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I Tracked My Glucose Levels With My Favorite Fitness Tracker. These 3 Takeaways Surprised Me

As a wellness editor and writer, I’m constantly experimenting with the latest health tech, so I was naturally intrigued when I learned that Oura Ring partnered with Dexcom’s Stelo, a continuous glucose monitor designed for people without diabetes. The goal of this collaboration is to help everyday people like me understand how food and general […]

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As a wellness editor and writer, I’m constantly experimenting with the latest health tech, so I was naturally intrigued when I learned that Oura Ring partnered with Dexcom’s Stelo, a continuous glucose monitor designed for people without diabetes. The goal of this collaboration is to help everyday people like me understand how food and general eating habits impact blood sugar and overall health. 

“By combining Stelo data with Oura’s existing insights, we’re empowering members to better understand the cause-and-effect relationships between eating patterns, energy, mood and recovery — and ultimately make sustainable, science-backed lifestyle changes,” Maz Brumand, vice president of product for Oura, told CNET.

Health Tips

I’ve used my Oura Ring daily for the past three years to track my sleep, recovery and stress. But it was the first time I heard that a fitness tracker can monitor blood sugar levels. I tested the Stelo CGM with my Oura Ring for two weeks, and I can say that it changed the way I eat and move, and I think this type of biofeedback is helpful for everyone, even if you do not have diabetes.

What is continuous glucose monitoring, and why is it important?

Your blood sugar, or blood glucose, refers to the measurement of sugar in your blood. According to the Cleveland Clinic, glucose is the main source of energy for your body — it’s what powers your muscles, brain and even your cells. When you eat certain foods (particularly carbohydrates), your glucose rises, and your body responds by releasing insulin to shuttle that sugar into cells for energy or storage. On the flip side, if you experience frequent spikes or crashes (even if you don’t have diabetes ), it can impact your energy, sleep, mood and even long-term metabolic health. When your body doesn’t need glucose immediately, it stores it as glycogen in your muscles and liver.

For people with diabetes, monitoring glucose levels is crucial. But is it important to do the same for the rest of us without a diagnosis? To an extent, I think so. Monitoring your blood sugar throughout the day and seeing how your body reacts to different foods can reveal a lot about your cravings, sleep and metabolic health. “Glucose is a real-time window into metabolic health, which underpins how we feel day to day — our energy, focus, mood and sleep — and how resilient we are over time,” Brumand says.

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Oura

With the rise of wearable glucose sensors like Stelo, those without diabetes can now get insights into how their eating habits impact their bodies (without finger pricks or a prescription).

What is a ‘normal’ glucose range, and are spikes bad?

Before using a CGM, I thought blood sugar was either stable or erratic, with no room for in-between spikes. Once I began tracking my glucose daily, I quickly learned that spikes are completely normal, especially after meals and snacks.

Most people will see glucose levels rise and drop throughout the day. According to the American Diabetes Association, a general target range for adults without pre-diabetes or diabetes is between 70 and 140mg/dL (note that Oura also follows this range, and it’s what users can expect to see in their graphs). It’s also worth highlighting that 70 to 100mg/dL is considered normal for fasting (particularly in the morning before having food), and under 140 mg/dL is common, especially after meals.

“Clinical studies show that even in healthy individuals, a moderate glucose spike (rise above 140mg/dL) can occur on a daily basis. In fact, research suggests that healthy adults will live above 140mg/dL for about 30 minutes, up to 2 hours a day, which is usually 1 to 3 short-lived glucose spikes”, says Renee Fitton, registered dietitian and director of education at L-Nutra, a nutrition technology company.

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Oura

Fitton further explained that the number and frequency of glucose spikes depend on various factors, primarily what and when you’re eating. These spiked can also be affected by other factors like stress level, exercise, dehydration and even whether you have a sunburn.

Many glucose monitors use a custom range that adapts to your body’s baseline and patterns over time. When looking at your graph, it’s important to keep in mind that context and trends matter more than one-off spikes. For example, seeing a spike after dessert isn’t a sign that something is wrong. It’s a sign that your body is doing its job. What matters most is how quickly your glucose returns to baseline and how often your levels stay elevated over time.

“I would not see signs for concern for occasional (one to three times per day) moderate spikes (less than 160mg/dL) that resolve within about 30 mins. When reaching more frequent, especially if they are higher spikes (for example, above 180mg/dL), that take a long time to resolve (over 60 minutes), then there may be concerns about metabolic health,” Fitton explained. “A completely flat glucose curve is not something that we aim for; you want some gentle ups and downs as a sign of healthy metabolic flexibility.”

