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Dear hustlers, founders, operators and visionaries,
Happy new year everyone! Whatever your New Year’s resolutions, we hope they didn’t break on the first day back in everyday life. While many of us were taking it slow during the year end break, Meta made another move on the AI front. It announced the acquisition of Singapore-based startup Manus for over $2bn. Also in 2026, AI will be the all-compassing topic. Follow the Gradient and stay tuned.
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Your talk track for this week’s cocktail party
Kraken to spin out at nearly $9bn valuation
Octopus Energy is carving out its software arm, Kraken, in a $1bn funding deal that sets its valuation at $8.65bn ahead of a 2026 demerger. Led by D1 Capital and joined by big-name backers, only $150m of the raise goes to Kraken itself, with Octopus pocketing the rest. Kraken powers utilities like EDF and Tokyo Gas, and a future IPO is now firmly on the cards.
Twitter and Pinterest alums launch “anti-social” app Tangle
Biz Stone and Evan Sharp have unveiled Tangle, an invite-only app for “intentional living,” aiming to counter the psychological fallout of social media. Backed by $29m from Spark Capital and others, the app prompts users to share daily intentions and support friends' goals. It's a striking pivot from founders who helped build the attention economy and are now trying to fix it.
What do you meme?
Food for thought
Are your mind and body in a “prime” state?
Do you know the feeling when you are stuck on a problem, or a situation you can’t find a way out? It is easy to get into a downward spiral of negative thoughts. We loved the perspective of Tim Ferris, arguing how your emotional state influences your ability to work out solutions. Sometimes, a brisk walk can do more wonders than you think…
