Jun 29, 2024

As a financial expert, I recently learned about the significant development in Indonesia’s capital movement. The government is working on a megaproject to relocate some capital functions from Jakarta to Nusantara, with the goal of completion by 2045. However, there have been delays and challenges, including the resignation of the capital chief, raising uncertainty around the project. An edited volume titled “The Road to Nusantara” examines the current realities and future prospects of this megaproject, providing diverse perspectives beyond official government accounts.

The news also highlighted concerns about the impact of this capital move on Indonesia’s future trajectory and its broader regional and global significance. It has implications for the development imbalance between the outer islands and Java, as well as relationships with neighboring countries. The project intersects with complex issues such as the ties with Indonesia’s neighbors and the relationships between the central government and local actors. The edited volume provides a comprehensive perspective on these dynamics, including on-the-ground surveys and field interviews with local inhabitants within the capital zone, addressing concerns that have been suppressed.

Another news piece discussed the challenges faced by venture capital as the Yale Model, which has underpinned modern venture capital, may be dying. Ivy League endowments and many charitable foundation peers have overallocated to venture capital, leading to elongated venture distribution cycles and risks of negative cash flow for LPs. This has prompted a shift in the composition of LP bases, with large VC funds turning to investors they wouldn’t have met with 10 years ago. This sea change might have short-term implications for venture capital, particularly as fee-hungry firms navigate this shift in the industry’s foundational alignment of interests.

Lastly, I learned that ZeroEyes, a gun detection video analytics and alert platform, has raised over $53 million in Series B funding. This is significant because it shows that at least some tech companies are working to reduce the number of mass shooting incidents in America. The company’s computer vision software integrates with existing digital security cameras in various locations to identify guns and then share those images with trained professionals who can alert first responders and local staff if necessary. ZeroEyes CEO Mike Lahiff stated that the company has nearly 400 clients and has led to over a dozen arrests as a result of its software. This funding is a positive step in the fight against gun violence and is likely to have a significant impact in the security and surveillance industry.

Stay Well!