WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S EDITION OF SALIENCE

This week we cover the year’s tech trends, the startup origin myth, and a happy new year for GDP?

 Plus, Apple puts Siri behind the wheel, and shoe-shopping gets gamified.

You can let us know your thoughts on these stories and any other topics that you would like covered by emailing [email protected].

Twenty tech takeaways from 2020

Ah, December – mulled wine, Christmas shopping, and, of course, the Atomico State of European Tech report. Since we all deserve an early present this year, here are the top 20 things to know about tech in 2020, so you don’t have to read the report yourself!

Waiting for that lightbulb moment is just dim

An inspiring origin story often becomes key to a brand’s identity – and usually centres on a single protagonist. But innovation is a team game, and the myth of the lone founder (with a bit of help from ABBA) has popularised a mindset of ‘the winner takes it all’ which is doing more harm than good.

Virus to have last word on final quarter

While many markets have been buoyed by the recent progress with vaccinations, the journey back to pre-pandemic performance is a long one for UK GDP. Alastair George, chief investment strategist at advisory firm and Sapience client Edison Group, shares his words of wisdom with Money Markets as we end a turbulent year.

Apple takes second bite at winning race for driverless cars

Siri must be doing something right, despite its questionable listening skills, as Apple’s AI is now in the driving seat of the company’s plans for autonomous vehicles. AI chief John Giannandrea becomes the latest to tackle Project Titan, a mission so secretive even this writer doesn’t know the details.

And finally…Walk a mile in these shoes?

Don’t worry about getting the right size – these shoes are only ‘worn’ in the virtual world! One-year-old startup Aglet has recently raised $4.5m, presumably becoming the world’s biggest footwear-retail-game developer. Not bad for a company named after the end of a shoelace.

Fill your boots