🙂 The Art of Asking for VC Introductions: What Founders Need to Know

In the complex world of venture capital, asking for introductions is a delicate art that can make or break your funding journey. It's not just about who you know, but how you approach them and what you ask for.

➡️ First and foremost, consider the position of the investor you're asking for an intro. If they haven't invested in you themselves, their introduction might raise eyebrows. The exception? When they have an exceptionally close relationship with your target investor. This nuance is crucial to understand.

➡️ Not all introductions are created equal. A simple email forward pales in comparison to a passionate phone call singing your praises. The warmth of the intro often reflects the strength of your relationship with the introducer. Nurture these relationships carefully.

➡️ Timing and approach are everything. The best time to ask for an intro is when meeting you genuinely benefits the other party. Generic requests like "Connect me with NYC funds" fall flat. Instead, do your homework. Identify specific funds, explain why you're a good fit, and make it easy for your contact to help you.

❗️ Remember, investors value their networks immensely. They've spent years building trust and mutual value. When you ask for an intro, you're asking them to leverage this precious resource. Approach this request with the respect and thoughtfulness it deserves.

➡️ In essence, put yourself in the investor's shoes. Would you stake your reputation on this introduction? Make sure your request is so compelling, so well-researched, and so mutually beneficial that the answer is an unequivocal "yes."

The VC world operates on its own set of unwritten rules. While we can debate whether these rules need changing, understanding and navigating them skillfully is crucial for success in the current landscape. Master this art, and you'll find doors opening that you never knew existed.

💬 Source #StartupAdvice

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💡 Alarming NRR Trends in B2B SaaS: What It Means for the Industry

🖥 Recent data from BenchSights reveals a concerning trend in the B2B SaaS industry: the largest companies are struggling to retain and expand their customer base. Net Revenue Retention (NRR), a crucial metric for both business strategies and investor valuations, has seen a significant decline across the board.

➡️ In a comprehensive analysis of 50 public B2B SaaS companies, not a single one managed to improve their NRR from 2021 to 2023. This universal downturn is unprecedented and signals a shift in the industry landscape. The median NRR drop was a substantial 12%, falling from 121% in 2021 to 108% in 2023.

➡️ Even the best performers in this metric, such as Couchbase and Olo, merely maintained their NRR levels, while others saw dramatic declines. Particularly alarming are the cases of ZoomInfo, Asana, and Snowflake, which experienced NRR drops of 29%, 30%, and 47% respectively.

➡️ These figures paint a sobering picture for the B2B SaaS sector. Companies will likely face increased challenges in meeting their revenue targets, as growth from existing clients becomes more difficult to achieve during economic uncertainties. This trend also helps explain the recent decrease in market multiples for SaaS companies, reflecting investor concerns about future growth prospects.

➡️ For startup founders and investors in the B2B SaaS space, these findings underscore the critical importance of customer retention and expansion strategies. As new customer acquisition becomes more costly and competitive, the ability to grow revenue from existing clients will be a key differentiator for successful companies.

In this evolving environment, founders must focus on delivering continual value to their existing customers, while investors may need to recalibrate their expectations and valuation models. The coming months will likely see a renewed emphasis on customer success initiatives and product enhancements aimed at deepening client relationships and driving expansion revenues.

🟢 However, it's worth noting that this analysis doesn't account for the potential impact of AI technologies, which could reshape the landscape in unexpected ways. As the industry grapples with these challenges, innovative approaches to customer value creation and retention will be more crucial than ever.

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💬 Source #StartupInside

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🙂 SaaS Cost Structure Trends: A Silver Lining in Efficiency

ℹ️ Recent data from SaaS Capital, as shared by Dirk Salmer of SaaS Group, reveals a promising trend in the cost structure of SaaS businesses from 2023 to 2024. The overall picture shows a significant improvement in efficiency, with total costs as a percentage of Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) decreasing from 89% to 71%.

