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AEO startup Profound hits unicorn valuation, raises $180M Series D 7 months after last round

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Profound, which builds marketing software to help brands appear in AI search results, on Tuesday said it has raised a $180 million Series D at a $1.8 billion valuation, less than seven months after it raised a $96 million Series C.

Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins led the round, and existing investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures and South Park Commons, also participated. 

Launched two years ago, Profound started as an analytics platform, and has since expanded to help companies research and create marketing strategies. The startup helps businesses understand how AI helps consumers discover their brands.

It’s part of a wave of startups in the GEO/AEO space (generative engine optimization and answer engine optimization, respectively), where companies try to find ways to surface their products in the AI systems customers are increasingly using for search.

The company says its revenue has increased by 3x in the past six months, and it now has more than 1,000 enterprise customers, which include Comcast, The Estée Lauder Companies, and Walmart.  

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We won’t support any call to kill any human being – JIBWIS

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The Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, has condemned calls for violence against non-Muslims in Plateau and Enugu States.

The group distanced itself from a viral video in which some persons allegedly urged attacks using AK-47 rifles.

The organisation said it would not support any call to attack or kill anyone, regardless of their religion.

The National Publicity Secretary of JIBWIS, Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Ashiru, said this in a statement issued at the group’s headquarters in Jos on Tuesday.

“We are yet to confirm whether the video is authentic, but our position against violence remains clear,” Ashiru said.

Ashiru said JIBWIS had yet to verify the video’s authenticity but stressed that the organisation would not condone any call to attack or kill anyone.

He said the group, under the leadership of Ash-Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, rejected violence, especially at a time when many Nigerians were struggling with insecurity.

“Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and Boko Haram attacks continue to affect communities across the country, while comments that promote violence can threaten peaceful coexistence and create unnecessary tension among Nigerians,” Ashiru said.

“We would not support any call capable of disturbing the peace of Nigeria, as such comments are capable of inciting violence and creating unnecessary tension among Nigerians,” he said.

He stressed that anyone making such statements in the name of JIBWIS did not represent the organisation’s position.

He urged security agencies to investigate the video, establish its authenticity and identify those involved.

He added that anyone found responsible should face the law after a proper investigation by the relevant authorities.

We won’t support any call to kill any human being – JIBWIS

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Ongoing projects may be abandoned if you dont vote Tinubu – Kano Rep, Bichi

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The member representing Bichi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, has urged residents of Bichi Federal Constituency in Kano State to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, warning that ongoing development projects could be abandoned if the president is not re-elected.

Bichi said many of the projects being executed in Bichi and other parts of Kano were made possible through the support and approval of the federal government.

He spoke on Monday during the inauguration of the Bichi chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election.

“If you vote for me and do not vote for President Tinubu, there is a problem. Most of these development projects are coming to Bichi and Kano through his consent; there's no other magic,” he said.

The lawmaker said a member of the National Assembly could not execute major development projects without the support and approval of the executive arm of government.

“No matter how a representative wants to work, without the approval of the executive, he cannot do it. If you don't vote for Tinubu, all these ongoing projects will be abandoned,” he added.

Bichi said the development recorded in the constituency over the last seven and a half years would have been difficult for many people to imagine in 2019.

According to him, the projects were part of efforts to change the attitude of residents towards elections and encourage them to participate in the democratic process.

He said some people previously refused to vote because they believed their votes did not count and did not see the impact of elected officials' work.

Bichi urged residents to support the APC in 2027, calling on Bichi residents and Kano North, which has 1.3 million registered voters, to deliver not less than 1 million votes for the party.

He also expressed support for Tinubu, saying the president had demonstrated commitment to the North through development projects.

“Tinubu loves the North. If he did not, he would not be doing all these things,” he said.

Bichi also referred to former President Muhammadu Buhari's emergence as president in 2015, saying Tinubu played an important role in the process.

On insecurity, the lawmaker acknowledged that residents remained concerned about the situation but said there had been a gradual improvement.

He cited the Kaduna-Abuja road as an example, claiming that insecurity along the route had reduced.

Also, speaking, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, called on members of the APC in Bichi to promote peaceful campaigns, inclusive governance and grassroots participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, said Nigeria was recovering from its challenges, noting that the process of healing could come with pain.

“The country has been seriously injured and is in the process of recovery. For a wound to heal, it has to pass through pain,” he said.

Ongoing projects may be abandoned if you dont vote Tinubu – Kano Rep, Bichi

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