How I set up the Stelo monitor with my Oura Ring

You can order the Stelo sensor through ouraring.com ($99 for two sensors). I received a small box with the sensors and easy instructions. Applying it to the back of my upper arm took less than 2 minutes and was surprisingly painless. And yes, there is a small needle involved. I’m terrified of needles, so I spent some time mentally preparing to prick myself, but to my disbelief, I didn’t feel it at all. The sound the ejector makes is pretty loud, though. I sometimes think the sound acted as a diversion to my brain, and that’s why I didn’t feel anything. But, nonetheless, it was a pretty pain-free experience. Once in place, I paired it to the Stelo app, and it automatically reflected within the Oura app. Each sensor tracks your glucose level 24/7 for up to 15 days.

Left Image: CGM in the self-injector. Right image: CGM on the back of my right arm.

Left Image: CGM in the self-injector. Right image: CGM on the back of my right arm.

Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET

From the Oura app, I could see how my glucose levels fluctuated throughout the day. You can easily access it at the top of the app, where you also see other data metrics like sleep, heart rate, activity and readiness score (a personalized score, ranging from 0 to 100, that provides a snapshot of how well your body has recovered from the previous day’s activities and sleep).

How even my ‘healthy’ food choices raised my blood sugar (and that’s OK)

One of the most eye-opening parts of my testing was seeing how some of my favorite healthy staples played out on the glucose graph. A great example of this was my favorite pressed juice.

I had a pressed juice in the morning that contained pineapple, beets, carrots, ginger, cucumber and lemon. It’s nutrient-dense, but it also spiked my glucose above what’s considered my healthy range for about 6  minutes (a small window and still considered optimal for my age and overall metabolic health). This was enough to make me rethink how and when I consume fruit-heavy beverages.

The next day, I experimented with having a fruit smoothie instead of juice. I made a homemade smoothie with berries, banana, plant-based protein powder, peanut butter, soy milk and oats. This smoothie kept my glucose completely in range (zero minutes above my personal threshold). The added protein and fiber from the fruit, oatmeal, peanut butter and protein powder helped slow the absorption of natural sugars into my bloodstream.

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Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET

What I learned: Even natural fruit juices can cause glucose spikes, especially when consumed on an empty stomach and without any protein or fiber. Smoothies that include protein, fat and fiber can help keep spikes at bay and help stabilize your energy levels.

Balance your meals with protein, fats and fiber 

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Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET

Later that week, I had sushi rolls with a side of edamame for dinner. To my surprise, my glucose levels stayed within range the whole time. Oura Advisor (Oura’s AI coach) even pointed out that this food combination offered protein and fiber, which likely contributed to the steady glucose levels. This moment was really encouraging for me. It made me realize that I don’t need to drastically change what I eat. By just being more intentional about how I pair my foods, I can drastically improve the impact they have on my blood glucose. Pairing your foods with healthy fats like avocados, nuts, seeds and olive oil can also slow digestion and therefore the absorption of sugars. 

Fitton explains that this is primarily due to what happens in our digestive tract, even before the nutrients get to our bloodstream. Protein, fiber and healthy fats work in their own way to slow the absorption of simple carbohydrates into the bloodstream, making a slower, more gradual release of sugars into the blood. These factors turn what could be a glucose spike into a steady rise that your body can clear gradually.

“The biggest area of concern when managing our blood sugar levels is limiting refined carbohydrates. When you do choose a refined-carb item (a plain cracker, white flour tortilla, cookies, etc.), try to pair it instead of eating it solo: add cheese, nut butter or a handful of edamame to blunt the glucose rise, and choose a higher-fiber version of your carbohydrate source when possible (for example, whole-grain crackers) so the carbs come packaged with their own speed limit,” Fitton says.

Cake and a walk equal steady blood sugar?

One of the more surprising things I learned was that blood sugar stability isn’t just about what you eat. It’s also about what you do after you eat. One afternoon, I had a slice of cake for a snack. No fiber or protein added, just the cake (I had lunch a few hours before).

Instead of my blood sugar spiking, my glucose levels remained steadily in range. The caveat? I took a brisk walk after having my dessert. It wasn’t anything strenuous, just a short 15-minute walk around my neighborhood. But it was enough to help my body process and use the glucose more efficiently.

“The body knows that exercise demands more energy, and so it helps open up our cells to soak up sugar (energy) and remove it from our blood. A 10-minute walk burns about 30 to 40 calories, and your body will get that energy from circulating glucose or stored glycogen,” Fitton explained.

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After eating cake and going for a walk, my blood sugar saw a slight spike, but stayed within range.

Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET

Taking a walk after meals has long been recommended by experts for metabolic health, but seeing the effect in real time made it click for me. I do think that having the cake after having a balanced meal with protein and fiber also contributed to my steady levels of blood sugar.

Sometimes, it’s not about completely eliminating our favorite treats or carbs, but more so about timing, food pairing and movement.

3 ways I learned to flatten my glucose curve without sacrificing my favorite meals

Before using the glucose sensor with Oura, I assumed blood sugar spikes were mostly about foods and how they impact your body. I also thought the only way to manage them was to cut carbs or drastically change my diet. But over these two weeks, I experienced firsthand how and when I eat (and move) matter just as much as what I eat. I learned that these three strategies helped keep my glucose levels in check.

Pair carbs and sweets with protein, fiber and healthy fats

When I had a berry smoothie with protein powder and soy milk, my glucose levels stayed steady. In contrast, when I had a fruit smoothie earlier that week, my blood sugar levels spiked and crashed more quickly.

Takeaway: Carbs on their own, especially refined and processed carbs, can spike blood sugar quickly, but adding protein or fat slows digestion and leads to a more gentle spike.

Food pairing examples: Apples and peanut butter, toast with avocado, rice with beans or another protein.

gettyimages-1174883955

Daniela Duncan/Getty Images

Walk it out (especially after sweets)

When I had cake as a snack, I was sure my graph would spike dramatically, but it didn’t because of my walk (and eating a balanced meal before).

A simple walk, even just 10 to 15 minutes, can help offset blood sugar spikes. This small but simple habit helps me now enjoy treats without the crash later.

Timing your food matters

I also noticed that when I ate higher-carb foods earlier in the day, my body processed them better than when I had them later at night. Breakfast smoothies and bowls kept my levels stable, while the same smoothie after 9 p.m. caused more spikes.

“When it comes to blood sugar management, we see that in the morning our body usually has a spike in cortisol (a stress hormone) that can actually help our body take up sugar very quickly and quickly manage blood sugar. Eating in the morning will also calm the cortisol response, reducing the stress on your body. If you wait too long to eat, excess cortisol can create inflammation and also produce larger glucose spikes when you do eat,” explained Fitton. 

Fitton further explained that, conversely, in the evening, the sugar management systems in our bodies start powering down and are not as good at helping blood sugar get into the cells. So it is important to try not to eat too late; otherwise, you’ll probably see blood sugar go up and stay up for longer.

That doesn’t mean you can’t eat carbs or treats at night, but eating them earlier in the day when insulin sensitivity tends to be higher can make a real difference.





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Top Market Shifts Transforming the Sports Broadcasting

Sports Broadcasting Technology Market Use code ONLINE30 to get 30% off on global market reports and stay ahead of tariff changes, macro trends, and global economic shifts What Is the Expected CAGR for the Sports Broadcasting Technology Market Through 2025? The size of the sports broadcasting technology market has significantly expanded in the past few […]

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Sports Broadcasting Technology Market

Sports Broadcasting Technology Market

Use code ONLINE30 to get 30% off on global market reports and stay ahead of tariff changes, macro trends, and global economic shifts

What Is the Expected CAGR for the Sports Broadcasting Technology Market Through 2025?

The size of the sports broadcasting technology market has significantly expanded in the past few years. The anticipated growth from $76.17 billion in 2024 to $81.95 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%, reflects this. Factors such as internet and digital streaming, camera technology advancements, the advent of satellite broadcasting, the inclusion of augmented reality (AR), mobile viewing, and secondary screen experiences have all contributed to this growth during the historical period.

What’s the Projected Size of the Global Sports Broadcasting Technology Market by 2029?

The market size of sports broadcasting technology is predicted to experience substantial growth in the coming years, reaching $108.33 billion in 2029 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. Factors contributing to this growth during the forecasted period include the advent of 5G technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), personalized and interactive content, and the incorporation of wearable technology. The forecasted period will also see significant trends such as immersive viewing experiences, broadcasting powered by 5G, the application of AI in production, data analytics and visualization, and the use of cloud-based workflows.

View the full report here:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/sports-broadcasting-technology-global-market-report

Top Growth Drivers in the Sports Broadcasting Technology Industry: What’s Accelerating the Market?