➡️ This reduction in costs relative to ARR is seen across several key areas. General and Administrative expenses dropped from 15% to 11% of ARR, while Research and Development saw a substantial decrease from 24% to 18%. Marketing and Sales also became more efficient, with Marketing costs falling from 10% to 8% of ARR, and Sales from 15% to 10.5%. Customer Success costs similarly decreased from 10% to 8.5% of ARR.

👀 Interestingly, some cost categories remained stable as a percentage of ARR, including Other Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), Professional Services COGS, DevOps, and Hosting, all maintaining their 2023 levels in 2024.

➡️ However, when examining the cost structure in terms of each category's share of total costs, a slightly different picture emerges. While G&A, R&D, and Sales saw their proportional share of costs decrease, other areas saw increases. Most notably, infrastructure-related costs such as Hosting, DevOps, and Professional Services COGS saw their share of total costs rise, likely due to the challenges in reducing these essential services.

➡️ This shift in cost structure suggests that SaaS companies are finding it easier to optimize certain aspects of their operations, particularly in sales and administration, while facing more constraints in reducing infrastructure and service delivery costs. The increase in the proportional share of Customer Success costs, from 11% to 12% of total costs, may indicate a growing focus on retention and expansion strategies, aligning with the challenging Net Revenue Retention trends we've observed in the industry.

For SaaS founders and investors, these benchmarks provide valuable insights into industry-wide efforts to improve efficiency and profitability. The data suggests a trend towards leaner operations in many areas, potentially driven by the need to adapt to changing market conditions and investor expectations. However, the rising proportion of infrastructure and service delivery costs in the overall mix highlights the ongoing importance of these areas in delivering value to customers.

🟢 As the SaaS industry continues to evolve, companies that can effectively balance cost optimization with maintaining robust infrastructure and high-quality service delivery are likely to be best positioned for success. This data serves as a useful benchmark for startups to evaluate their own cost structures and identify areas for potential improvement.

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💬 Source #StartupInside

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💡 Startup Acquisition Trends: Series A Takes the Lead

➡️ The startup ecosystem is constantly evolving, and one of the key indicators of its health is the rate of acquisitions. Recent data from 1,132 acquired startups between the first half of 2021 and the first half of 2024 reveals some interesting trends in the M&A landscape.

⬇️ Series A Dominance

Surprisingly, Series A startups seem to be the sweet spot for acquisitions. Over the past few years, Series A companies have consistently led in terms of the number of acquisitions, with 89 deals in H1 2024 alone. This trend suggests that many larger companies are looking to acquire startups that have proven their concept and are ready for rapid growth.

⬇️ Early-Stage Appeal

Pre-Priced Round and Priced Seed startups also show strong acquisition numbers. In H1 2024, 56 Pre-Priced Round and 70 Priced Seed startups were acquired. This indicates that even very early-stage companies with promising ideas or technologies are attractive targets for acquisition.

⬇️ Growth and Late-Stage Acquisitions

While not as numerous as early-stage acquisitions, there's still significant activity in later stages. Series B companies saw 43 acquisitions in H1 2024, while Series C had 24. This shows that more mature startups continue to be valuable targets, possibly for their established market presence or advanced technologies.

⬇️ Fluctuations Over Time

The data shows some fluctuations in acquisition numbers across different stages from 2021 to 2024. For instance, Series A acquisitions peaked at 98 in H1 2022 before settling at 89 in H1 2024. These variations might reflect broader economic trends or shifts in industry focus.

The startup acquisition landscape is dynamic, with a clear preference for early to mid-stage companies, particularly those at the Series A level. This trend suggests that acquirers are balancing risk and potential, looking for startups that have validated their ideas but still have significant room for growth. For entrepreneurs and investors, understanding these patterns can be crucial in planning exit strategies and assessing the long-term potential of startups across different stages of development.

❗️ Remember, while acquisitions can be a measure of success, they're not the only path for startups. Many choose to remain independent and grow organically. As always, the key is to build a valuable, innovative company that solves real problems in the market.

