David Lidsky's Blog, page 73

Can’t get a business loan? This new credit card might change that

Nav’s upgraded Prime Card helps entrepreneurs build credit where it matters—on both the personal and business side.

Entrepreneurs and prospective business owners looking for ways to finance their budding companies often run into a problem: Their personal credit scores are low—which makes it difficult to access the loans they may need to lease a storefront or buy equipment. A solution may be on the way.

How to get funding in this economy: advice from an angel investor

Raising capital during volatile times is challenging but not impossible.

The first company I built was in 2008; we closed our seed round in May, the housing crisis hit in August, and the world collapsed. I distinctly remember Sequoia Capital’s “RIP good times” slide deck that September, which effectively killed the VC market overnight. We had only raised $500K and had overscaled our team. We tried to last as long as we could, but in March 2009 we had to raise again. I personally pitched 36 firms in person and they all said no.

This new tax deduction in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ lets people cash in on charitable donations up to $2,000. Here’s what to know

The president’s tax bill brings charitable write-offs ‘above the line,’ allowing even filers who use standard over itemized deductions to claim the benefit.

President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was recently signed into law, offers Americans a number of tax benefits. It makes many of the changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 permanent, and adds some new tax rules, both short-term and long-term, according to H&R Block.

OpenAI’s new ChatGPT agent reasons, researches, and runs its own computer

The hybrid agent blends capabilities from OpenAI’s earlier Operator and Deep Research tools, combining web access, automation, and in-depth analysis.

OpenAI is rolling out a new AI agent within ChatGPT that can browse the web and conduct deep research.

The AI-native nonprofit era is coming

It’s going to transform how we solve global problems

“I can’t believe it only took a week.” That’s what a nonprofit leader will say in 2030 after launching an AI-powered platform that reaches millions of people. Not through a huge team or a multi-million dollar grant, but with a handful of staff and volunteers, and the right AI strategy.

With DEI, silence is complicity

Why stalwart company values should be a lodestone when navigating a chaotic economic landscape.

Five years ago, we weren’t so divided as a business community on supporting a broad range of initiatives. However, since January, many U.S. companies have rolled back their DEI programs, including Chipotle, Comcast, Disney, GE, GM, Google, Intel, and Pepsi.

Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be founders!

But they do, follow these three pieces of advice.

I was born and raised in Israel, but my love affair with America began in my early teens when I would wear faded jeans and plaid flannel shirts and play country music on my silver Sony Walkman. One track I always loved listening to was Waylon Jennings’ and Willie Nelson’s twangy rendition of “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”—a song that captures the loneliness of being a cowboy as well as the challenges that lifestyle poses for their loved ones.

You can envision and obtain your ideal job

It requires self-reflection and asking yourself targeted questions.

At the Exceptional Women Alliance (EWA), we empower high-level women to mentor one another, encouraging personal and professional fulfillment through meaningful connections. This month I am delighted to introduce Mary Knobler, a retired managing director in the finance sector. Mary was a senior fellow in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard and holds a master’s degree in negotiation and conflict resolution from Columbia University. Mary shares her insights on how professionals can design work that reflects their values, strengths, and aspirations

Rigetti Computing stock price: Why shares took a quantum leap today

The California-based firm said it has achieved a major milestone and teased more news to come. Here’s what to know.

Shares in the quantum computing firm Rigetti Computing are experiencing what you might call quantum leap.

This yogurt brand is offering people $5,000 to take time off

Americans had $312 billion in unused vacation days last year.

The popular Icelandic skyr yogurt brand Siggi’s wants Americans to take their paid time off. No excuses! But Siggi’s is doing more than just urging its own employees to take their PTO; they’re offering to foot the bill for any hard worker’s vacay.