Minimum Viable - Oct. 7, 2025

IDEA: Journaling is one of the best ways to deal with the anxieties of everyday life. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, on top of soothing anxiety, putting your thoughts down on paper can help reduce stress, cope with depression, and even identify potential triggers. While the initial writing is helpful, combining the action with later reflection can truly help individuals grow. The problem is that journal entries are rarely revisited. Individuals suffering from mental health issues could really benefit from automated self-reflection in audio form.

PRODUCT: AI-powered platform where users can upload journal entries, voice memos, conversations, and other memories that can be consolidated into a weekly podcast. Create a mobile app and podcast player where users can access their audio journals privately or distribute publicly to a community.

MVP: AI tool that compiles text and audio into coherent podcasts based on user input.

REVENUE MODEL: Subscription for AI tool use, cloud storage, and distribution.

EXIT STRATEGY: Get acquired by a mental health company like TalkSpace or BetterHelp for 5x revenue.

Publication: Yahoo! Finance

Link: If you’re not an AI startup, good luck raising money from VCs

Summary: Top VC firms are shifting their focus almost entirely to AI startup investments.

“PitchBook reports that VCs have poured $192.7 billion into the industry so far this year, out of a total $366.8 billion, according to Bloomberg. In the most recent quarter, AI accounted for 62.7% of the money invested by U.S. VCs, and for 53.2% of money invested by global firms.”

The headliner of AI investment is Anthropic who just raised $13 billion in their series F funding round. Due to investments like this, it has become increasingly difficult for non-AI startups to secure funding and even smaller VC funds are struggling to raise. The number of funds have gone from 4,000+ in 2022 to 823 in 2025.

Spin: If the dotcom bubble burst taught us anything, it is that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. While I do believe AI will play a large role in the future, some valuations are just not making sense. Send me an email with your thoughts on this. I would love to hear your take on whether we are in an AI bubble.

Generation Startup is a documentary that follows 5 fresh-faced founders as they attempt to navigate the unknown world of entrepreneurship. It offers a raw and emotional perspective on what it really takes to build a business. Some of the startups flounder, some have a happy ending but fall apart later, and one becomes wildly successful. Ever heard of Banza chickpea pasta?

Watch here: Generation Startup

IDEA: Fizzy drinks are the best kind of beverage. If that liquid goes flat, however, it turns into something more repulsive than any medicine we had to take as kids. Imagine this: you pour yourself a Diet Coke then get distracted by an intense game of Jeopardy! and all the carbonation is gone. Do you just dump your Coke down the drain? Not anymore. Introducing the Carbonation Keeper. Simply place the apparatus into a flat drink and it will slowly release CO2 and give you your drink back. It can work with any kind of fizzy liquid like soda, sparkling water, or wine.

Not beer, though. If your beer goes flat because you didn’t drink it fast enough, that’s on you.

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