She Said No to $1B, and Built Something Bigger

🌟 What’s New in Women’s Entrepreneurship

Mira Murati Turned Down $1B Offer from Meta
Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati declined a reported $1 billion acquisition bid from Meta for her startup, Thinking Machines Lab—even as her company raised a record-breaking $2 billion seed round, supported by top-tier investors like Andreessen Horowitz. Her decision underlines confidence in long-term vision over instant payout.

Anthropic, Co-Founded by Daniela Amodei, Eyes a Massive $5 Billion Deal In a testament to the incredible impact of women in AI, Anthropic, the leading AI company co-founded by Daniela Amodei, is reportedly close to securing an astounding $5 billion in funding, which would catapult its valuation to $170 billion! This is a monumental achievement that underscores the pivotal role of women leaders in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

🌟 What’s New in Tech & Business

Starbucks Reconsiders "Transaction-Only" Model: A Lesson in Human Connection Starbucks is making a strategic shift, closing around 90 pickup-only stores in the US. CEO Brian Niccol emphasized that these locations lacked the "warmth and human connection" central to the Starbucks brand. This move, following several quarters of sales decline, offers a valuable lesson for all businesses: in an increasingly digital world, the importance of genuine human interaction and experience remains paramount for brand loyalty and growth.

Retail Media Poised for Major Growth: A New Advertising Frontier According to Morgan Stanley, retail media—think sponsored product listings and ads on e-commerce sites like Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart—is set to become the third largest advertising channel by 2026, reaching a staggering $100 billion. This rapid growth highlights a huge opportunity for brands and marketers to connect with consumers directly at the point of purchase, revolutionizing the digital advertising landscape.

Shopify's New "Enterprise" Play: Targeting Big Brands Shopify is making a significant move upmarket, aiming to attract larger businesses and compete directly with established players like Salesforce's Commerce Cloud. They're investing heavily in features designed for enterprise-level operations, including sophisticated back-end tools and custom storefronts. This strategic shift underscores Shopify's ambition to become the go-to e-commerce platform for businesses of all sizes, from startups to global brands.

The Metaverse: Still Finding Its Footing, But Innovation Continues While the initial hype around the metaverse may have cooled, the underlying technologies are still attracting significant investment. Despite Meta Platforms losing $40 billion on its metaverse initiatives, venture capital funding for metaverse-related startups reached $12 billion globally in the second half of 2023. This indicates that while the path to mainstream adoption might be longer than anticipated, the foundational innovation in virtual and augmented realities continues to evolve.

AI's Impact on the Workforce: A Shift Towards Collaboration and Efficiency The rise of AI is undeniably reshaping how we work. Estimates suggest that AI could automate tasks representing up to 70% of worker time, particularly in sectors like administrative, office support, and legal professions. However, it's not just about replacement; AI is also creating new opportunities, enhancing productivity, and fostering a collaborative environment where humans work with intelligent systems. This evolving landscape calls for continuous skill development and strategic adaptation in the workforce.

📚 A How-To Guide: Relationships → Revenue: The Introvert’s Guide to Monetizing Your Network

Andrew Yeung, dubbed the "Gatsby of Silicon Alley," built a 7-figure "tech party" business without traditional ads or funding, simply by mastering the art of leveraging his network. His journey from an immigrant in New York City during a pandemic to a prominent community builder offers a powerful playbook for any early-stage founder. Here's how you can apply his core concepts to monetize your network:

1. Build Your Network (Even From Scratch):

• Look Inward: Start with your existing connections. Think about past workplace peers, old friends, former clients, and your current LinkedIn connections. These are your foundational relationships.

• Embrace New Connections: Andrew started with small meetups during the pandemic to combat loneliness. Don't be afraid to initiate small, informal gatherings with people who share your interests or professional goals.

2. Turn Online Connections into Real-World Opportunities:

• Bridge the Digital Divide: Your LinkedIn contacts and social media followers are more than just numbers. Reach out for coffee, virtual chats, or small, in-person gatherings to deepen these connections.

• Create Value with Every Interaction: Don't just network to get something. Think about how you can genuinely help or connect others within your network. Andrew's success is rooted in fostering authentic human connection.

3. Host Memorable Events (Big or Small):

• Start Small and Grow: Andrew began with intimate dinner parties before scaling to large tech mixers and summits. You can start with a small, curated dinner, a virtual workshop, or a focused discussion group.

• Define Your Event's Purpose: Is it for learning, networking, collaboration, or simply building camaraderie? Clear intent helps you attract the right people and design a valuable experience.

• Seek Out Sponsors (Master the Cold Email!): Andrew's secret weapon was his ability to cold email venues and potential sponsors, often getting spaces for free.

  • Be Concise and Value-Oriented: Your cold email should be short, to the point, and clearly communicate the benefit for the sponsor. Focus on their needs, audience, and potential reach.

  • Personalize Every Message: Avoid generic templates. Show you've researched the company and understand their brand.

  • Craft a Strong Call to Action: Make it easy for them to say yes or take the next step.

• Curate the Guest List: For more exclusive events (like "The Junto Series"), carefully select attendees to ensure high-quality conversations and connections.

• Foster Spontaneity: While planning is key, allow for organic interactions. Andrew's events have featured impromptu lightning talks and surprise musical performances, leading to unexpected partnerships and opportunities.

4. Design a Personal Brand that Drives Demand:

• Be Authentic: Your personal brand should genuinely reflect who you are and what you stand for.

• Be Consistent: Consistently share your mission, values, and beliefs across all your chosen platforms (e.g., your website, social media, newsletter).

• Choose Your Platforms Wisely: Focus on the channels where your target audience is most active. Andrew uses Twitter and email effectively to reach his community.

• Provide Value Regularly: Share insights, resources, and helpful content related to your expertise. This establishes you as a thought leader and attracts your ideal audience.

5. Monetize Without Being "Icky":

• Focus on Value First: Andrew's success comes from providing immense value through his events and connections. When you consistently deliver value, monetization becomes a natural extension.

• Explore Sponsorships: As mentioned, sponsorships are a key revenue stream.

• Offer Premium Experiences: For some events, you might have tiered access or invite-only gatherings that generate revenue while maintaining exclusivity.

• Beyond Events: Consider how your network and expertise can lead to other opportunities, like consulting, advisory roles, or even angel investing (as Andrew does).

Remember Andrew's mantra for success: "Half your marketing should be measurable, half should be memorable." This means analyzing your efforts to see what works, but also focusing on creating experiences that leave a lasting impression and build genuine human connection.

💌 From the Editor’s Desk

This week, we’re reminded that real power doesn’t always come from saying “yes” — sometimes, it’s in the bold, strategic no.

Mira Murati turned down a $1B offer to bet on her long-term vision. Daniela Amodei is helping lead one of the most ambitious AI companies on the planet. These aren’t just headlines — they’re signals. Signals that the future is being shaped by women who are unapologetically ambitious, deeply visionary, and unwilling to settle.

In a world chasing speed, they’re choosing alignment.
In a world chasing hype, they’re choosing impact.

And you? Whether you're pitching a product, building a community, or hosting a dinner with five people who matter — you're playing the same long game.

Here’s to building boldly and betting on yourself.

With you,
Keren
Founder, WE – Women Entrepreneurship