Important Innovations

  Big Bucks to Back Green Energy & Climate Projects                               Source: Renewable energy stock image "Green Roadmap" to Greener Environment Europe is putting big money behind its .commitment to a greener future.  European Union governments have approved $1.2 trillion in funding, which they call a "green roadmap" for the European Union's lending.  This new funding plan will stop financing of fossil fuel projects and move the lending over to green projects, such as renewable energy.  It's the European Investment Bank's Climate Bank. $1.2 Trillion For This Decade The $1.2 trillion in funding will be spent by 2030.  All the financing activity will be in sync with the Paris Climate Accord goals. Projects particularly in focus are those related to climate, biodiversity and sustainably focused projects.  The European Union has stated on many occasions that it desires to "lead on the fight of Climate Change" and play a leading rol

  Shanghai and California Based Autonomous Driving Company                                                                                Source:  Pony.ai Lexus SUV Backed by Toyota China startup Pony.ai has just secured $267 million, on top of a recent $462 million, in another round of funding. That values the company at $5.3 billion, which makes it the world's most valuable independent autonomous driving startup. It has a much higher valuation than rivals Nuro and Aurora. Toyota Backed The Shanghai and Fremont, California based company is backed by Toyota, with which it is exploring mobility solutions.  Bottom-line:  this is a very hot startup.  And the funding for it comes at a time when global automakers, technology firms and investors, as well as Tesla, Uber and Waymo, are pouring money into developing self-driving vehicles. Timeline and Plans Pony.ai plans to use the funding to develop technology and expand its fleet.  In early 2019, it started developing autonomous truck tec

  Satellite Launching Business                                                  Source:  Virgin Orbit Targets $1 Billion Valuation Richard Branson's satellite launching business Virgin Orbit hopes to raise $200 million in a round of funding.  That would place the valuation of the company at $1 Billion.  The money will be used to fund satellite launches and for capital expenditures.   The Wall Street Journal first reported Branson's target of $200 million in funding. 747 Jumbo Jet Approach Branson is using highly modified 747 jumbo jets to launch, from mid air, rockets carrying satellites and place them in orbit.  The target market is small satellites ranging from the size of a toaster to a household refrigerator.  The satellites are placed in low Earth orbit for highly sophisticated services ranging from commercial applications to national security information gathering.  Launches can originate from any airports capable of 747 take-offs and landings. Space Competition Virgin Or

Another $472 Million in Funds from US Government Source:  Moderna Cambridge, MA Potentially Quick Vaccine Development and Delivery Cambridge, MA based Moderna just announced it has received an additional $472 million in funding from the US government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).  That brings the total from BARDA to support the development of Moderna's novel COVID vaccine to $955 million. mRNA Moderna is the first pharma company in the US to begin human trials on a COVID vaccine.  Tomorrow, July 27th, a Phase 3 study  involving 30,000 participants will get underway with Moderna collaborating with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.  Moderna's vaccine candidate uses synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) to help the body immunize against the virus. Potential Quick Delivery Moderna says it can deliver 500,000 doses of the vaccine per year and possibly 1 billion doses per year starting in 2021.  Experts say thei

Elon Musk's Boring Company - Hyperloops and Loops Source:  The Boring Company CEO Elon Musk Successful Round of Funding There is nothing boring about Elon Musk's Boring Company. The entrepreneur plans to revolutionize transportation with a series of underground vacuum tubes for his Hyperloop and also his Loop system.  He just raised $117 million in funding from investors to advance his plans which include systems in LA, DC, Chicago and elsewhere.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Hyperloop's Boring Co. Raises Millions : Successful New Round of Funding Source:  Boring Company CEO Alon Musk Plans for LA, Chicago, Baltimore and More Elon Musk's Bori...

$750 million in Funding Meatless Burger Sensation Impossible Burger was one of the big hits at the Consumer Electronics Show 2019.  In fact, the meatless, plant-based burger was a star of the show with the public and journalists.  They loved the taste. Impossible Foods Today, the company behind it Impossible Foods announced that it raised $300 million from investors in its latest round of funding.  That brings the grand total to $750 million, leading up to a possible initial public offering. Stanford University Entrepreneur The company was founded by a Stanford University Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Pat O'Reilly Brown.  His product at the CES 2019 received rave reviews on taste, texture and appearance.  Impossible Burger is already sold in 7,000 restaurants worldwide, including at Disney Theme Parks.  Burger King is launching the Impossible Whopper with the Impossible meatless patties in a nationwide rollout at all of its US stores this year. $6 Billion Global

Nimble Approach to Beat Global Competition in AI and Technology Development The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA just announced a bold program to accelerate the "3rd wave" of artificial intelligence innovation.  It's going to fund 18 month experiments of potential AI breakthroughs. Super Fast Turnaround To jumpstart this, DARPA is speeding up contracting and funding of innovative concepts to within 3 months of their initial announcement.  The DARPA team will determine the value and the feasibility of the project within 18 months.  The funding awards could be up to $1 million each. DARPA's Goal DARPA is the force behind the creation of the internet, GPS, cloud computing, drones and much more.  It's mission is to provide the US military with overwhelming technological advantages.  The purpose of this quick turnaround AI innovation advancement program is clear.  DARPA wants the US to outpace competing global AI and techno