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Science & Technology

Cloud Seeding Startup Not to Blame for Texas Floods: Debunking Conspiracy Theories

Claims that a cloud-seeding startup, Rainmaker, caused the devastating Texas floods are unfounded. Atmospheric scientists refute the conspiracy, explaining that cloud seeding, a decades-old practice, involves spraying particles into clouds to encourage ice crystal formation and precipitation. While cloud seeding can augment water supply in drought-stricken areas, its impact is minimal compared to major storms. Experts emphasize that Rainmaker's operations were geographically and temporally disconnected from the storm, and cloud seeding is unlikely to significantly affect the type of clouds that produce heavy rainfall.

Technology

Jio Platforms Aims to Convert TVs into PCs with JioPC Service

Jio Platforms has launched JioPC, a virtual desktop service for set-top box users in India, aiming to transform TVs into PCs. The service, currently in free trial, offers a cloud-based PC experience through Jio's set-top box. While it has limitations like no support for external peripherals and reliance on LibreOffice, analysts believe it could expand Jio's user base. The success of JioPC will depend on addressing connectivity gaps, digital literacy, and partnerships with app developers to provide valuable productivity solutions for consumers.

Science and Technology

Cloud Seeding Conspiracy Theories Debunked: No Link to Texas Floods

Claims that a cloud seeding startup, Rainmaker, caused the devastating Texas floods are unfounded, according to atmospheric scientists. While Rainmaker operated in the area before the storm, experts emphasize that cloud seeding had no significant impact on the floods.

Cloud seeding, a decades-old practice, involves spraying particles into clouds to encourage ice crystal formation and precipitation. However, its effectiveness varies, and it's unlikely to significantly affect large storms.

Studies have shown that cloud seeding can increase precipitation in certain conditions, such as in mountainous regions during winter, but the amount is negligible compared to the scale of a major storm. The air mass over Texas during the floods was likely far removed from where Rainmaker operated days earlier.

Experts agree that the storm's natural processes were the primary driver of the heavy rainfall, and cloud seeding would have had a minimal, if any, impact.

Artificial Intelligence

Goldman Sachs Integrates AI Coding Agent Devin into Workforce

Goldman Sachs is piloting Cognition's AI coding agent, Devin, aiming to augment its developer workforce. CIO Marco Argenti announced plans to roll out hundreds, potentially thousands, of Devin instances, referring to it as a 'new employee.' Despite some initial criticisms regarding complex coding tasks, Devin, now on version 2.1, is expected to improve developer productivity in a 'hybrid' workforce model. The bank, known for its adoption of cutting-edge technology, already utilizes developer copilots internally.

Business

Medium's Path to Profitability: A Turnaround Story

Medium CEO Tony Stubblebine detailed the platform's journey to profitability, achieved since August of last year. The turnaround involved significant product changes, investor restructuring, renegotiated loans, cost-cutting measures, and layoffs. The company was previously losing $2.6 million per month and facing dwindling subscribers and funding.

Key strategies included introducing Boost for human expertise in recommendations, changing Partner Program incentives, and adding a Featuring tool for publications. Financially, Medium renegotiated loans, eliminated liquidation preferences, and simplified governance. The company also sold off acquisitions and reduced its workforce from 250 to 77 employees.

Stubblebine emphasized the importance of investor restructuring, which involved diluting investor stakes and relinquishing special rights. The platform also cut cloud costs through engineering optimization and exited an expensive office lease in San Francisco. While Medium's valuation is now considerably lower than its previous $600 million, the company is focused on maintaining profitability.

Startups and Funding

Startup World Recap: IPOs, Funding, and Tech Trends

This week's startup news includes Figma's potential $1.5 billion IPO, opinions on serial moonlighter Soham Parekh, and Cluely's ARR doubling to $7 million. Brex is embracing messiness to procure AI tools. Stripe's first employee acquired a bank.

Funding news includes Revolut seeking a $65 billion valuation, SpaceX potentially raising $250 million, and Lovable aiming for a $2 billion valuation. LangChain may become a unicorn. Rivian spinoff Also raised $200 million, Terra CO2 secured $124 million, and Genesis AI launched with $105 million seed funding. Huspy closed a $59 million Series B, Tulum Energy raised $27 million, Qedma raised $26 million, Tailor raised $22 million, Darkstar completed a $17.5 million first close, and Phosphor Capital will invest in Y Combinator companies.

The data industry is consolidating due to AI, with Salesforce acquiring Informatica.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin's Meteoric Rise: Soaring Past $118,000 Amidst Institutional Interest

Bitcoin has reached a new all-time high of $118,900, surpassing its previous record of $113,822. This surge marks a significant recovery from its low of around $76,000 in early April and nearly $49,000 last August. Analysts speculate that reaching $150,000 could trigger a buying frenzy. The rise is attributed to factors like President Trump's pro-crypto stance, which has attracted substantial institutional investment, driven by the expectation of cryptocurrencies playing a bigger role in finance. In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Space Technology

Apolink Secures $4.3M to Revolutionize Satellite Connectivity

Apolink, a Y Combinator-backed space-tech startup, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to establish a real-time connectivity network for LEO satellites. Founded by Onkar Singh Batra, the company addresses the issue of satellite downtime due to dead zones, offering 24/7 connectivity.

Apolink's solution involves a constellation of 32 satellites using lasers and radios to provide connectivity without requiring specific hardware on user satellites. The startup aims to launch its initial demo mission in Q2 2026 via SpaceX and plans to roll out its commercial constellation in 2028, with full deployment by 2029.

The company has already secured over $140 million in letters of intent from various sectors and is backed by investors including Y Combinator and 468 Capital. Apolink aims to offer nearly 99% uptime with low latency, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving space communications landscape.