The anticipated exponential growth of the sports broadcasting technology market is being driven by the surging popularity of on-demand streaming services. These platforms, also referred to as video-on-demand services, provide a vast selection of multimedia content like movies, TV series, documentaries, and exclusive programs that can be accessed and viewed at users’ leisure. The appeal of such streaming platforms is escalating due to their cost-saving advantage over traditional television, ease of access, diverse exclusive content, and user-friendly nature. They utilise sports broadcasting technology to stream live sports events, recaps, and analysis contemporaneously, transmitting premium quality video streams over the internet for flawless playback and minimal buffering. For example, the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association ERA, based in the US, reported that in the UK, spending on music streaming services, vinyl, and CDs in January 2024 rose by 9.6% in 2023, almost doubling the rate of growth seen in 2022 (+5%). Furthermore, the UK’s entertainment industry saw a 7% growth in 2023. Consequently, the proliferation of on-demand streaming services is a significant driver in the expansion of the sports broadcasting technology market.

Get your free sample here:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=14804&type=smp

What Trends Will Shape the Sports Broadcasting Technology Market Through 2029 and Beyond?

Prominent firms in the sports broadcast technology market are pioneering advanced solutions such as sports cloud platforms, in an effort to solidify their market standing. The Sports Cloud Platform offers a compelling and interactive setting for sports enthusiasts, courtesy of technologies that amplify the thrill and engagement in sports events. For instance, Tech Mahindra, an IT services and consulting firm based in India, introduced the Sports Cloud Platform in November 2023 to improve the fan experience. The platform, developed in cooperation with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a US cloud computing firm, infuses real-time analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), and Web 3.0 technologies into its operations. It aims at amplifying the digital abilities of sports leagues, franchises, and organizations and crafting a more engrossing and custom-tailored experience for sports fans.

What Are the Main Segments in the Sports Broadcasting Technology Market?

The sports broadcasting technology market covered in this report is segmented –

1) By Component: Solutions, Services

2) By Technology: Analog, Digital

3) By Platform: OTT (Over-The-Top), Radio, Television

4) By End User: Broadcaster, Studios And Content Developer, Distributors

Subsegments:

1) By Solutions: Software, Hardware, Cloud Solutions, Data Analytics And Visualization Tools

2) By Services: Consulting Services, Integration And Installation Services, Maintenance And Support Services, Managed Services

Tailor your insights and customize the full report here:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/customise?id=14804&type=smp

Which Top Companies are Driving Growth in the Sports Broadcasting Technology Market?

Major companies operating in the sports broadcasting technology market are IBM Corporation, Orange S.A., NBC Universal Media LLC, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., NEC Corporation, ESPN Sports Media Ltd., Fox Corporation, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG, Belden Inc., NEP Group Inc., AvL Technologies Inc., Viaplay Group AB, Sportradar AG, SKY Network Television Ltd., Evertz Microsystems Ltd., Deltatre Limited, beIN MEDIA GROUP, Supersport, Global Invacom Group, VSN Video Stream Networks S.L., Muvi One, Staige GmbH, OMB Broadcast, Hangzhou HAOXUN Technologies Co. Ltd., EasyBroadcast

Which Regions Will Dominate the Sports Broadcasting Technology Market Through 2029?

North America was the largest region in the sports broadcasting technology market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the sports broadcasting technology market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

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2.Manufacturers & Suppliers – To understand market trends, customer demand, and competitive positioning.

3.Policy Makers & Regulators – To track industry developments and align regulatory frameworks.

4.Consultants & Analysts – To support market entry, expansion strategies, and client advisory work.”

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Learn More About The Business Research Company

With over 15,000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Our flagship product, the Global Market Model delivers comprehensive and updated forecasts to support informed decision-making.

This release was published on openPR.





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Tech job postings down 36% since 2020. But is AI a factor?

Entry-level tech jobs have been hit hardest, especially in areas overlapping with AI’s strengths. WASHINGTON — If you read the typical 2025 mass layoff notice from a tech industry CEO, you might think that artificial intelligence cost workers their jobs. The reality is more complicated, with companies trying to signal to Wall Street that they’re making […]

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Entry-level tech jobs have been hit hardest, especially in areas overlapping with AI’s strengths.

WASHINGTON — If you read the typical 2025 mass layoff notice from a tech industry CEO, you might think that artificial intelligence cost workers their jobs.

The reality is more complicated, with companies trying to signal to Wall Street that they’re making themselves more efficient as they prepare for broader changes wrought by AI.

A new report Wednesday from career website Indeed says tech job postings in July were down 36% from their early 2020 levels, with AI one but not the most obvious factor in stalling a rebound.

ChatGPT’s debut in late 2022 also corresponded with the end of a pandemic-era hiring binge, making it hard to isolate AI’s role in the hiring doldrums that followed.

