News from November 2023


Salesforce has a record breaking Cyber Week

Salesforce, a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform offering a variety of tools and services for businesses to manage and analyze customer interactions and data, has reported $298 billion in global digital sales and $51 billion in AI-influenced purchases as of November 28th. The report highlights the significant impact of digital sales during the holiday shopping season.

CompTIA is inducted into the National Cyber Security Hall of Fame

CompTIA has been inducted for its efforts for encouraging people to find their potential and building confidence to work in tech and cybersecurity. This honor is given by the National Cyber Security Hall of Fame, recognizing CompTIA's contribution to the field.

Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM team up to help better generative AI and foundation models

This cooperation allows Boehringer Ingelheim to use IBM's foundation model technologies to help discover new antibodies for developing better therapeutics. The collaboration was officially announced on November 28th.

Cisco launches new business performance insight and visibility for modern applications on AWS

Cisco's launch of new business performance insight allows customers to protect revenue, improve digital experiences and manage brand reputation due to business metrics for Cisco Cloud Observability. This new feature, integrated with AWS cloud services, is designed to help businesses increase efficiency in decision-making and prioritization.

IRS announced Illinois residents affected by storms and flooding have until February 2024 to file tax returns and make payments

Some Illinois residents that reside or have a business in Cook County qualify for tax relief following a disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This relief, initiated by a federal order, is set to provide specific assistance measures for both individual taxpayers and businesses affected by the disaster.

CME Group sets record with over 21 million contracts in US Treasury futures open interest

CME Group has announced a milestone with open interest in its highly liquid U.S. Treasury futures reaching a new peak of 21,428,757 contracts. These U.S. Treasury futures, benefiting from margin offsets against CME Group's existing Interest Rate products, adhere to the rules of CBOT and are listed accordingly. This significant achievement marks a major development in the financial markets.

Former US Border Patrol agent: 'Fake identification is widespread'

A former U.S. Border Patrol agent has alleged that cartels use fake documentation to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States, where they then secure employment using these counterfeit IDs. This issue poses a challenge for U.S. businesses, which are unable to verify the authenticity of these documents and thus run the risk of facing legal action from the Department of Labor for employing underage workers.

Yael Schiff is promoted to vice president of Bessemer Venture Partners

Yael previously worked as a consultant at McKinsey and Company and as Director of Expansion at Via Transportation but has been promoted to vice president of Bessemer Venture Partners. Yael's promotion came due to her significant contributions to the company and the wider tech ecosystem.

Think tank urges policymakers to consider impact on consumer benefits when innovating new practices

Information Technology And Innovation Foundation, a non-profit think tank focused on promoting policies that advance innovation, technology, and economic growth said that companies such as Amazon and Walmart have created faster and faster methods of delivering products. In the wake of these developments policymakers are creating regulations that stifle innovation and limit product availability.

Wells Fargo unveils expansion plans at Hudson Yards

Wells Fargo announced its intentions to enhance its office presence at Hudson Yards, aiming to foster a more collaborative and improved employee experience by acquiring additional space. The bank's plans will be carried out in collaboration with the developers of Hudson Yards and the Related Companies, with an expected completion within three years.

State Revenues Take a Hit in the Second Quarter of 2023

The Urban Institute says that State government tax revenue collections experienced a nominal decline of 12.8 percent and a real decline of 15.7 percent in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year. This downward trend is largely attributed to economic fluctuations and policy changes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Broadcom Inc. has completed its acquisition of VMware, Inc.

The acquisition of VMware, Inc. by Broadcom Inc. has been finalized, marking a significant development in the technology industry. This strategic move focuses on strengthening and expanding Broadcom's services to its enterprise customers particularly in the realms of private and hybrid cloud environments.

Morgan Stanley's Next Level Fund secures $50 million for early-stage tech investments

Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) announced the successful closing of the Morgan Stanley Next Level Fund, L.P. ("Next Level" or the "Fund") at $50 million in total capital commitments. The fund is specifically designed to invest in early-stage technology and technology-enabled companies, with a particular emphasis on those that have underrepresented members on their founding teams.

Goldman Sachs partners with Coach Dawn Staley to tackle racial wealth gap

Goldman Sachs announced its One Million Black Women has joined forces with Hall of Fame women’s basketball player and coach, Dawn Staley, to shine a spotlight on the racial wealth gap in the United States. This collaboration is emphasized in an advertisement referencing data from the recently unveiled Money Matters: One Million Black Women Economic Mobility Survey. The initiative aims to draw attention to the financial inequalities faced by Black women and advocate for solutions that narrow these gaps.

JPMorgan Chase invests $3.5 million to expand apprenticeship programs

JPMorgan Chase announced philanthropic commitments amounting to $3.5 million for the expansion and advancement of apprenticeship programs across the country. This contribution is an integral component of the firm's five-year, $30 billion commitment to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved communities and fostering a more inclusive economy. The funds will be invested in various initiatives aimed at creating job opportunities and promoting career development in fields such as technology and cybersecurity.

Meredith Baker, CTIA President & CEO of CTIA, says, "Wireless providers invest billions of dollars each year to rapidly expand and fortify their networks across the country"

The Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Act are FCC initiatives that help low-income households afford the broadband they may need. According to Baker, these important programs faced challenges which threaten to destroy their effect on the communities they serve. Meredith Baker's warning about these challenges comes in light of the significant role these initiatives play in promoting digital inclusion among all Americans.

Asana General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Eleanor Lacey will join as the organization’s representative to BSA’s Board of Directors

Asana joins the Business Software Alliance as it assists organizations in working more intelligently, overseeing tasks ranging from setting and tracking goals to capacity planning and launching products. This move marks a significant step forward for Asana in supporting global enterprise technology advancements.

Blockchain Association claims OFAC's sanctions are unlawful

Blockchain Association submitted an amicus brief concerning OFAC's sanctions on the privacy-preserving software named Tornado Cash. The sanctions imposed by OFAC represent the initial instance in which the agency has targeted computer software itself, as opposed to focusing on the individuals or entities misusing such tools. This groundbreaking action raises concerns among various stakeholders regarding its potential ramifications on privacy and legality.

Recent court ruling in favor of IAB said to engrain a momentous change in legal precedent that will affect the entire advertising industry

A U.S. court has determined that data from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), a prominent industry association dedicated to the growth and development of the digital advertising ecosystem, is crucial for ensuring a just resolution in a legal case involving Amazon. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had attempted to prevent the primary trade association from submitting an amicus brief that highlights issues with the agency's legal action against the online retailer. This decision comes amidst ongoing disputes over antitrust laws and freedom of speech in the rapidly...

Cisco Systems first quarter are the strongest in their history in terms of revenue and profitability

``` Cisco Systems Inc, a multinational technology company, released their first quarter earnings report, and this is their strongest first quarter result in history. They earned $14.7 billion in revenue which is 8% higher than last year's first quarter earnings. The company's press release provided some important details about the successful quarter. According to a press release from Cisco Systems Inc, advancements...