Blockchain

PIN AI secures $10M from a16z CSX, Hack VC, and All-Star angels to launch open platform for personal AI

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    San Francisco, United States, September 9th, 2024, Chainwire

     

    Innovative startup from Ethereum Core research, Google Brain, Stanford, MIT, and CMU aims to democratize on-device intelligence, empowering users with control over their personal AI, and receiving investment from a16z CSX, Hack VC, and investors from projects like Solana, Polygon, Near, Worldcoin, etc.

    PIN AI, a pioneering AI infrastructure company, announces $10 million in pre-seed funding to develop the world’s first open-source Personal Intelligence Network (PIN). A16z CSX, Hack VC, and notable investors, including Blockchain Builders Fund (Stanford Blockchain Accelerator), Illia Polosukhin (Transformer paper author; Founder, NEAR Protocol), Anagram/Lily Liu (President, SOL Foundation), Symbolic Capital (Co-Founder, Polygon), Evan Cheng (CEO, Mysten Labs/SUI), dcbuilder (Worldcoin Foundation), Foresight Ventures (parent company of the Block), Nomad Capital, Tim Shi (Co-Founder, Cresta), Ben Fisch (CEO, Espresso), Scott Moore (Co-Founder, Gitcoin), Alumni Ventures, and Dispersion Capital, have backed the project.

    Offering an open-source, web3-enabled alternative to Apple Intelligence, PIN AI’s platform turns smartphones into privacy-focused AI personal assistants. By redirecting profits from users’ data and attention, it empowers users to regain control and monetize their data. The platform leverages personal, contextual data and cryptography, deploying cutting-edge AI models on-device to handle tasks across apps—like shopping, ordering food, wealth management, and interacting with centralized exchanges, DeFi, and prediction markets.

    This AI-driven assistant ensures robust privacy and user-controlled data management, disrupting ultra-profitable models of web2 giants, including Apple’s 30% app revenue cut (over $100 billion) and Google’s mobile ads and Android store revenue cuts.

    Davide Crapis, Co-Founder leading Protocol Research, said, “We’re building a movement towards an open-source future where personal AI assistants can work on PIN AI’s platform like smart contracts on Ethereum.” He added, “PIN AI will take back the $100b+ profit from tech giants and return it to users, allowing them to control and monetize their data. Our platform offers access to a wider range of AI agents, developed by the open-source community, capable of handling tasks across popular apps.”

    PIN AI’s mission is to foster innovation for personal AI agents by offering access to personal, contextual data that reflects individual users’ needs and preferences. Unlike closed ecosystems like Apple, PIN AI’s open platform connects privacy-protected user data via a Layer-2 blockchain. This enables more flexibility in AI application development without the constraints of traditional, closed systems.

    Bill Sun, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, said, “On-device multi-modality models will revolutionize daily life. We are building a personal index for each user to create an on-device model that evolves via distributed training on the user’s phone. Soon, users won’t need to open multiple apps to complete tasks. The personal AI assistant will understand preferences and manage tasks efficiently.” PIN AI’s assistant will connect users with apps and services bidding on its blockchain protocol to fulfill tasks like shopping or crypto activities.

    PIN AI shifts data monetization from big tech to users, allowing secure monetization of personal data. Users receive token incentives through data onboarding and intent fulfillment, only providing necessary data with matched Personal AI Agents, while maintaining control of their information.

    At launch, PIN AI partners with Worldcoin and is developing a front-end product similar to Siri, expanding its reach and enhancing user experience.

    Leading the team are co-founders Davide Crapis and Ben Wu. Crapis, formerly of Ethereum Core Research, leads Protocol Research. Ben Wu, heading Strategy, is an MIT graduate, Y Combinator alum, and serial entrepreneur. The technical leadership includes Bill Sun, a Stanford AI/Math PhD and early Google Brain researcher, as Chief AI Scientist, and Regan Peng, a CMU graduate and former lead at Didi Fintech and Yahoo Data Infra, as Founding Head of Engineering.

    PIN AI collaborates with a16z crypto research, Flashbots, Espresso Systems, and academics from Stanford, Columbia, and NYU. Ben Wu emphasized the importance of an open platform, saying, “The open internet has made large language models possible. We need to build an open platform for users on their trusted device, allowing access to their various data, making their Personal AI possible.” Unlike Apple Intelligence, PIN AI’s system can run on low-spec smartphones by dynamically shifting between edge AI (on-device) and server AI to optimize performance, ensuring wide accessibility.

    The funding will expand research, grow the team of AI and blockchain experts, and accelerate the deployment of PIN AI’s technology. The company will join the a16z CSX Fall 2024 cohort in New York City.

    About PIN AI

    PIN AI is developing an open-source personal AI operating system that leverages smartphone and app data to empower users with control and privacy. The company’s approach aims to connect AI developers with users, promoting data sovereignty and developer empowerment. PIN AI collaborates with Ethereum Core Research and is committed to privacy and innovation.

    For more updates, visit pinai.io, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, Discord, and Linkedin.