“We’re kind of in this period where the tech job market is weak, but other areas of the job market have also cooled at a similar pace,” said Brendon Bernard, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab. “Tech job postings have actually evolved pretty similarly to the rest of the economy, including relative to job postings where there really isn’t that much exposure to AI.”

The template for tech CEO layoff notices in 2025 includes an AI pivot

That nuance is not always clear from the last six months of tech layoff emails, which often include a nod to AI in addition to expressions of sympathy.

When he announced mass layoffs earlier this year, Workday CEO Carl Eschenbach invited employees to consider the bigger picture: “Companies everywhere are reimagining how work gets done, and the increasing demand for AI has the potential to drive a new era of growth for Workday.”

Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost explained that a need to shift resources to “accelerate investments” in AI was one of the reasons the company had to cut 1,350, or about 9%, of workers.

The “Why We’re Doing This” section of CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz’s announcement of 5% job cuts said the cybersecurity company needed to double down on AI investments to “accelerate execution and efficiency.”

“AI flattens our hiring curve, and helps us innovate from idea to product faster,” Kurtz wrote.

It’s not just U.S. companies. In India, tech giant Tata Consultancy Services recently characterized its 12,000 layoffs, or 2% of its workforce, as part of a shift to a “Future-Ready organization” that would be realigning its workforce and “deploying AI at scale for our clients and ourselves.”

Even the Japanese parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor has cited an AI shift in its notice of 1,300 layoffs at the job search and workplace review sites.

AI spending, not replacement, is a more common factor

Microsoft, which is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday, has announced layoffs of about 15,000 workers this year even as its profits have soared.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told employees last week the layoffs were “weighing heavily” on him but also positioned them as an opportunity to reimagine the company’s mission for an AI era.

Promises of a leaner approach have been welcomed on Wall Street, especially from tech giants that are trying to justify huge amounts of capital spending to pay for the data centers, chips and other components required to power AI technology.

“It’s this sort of double-edged sword restructuring that I think a lot of tech giants are encountering in this age of AI, where they have to find the right balance between maintaining an appropriate headcount, but also allowing artificial intelligence to come to the forefront,” said Bryan Hayes, a strategist at Zacks Investment Research.

Google said last week it would raise its budget for capital expenditures by an additional $10 billion to $85 billion. Microsoft is expected to outline similar guidance soon.

The role of AI in job replacement is hard to track

One thing is clear to Hayes: Microsoft’s job cuts improve its profit margin outlook for the 2026 fiscal year that started in July.

But what these broader tech industry layoffs mean for the employment prospects of tech workers can be harder to gauge.

“Will AI replace some of these jobs? Absolutely,” said Hayes. “But it’s also going to create a lot of jobs. Employees that are able to leverage artificial intelligence and help the companies innovate, and create new products and services, are going to be the ones that are in high demand.”

He pointed to Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which is on a spree of offering lucrative packages to recruit elite AI scientists from competitors such as OpenAI.

The reports published by Indeed on Wednesday show that AI specialists are faring better than standard software engineers, but even those jobs are not where they have been.

“Machine-learning engineers — which is kind of the canonical AI job — those job postings are still noticeably above where they were pre-pandemic, though they’ve actually come down compared to their 2022 peak,” said Bernard, the Indeed economist. “They’ve also been impacted by the cyclical ups and downs of the sector.”

Economists are watching for AI’s effects on entry-level tech jobs

Tech hiring has particularly plunged in AI hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as Boston and Seattle, according to Indeed.

But in looking more closely at which tech workers were least likely to get hired, Indeed found the deepest impact on entry-level jobs in the tech industry, with those with at least five years of experience faring better.

The hiring declines were sharpest in entry-level tech industry jobs that involve marketing, administrative assistance and human resources, which all involve tasks that overlap with the strength of the latest generative AI tools that can help create documents and images.

“The plunge in tech hiring started before the new AI age, but the shifting experience requirements is something that happened a bit more recently,” Bernard said.

Microsoft, which is staking its future on AI in the workplace, has also had its own researchers look into the jobs most vulnerable to the current strengths of AI technology. At the top of the list are knowledge work jobs such as language interpreters or translators, as well as historians, passenger attendants, sales representatives, writers and customer service representatives, according to Microsoft’s working paper.

On the other end, leading in work more immune to AI changes were phlebotomists, or healthcare workers who draw blood, followed by nursing assistants, workers who remove hazardous materials, painters and embalmers.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     



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GV Bets Big On ‘AI Magic’ — Even When It Competes With Alphabet

Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series in which Crunchbase News interviews active investors in artificial intelligence. Read previous interviews with Felicis, Battery Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, Costanoa, Citi Ventures, Sierra Ventures and Andrew Ng of AI Fund, as well as highlights from more interviews done in […]

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Editor’s note: This article is part of an ongoing series in which Crunchbase News interviews active investors in artificial intelligence. Read previous interviews with Felicis, Battery Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, Costanoa, Citi Ventures, Sierra Ventures and Andrew Ng of AI Fund, as well as highlights from more interviews done in 2023.

