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The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers | | Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed. | Join for free today! |
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Latest News From the World of Business | (1) AI Infrastructure Startup Chalk Raises $50 Million Series A (Reuters) San Francisco-based startup Chalk has secured a $50 million Series A funding round led by Felicis, valuing the company at $500 million. Chalk specializes in providing platforms that enable enterprises to integrate proprietary data into AI and machine learning models for real-time decision-making. Clients like fintech firm MoneyLion and solar company Sunrun utilize Chalk's technology for applications such as real-time fraud detection and optimizing solar panel placement. (2) Japan's ISC Plans U.S. Test Launch of Reusable Rocket Prototype (Reuters) Tokyo-based rocket startup Innovative Space Carrier (ISC) announced plans to test-launch its ASCA 1.0 reusable launcher prototype in December at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The test will involve a 100-meter flight and landing, utilizing the Hadley rocket engine from U.S. manufacturer Ursa Major. This marks the first commercial U.S.-Japan rocket collaboration. ISC aims to develop an orbital launch vehicle by 2028 to support Japan's growing satellite industry.
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While others build AI, Pickaxe Studio builds what they build with. Curious? |
Lead-In: |
In every gold rush, the real winners aren't always the ones digging for gold, they're often the ones selling the shovels. |
Let's unpack the idea, and see how you can apply it to your own ventures. |
The Pickaxe Strategy, Explained |
This timeless strategy, known as the pick-and-shovel model, is about supplying the essential tools, infrastructure, or services that others need to chase the next big thing. |
Back in 1848, when gold fever hit California, thousands rushed west with dreams of striking it rich. But while most miners ended up broke or broken, a man named Samuel Brannan saw a different kind of opportunity. |
Instead of mining gold, he bought every pick, shovel, and pan he could get his hands on and sold them to eager prospectors at massive markups. It's said he paid 20 cents per pan and sold them for $15 a pop. |
Brannan became California's first millionaire—and he never had to dig a single inch of dirt. |
"Because, you know, resilience—if you think of it in terms of the Gold Rush, then you'd be pretty depressed right now because the last nugget of gold would be gone. But the good thing is, with innovation, there isn't a last nugget. Every new thing creates two new questions and two new opportunities."
| | | | - Jeff Bezos |
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What It Means Today |
It's a proven business model that shows up in every boom cycle. It's about being the quiet force behind other people's ambition. While others swing for the fences, you sell them the bats. |
This strategy involves investing in companies that supply essential tools, services, or infrastructure to various industries, allowing investors to benefit from industry growth without the risks associated with producing the end product. |
But selling the pickaxe doesn't mean sitting on your hands. You still have to understand the rush, build for your users, and adapt fast. Tools that break or don't solve real pain won't get far. But if you nail the execution? |
You build the business others build on top of. |
Modern-Day Pickaxe Examples |
You don't have to dig far to find this model in play today: |
Amazon Web Services (AWS) – Every startup needs cloud infrastructure. AWS makes money whether you're the next Uber or a weekend hobbyist. Stripe – The plumbing behind e-commerce. Every transaction, they take a cut. Shopify – While brands compete for attention, Shopify sells the storefronts. Canva – Used by content creators, marketers, and founders to design without needing a designer. Notion & Airtable – Productivity software that powers thousands of workflows, from solopreneurs to teams.
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How to Sell Pickaxes in Your Industry |
Spot the Rush: What's the current gold rush in your world—AI, climate tech, content creation, remote work? Map the Needs: What does this wave require to thrive? Infrastructure? Tools? Knowledge? Support? Build the Toolset: Create what they need—software, platforms, templates, courses, services. Scale + Stay Agile: As the market evolves, so should you. Adapt to emerging problems and unmet needs.
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In business, it's easy to get caught chasing shiny objects. But sometimes, the smartest move is behind the curtain. |
If you want to build something enduring, profitable, and deeply valuable, don't just look for gold. |
Sell the pickaxe. |
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Sources |
California Gold Rush – Samuel Brannan's Story |
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Disclaimer: The startup ideas shared in this forum are non-rigorously curated and offered for general consideration and discussion only. Individuals utilizing these concepts are encouraged to exercise independent judgment and undertake due diligence per legal and regulatory requirements. It is recommended to consult with legal, financial, and other relevant professionals before proceeding with any business ventures or decisions. |
Sponsored content in this newsletter contains investment opportunity brought to you by our partner ad network. Even though our due-diligence revealed no concerns to us to promote it, we are in no way recommending the investment opportunity to anyone. We are not responsible for any financial losses or damages that may result from the use of the information provided in this newsletter. Readers are solely responsible for their own investment decisions and any consequences that may arise from those decisions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits, lost data, or other intangible losses, arising out of or in connection with the use of the information provided in this newsletter. |
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