💬 Source #StartupInside

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🙂 American venture capitalists are more likely to invest in AI than VCs in other countries are

It may seem like the whole world is going all in on AI right now, but the numbers tell a different story. Recent data reveals some fascinating insights into how different regions approach AI funding.

➡️ American VCs are leading the AI investment charge, with about 27% putting money into early-stage AI startups between mid-July and early September. This is significantly higher than other regions — Europe falls below 20%, while China sits at around 15%. It seems the AI gold rush isn't as global as headlines might suggest.

➡️ But venture capital isn't the whole story. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia are pouring massive resources into AI. In China, state-backed funds and tech behemoths are also heavily involved, though their investments are less transparent.

➡️ What's really interesting is how different regions have their own investment flavors. Chinese investors lean towards manufacturing startups, Europeans favor renewable energy, and Caribbean-based investors are big on crypto. This isn't just about different markets — it reflects the unique ecosystems, cultures, and economic strengths of each region.

❗️ Remember Uber's exit from Pakistan in 2022? It's a perfect example of why understanding local markets matters. The success of local alternatives like Careem and Bykea shows that you can't just copy-paste tech solutions globally.

🔤 European investors are known for their longer-term view, often backing impact-driven and pioneering technologies. This approach is particularly evident in climate tech investments.

For entrepreneurs, this diverse landscape creates exciting opportunities. If you're working on a revolutionary climate solution, you might find more receptive ears in Europe. Got a wild idea for a new banking system? A country building its financial infrastructure from scratch might be your best bet.

While AI is grabbing headlines worldwide, investment patterns tell a more complex story. Understanding these global trends can be crucial for startups seeking the right funding and markets for their innovations.

🟢 In the end, this diversity in global investment focus isn't just about regional differences — it's opening doors for cross-border collaborations and expansions in the startup world. The next big thing might just come from an unexpected corner of the globe!

💬 Source #StartupStats

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💡 Efficiency is the New Growth: What Top Tech Companies Are Doing Right in 2024

The latest Mostly Multiples Efficiency Benchmarks 2024 report reveals a game-changing trend in the tech sector. Top companies are not just growing; they're growing efficiently, and the market is rewarding them handsomely for it.

➡️ The Top Ten Median valuation multiple has surged to 13.2x forward revenue, signaling strong investor confidence. But what's driving these valuations? It's not just rapid growth — it's smart, efficient growth.

📌 Let's break down what sets these top performers apart:

1️⃣ Lightning-fast CAC Payback: The best companies are recouping their customer acquisition costs in just 15 months, compared to the industry median of 19 months. This speaks volumes about their marketing and sales efficiency.

2️⃣ Mastering the Rule of 40: Top performers are achieving a combined revenue growth rate and EBITDA margin of 50%. This balance of growth and profitability is music to investors' ears.

3️⃣ Stellar Revenue per Employee: The cream of the crop is generating a whopping $527,000 per employee annually. This metric showcases lean operations and high productivity.

➡️ Sector-wise, Security and Vertical SaaS are leading the pack in both valuation multiples and efficiency metrics. Fintech is showing strong revenue growth but has room for improvement in efficiency. Interestingly, Marketplace companies, despite lower overall multiples, are punching above their weight in revenue per employee.

🔤These benchmarks offer valuable lessons for startups across all stages:

➖ Focus on efficient customer acquisition strategies.
➖ Strive for a balance between growth and profitability.
➖ Maximize productivity and revenue generation per team member.
➖ Understand and optimize for the key metrics in your specific sector.

❗️Remember, while rapid growth is exciting, sustainable, efficient growth is what will set you apart in the long run. These top companies didn't just stumble into these metrics — they made them a priority.