Most corporate venture firms steer clear of investing in rivals. But GV (formerly Google Ventures) isn’t most firms. Not only did it back Slack while Google had a competing product, it’s now investing in AI companies that go head-to-head with parent company Alphabet’s own efforts in the artificial intelligence race.

Dave Munichiello, GV managing partner

GV’s model — single LP, independent decisions — has allowed it to stay fast and nimble during AI’s most explosive moment. Managing partners Dave Munichiello and Tom Hulme are backing companies across chips, compilers and applications, and making early and late bets alike. GV’s wager is clear: The AI age rewards those who move fast, trust founders and don’t flinch at eye-watering valuations.

We recently spoke with Munichiello, based in Silicon Valley, and Hulme, based in London, who co-lead the digital investment practice globally, about GV’s AI investment approach.

Tom Hulme, GV managing partner and head of Europe

Munichiello was previously at Kiva Systems, which became Amazon Robotics. Hulme has a background in physics and was the design director at Ideo in Europe and an active angel investor before joining then-Google Ventures in 2014.

A frenzied AI gold rush on the West

“It’s an absolutely wild time on the West Coast, in San Francisco. Every weekend is five or six long walks with founders that are getting inundated with AI term sheets,” said Munichiello. “Founders are in houses filled with other AI founders. The buzz is heavy of people getting poached by the Metas or the OpenAIs of the world, while simultaneously fending off those offers and starting their own thing,” he said.

Munichiello and Hulme said they both have middle- and high-school aged children who are using the technology in their everyday lives, to write, digest and summarize complex ideas.

From widespread consumer adoption, there is a drastic push from enterprises to spend to capture this “AI magic.”

Talent competition heats up

“We think about the stack as low as chips and infrastructure, and as high as the application level, and all the different industries that application-level investments are blossoming in,” said Munichiello.

Early GV investments in AI include Lattice Data, which was bought by Apple to power Siri in 2017, video-generation company Synthesia,  and data labeling company Snorkel AI. More recently, it was an investor in Thinking Machines Lab’s record $2 billion seed round at a $12 billion valuation.

GV invests independently of Alphabet, its parent and sole investor. That means it sometimes backs companies that could be seen as competitors to Alphabet-owned products. For example, GV invested in Slack, when Google had a competitive internal product, and Thinking Machines Lab competes with Alphabet’s Gemini.

As to why they invested, Munichiello said they heard from their internal recruiting team that Thinking Machines CEO and co-founder Mira Murati, formerly OpenAI’s CTO, is one of the best recruiters of deeply technical AI talent. “Amazing companies sometimes are at prices that feel very uncomfortable, and that was certainly the case with Thinking Machines,” he added.

Competition for AI research talent is intense, and model performance is quantifiable. That means “for the first time, many of the big companies are competing in the same game. So if you look at Meta, Alphabet or OpenAI, they’re all competing on having cutting-edge foundation models,” Hulme said.

“We’ve never seen companies scale as quickly as the AI-native companies we see today,” he said. “We have not seen talent move as frequently at the foundation model as the amount we’re seeing at the moment.”

The team pays attention to where the smartest researchers are going to work. “They’re not going to Big Tech. They’re going to startups, and they’re all going to San Francisco,” said Munichiello.

App layer

“We’ve been slower to invest in application-layer companies, until we know there’s real traction,” said Munichiello. “If you look at Harvey or OpenEvidence, we didn’t lead the Series A. We led a later-stage round.”

Munichiello said the question they seek to address: “Are these dollars seeking a use case, seeking an application that could be interesting in their company? Or are they locked in production, creating actual value for the company?”

To assess whether revenue is experimental or not, the team spends time understanding customers’ use — is the product beyond proof of concept, is it used daily, does it save millions of dollars in headcount while creating actual value?

In 2024, the firm led the Series C in AI legal tech startup Harvey at a $1.5 billion valuation. The company has since raised two rounds and now has a valuation of $5 billion.

More recently, GV co-led, along with Kleiner Perkins, the Series B in OpenEvidence, an AI-powered platform that helps doctors and other healthcare professionals more easily aggregate and process peer-reviewed medical literature, at a $3.5 billion valuation.

GV also co-led a $40 million Series A investment with New York-based TQ Ventures in London-based online legal platform Lawhive.

