Building Automation Systems (BAS) Market Industry Dynamics and Contributions by Honeywell International, Johnson Controls, Novar, Siemens AG, Carrier Corporation, Trane, Delta Controls, Robert Bosch GmbH
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute, leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office
Trump asks US Supreme Court to pause TikTok banIf not for Z80 Labs, Buffalo billion-dollar “unicorn” startup ACV Auctions may never have existed. And chances are that some of the other startups that went through the tech incubator would not have become sustainable entities either. But since funding expired for Z80 Labs several years ago, some leaders of the Buffalo entrepreneurial ecosystem have been looking for another way to help local early stage entrepreneurs who don’t have much more than an idea with potential. Dan Magnuszewski, co-founder of ACV Auctions, has been named CEO of the 43North Foundation venture studio. That’s where the 43North Foundation comes in. As the foundation explored how it could use the funds it has raised from its 5% stake in the 43North competition’s winning startups, an idea to help fill this void in the entrepreneurial space began to take shape. The foundation, which is 43North’s philanthropic arm, announced in May that it would be making a 10-year, $100 million commitment to build on the growth of the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and part of that was to create a venture studio that aims to produce a local inventory of early stage startups. But the plan is also to change the playbook a tad. The venture studio will take things a step further than Z80 Labs ever did, creating a team that can take an idea through validation, product build and getting it out and scaling – all under one roof. Dan Magnuszewski, who co-founded ACV Auctions after leading Z80 Labs, was named the CEO to lead the venture studio. It’s an important get for this new initiative and somewhat of a full-circle moment for Magnuszewski. Eric Reich, a longtime entrepreneur and investor who’s helping lead this effort, said Magnuszewski’s experience in early stage companies as both an employee and founder and as a community advocate for entrepreneurship will help the studio “hit the ground running and be successful and sustainable going forward.” “Z80 Labs laid the seeds and foundation and proved a lot of things, but it also proved that there needs to be a little bit of a different model as well,” said Magnuszewski, who worked as chief technology officer of ACV until fall 2021 and is now an active startup investor. “What it did show is that you can build these types of massive companies that can raise money and hire a lot of people and do it in Buffalo without having to move to wherever else is trendy these days,” he added. Z80 Labs got its start around 2012, under Magnuszewski and venture capitalist Jordan Levy, using $5 million in state money from Innovate NY to invest and as a place where startups could go to get mentoring and advising. Among the many business ideas spawned there was ACV Auctions, an online dealer-to-dealer wholesale vehicle auction platform. Magnuszewski found the idea so compelling that he left Z80 Labs to join Joe Neiman and Jack Greco in co-founding the startup, which won the 43North competition in 2015 – about a year after getting its start. By 2021, ACV Auctions became publicly traded and was valued at over $3 billion. But for all it did to help build startup companies like ACV Auctions, Z80 Labs lacked a hands-on approach to building the products and providing a team that could help get an idea off the ground, according to Magnuszewski. The venture studio will take care of those shortcomings. It also will add to the resources already available in the startup ecosystem helping to make entrepreneurship more accessible for the community – like 43North, Endeavor WNY, University at Buffalo’s Cultivator and Launch NY. Its focus will be on entrepreneurs at the idea level and not the companies that have already been established. “It became apparent that the best way to invest in companies, grow companies, build new companies and have them scale quick and de-risk them is to own the whole process,” Magnuszewski said. “If you can have a team that has been there and done that and knows the playbook and is three steps ahead, you move a lot quicker and go a lot farther if you build it that way, while also having the capital to invest in all these companies. You have all the ingredients there to bake the cake.” The 43North Foundation was formed three years ago and is funded by the proceeds that are realized from the 5% ownership stakes that 43North takes in all the winners of its competition – now in its 10th year. The success of the billion-dollar stock offering by ACV has made up a large part of that funding. Dan Magnuszewski, right, is pictured with ACV chief executive officer George Chamoun, left, chief customer success officer