Curated 2025-3-31 | X acquire deal, Tim Cook to China, Figma’s Pricing Evolution

🌏

News

Elon Musk says xAI has acquired X in deal that values social media site at $33 billion

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has acquired his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), in an all-stock deal valuing X at $33 billion and xAI at $80 billion. Musk stated that this merger will combine data, models, and talent to enhance both platforms. The integration aims to utilize X’s user data to train xAI’s AI models, like the chatbot Grok, and expand their reach.

Uber and DoorDash want tax-free tips for drivers

Uber and DoorDash are pressing Republican lawmakers to expand President Trump’s no-tax-on-tips promise beyond employees to include independent contractors who drive ride-share vehicles and deliver food.

Tim Cook says China’s DeepSeek AI is ‘excellent’ during visit to country

​During his visit to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the local AI startup DeepSeek, calling its chatbot “excellent” and highlighting its role in boosting efficiency. DeepSeek’s rapid rise, surpassing ChatGPT in U.S. app downloads, has stirred global attention. Despite privacy concerns and ongoing investigations, Cook emphasized Apple’s cautious approach to AI, combining on-device processing with cloud-based partnerships like ChatGPT. He also mentioned openness to future collaborations, though no plans with DeepSeek have been confirmed.​

Scientists Just Transplanted a Pig Liver Into a Person for the First Time

Scientists have successfully transplanted a pig liver into a human for the first time. The procedure, done on a brain-dead patient, tested how well the pig liver could clean human blood. It worked for 72 hours, showing signs that animal organs could one day help solve the shortage of human donors. This marks a big step forward in using animal organs in medicine.

🤯

Reads

Everything I learned raising my first pre-seed round

Raising a pre-seed round is more than just pitching—it’s about building momentum, confidence, and meaningful connections. The author shares lessons from meeting over 100 investors in 10 days: practice your pitch until it feels natural, prioritize warm introductions (especially from founders), and stack meetings tightly to create a sense of urgency. Remember, you’re not begging for money—you’re choosing the right partner. Rejection is part of the process, but all it takes is one believer to move your round forward.

Inside Figma’s Pricing Evolution

Figma’s pricing has changed a lot over time, from a simple free model to a more layered approach with team and enterprise plans. The company learned that giving away too much for free slowed growth, while charging too early hurt user adoption. After testing different models, they found success by focusing on value and making it easier for teams to start using Figma together. Their journey shows that smart pricing needs time, feedback, and flexibility.

Difficulties with going back to school

Discussions of the pros and cons of going back to school.

Keep up with the future in 5 minutes.

Get summaries of the most interesting and insightful stories in tech, startups, and business from both the East and the West!