Latest news with #Create
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
"I Was Pissed": Founder Reveals How Hiring Soham Parekh Drained His Resources
A tech startup founder who hired Soham Parekh has shared his experience of working with the infamous Silicon Valley engineer who has gone viral for moonlighting at multiple US-based startups. Dhruv Amin, co-founder of Create, an artificial intelligence (AI) "text-to-app" builder, reflected on how hiring Soham was a costly decision that drained his startup's time, resources and energy. "Yes, we hired him. We're building an AI agent in San Francisco. He was eng #5. Recommended by a recruiter, which lent legitimacy. He was eager and crushed our in-person pair programming onsite. I believe he's actually a good engineer," wrote Dhruv on X (formerly Twitter). While Parekh provided references, Dhruv offered him the job, awaiting responses from the previous employers. He also briefly perused Parekh's LinkedIn, GitHub, open source commits and blog posts to get an idea about the employee they were onboarding. After accepting the job offer, Parekh said he had a New York trip planned and that he would start after a week. "He went dark the next week (strange) but texted on weekend excited for Monday. His first day at 9:30 am he calls in sick (strange). Said he'd onboard from home. Gave an address to ship the laptop," said Dhruv. our soham parekh story: - yes, we hired him. we're building an AI agent in SF. he was eng #5. - recommended by a recruiter, which lent legitimacy. - he was eager and crushed our in person pair programming onsite. i believe he's actually a good engineer. - some have said "this… — Dhruv (@dhruvtruth) July 3, 2025 'I was pissed' What followed was an elaborate gaslighting scheme where Parekh frequently excused himself from turning up at the office and delayed shipping the projects. Dhruv and his colleagues also found that Parekh was working at another company. "When we called Soham up, he denied it to the end. Said Sync guys were just friends. Either way, we were out. In an ironic twist of fate Sync dropped an employee of the month video the same day that featured none other than Soham." After terminating his contract, Parekh simply 'dipped' as per Dhruv, who assumed he was a young kid who had made a mistake. "It was embarrassing until yesterday when I realised how widespread it was. Then I was pissed. then impressed. Still not sure how he pulled it off for so long with in-person startups with long hours, but appreciated the hustle. Hope he had a good reason. Feels like a stressful way to make money." After the controversy snowballed, Parekh responded, saying, "I'm not proud of what I've done. But, you know, financial circumstances, essentially. No one really likes to work 140 hours a week, right? But I had to do this out of necessity. I was in extremely dire financial circumstances". He also added that he did all the work without the assistance of AI or other engineers. Parekh has also announced that he has taken up a job at an AI firm, Darwin, a new startup based in San Francisco in the United States. He also clarified that he will not be taking up any more additional jobs
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Get creative this Create Week
Create Week Create Week runs from 1st to 7th July and it is a brilliant excuse to try something new, make something with your hands or just enjoy the act of creating for the joy of it. The national celebration, led by the charity Create, encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their own creativity. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Brighton Bucket List explains why the UK, with its mix of green spaces, strong community ties and artistic roots, is the perfect place to get creative. Turn Your Walk into an Art Adventure Take a stroll through the park or the grounds near the church and bring a notebook or sketchpad with you. Try drawing what you see or collecting natural objects to use later in a collage. You could even invent your own mini trail, placing encouraging notes or small hand-drawn tokens for others to find. It is a creative way to connect with your surroundings and add a bit of surprise for anyone else passing by. Create Week Make Something with Your Hands Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Handmade crafts are a fantastic way to relax and express yourself. Try making friendship bracelets, painting flowerpots or decorating old jars with ribbon and fabric to use as lanterns. If you are feeling ambitious, create your own wall hanging using twigs, string and beads. These kinds of projects do not need to be expensive. Most supplies can be found at home or bought cheaply, and they offer hours of quiet enjoyment. Explore Colour with Paint or Pastels Create Week Create Week You do not need a studio or fancy equipment to start painting. A sheet of paper, a set of watercolours and an open mind are more than enough. Set up a little space in the garden or by a window and have a go. Abstract shapes, bold colour blocks or painting your favourite view of Hucknall are all great starting points. If painting feels too big, soft pastels and coloured pencils are easy to use and just as satisfying. Create Stories from Scratch Writing is one of the easiest ways to get creative because all you need is a pen and some paper. Write a short story with a magical twist. Try a poem inspired by your childhood or a letter to your future self. For something playful, open a book at random, pick a sentence and use it as the first line of your own story. You never know where it might lead. Create Week Create Week Craft a Family Activity Get the kids involved with simple at-home art stations. Set up a table with glue, paper, stickers and recycled materials and let them build whatever comes to mind. You can also do a joint project like a painted mural on cardboard or a collage that grows throughout the week. It is a lovely way to bond and make something together. Celebrate the Week in Your Own Way Create Week Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Create Week is not about being perfect or polished. It is about enjoying the process and discovering the happiness that comes from making. The UK is full of small joys and quiet inspiration, whether you are walking through the park, sitting in a cosy café or watching the sunset from your garden. Let those moments spark your imagination and give yourself permission to play. However you choose to get creative this week, make it your own and enjoy every minute.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Get creative this Create Week