As you build and scale your startups, keep these efficiency benchmarks in mind. They're not just numbers — they're a roadmap to creating a company that investors will clamor for. Focus on optimizing your CAC Payback, strive for that Rule of 40 sweet spot, and continuously improve your Revenue per Employee. These metrics aren't just for late-stage companies; start optimizing for them early, and you'll build a stronger, more resilient business. In today's tech landscape, the most efficient startups are the ones that will not only survive but thrive.

🔹 So, roll up your sleeves and start measuring, optimizing, and growing – efficiently!

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💬 Source #StartupInside

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🙂 The Agent Economy: A New Frontier for Startups

➡️ The tech world is witnessing another seismic shift — the dawn of the agent economy. Just as cloud computing birthed SaaS and smartphones ushered in the app economy, AI innovations are now paving the way for AI agents. This presents a golden opportunity for startups to revolutionize how we work and interact with technology.

➡️ AI agents are set to reinvent SaaS, offering conversational UX and cross-platform data utilization. They're not just tapping into software budgets, but also addressing labor needs — a market 35 times larger than traditional software. Moreover, these agents are transforming low-margin human services into streamlined, AI-powered solutions.

➡️ The potential applications span across horizontal, vertical, and consumer markets. From sales and software development to legal services and financial analysis, AI agents are poised to impact virtually every sector. Early winners are already emerging: Sierra is challenging Zendesk in customer service, 11x is enhancing SDR capabilities in sales, Jasper is expanding from copywriting to broader marketing AI platforms, and Harvey is revolutionizing billable hours in the legal industry.

❗️ However, we're just at the beginning. There's still ample room for innovation and new entrants. As history shows with previous tech shifts, it may take a few years for decacorn AI apps to emerge. The next Uber, Snapchat, or Rovio of the AI world is likely being built right now.

For startup founders, the agent economy represents a massive opportunity. Whether you're focusing on horizontal, vertical, or consumer applications, there's potential to create groundbreaking solutions. Consider how AI agents can enhance efficiency, tap into new markets, or transform traditional services in your target industry.

🟢 Remember, we're at the dawn of this new era. The field is wide open for ambitious founders ready to shape the future. Focus on solving real problems, leveraging AI's unique capabilities, and don't be afraid to challenge established players. The agent economy is ripe for innovation, and your startup could be at the forefront of this revolution. The future is agentic — are you ready to build it?

💬 Source #StartupInside

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💎 V3V Ventures: Building a Decentralized Future

➡️ At V3V Ventures, we are more than committed to shaping the future of blockchain and decentralized technologies through strategic investments and partnerships.

For example, our recent $3 million acquisition of Metaverse.sg in February. This investment highlights our strong belief in the resilience of the NFT market and its potential for sustained growth. Metaverse.sg has established itself as a vital platform within the crypto ecosystem, so we are looking forward to the new wave of innovation in the NFT space.

🚀 In addition to our investment in Metaverse.sg, we have made significant strides across various fronts. This year we’ve already invested $100k+ in Telegram Ads, which has helped us become the top platform in our field, positioning us as the leader not only in the crypto and blockchain conversation, but in the startups and venture space too. Our efforts are focused on connecting with a broader audience and delivering high-quality information that enhances the understanding of digital assets and Web3 world at all.

🔥 Moreover, we’ve allocated almost $500k into @major Our collaboration allows us to promote insightful channels like @venture (offering insights on global startups and investment trends), @trading (providing essential trading tips and market analysis), @startups (curating innovative SaaS app ideas), and @ether (delivering the latest cryptocurrency news and trends). Together, we are dedicated to making the Telegram ecosystem stronger and empowering users with knowledge.

➡️ Our partnership with BRKT is another exciting venture that we are proud of. We share a vision of revolutionizing decentralized applications, gaming, and blockchain infrastructure. Together, we aim to transform prediction markets through decentralized tournaments and NFT rewards, paving the way for a new wave of innovation in the space.

