Few VCs are experts in machine learning or building deep learning frameworks, but most of them are pretty good with unit economics.<\/p>\n
Which is why they\u2019re laser-focused on generative AI\u2019s tech stack.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s infrastructure, middleware, applications or something else, investors are looking for founders who can dig defensible moats and dominate.<\/p>\n
Full TechCrunch+ articles are only available to members. According to Leonard Wossnig, CTO of biopharmaceutical startup LabGenius, \u201cthe true value proposition of AI companies now lies not just within the models, but also predominantly in the underpinning datasets.\u201d<\/p>\n Due to \u201ca noticeable lack of substantial differentiation,\u201d he says these models \u201care rapidly becoming commodities.\u201d<\/p>\n In this TC+ column, he presents questions that will help nontechnical VCs<\/a> gauge a company\u2019s \u201cdata quality . . . and what could go wrong if the data\u2019s not up to scratch,\u201d along with frameworks that show how each layer in the stack creates value.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let the headline fool you: If you work inside an early-stage AI startup, you need to know which angles of attack investors are likely to take when probing your pitch for flaws.<\/p>\n TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 ended yesterday, and out of all the events I\u2019ve attended since working here, this one was my favorite.<\/p>\n I moderated three panel discussions with investors, hosted a Q&A with TC+ columnist Sophie Alcorn, and I had the great pleasure of meeting and talking to scores of early-stage founders in the halls at Moscone Center.<\/p>\n We\u2019re all still catching our collective breath as my co-workers fly home to places like Pittsburgh, Paris and Providence, but keep an eye out next week for our recaps from Disrupt.<\/p>\n We uncovered a ton of actionable business intelligence and had some fun along the way.<\/p>\n Cheers,<\/p>\n Walter Thompson Image Credits:<\/strong> Westend61 (opens in a new window)<\/span><\/a> \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For his latest TC+ column, growth marketer Jonathan Martinez dug into a topic every startup faces at some point: How to allocate a budget for your first paid marketing campaign.<\/p>\n Starting with a hypothetical $10,000 budget, Martinez answers the following questions:<\/p>\n \u201cIn the early days of your startup, it\u2019s important to be as efficient as possible, not only with this $10K budget, but also with your time,\u201d he writes.<\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Jorge Greuel (opens in a new window)<\/span><\/a> \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBuild versus buy\u201d is a problem every startup faces, but in the era of generative AI, it can be an existential question.<\/p>\n Building an LLM from the ground up costs more than most companies want to pay, and modifying one to meet your specific needs requires costly data preparation.<\/p>\n \u201cIn contrast, prompt architecting involves leveraging existing LLMs without modifying the model itself or its training data,\u201d says Victoria Albrecht, co-founder and CEO of Springbok AI.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead, it combines a complex and cleverly engineered series of prompts to deliver consistent output.\u201d<\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Bryce Durbin\/TechCrunch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dear Sophie,<\/strong><\/p>\n My startup is hiring. A leading candidate for one of the positions has an H-1B visa and has been waiting for an EB-2 green card for more than four years. This will be the first time our startup will navigate immigration.<\/strong><\/p>\n Can you explain the H-1B visa and EB-2 green card transfer process? When do you stick with EB-2? The \u201cVisa Bulletin\u201d changed?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 Curious Co-Founder<\/strong><\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Rosa Mar\u00eda Fern\u00e1ndez Rz (opens in a new window)<\/span><\/a> \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Software as a service is wide open, but deep tech founders hoping to connect with investors have a unique set of problems.<\/p>\n New technology often takes a long time to monetize, which means there\u2019s a small community of VCs who have relevant interest and experience. During a downturn, that cohort can get even smaller.<\/p>\n Bucking the odds, French photonics company Cailabs acquired seed funding during a down market in 2013.<\/p>\n \u201cHere we share the lessons we learned, which can help other deep tech founders looking for funding during a downturn,\u201d writes founder\/CEO Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Morizur in TC+.<\/p>\n Retro game console controller. Image Credits:<\/strong> mr_morton \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Web3 gaming encourages players to earn NFTs and cryptocurrency and enables them to make collective decisions about the worlds they inhabit.<\/p>\n Investors and developers are expressing interest, but \u201cweb3 gaming still has some pretty difficult hurdles to overcome before it can go mainstream,\u201d writes Jacquelyn Melinek.<\/p>\n
Use discount code TCPLUSROUNDUP<\/strong><\/a> to save 20% off a one- or two-year subscription.<\/i><\/p>\n
Editorial Manager, TechCrunch+
@yourprotagonist<\/a><\/p>\nHow to spend your first $10K on paid ads<\/h2>\n
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Instead of fine-tuning an LLM as a first approach, try prompt architecting instead<\/h2>\n
![\"digitally](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1340339939.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAsk Sophie: Can you explain the H-1B visa, EB-2 green card transfer and Visa Bulletin?<\/h2>\n
![\"lone](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow deep tech founders can secure early-stage fundraising in a downturn<\/h2>\n
![\"Tin](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1288314445.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGet the TechCrunch+ Roundup newsletter in your inbox!<\/h2>\n
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To receive the TechCrunch+ Roundup as an email each Tuesday and Friday, scroll down to find the \u201csign up for newsletters\u201d section on this page, select \u201cTechCrunch+ Roundup,\u201d enter your email, and click \u201csubscribe.\u201d<\/p>\nClick here to subscribe<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
8 web3 gaming experts discuss hurdles and opportunities in the road to wider adoption<\/h2>\n
![\"Retro](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-157437668.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDon\u2019t use builds, reveals or animations in your pitch deck<\/h2>\n
![\"Girl](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1145103070.jpg\")
<\/p>\n