Create Week Create Week runs from 1st to 7th July and it is a brilliant excuse to try something new, make something with your hands or just enjoy the act of creating for the joy of it. The national celebration, led by the charity Create, encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their own creativity. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Brighton Bucket List explains why the UK, with its mix of green spaces, strong community ties and artistic roots, is the perfect place to get creative. Turn Your Walk into an Art Adventure Take a stroll through the park or the grounds near the church and bring a notebook or sketchpad with you. Try drawing what you see or collecting natural objects to use later in a collage. You could even invent your own mini trail, placing encouraging notes or small hand-drawn tokens for others to find. It is a creative way to connect with your surroundings and add a bit of surprise for anyone else passing by. Create Week Make Something with Your Hands Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Handmade crafts are a fantastic way to relax and express yourself. Try making friendship bracelets, painting flowerpots or decorating old jars with ribbon and fabric to use as lanterns. If you are feeling ambitious, create your own wall hanging using twigs, string and beads. These kinds of projects do not need to be expensive. Most supplies can be found at home or bought cheaply, and they offer hours of quiet enjoyment. Explore Colour with Paint or Pastels Create Week Create Week You do not need a studio or fancy equipment to start painting. A sheet of paper, a set of watercolours and an open mind are more than enough. Set up a little space in the garden or by a window and have a go. Abstract shapes, bold colour blocks or painting your favourite view of Hucknall are all great starting points. If painting feels too big, soft pastels and coloured pencils are easy to use and just as satisfying. Create Stories from Scratch Writing is one of the easiest ways to get creative because all you need is a pen and some paper. Write a short story with a magical twist. Try a poem inspired by your childhood or a letter to your future self. For something playful, open a book at random, pick a sentence and use it as the first line of your own story. You never know where it might lead. Create Week Create Week Craft a Family Activity Get the kids involved with simple at-home art stations. Set up a table with glue, paper, stickers and recycled materials and let them build whatever comes to mind. You can also do a joint project like a painted mural on cardboard or a collage that grows throughout the week. It is a lovely way to bond and make something together. Celebrate the Week in Your Own Way Create Week Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Kyodo News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
"Create, Connect, pixiv Exhibition" - The 6th POP-UP Space at "animate EXPO 2025 STORE" Open Until July 3rd!
By Toyabe Kohei, Animate Times - 19 minutes ago - 18:33 | All The "animate EXPO 2025 STORE" is currently operating on the first floor of the West Ringside Marketplace in the "West Gate Zone" at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan venue. Inside the store, there's a special "POP-UP space" that features rotating themes with exhibitions and related merchandise sales. The 6th installment, "Create, Connect, pixiv Exhibition," is running until July 3rd (6 PM JST)! In this article, we'll take you on a visual journey through the space with plenty of photos♪ Experience Exhibitions, Merchandise Sales, and the First-Ever Interactive Corner at the POP-UP Space! This exhibition event celebrates the 18th anniversary of pixiv, the popular platform for sharing illustrations, manga, and novels in Japan. The venue showcases the appeal of pixiv as it continues to evolve as the "hub of creative culture," and introduces various initiatives being implemented both in Japan and overseas. Furthermore, the event features 15 award-winning pieces from four student illustration contests held on pixiv in 2024 and 2025. Visitors can get up close to these powerful and uniquely expressive works by young creators. The event also offers pixiv-related merchandise for sale, including the "VISIONS" artbook series curated by pixiv and the "ARTISTS IN" series, which introduces globally active creators. Additionally, some items from the "Meow! Exhibition in animate onlyshop," held at animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store from June 21 to June 29, are available for purchase. Other highlights include an interactive corner where visitors can draw illustrations on wooden plaques (ema) for display, and a special gift of "pixiv original stickers" for those who download the pixiv app (while supplies last). Photography is allowed throughout the space, including the contest-winning artwork displays. Don't miss this opportunity to visit and experience the creative world of pixiv!
