March 26, 2025
Tech News
Manny Medina, founder of Outreach, has launched a new startup named Paid, aimed at facilitating profitable payment systems for AI agents. The platform recently secured €10 million in pre-seed funding from prominent investors like EQT Ventures and Sequoia, addressing a major challenge startups face in pricing their AI services effectively.
In the dynamic realm of AI, Medina emphasizes that traditional pricing models are ineffective. His startup addresses the need to charge based on outcomes rather than per-user fees, as one employee can manage numerous agents, or agents may function autonomously, complicating conventional billing strategies.
As Paid seeks to optimize pricing for agentic startups, the platform also tracks agent performances, helping companies validate their return on investment. This creates a robust billing solution that allows businesses to adapt effectively and ensures agents deliver reliable results.
In another exciting development, the Huawei Band 10 has officially launched in Malaysia, featuring support for TNG eWallet QR payments directly from the wrist. The fitness band not only offers extensive health tracking but also includes a significant introductory discount, making it an attractive option for fitness enthusiasts.
The Huawei Band 10 showcases impressive specs, including a vivid 1.47″ AMOLED display and a lightweight design. With features like 5 ATM water resistance and compatibility with over 100 workout modes, it promises both functionality and style for users.
Additionally, Plural’s innovative platform simplifies the management of Kubernetes clusters, catering to enterprises grappling with the complexities of cluster sprawl. Founded by Sam Weaver and Michael Guarino, Plural consolidates multiple clusters into a unified dashboard, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.
The platform utilizes AI to optimize cluster management, significantly reducing operational overhead, allowing developers to focus on productivity rather than troubleshooting. Funded by a recent $6 million seed round, Plural aims to expand its capabilities in the Kubernetes space and beyond.
Tech Explained
AI (Artificial Intelligence) – AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems. In the context of Paid, AI agents are designed to handle specific tasks autonomously, requiring new strategies for pricing based on their output.
Kubernetes – Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications. Plural offers a solution to manage multiple Kubernetes clusters, providing a centralized dashboard for operational efficiency.
SaaS (Software as a Service) – SaaS is a software delivery model where applications are hosted in the cloud and made available to users over the internet. Paid is contrasted with traditional SaaS billing models by emphasizing performance-based payments instead of user-based pricing.
ROI (Return on Investment) – ROI is a financial metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment. Paid’s platform helps startups measure the ROI of their AI agents by tracking performance, ensuring that their services are cost-effective.
Tokens – In technology, tokens often refer to digital representations used within specific protocols, such as for authentication or payment systems. In Paid’s context, LLM tokens are crucial for determining the costs related to executing AI tasks effectively.
