Uber and Nvidia back my startup, which has raised $280M. Here's how we impressed investors and chose the right ones.

"Having the best people in the industry supporting us has been a huge help in the endeavor. Despite raising funds, my focus isn't on an exit but on transforming the world."

"I saw an opportunity to build my own company with an AI-first approach to self-driving technology, moving away from the capital-intensive models that others were using."

"Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's CEO, became a mentor to me during my time at Uber, greatly assisting my growth as a business executive and entrepreneur."

"The experience I gained at Uber was invaluable; it was a great stepping stone for me in terms of entrepreneurship in the self-driving space."

Waabi, an autonomous driving startup founded by Raquel Urtasun, has raised $280 million through funding rounds with significant backing from investors like Nvidia and Uber. Urtasun, with over 25 years of AI experience, shifted from academia to focus on a scalable, AI-first approach in the self-driving sector after her tenure as chief scientist at Uber. Her goal extends beyond mere profit; she aims to transform the transportation landscape with innovative self-driving technology. Strong mentorship and a robust capital table have contributed to Waabi's growth and ambitions.

Read at Business Insider