Startup Stash - The Edit, Shop Story, The Grind 👶

Build a Bear Baby

Do you know what it’s like to be the  proud mom of an Einstein mind? Or the father of someone like Stephen Hawking? Now you can know. In fact, you can even be the mom/dad of a genius. 

That’s exactly what Heliospect Genomics, a US startup, is offering—for those with deep pockets of course. For around $50,000, Heliospect claims it can screen 100 embryos for high IQ and even traits like height, health risks, and gender.

The Screening Process

Using “polygenic scoring,” Heliospect ranks embryos on their genes for intelligence and other traits. They don’t handle IVF; instead, they analyze genetic data provided by parents to predict the specific traits of their individual embryos. Heliospect’s CEO imagines a world where we can select traits like intelligence, personality, and maybe even beauty.

The problem is: it’s an ethical Pandora’s box. Heliospect leans on data from the UK Biobank—500,000 volunteer samples originally intended for “public interest” research. That raises some serious eyebrows since embryo screening wasn’t exactly mentioned as a goal. Not to mention the looming fear about a Nazi-esque trend of superior vs inferior genes, brought about by this practice.  

The Bigger Picture

Bioengineered babies have a lot of future-world applications. On the happy side, gene editing could be used to prevent major diseases, and reduce crime by erasing out genes that make one a social pariah or a psychopath. On the sad side, it could be the start of a robot-like human race designed for militaristic purposes, incapable of empathy or revolt. AKA the rise of conformist humans. 

Steps to Redeem the Offer
1. Simply log in to Notion using this link 
2. Select Startup Stash from the partners list
3. Use Code: STARTUP4110P70786 to redeem

How To Challenge Established Markets Like a Contrarian

He sells a what? He sells this where? If you want to be successful in less competition, then you can't just compete with existing frameworks

In a world of short attention spans, traditional retail struggles to compete with the constant novelty of social media. Enter Future Stores — an immersive shopping space on London’s Oxford Street, designed to move “at the speed of culture.” Retail entrepreneur Ariel Haroush envisions this space as a live, Time Square-type experience that brings the excitement of a social media feed to physical stores.

A Fresh Shopping Experience

Future Stores will feature rotating brand activations, changing every two to six weeks, so brands can reimagine the space multiple times daily or for special events. Intel, the first brand resident, will showcase AI tech, including PCs equipped with AI processors, in dynamic displays like high-definition LED screens. With integrated payment and behavioral tracking, brands gain detailed insights on shopper engagement. 

When the store opens at the end of the month, visitors will be able to play games live in store and buy Intel’s new range of AI PCs (PCs that come equipped with processors designed to run AI software on the device itself).

Why the Timing is Right

Oxford Street’s retail scene has taken a hit in recent years, with closures of major stores like Topshop. With an investment of £20 million, Future Stores hopes to revitalize Oxford Street. Major retailers like Ikea and HMV are also returning, making now an ideal time for fresh concepts like Future Stores to help revive the high street. The increasing lure of retail and personalised shopping experiences have a lot to do with this.

Grinding It Out

Social media is full of self-improvement trends, but one is gaining serious traction: hustle culture, or the #grindset. While some find motivation in this ethos, the pressure to always “hustle harder” is adding stress to young users.
 

Teen Burnout on the Rise

The #NoDaysOff mentality can feel overwhelming. According to a recent Common Sense Media study, 81% of teens reported feeling pressured in at least one area of life, with 41% saying this pressure was intense. The most common source of stress? The expectation to have a clear “game plan” for the future—56% of teens felt the weight of planning their careers and education.

More than a quarter of teens reported struggling with burnout, often worsened by social media’s constant comparison. Yet, some also found relief in these platforms—up to 51% noted social media could ease pressures. 

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