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U Q1 Earnings Call: Unity Highlights AI Ad Platform Progress Amid Lower Revenue Outlook
Game engine maker Unity (NYSE:U) beat Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales fell by 5.5% year on year to $435 million. On the other hand, next quarter's revenue guidance of $420 million was less impressive, coming in 1.9% below analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.24 per share was significantly above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy U? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $435 million vs analyst estimates of $416.8 million (5.5% year-on-year decline, 4.4% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.24 vs analyst estimates of $0.11 (significant beat) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $420 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $428 million EBITDA guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $72.5 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $79.05 million Market Capitalization: $10.33 billion Unity's first quarter performance reflected the early impact of its AI-driven advertising platform, Unity Vector, and strong adoption of Unity 6 in its Create segment. CEO Matthew Bromberg credited the company's 'accelerated rollout of Vector ahead of schedule,' which delivered a 15% to 20% increase in installs and in-app purchase value on iOS compared to previous models. Management pointed to double-digit subscription growth in Create, particularly from non-gaming industries, as another positive factor, and emphasized that transitioning away from low-margin professional services has improved the revenue mix. CFO Jarrod Yahes highlighted disciplined cost management—especially in general and administrative and sales and marketing expenses—as a key contributor to margin improvement. For the coming quarter, Unity's guidance reflects a cautious stance, shaped by a mix of internal transitions and ongoing industry challenges. Management noted that although Unity Vector has begun to yield higher advertiser returns, the financial benefits will take time to be fully visible as legacy ad products are phased out. Bromberg stated, 'Our confidence in the future of our Grow business has never been stronger,' but also cautioned that the company is 'being prudent about how we're guiding this business' given its early stage. Yahes explained that increased cloud costs from operating both legacy and new ad models will normalize in the second half, supporting better profitability. Management also acknowledged the broader macroeconomic environment but said gaming's resilience and the focus on performance-based advertising should buffer major impacts. Unity's leadership attributed Q1 results to rapid AI ad platform deployment, strong subscription momentum, and deliberate resource reallocation. Management also identified a multi-quarter transition period as a significant factor affecting near-term results. AI-powered ad platform rollout: The full migration of Unity's ad network to the new AI-driven Vector platform was completed ahead of schedule. Management reported that Vector delivered a 15% to 20% lift in installs and in-app purchase value for iOS advertisers compared to the legacy system. Initial Android results are tracking similarly. Shift toward high-margin subscriptions: The Create segment saw double-digit year-over-year subscription growth, offsetting declines in low-margin professional services. Subscription revenue now comprises nearly 80% of Create, with industry verticals outside gaming contributing meaningfully to growth. Resource reallocation to Vector: Unity aggressively shifted investment toward machine learning and cloud infrastructure to support Vector, while reducing costs in general and administrative and sales and marketing. R&D spending increased, but management expects these costs to normalize as legacy ad models are retired. Non-strategic revenue runoff: CFO Jarrod Yahes clarified that sequential declines in Create are primarily due to planned reductions in non-core revenue streams, which now account for under 2% of total revenue, providing a clearer focus on core growth areas. Platform expansion beyond gaming: Management highlighted new customers in healthcare, industrial training, and digital twins, citing consistent revenue growth from non-gaming verticals for nine consecutive quarters. These emerging use cases are now the fastest-growing part of Unity's subscription business. Unity's near-term outlook is shaped by ongoing migration to its AI ad platform, normalization of costs, and continued uptake of core subscription products. AI-driven ad business ramp: Management expects Unity Vector to drive long-term revenue growth as advertisers see higher returns and shift budgets to the platform. However, in the immediate term, overall Grow segment revenue is tempered by declines in legacy ad products as customer spending transitions to Vector. Normalization of cloud and R&D costs: With the completion of the Vector migration, Unity anticipates cloud and R&D expenses will decrease in the second half of the year, supporting margin improvement. CFO Jarrod Yahes noted that operating leverage from high gross margins should enable profitability as ad business scales. Industry diversification and new pricing: The company is seeing early success from expanding Create into new industry verticals and implementing price improvements. Management expects these trends, along with continued seat growth, to support double-digit subscription revenue growth through 2025. Looking ahead, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace at which advertisers increase spend on Unity Vector and whether it sustains its reported performance gains, (2) the impact of normalizing cloud and R&D costs on margins as legacy ad models are fully retired, and (3) the continued expansion and retention of non-gaming industry customers in the Create segment. Developments in product pricing and successful delivery of new platform features will also be critical for validating Unity's growth strategy. Unity currently trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 5.7×. Should you double down or take your chips? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. 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