Joe Neiman in 2019. The foundation is trying to build on the success of 43North with one of the largest investments ever made in the entrepreneurial sector. It will result in the establishment of Lightning Strike, a series of investments to accelerate the region’s startups, focused on not only creating the venture studio, but also a talent pipeline, corporate connectivity and a storytelling effort with the goal of ensuring the entrepreneurial ecosystem is “equitable, ambitious and built to last,” said Bill Maggio, board chair for the 43North Foundation. “We’re at a point where we have blossomed this entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of people are now thinking about what they can do to create the next technological giant or the next ACV,” Maggio said. “The venture studio is a critical component of the overall initiative. I think people will quickly see the potential, if managed and structured in the right way, it can have on our startup ecosystem.” Even as the 43North competition has succeeded in bringing companies to Buffalo, some still leave after the one-year required commitment of moving here. But venture studio companies are certain to stay in Buffalo because they will come from ideas of Western New Yorkers and then be built by local people. “We’re going to have all the benefits of the 43North concept without the challenge that sometimes comes with moving people here who come from somewhere else,” Reich said. “There’s always the inherent challenge of what happens when the program ends, and will they stay in Buffalo? Fortunately, the majority of them do, but not all of them.” The venture studio will allow someone with an idea that could be industry disrupting the opportunity to bring it forward to a place where all the pieces are there for early execution and where the idea can get the chance it deserves. And that’s without that person having to quit their job and invest all their time and money in the idea. That person can come back and join the idea as it progresses or just become an adviser. Ideas that the staff bring to the table also will be worked on at the venture studio. Everyone employed there will become an early stage founder at some point. The venture studio will take a 5% stake in any company that pushes forward, much like the 43North competition model, and that cut will be used to continue to sustain the 43North Foundation. “ACV only existed because Joe Neiman had a place to bring an idea and for that idea to be evaluated and talked through with someone like Dan,” Reich said. “And for the last number of years, that place to go has been unclear. The venture studio will bring that clarity.” The next step will be to build the core team. The plan is to hire “tech all-stars” who have vast experience in this space and are trained analysts who can look at a company and industry and attempt to validate an idea, Reich said. Maggio said he anticipates hiring six to 10 people in the next six months and start cultivating the first prototype companies by the end of the year. Since it was announced a few weeks ago that Magnuszewski will be coming aboard, he’s already heard from people with ideas – some Buffalo expats looking to move back for an opportunity – and others from the private and public sector looking to help fund the project. “Our goal is to get rolling and we’ll learn along the way what works and what doesn’t work,” Magnuszewski said. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Rhode Island beats Bryant 35-21 to claim its first Coastal Athletic Association titleDANIELLE Armstrong has been hit with criticism online after she shared a weight loss transformation, and encouraged followers to follow suit. Former TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong has shown off the results of her weight loss across 15 months, which has seen her lose 3.5 stone. The mum of two has shown off a slimmer and toned figure, as she encouraged others to follow her weight loss plan in 2025. Writing on Instagram , she told fans in a clip of her before and after: "In a world that it seems injecting is the only solution for weightloss these days. "This is your sign to tell you there is another way." Alongside the video, she captioned the post: "If your someone wants to make 2025 the year you prioritise your health and get results without taking any risks or quick fixes to do so, but your not a big gym lover or haven’t got time to meal prep and live on chicken and broccoli then this is your sign to message me NOW. More on TOWIE "I’ll be going LIVE on an exclusive guest list only call on 30th December 8pm to go into detail exactly what a day on plan consists of and how I’ve dropped 3.5 stone." However fans have hit back at Danielle, with some branding her "crass" for slamming weight loss injections - which can be turned to for those struggling with obesity and are now offered via an NHS prescription. One person commented on the video: "Whilst you