Tyson Ventures asks AI startups to apply
Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods Inc., announced the call for applications for its annual Demo Day this summer.
This year the company is focusing on advancing artificial intelligence in the food industry, and is looking for startups with AI-driven solutions to apply.
Doug Kulka, Tyson’s chief information and technology officer, said the company is spotlighting the transformative potential of AI to enhance how they connect with customers, design products and deliver experiences.
Some of the startup areas the company is looking for include: customer insights, consumer feedback integration, advanced product and packaging concepts and visuals, efficiencies in research and design, customer and consumer personalization, and analytics for innovation.
Selected startups will pitch their innovations at Tyson’s headquarters in Springdale on July 9. Those selected will have access to mentorship from Tyson leadership, pilot testing and opportunities for commercial partnerships.
Interested startups can apply online by May 2 on the Tyson Ventures website.
— Dylan Sherman
Mexico praises deal to ease tariffs by U.S.
Mexico’s government said that as much as 90% of exports to the U.S. could benefit from the tariff relief deal the two nations reached Thursday, significantly reducing the risks to a slowing economy that is heavily dependent on trade with its northern neighbor.
U.S. President Donald Trump exempted Mexican and Canadian goods covered by the North American trade deal known as the USMCA from 25% tariffs until April 2.
That relief will apply to more than half of Mexico’s exports to the U.S., and companies using a different exemption called the “most-favored nation” rate will be able to access that benefit quickly and easily before April, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Friday.
“We estimate that they will account for around 85% to 90% of Mexico’s foreign trade with the U.S. by April,” Ebrard said alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum at her daily morning news conference.
Trump agreed to the tariff relief after speaking to Sheinbaum on Thursday, just days after the levies had gone into effect. Sheinbaum told reporters after the call that she highlighted her government’s efforts to help stem the flow of illegal drugs across the U.S. border, saying Mexico had made progress in meeting Trump’s demands.
Ebrard said Mexican officials will meet with counterparts from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office next week to continue negotiations.
— Bloomberg News (WPNS)
Arkansas Index ends week up to 849.83
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Friday at 849.83, up 11.07 points.
Ten stocks on the index rose in trading Friday while three declined.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.