“When we look at companies that are coming in to raise, the revenue run rate is insane. These companies are growing incredibly fast, faster than ever before,” said Munichiello. “And it’s very hard to spend a lot of time looking at AI applications companies, and then go back to looking at other companies.”

“We have businesses in our portfolio like Bolt.new [a product of StackBlitz] — they built out the technology and then turned on monetization and went from zero to $40 million ARR in 12 weeks,” said Hulme “We think that’s the new normal.” GV was a co-lead in the startup’s seed round in 2022. The company was not growing meaningfully until October 2024, when it launched bolt.new to code with text prompts in a web browser, which took off.

The invest strategy at the infrastructure level

For the infrastructure layer, the firm’s calculus is different, said Munichiello. “We start to do deep technical work, and see there needs to exist a compiler that is universal, and the company needs a lot of money to get there, and really patient capital. We’re going to lead the first round. We’ll probably lead multiple rounds over time, but this will pay off 100x over time if it’s right — that’s worth deep investment from us.”

To that end, GV led the $30 million seed round in Modular, which seeks to build a unified compute layer to interface with AI hardware. The company has created a universal compiler that is a competitor to Cuda, which enables AMD‘s GPUs to run just as fast as those from Nvidia, said Munichiello. Modular has since raised a $100 million Series B led by General Catalyst.

Multistage, multisector, multigeo investors

GV has been investing for 15 years and has $10 billion in assets under management. The firm is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, New York and London. Its largest exits over time include Uber, Nest Labs, Slack and GitLab, among others.

CEO and managing partner David Krane heads up the team of 21 partners. Alongside Krane, Munichiello and Hulme, the fourth managing partner is Krishna Yeshwant, who is based in Cambridge, and co-leads its life sciences practice with general partner David Schenkein.

Companies meet at least one other partner through the investment process and then usually pitch the entire partnership. Partners share ideas and thoughts with the lead, who then can make an investment decision. The team can move quickly and has been able to close a deal in a week from the first meeting with a founder.

“A and B are the sweet spot,” said Munichiello. “Our job, when we find an area that we’re excited about, is to look at the A and the B. And then to say, ‘Is this the very best way to invest in this category?’”

If the right company is at Series D or seed, the team will do that investment. Team members are not limited by locale, and can invest in the best companies across the world.

Hulme thinks more in terms of cities than countries. “For every great founder you need great operators, maybe five or 10 great operators, and the global pockets of those remain, in my opinion, in San Francisco, New York and London. Those are the cities that we’re most excited about. But we also invest in places like Tel Aviv, which are growing quickly.”

An analog business

“We’re a venture capital business, but we think of this as a human capital business. We’re as good or as bad as the people on the GV team. And interestingly, they are as good or bad or as bad as the humans they’re investing in. It’s a very analog business in that way. It’s just super-powered with technology,” said Hulme.

Munichiello said the firm’s diverse approach and flexibility is key.

“GV is a place where we can have 30 people going in 30 different directions, investing in 30 different things. And we’re not trying to drive consensus,” said Munichiello.

Related Crunchbase list:

Illustration: Dom Guzman

Clarification: This story has changed since its original publication to update the firm’s life sciences practice information.


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Yale University Alum Michelle Alozie Juggles A Career In The National Women’s Soccer League While Working As A Cancer Research Technician

Houston Dash athlete Michelle Alozie is an inspiration. Higher Learning Journey The Nigerian is marrying her passion for sports with a career in medicine. As a former Yale University student, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology in 2019, according to her LinkedIn. She also played for the Ivy League’s soccer team, […]

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Houston Dash athlete Michelle Alozie is an inspiration.

Higher Learning Journey

The Nigerian is marrying her passion for sports with a career in medicine. As a former Yale University student, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology in 2019, according to her LinkedIn. She also played for the Ivy League’s soccer team, Yale Bulldogs, scoring 19 goals and logging 13 assists across her three seasons, per information shared by the Houston Dash News. Her accolades on the team included Ivy League Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-Conference recognition. When she transitioned to the University of Tennessee to pursue a master’s degree in sports psychology and motor behavior, she played for one year with the Tennessee Volunteers, ESPN mentions.

Going Pro

In 2021, she signed on to join the Houston Dash (National Women’s Soccer League). According to the team website, Alozie was awarded a two-year contract extension beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.

“Houston will always hold a special place in my heart; this is where I began my professional career and earned so many opportunities to grow on-and-off the field,” Alozie said. “I’m optimistic about the future of the organization and want to contribute to this club’s success. I am cognizant of the work ahead and I’m thrilled to be a part of this team for years to come.”

