Timon Safaie

It has been interesting to learn how large corporations keep innovative small companies (like mine) from becoming competition by following these legal developments: https://lnkd.in/g-YUtmxC It's great to be a part of an organization that is not having it.

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To me, these bullets comprise Agile Hardware. Or at least a good high-level starting point, probably minus (6). Throwback to that stretch of time when Kickstarter campaigns threw up their hands in a blog post titled "Hardware is Hard" -- which ain't wrong, but maximally oversimplifying what was probably a maximalist strategy. Lots of thoughts but one specific: firmware and software are so key. I remember The First Great Wearable Wars c. 2013 and imo, Nike Fuelband killed in both hw and the concept of NikeFuel (a points system, instead of step counting and interpolating calories). There were lots of pieces written that the concept of NikeFuel sank the product, but I argue that Whoop's software is an evolution of an idea that was before its time.

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Chase CEO Jamie Dimon thought the government should ban Bitcoin, so I decided to close my Chase account. It took four months to "warm up" my new bank account to the point I could finally close my Chase account. ("Warming up" is needed to be able to transfer large sums in/out of a new bank.) While I waited, both the Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs were approved, and I learned that JP Morgan has an equity stake on Consensys, which largely controls Ethereum. It's likely that JP Morgan pushed the Biden administration to pressure the SEC to approve the Ethereum ETF. (The SEC was preparing to sue Consensys for violating securities laws, so political pressure from the White House is very likely.) Trump also announced that he's accepting crypto campaign contributions, so this looks to be the first presidential campaign of the Bitcoin era. It's still taboo to for the elites to openly support Bitcoin, but they were clearly jockeying to be in a position to benefit from the transition in the global reserve currency -- even while there were publicly asking the government to ban it.

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Reflections from Day One of SF Tech Week: Relationships at the Core It’s only day one of SF Tech Week, and I’m already absorbing so much. The energy here in San Francisco is unmatched, but what really stands out isn’t just the groundbreaking tech—it's the conversations and the people behind the innovation. Grabbing a beer with Puya Vossoughi, a friend and the biggest advocate of the “relationships come first” mindset, reminded me that even in the most tech-driven environments, it’s the human connections that propel us forward. AI and Responsibility Today’s session on "Disruptive Technologies: Balancing Opportunities and Risks in AI" hit home for me. As we push the boundaries of AI at Konfront, especially in the fintech space, I’m more aware than ever of the need for balance. Innovation is exciting, but it also comes with a responsibility to build ethically. The discussions here have reinforced that the true power of AI lies in using it thoughtfully, ensuring it benefits people without compromising their trust. The Future of GTM: Staying Lean and Ready for Change The talk on lean Go-to-Market strategies for 2025 was a timely reminder of how important it is to stay flexible. With Konfront’s Product as a Service model, we’ve seen how quickly the landscape can shift, and this week is proving once again that agility is key. No matter how solid the plan, being able to adapt to changes is what will keep us ahead. AI Beyond the Usual Suspects AI’s application in the construction industry was a real eye-opener today. It got me thinking about how innovation can—and should—expand beyond the usual sectors. There’s incredible potential in industries we might not immediately associate with advanced tech, and this broader perspective is something I’m eager to explore back home. Inclusivity and Building Ecosystems The session on inclusivity and the importance of diversity was a highlight. Being part of both the U.S. and Latin American tech ecosystems, I’ve always believed that diverse perspectives are crucial to sustainable growth. SF Tech Week is a powerful reminder that creating inclusive spaces isn’t just about representation—it’s about fostering innovation that stands the test of time through meaningful collaboration. This is just the start. I’ll be sharing more insights as the week unfolds, but today’s takeaway is clear: While technology evolves rapidly, the relationships we build are what give it meaning. Here’s to more conversations, more connections, and more learning in the days to come.

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