look great, this is disappointing promoting diet culture 2 days after Christmas ." Another added: "I think it is more the cost for people and you are promoting another expensive product to take along side the cost of the gym and personal training." Most read in Celebrity "Honestly drinking shakes ain’t also a healthy way of losing weight. Balance diet, calorie deficit and move your body even it means just walking. It does wonders. Also please don’t feel guilty for over indulging holiday season life is for living. Enjoy, laugh and live," stressed a third. Another pointed out: "Sometimes “injecting” is the only way it can be done. People try and try the natural way but sometimes it doesn’t work for them. Bit of a crass statement to be honest!" The healthy weight loss journey Danielle refers to sees her as a Herbalife Nutrition ambassador, alongside her fellow former TOWIE pal Ferne McCann . Ferne also posted to social media to share a healthy body message, as she told fans: "Let’s lose weight together! "Ok so over the last month or so, I’ve been less consistent with my healthy habits, eating whatever I wanted. Properly indulging over thee festive period and it’s crept up on me...quick. "I’ve been training for dancing on ice everyday but let me tell you, exercising everyday isn’t the answer! I’m feeling fluffy! Is anyone else? "If you want to lose weight, beat the Christmas bloat and work on feeling your best then join me on my 10 day results plan challenge."LOS ANGELES — When David Brown moved from Chicago to Los Angeles this summer, one of the first things he did was download an app that aims to “fight big-city loneliness.” The 35-year-old sales director had seen an Instagram ad for Timeleft, which matches users with strangers for dinner via a personality algorithm. Since he only knew a handful of people in his new city, he decided to give it a shot. On the night of his first dinner, Brown, a self-described introvert, was “super nervous” as Timeleft provides participants with limited details about who they will be dining with, including their job industry and zodiac sign. No names or photos are disclosed. But Brown’s fears were quickly dispelled once the host led him to his assigned table and he met the other diners, who were just as anxious as he was. “Everybody kind of committed to the experience and was just open minded,” says Brown, who lives in West Hollywood. Afterward, the group went to a bar hangout, also facilitated by Timeleft, for drinks and to meet other app users who also went to a dinner that night. “I made at least two best friends at that first dinner,” says Brown, adding that one of them is now his roommate. Since then, he’s been going to Timeleft dinners almost every week and has started an Instagram group for users to stay in touch. Brown is one of nearly 10,000 Angelenos who have attended a Timeleft dinner since the platform — which started in Lisbon last year and is now in more than 300 cities in 65 countries — expanded to L.A. in May. Los Angeles is the app’s second- largest market in the United States, behind New York City. Every Wednesday (excluding some holidays), Timeleft hosts more than 400 dinners in L.A. neighborhoods — stretching from Santa Monica to North Hollywood — with the purpose of helping attendees meet new people and hopefully make a friend. In an effort to combat loneliness, particularly during the holiday season — a 2023 survey by ValuePenguin found that 61 percent of Americans expected to feel lonely or sad during the season — Timeleft is hosting dinners on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, both of which fall on a Wednesday. Among the participating restaurants, which are open to the public on the holidays, are Butcher’s Daughter, Zinque and Formosa Cafe. Carlie Armstrong, who leads Timeleft’s West Coast region, says the company wanted to offer an alternative option during the holidays for people who may have lost loved ones, who live far from their families or those who may not have a good relationship with them. “This is also a particularly polarizing year so there are a lot of people who maybe are shying away from those interactions and maybe want to try something new during this time, but still be with other people,” she says. A recent American Psychological Association survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults found that nearly 40 percent of participants said they are avoiding relatives they disagree with politically during the holiday season. Each of the holiday dinners will follow the format a typical Timeleft gathering. To join, you can purchase a ticket for $16 or sign up for a membership starting at $26 per month, then you will be prompted to select your preferred dinner date. Users can also indicate their budget for dinner as the app works with various types of restaurants (casual, fine dining, etc.). On the Tuesday before the event, you’ll receive a brief introduction about your fellow