Alozie recently played in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), representing Nigeria. According to the South African Broadcasting Corp., the team won its 10th title on July 26.

 

Simultaneously Working As A Cancer Research Technician

While Alozie spends most of her days on the field, she is working as a cancer research technician at Texas Children’s Hospital at night and between matches. She told the Olympics she hopes to inspire younger generations and show them that they do not have to choose one linear path.

“Many times you think you have to do one or the other, but if you’re passionate about both, you’re young and driven and you want to continue your football career, it doesn’t mean your academic career has to end. If anything, they can just co-exist and align with each other. It’s an inspiration to know that you can have more than one career,” she expressed.





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Pakistan moves to draft first esports policy to boost digital economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a step towards formalising its growing esports industry, as government officials and international partners agreed to develop the country’s first national esports policy. The decision followed a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the British Esports Federation. The goal is to craft […]

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a step towards formalising its growing esports industry, as government officials and international partners agreed to develop the country’s first national esports policy.

The decision followed a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the British Esports Federation. The goal is to craft a policy that supports economic growth, creates job opportunities for young people, and aligns with global standards.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who chaired the meeting, said the policy aims to turn Pakistan’s emerging game development talent into a competitive global force. “Our youth are already creating games for platforms like SEGA and Nintendo,” she said. “What we lack is commercial access. We need international support to bridge this gap and help our developers scale up.”

The government is proposing a three-pronged strategy: introducing game-tech education and training, supporting youth-led innovation, and promoting the commercialisation of locally developed games.

The meeting also included Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, who called the move a “strategic push” to unlock digital employment potential. “This is a great opportunity to collaborate on game technology and create new economic pathways for our young population,” he said.

Representatives from both the Commonwealth Secretariat and British Esports Federation pledged their support. Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy, Youth and Gender Development at the Commonwealth, and British Esports Vice President Thomas Dore, were among those present.

The parties agreed to move forward with the creation of a national esports federation and a policy framework that reflects international best practices.

The initiative is seen as part of Pakistan’s wider digital transformation agenda and an attempt to tap into the fast-growing global gaming industry.

Read next: Pakistan’s Systems to acquire British American Tobacco SAA Services



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Apple iSports to acquire Lucky Bet operator LBC Enterprises

Entertainment technology company Apple iSports Group has agreed to acquire Australia-based gaming and fintech platform provider LBC Enterprises, operator of the Lucky Bet brand. According to Apple iSports’ website, the company “delivers advanced infrastructure and immersive sports and gaming platforms — powered by strategic tech partnerships. The business says it is “strategically positioned at the […]

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Entertainment technology company Apple iSports Group has agreed to acquire Australia-based gaming and fintech platform provider LBC Enterprises, operator of the Lucky Bet brand.

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According to Apple iSports’ website, the company “delivers advanced infrastructure and immersive sports and gaming platforms — powered by strategic tech partnerships.

The business says it is “strategically positioned at the intersection of technology, media, and entertainment — where sports and entertainment are rapidly converging,” and is “tackling today’s digital infrastructure gaps with focused, strategic acquisitions.”

Apple iSports was founded by Australia-based entrepreneur Marino Sussich, and is led by Joe Martinez as chairman and CEO.

Martinez is described by the company as “a key contributor to multiple companies’ funding and IPOs”, who has “served as CEO of several public companies, leading them from startup through management, public offering, and successful sale to private equity firms.”

Apple iSports’ management team is further bolstered by technology veteran Jeremy Samuel as president and director, and seasoned online betting expert Lee Saltzer as COO.

LBC management to remain in place

Meanwhile, Lucky Bet operator LBC Enterprises is led by CEO Ian Parke, who will continue to run the business post-acquistion.

Both Parke and James Tennant will join the board of Apple iSports as directors following completion of the deal, which is expected to close during Q3.

“The proposed acquisition of our company by Apple iSports validates the global opportunity we see in regulated, tech-driven gaming,” Parke commented on the agreement. 

“By combining LBC’s platform and operational expertise with Apple iSports’ capital markets presence and distribution network, we are primed to accelerate our expansion into new markets and scale our white label programme. This partnership represents a major step forward for Lucky Bet and the broader LBC ecosystem.”

Apple iSports CEO Martinez added: “The board of directors is excited to continue rolling out our stated objectives with our proposed acquisition of LBC. Our service offerings to B2B and B2C will now be significantly enhanced in a rapidly growing sector. 

“Combined with our exceptional team, this transaction catapults us into the US and international gaming markets.”

Media reports suggest the deal is valued at $125m.



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