Noteworthy Information

[Intermediate] Building a data team at a mid-stage startup

A story of a new data team leader successfully growing the team and building a data-first culture in a medium-sized technology company: depicting the initial state of the company with data in many different places, frustrated ML researchers who can’t get their research into production, and confusion over what the data team is actually for - some of the experiences you might relate to.

[Simple] Monetising Personal Data in Dragons' Den (Video: 9:56m)

Great pitching skills and interesting pointer's of valuation and business models for personal data.

Bankrupt startup uBiome auctioned for 1% of its original valuation

What happens to personal data acquired during bankruptcy? My impression is that it's a mess, for all startup bankruptcies (not just this one). Firms that handle bankruptcies aren't remotely familiar with the tech, they don't know the difference between digital assets and office furniture.
I could speculate about security concerns, especially when assets are sold internationally... (and I've never seen anyone worried about this, which baffles me?)... the reality is probably the data almost always goes stale, becomes unreadable, and gets lost/forgotten.

VCs Align Around New Beliefs

Investment Tools to Reinforce a Better Data Economy That Puts People First. Read also “Venture Capital not just for maximum financial returns” by @j12t.

Creating a better data economy

Some movement in the venture capital world: Omidyar Network investment partner Magdi Amin about last week’s meeting in Seattle of VCs interested in investing in startups that treat personal data right.

Vake launches a MyData Accelerator

The Finnish State Development Company Vake launches the MyData Accelerator during autumn 2019 in collaboration with the Technology Industries of Finland. We invite companies, public organisations and others to join the Accelerator – everyone who has enthusiasm and true interest in developing a MyData service or data resources as well as user validation at the end of the accelerator period. Our goal is to accelerate the development of the whole Finnish MyData ecosystem by means of peer and expert sparring.

The Algorithmic Colonization of Africa

Startups are importing and imposing AI systems founded on individualistic and capitalist drives. “Mining” people for data is reminiscent of the colonizer attitude that declares humans as raw material.

SITRA: Open call for startups

Hey #Startups! Do you have a business idea with strong mission and values? @SitraFund's #IHAN project brings startups and #investors together at #MyData2019.

5 data privacy startups cashing in on GDPR

Companies are capitalizing on the growing global demand for data privacy tools - to meet both regulatory compliance and consumer expectations.


Questions Asked

Looking for MyData Startups in or nearby Silicon Valley

If you are an entrepreneur who is currently fundraising, or has been fundraising recently (successfully or unsuccessfully) located in or around or with ties to Silicon Valley, for a company that follows MyData principles, please get in touch with me.

Calling all MyData Startups

Calling all MyData startups: If you work for one, or if you know of an interesting startup company that follows MyData principles (regardless of whether they are a member or not), can you tell us about them?