Playmakers Brew: Sudden end of a footballer's career – Imperfection: In business and football – AI venture: $19 billion valuation

Business briefing beyond sports – by Irg Torben Bührer: The 3 news stories to be ahead of the curve

Table of Contents

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LIFE

Luton’s Tom Lockyer ‘at peace’ with possible early retirement after cardiac arrest

“I would love to play football again, of course I would, it’s my life but if it’s the case that I can't, then I’m at peace with that as well.”

Premier League player Tom Lockyer: „I’ve made no secret saying I would love to return to football, but ultimately it would have to come down to someone who's a cardiologist or a specialist who has done full research into what has gone on and if it could happen again, because we've got a little girl now and she takes priority.

I would love to play football again, of course I would, it’s my life but if it’s the case that I can't, then I’m at peace with that as well.

I was in limbo for a bit as well. I was not playing football and not doing anything else, so I said to my agent, ‘what's the best thing to do here?’. So I'm getting my coaching badges done. I’ve done a bit of punditry work as well, which I really like, so the options are there for me.

Obviously I'm not looking to do any of them full-time at the minute. I am going to try and focus on getting back on the pitch, but should that not be the case, then I'm sure something else will have my name on it.“

It's like always: On the one hand, it's important to be as focused as possible in what you're doing. On the other hand, it is important to be prepared, that is, to think outside the box and develop perspectives.

Your legacy. Your choice.

Get in touch to find mentors and business opportunities, add the missing link to build your legacy as an entrepreneur or investor beyond sports and check out our Playmakers Squad community on Common Ground (Web3 Discord, Teams, Slack, …, alternative for people serious about blockchain).

👉 In any case, feel free to drop me a line via [email protected].

I look forward to reading from you or welcoming you as a Playmaker!

LEADERSHIP

Embracing imperfection: The strategic shift for a rapidly changing world

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and McKinsey’s view on why strategists should embrace imperfection

In an age of unpredictability, the McKinsey podcast "Inside the Strategy Room" sheds light on why perfect strategies might be a thing of the past. Charles Conn and Rob McLean discuss their innovative approach—strategic imperfectionism—detailing how businesses (much like football giants Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semis) must adapt to thrive.

Bayern's tactical flexibility under Thomas Tuchel, Real's swift adaptation by Carlo Ancelotti, and Dortmund's dynamic adjustments by Edin Terzic showcase the power of evolving strategies in real-time, much like in high-stakes business environments. These football strategies reflect McKinsey's advice on embracing calculated risks and learning from each step, turning potential failures into lessons of resilience and agility.

As businesses navigate through rapid changes, embracing imperfection could be the strategic edge needed to stay competitive…

Top Tickers

Some of the most active and relevant securities and quotes (compared to previous day's closing price)

Ticker

Name

Bitcoin

Gold Spot

Euro

Tesla

Microsoft

Nvidia

Apple

Meta

Quote

⬆️ 59,265.78

⬇️ 2,288.66

⬇️ 1.0684

⬇️ 178.08

⬆️ 395.40

⬆️ 842.50

⬆️ 171.67

⬇️ 435,97

AI INVESTING

Nvidia-backed GPU cloud provider CoreWeave surges to $19 billion valuation

Nvidia-backed company raises $1.1 billion from investors including Fidelity, Magnetar Capital

CoreWeave, a relatively under-the-radar AI cloud computing company, has recently made headlines with its extraordinary $1.1 billion funding round, valuing the company at an impressive $19 billion. Founded in 2017 in Roseland, New Jersey, CoreWeave began as a cryptocurrency venture by three commodities traders and has evolved into a key player in AI cloud infrastructure.

With strategic investments from Nvidia and significant partnerships like the one with Microsoft, CoreWeave is shaping up to be a cornerstone in the AI infrastructure landscape. Its specialized offerings are helping fuel the generative AI boom, providing essential resources that are both scalable and highly efficient.

CoreWeave’s valuation has jumped to $19 billion from $7 billion months ago, a person familiar with the matter said. The startup wants to set up data center infrastructure in more locations throughout the world as it looks to compete with some of the largest technology companies.

Have you ever heard of Serhat Cifci from Karlsruhe, Germany? No? Serhat Cifci is a Karlsruhe-based goldsmith who adds a touch of gold to the sports world. In the quaint streets of Karlsruhe, goldsmith Serhat operates a modest shop with an extraordinary client list, including basketball legends like LeBron James and Dennis Schröder.

What's remarkable about Cifci is his dual commitment to both high-profile projects and local community services. From embedding gold logos in NBA stars' shoes to meticulous repairs for town locals, his work epitomizes the blend of global appeal and hometown service.

So if you have a big wad of money lying around somewhere, Serhat is used to it. Curious about the man who brings extraordinary sparkle to ordinary places? Dive (in German) into his story

Feel free to enjoy the rest of the day as much as possible!

Irg

Your legacy. Your choice.

Get in touch to find mentors and business opportunities, add the missing link to build your legacy as an entrepreneur or investor beyond sports and check out our Playmakers Squad community on Common Ground (Web3 Discord, Teams, Slack, …, alternative for people serious about blockchain).

👉 In any case, feel free to drop me a line via [email protected].

I look forward to reading from you or welcoming you as a Playmaker!

Subscribe here to Playmakers Brew