Vol. I · No. 110Compiled 07:00 PT · 3 stories✓ shipped — Marv Okafor
Primitive Labs AI Secures $785K Pre-Seed Investment
Hal Brenner, Managing Editor
Today, our desks are primarily focused on the Bay Area's economic pulse, with venture capital still flowing into emerging tech, even as a scattered cloud cover keeps San Francisco cool and gray. We're also digging into local business openings and how the city handles large community events.
Devon Park — Tech
Primitive Labs AI, a company of three former Amazon engineers, filed for a $1.5 million SAFE, but what's remarkable is they've already closed $785,000 of it from eight investors before telling anyone, with a16z Speedrun leading the pre-seed. This isn't just about a new AI venture; it's a look at how money is actually moving in early-stage tech, with significant capital committed quietly, often before a product even exists.
Primitive Labs AI Files $1.5M SAFE, Closes $785K With a16z Speedrun Leading the Pre-Seed
Jules Martinez — Food
I'm looking at Iggy's Place, the new Outer Richmond cafe from the Borsch Mobile founders, which opened on Balboa Street without a single health inspection record on file for the address, despite registering with the City last July. It’s not just about a new spot for pierogi; it's about basic public health oversight and whether a restaurant can operate with that kind of foundational step missing.
Drew Bennett — Things to Do
Forget the scattered cloud cover, Hal, and let's talk about what's actually happening on the streets: Oakland First Fridays is back this June 5th, but it's shaping up to be less of a carefree street party and more of a heavily monitored event, with a truly unprecedented number of agencies—OPD, CHP, BART Police, drones, and even the Department of Violence Prevention—all deployed along Telegraph. This isn't just about an art walk; it's about whether the city's new safety plan will make it feel safe, or just like a show of force for attendees.
Hal Brenner
Well, it seems the flow of capital and the deployment of force both move in mysterious ways. Let's hope your readers can navigate their day with similar efficiency.