     

    Contact

    PIN AI
    contact@pinai.io

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    Luxury Streetwear Brand Ryoko Rain® is an Official Collaboration Partner for Athlos NYC Track Event

    2024-09-20T13:15:00Z

    Olympian Alaysha Johnson will debut the company’s signature-designed shorts, shirt, and jacket before the premier all-women’s track event, featuring the fastest women in the world and awarding the largest prize purse ever for a women’s only track event

    NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ryoko Rain, the luxury sportswear brand synonymous with butterfly designs and distinct patterned mesh shorts, has partnered with Athlos NYC to launch an exclusive apparel collaboration collection for the upcoming all-women’s track meet taking place at Icahn Stadium in New York on September 26, 2024 at 7pm ET. The collaboration features a custom line of high-quality mesh shorts, a shirt, and a jacket designed by Founder and Creative Director Garrett James. Debuting the apparel line is Olympian track star and Athlos NYC competitor Alaysha Johnson.

    The collaboration between ATHLOS and Ryoko Rain celebrates the synergy of athletic performance and personal expression with Ryoko Rain’s deep-rooted cultural and design narrative and Athlos’ commitment to providing a platform for women athletes to shine on and off the track. The collection features three items: high-quality mesh shorts in Athlos NYC brand colors, a timestamp, a soundwave design, and Ryoko Rain’s logo mark with a butterfly; a limited edition Ryoko Rain cutoff shirt featuring Alaysha Johnson in full sprint surrounded by butterflies; and, lastly, a black work jacket—a Ryoko Rain signature item. Fans can purchase the limited edition shorts onsite at Athlos NYC, while the shirt and jacket will be available for a limited time on Ryoko Rain’s website.

    “This collaboration is a testament to how style and athleticism intersect, with gear designed for movement and a visual story inspired by the female athletes and Ryoko Rain’s origins,” said Kayla Green, CMO of ATHLOS. “We look forward to showcasing the speed, music and design of Athlos NYC with like-minded brands, like Ryoko Rain, to provide new opportunities for the women’s running community.”

    Alaysha Johnson and Ryoko Rain: A Perfect Match
    Johnson, an Olympic hurdler known for her incredible discipline and dedication, is the face of the new Ryoko Rain and ATHLOS apparel line. Her drive and passion align with James’ vision of luxury street and athleticwear. In the 100-meter hurdles, Johnson earned a spot in the Paris Olympic Games after running a personal-best time in shoes borrowed from a fellow hurdler and in a uniform she designed herself at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

    “I’m excited to team up with Ryoko Rain for this special line,” said Johnson. “The designs are not only stylish but also carry a deeper meaning. It feels empowering to wear something that reflects a sense of purpose, community, and the pursuit of excellence—values I live by in my sport.”

    Metamorphosis: The Ryoko Rain Story
    Ryoko Rain was founded by Garrett James in 2021, whose vision is shaped by the legacy of his Japanese heritage and the family values passed down from previous generations. This cultural influence is central to Ryoko Rain’s aesthetic and purpose, as each garment is designed to tell a story of transformation, resilience, and community. The brand’s signature butterfly symbol—representing growth, change, and new beginnings—embodies the essence of James’ family legacy, particularly inspired by the experiences of his two eldest daughters, River Ryoko and Alba Rain.

    James explains, “Ryoko Rain is about more than just clothes; it’s about expressing our roots and honoring the journey. Partnering with ATHLOS, we’re blending fashion, sports and music to represent something much deeper—our shared experiences, ambitions, where we all come from and where we are going.”

    View the Athlos x Ryoko Rain collection HERE
    Ryoko Rain Electronic Press Kit HERE

    About Ryoko Rain:
    Ryoko Rain, founded by Garrett James, is a luxury street and athleticwear brand rooted in Japanese heritage and values of family, tradition, and community. Established in 2021, Ryoko Rain’s signature butterfly symbol, quality and innovative design have propelled it to the forefront of streetwear fashion. Worn by the biggest names in sports and entertainment, the brand has evolved into more than a clothing line; it’s a story of people, community, evolution and purpose. Learn more at www.ryokorain.com.

    About ATHLOS:
    ATHLOS is a first-of-its-kind track invitational bringing together the fastest women in the world to compete for the largest prize purse ever for a women's-only track event. ATHLOS provides fans a unique way to experience and celebrate the world's fastest women, marrying the competition of a track meet with the entertainment of a music festival to fully celebrate these incredible athletes as they reach for new heights in the sport. For more information, visit ATHLOS.com. 

    About Seven Seven Six:
    Seven Seven Six is an early-stage venture capital firm with over $900mm of AUM as of 12/31/2023 and is focused on the intersection of product and people. Powered by the operating system Cerebro, at its heart, 776 is a technology company that deploys capital. The firm was founded in 2020 by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Seven Seven Six invests across sectors, with investments spanning the creator economy, space, climate tech, sports, fintech, web3, healthcare, collectibles, AI, and more. For more information, visit https://sevensevensix.com/.

    Media Contact

    Dan Nasitka
    dnasitka@rocketlaunchagency.com
    (714) 694-7195

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c3d9588-0c04-45af-adfa-1d37eeb133dd


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