➡️ While we remain optimistic about emerging projects, we approach investments with a discerning eye. For instance, Telegram clicker-apps have rapidly gained popularity by leveraging user engagement through token giveaways. However, we recognize the risks involved; when users are primarily motivated by immediate profit rather than value creation, it can lead to market instability and significant sell-offs. We prefer to invest in sustainable growth models that foster real value within the network.

As we continue to invest in groundbreaking technologies, we remain focused on our mission to support and empower the next generation of innovators in the blockchain and digital asset space. Together, we are paving the way for a decentralized future that benefits all.

👀 Stay tuned for more updates on our journey and the exciting projects we’re backing!

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💡 YC S24 Batch And The AI Revolution in Startup Land

➡️ Y Combinator's Summer 2024 batch has just been unveiled, and it's painting a vivid picture of where the startup world is headed. With 255 companies in the cohort, this batch is a treasure trove of insights into the current state of innovation and entrepreneurship.

➡️ The most striking trend? The dominance of AI. A staggering 67% of startups in this batch are categorized as AI companies. Just three years ago, this figure stood at a mere 13%. This explosive growth underscores the transformative power of AI across industries, from fintech to healthcare and beyond.

❗️ But it's not just about the technology. YC's selection reveals a clear profile of the founders they believe will shape the future. More than half of the companies (55%) have a founder with a Master's degree or Ph.D., highlighting the value placed on advanced education in today's complex tech landscape. Even more telling, 72% of the startups include a founder with a computer science background, emphasizing the technical expertise required to navigate the AI-driven future.

🔹 The batch also shows a preference for balanced founding teams, with 54% of startups sporting two co-founders. This aligns with historical data suggesting that co-founder pairs often outperform solo founders.

➡️ Interestingly, nearly half (48%) of the companies include at least one second-time founder. This trend towards experienced entrepreneurs could indicate a maturing ecosystem where lessons learned from previous ventures are highly valued.

➡️ Location-wise, Silicon Valley's gravitational pull remains strong, with 67% of the startups based in San Francisco. This concentration suggests that despite talks of decentralization, the Bay Area continues to be a crucial hub for tech innovation and venture capital.

➡️ As we look at this snapshot of the startup ecosystem, it's clear that AI is not just a trend, but a fundamental shift in how we approach innovation and problem-solving. YC's batch reflects a world where technical expertise, advanced education, and prior entrepreneurial experience are becoming increasingly crucial for startup success.

For aspiring founders, the message is clear: deep technical knowledge, particularly in AI and computer science, coupled with a strong educational background and, ideally, some entrepreneurial experience, seems to be the winning formula in today's startup landscape.

💬 Source#1 Source#2 #StartupInside

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🙂 AI in 2024: Soaring Valuations, Rapid Growth, and Intense Competition

The State of AI Report 2024 has just been released by Air Street Capital, offering a comprehensive look at the current AI landscape. This 212-page document covers everything from research and industry trends to politics, safety, and future predictions. For startups and entrepreneurs in the AI space, the insights are particularly valuable.

➡️ One of the most striking revelations is the distribution of computing power among tech giants. Meta leads the pack with a staggering 21,400 NVIDIA A100 clusters and 350,000 H100 clusters, far outpacing competitors like Tesla, Leonardo, and even Google. This concentration of resources highlights the intense competition in AI development and the significant barriers to entry for smaller players.

➡️ The report also sheds light on the eye-watering valuations in the AI sector. Companies like Character AI and Stability AI are commanding revenue multiples of 568x and 238x respectively, indicating investors' enormous faith in the future of AI. Even more established players like OpenAI and Anthropic are valued at multiples that dwarf traditional tech companies.

➡️ For startups, the report offers several encouraging signs. AI companies are reaching $20 million in revenue much faster than their SaaS counterparts — 20 months compared to 65 months. This rapid scaling potential is likely driving the high valuations and intense investor interest. The AI space has already seen $85 billion in investment in 2024, with $35 billion specifically in generative AI.

