online marketplace for used cars, is gearing up to raise approximately $160 million to finance the acquisition of car services startup GoMechanic. This significant move marks a pivotal point in Spinny’s strategy to integrate across various segments of the automotive industry. […]