Author: OurCrowd

[Varo Money in The Financial Brand] U.S. Challenger Banks Turn Up the Heat on Incumbents

Jul 22, 2020 |

But success spawns imitators and now one of Varo’s fintech competitors, SoFi, in July filed for an application for a national charter, stating in its application that it needed to reduce complexity in its business model and bring down its funding costs. “A national bank charter could allow SoFi to have more competitive pricing and offer more products, specifically in regard to deposits,” according to Business Insider, which first reported the application. Read...

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Creating Global Access to Medical Innovation: Ruth Atherton, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Creating Global Access to Medical Innovation: Ruth Atherton, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Jul 22, 2020 |

15-million cases and 617,000 deaths. To many, the quick spread and drastic transformation of society at the turn of the coronavirus pandemic was a shock. That’s not to say many didn’t see it coming: WHO published a strategic action plan for pandemic influenza in 2007 and in 2014 Bill Gates, representing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, presented a TED Talk about his anticipation of both a pandemic and societal lack of preparation for such an international medical crisis.  The Gates Foundation has been making efforts to help mitigate the current crisis by creating global access to medical innovation. We invited Dr. Ruth Atherton, Deputy General Counsel and Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to speak at last month’s OurCrowd Pandemic Innovation Conference where she offered insight into what’s been going on and what we can expect.  “The world bank currently estimates that for the first time since 1998, global poverty could actually increase,” said Atherton. “Up to 49-million people may be pushed to extreme poverty, which means living on less than $1.90 a day.” Atherton stated...

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[Virgin Hyperloop One in GlobeNewswire] Virgin Hyperloop Appoints Raja Narayanan as Chief Financial Officer

Jul 22, 2020 |

Virgin Hyperloop announced the appointment of Raja Narayanan as Chief Financial Officer. Raja will oversee all finance and business development functions for Virgin Hyperloop as the company drives hyperloop technology towards commercialization. “Raja has an unprecedented background in creating value in disruptive transportation opportunities and operationalizing large scale industrial projects,” said Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop. “We are excited to have him join Virgin Hyperloop at this pivotal time where the world is adapting to the new normal and realizing we need solutions like hyperloop that allow us to not just rebuild, but evolve.” Read...

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