❗️ However, the landscape is not without challenges. Most of the funding is concentrated in large, $250 million+ rounds, suggesting that capital is flowing primarily to established players. Startups will need to find ways to differentiate and prove their value quickly in this competitive environment.

♻️ The report also highlights interesting trends in AI adoption and development. The price of AI models from major players like OpenAI and Anthropic has fallen dramatically — by up to 100x since 2023. This could lower barriers to entry for startups looking to integrate AI into their products. Additionally, the rapid growth in AI-generated video content (14.6 million videos in 2024 so far) points to new opportunities in content creation and media.

🔹 Looking ahead, the report offers ten predictions for the future of AI. While these are speculative, they provide valuable food for thought for entrepreneurs trying to anticipate the next big trends in the industry.

For startups navigating the AI landscape, this report underscores the immense potential of the field, but also the fierce competition and rapid pace of change. Success will likely depend on a combination of technical innovation, strategic positioning, and the ability to quickly capitalize on emerging trends. As the AI revolution continues to unfold, staying informed and agile will be key for any startup hoping to make its mark in this transformative field.

💬 Source #StartupStats

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💫 Indian startup Table Space is aiming for a $2.5 billion valuation with its planned IPO in 2025. This move highlights the growth in the managed workspace sector.

🙂What do you think? Is this a sign of a booming market or just a temporary trend?🙂

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💻 Monzo has hit a $5.9B valuation following a secondary market sale, providing liquidity for employees.

🙂With its expansion plans in Europe and the U.S., Monzo seems poised for even bigger things. Do you think Monzo can keep up its momentum?🙂

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♻️ After selling his AI startup to Meta, Beyond Presence’s founder raised $3.1M to build hyper-realistic avatars for real-time interactions in sectors like customer service and e-learning.

🙂Could hyper-realistic avatars be the next big trend in digital communication?🙂

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⚡️ Tesla has revealed its Cybercab robotaxi, a smaller, sleeker version of the Cybertruck, which could cost under $30K, alongside a prototype of the Robovan for high-density transport.

🙂How do you think this Cybercab initiative can reform the taxi industry? What new startups and projects can we expect from this kind of innovations?🙂

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💡 Autone, a startup focused on demand forecasting and sales optimization for mid-market retailers and premium brands, has raised $17M in Series A funding. Founded by fashion industry veterans, Autone aims to simplify inventory management and reduce waste in an increasingly complex retail environment.

🙂Do you think legacy software is holding back mid-market retailers? 🙂

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🖥 Boston Dynamics and the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) have announced a partnership to integrate AI-driven intelligence into the Atlas humanoid robot. This collaboration will utilize TRI's advancements in large behavior models, enhancing Atlas's ability to perform complex tasks with greater autonomy.

🙂What capabilities do you think AI will unlock for humanoid robots in the future?🙂

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🛡 Elon Musk's X is set to clarify for EU users their rights to appeal decisions under the Digital Services Act (DSA), amid ongoing investigations into its complaint handling practices.

🙂How will these updates impact user trust and the platform's compliance with EU regulations?🙂

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💵 Cyera has acquired Trail Security for $162 million, marking its first acquisition and paving the way for a $200 million fundraising at a $3 billion valuation.

🙂What impact do you think the acquisition of Trail Security will have on Cyera's market position in the cybersecurity landscape?🙂

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💭 Apple Vision Pro app releases have significantly slowed down, with new additions dropping each month, while sales projections for the year have halved to 400,000 units. A more affordable version priced under $2,000 may arrive in 2025.

🙂 Do you think a cheaper Vision Pro will drive more developer interest and innovation in the AR space?🙂

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📉 Byju Raveendran, founder of the edtech giant Byju's, revealed that the company, once valued at $22 billion, is now "worth zero" due to mismanagement, aggressive acquisitions, and a lack of investor support. Despite these setbacks, Raveendran remains hopeful about a potential recovery for the startup.

🙂 Can Byju's turn things around, or is this the end for India's once most valuable edtech unicorn?🙂

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