diners. Guests are responsible for paying for their own meals. I attended my first Timeleft dinner last month at Bacari in West Hollywood. Upon arrival, I showed the hostess my table number, which was provided by the app, and two other folks who were there for the dinner introduced themselves to me. A staffer then guided us to our table and eventually four other diners — one of whom was celebrating his birthday — trickled in to join us. Everyone in my group had attended at least five dinners with the platform, so they were past the awkwardness that you’d think would come from meeting with a group of strangers for the first time. Conversation flowed effortlessly at our table, so much so that we didn’t even pull out the question game that Timeleft provides to help break the ice. As we threw back strong cocktails and nibbled on delicious shareable plates, we talked about our jobs, hobbies, hometowns and upbringings (one woman had moved to L.A. from Romania). At one point, I told the group that someone I used to date, but hadn’t seen in a year, had walked into the room, which launched a venting session about dating woes in L.A. We were comfortable, to say the least, and anyone walking by would’ve thought we’d known each other much longer than two hours. The restaurant would only take a limited number of credit cards although staff encouraged us to share plates, so we had a minor headache trying to figure out how to split the bill. Ultimately, one person put their card down and we sent them money. Cristina Haraba, 42, who moved to L.A. from London three years ago, is considering attending one of the app’s holiday dinners because she doesn’t have any family in town. Like Brown, she came across an ad for Timeleft on Instagram and decided to go because she was struggling to make friends. “It’s difficult to meet people in L.A. and I know it’s not just me because a lot of the people who’ve come to these dinners have been living in L.A. for 20 years. Some of them were born here,” says Haraba, who said she is used to having a “very rich social life.” Haraba, who’s originally from Romania, has been to about six Timeleft dinners so far and has made a few friends she still keeps in touch with. What keeps her coming back is the opportunity to try new restaurants in her area and meet interesting people who she can explore the city with, she says. Timeleft founder Maxime Barbier, who lives in Paris, says it was important for him to target the app to folks of various ages, including people like his 71-year-old dad. Barbier encouraged his dad to attend a dinner after he suffered a serious brain accident that caused him to be less social. He now goes at least once a month, Barber says. “Something I find sad is that all the new concepts are really focused on the new generation like ‘This is only for Gen Z,’” Barbier says. “But people who are the same age as my parents know how to use a computer or an iPhone and I think they need help because they [can get] lonely.” At most Timeleft dinners, people are paired with people who are within 10 years of their age, but some folks have been matched with folks of other generations as well. Myra Hermosa, 37, grew up in the San Fernando Valley, but recently moved back to the area after living in San Diego and North Carolina for a few years. “When I got back here, I was like “Welp, most of my friends are gone, or at least not in the area,” says Hermosa, who works from home. She decided to attend her first Timeleft dinner this summer because she was “itching to get out, make friends and be social again,” she says. “What sold it for me was that you have five people at that dinner table who you never would’ve met had you just gone through your day to day life. And they were just sharing their stories, their background, where they come from and what they do for a living,” Hermosa says, adding that she met an actress and an army veteran. They played Timeleft’s game in the app, which included reflective questions like “Why did you move to L.A.?” and “What is an event that had a significant impact on your life?” “I figured how crazy is it that these five people are sitting at a table and actually talking and interacting? This is kind of cool.” For those who are thinking about attending one of Timeleft’s holiday dinners or on another Wednesday night, former attendees say it’s essential to remain open, be yourself and to follow up if you vibe with someone. “Don’t be afraid to be honest,” says Brown, adding that the dinners have helped him gain confidence. “If you can’t be vulnerable, it’s going to be really hard for people to relate to you in your experience. We’re all at this dinner table for a reason. Most of us are here to make more friends, not just to sit at dinner with a stranger for two and a half hours.”
Business continuity: protecting your critical dataVolato Disrupts $2.4 Billion Market with Patent-Pending Bitcoin Innovation
Presbyterian 67, Youngstown St. 42
