Atlassian launches new Stride platform … Airtree and Blackbird ventures back EARTH AI in $500k round … RMIT launches blockchain innovation hub

Atlassian has launched Stride, the successor to its HipChat workplace communication platform that is set to challenge the likes of Slack and Microsoft’s Teams offerings.

The “complete team communication solution” offerings a range of new features for Atlassian users, including a ‘Focus Mode’ function that allows users to mute notification and incoming messages when they need to avoid distraction. The platform also focuses on facilitating meetings between team members and gives users the ability to turn messages into ‘actions’ and ‘decisions’.

Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes says rival chat options on the market created a sense of false urgency that workers often felt obligated to monitor, according to The Australian.

“The messaging space has become incredibly heated over time,” Cannon-Brookes said in a statement.

“I think across both we have the most holistic offering. It’s purposefully designed for every team no matter what industry.”

The platform, launched yesterday, is now available for iOS and Android, and Atlassian says it will work with teams of 10,000-plus to adopt the software. The company said in a blog post that it will work with current HipChat users to upgrade them to the Stride platform.

Airtree and Blackbird Ventures back artificial intelligence mining startup EARTH AI

Two prominent Australian venture capital funds have contributed to a $500,000 seed funding round for artificial intelligence startup EARTH AI, which is seeking to help mining companies locate resources through machine learning, Fairfax reports.

Airtree and Blackbird Ventures have invested in the seed funding round for the startup, which was founded last November by Sydney-based geosciences PhD candidate Roman Tslyuk, and web developer Ihor Herechko.

The startup is a graduate of Sydney University’s Incubate accelerator program, and has signed on 40 ASX-listed companies on a mixture of trial and paid contracts, according to reports.

RMIT launches blockchain innovation hub

RMIT has unveiled its new Blockchain Innovation Hub, which the Melbourne-based university says is aimed at taking advantage of the “global blockchain revolution.”

Citing blockchain’s capacity to “revolutionise business as we know it in coming years” through its cutting-edge technology, the university said in a statement that the hub will develop blockchain policy, lead research teams focused on the cultural, economic and social impacts of the technology, and engage with government and stakeholders to foster public debate on the subject.

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