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Blue Chip

This startup will turn your lawn into a space heater

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Google presents a cooler way… to cool your home. This not-so-new innovation is brought you by ‘Dandelion,’ a spinoff company and startup of Google. Dandelion uses energy from the ground to heat and cool your home. The product is called ‘Dandelion Air,’ and it uses heat from the ground to heat your home in the winter and moves heat from your home into the ground in the summer.

 

The concept isn’t new… however, the idea of geothermal technology also hasn’t been very accessible in the past. Now, Dandelion aims to give all homeowners the opportunity to use the technology by automating the manufacturing process. Dandelion Air is four times more efficient than furnaces and nearly twice as efficient as an air conditioning system.

 

But it will cost you… so, no surprise here, geothermal systems cost around $20,000 depending on the size of your home. On the bright side, the system could save you about 20% annually on heating and cooling. Maintenance on the system is minimal, and you could be known as the “guy who heats his house with his lawn.” Any takers?

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Start-up

How the startup ‘Billie’ is saving women money

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It’s the Dollar Shave Club… but for women. The idea came about when Georgina Gooley found herself frustrated with the cost of women’s razors. In fact, women pay an average of 13% more for personal care products, which includes razors, compared to men. So in 2016, she joined Jason Bravman to change this pointless pricing discrepancy.

 

And ‘Billie’ was born… an online subscription service, much like Dollar Shave Club that delivers low-priced razors and other body care items. The starter kit is $9 and comes with a razor handle, magnetic holder, and two five-blade razor cartridges (all with free shipping!). It’s a good deal, too – a comparable product in-store would cost $20.

 

They are cruising… with 13 full-time employees and an impressive celebrity backer. Along with $6 million raised in seed money, Serena Williams also invested in the start-up. Now, the company is focusing on meeting the booming demand, which is a blessing and a curse.

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Blue Chip

You’ll never guess where Netflix is going next

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Netflix is buying a production studio… and that studio will be located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of all places. At any rate, the company just announced that they are in the final stages of purchasing ABQ Studios. This is particularly exciting news because this is Netflix first purchase of a production studio!

 

Netflix is all about the original series… so this move seemed to be inevitable. As a matter of fact, Netflix will be spending $8 billion on original content this year alone. And the following original shows created by Netflix will be calling ABQ Studios home: Chambers, Messiah, and Daybreak.

 

Good news for Netflix… but even better new for Albuquerque. The city will see up to $1 billion in production over the next ten years while creating an additional 1,000 jobs per year. The city’s mayor and governor are calling this move and “economic win” for Albuquerque. And now that Netflix has their own studio, we’re expecting even better shows. Get your popcorn ready!

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Mid caps

Why does Best Buy care about the elderly?

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Don’t forget about the old people… because Best Buy certainly hasn’t. The electronics retailer announced its plan to buy GreatCall for $800 million. Who is GreatCall? They are the company that makes Jitterbug cell phones – you know, the ones with the large buttons and bright screens. GreatCall also makes medical alert devices that detect falls (but don’t confuse them Life Alert).

 

Here’s why this is a good move… because the health and eldercare markets are bound to explode with all of these soon-to-be geriatrics walking around. In fact, GreatCall has nearly 1 million subscribers and $300 million in annual sales. GreatCall products come with medicine reminders, fitness trackers, health tips, and personal operators to help with daily tasks.

 

As much as old people resist technology… it could help them live independently for longer. And Best Buy believes this trend is something others have entirely ignored. The company even launched Assured Living, a home monitoring system that allows caregivers to track a person’s day. Cheers to keeping mom and dad out of the nursing home for a little while longer…

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