Hello and welcome back to Equity, a podcast about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines. This is our Friday show, and we’re talking about the week’s biggest startup and tech news.
Hosts
- Alex Wilhelm: Senior Reporter at TechCrunch
- Mary Ann Azevedo: Sr. Reporter at TechCrunch
- Kirsten Korosec: Transportation Editor at TechCrunch
Today’s Agenda
We have a lot to cover today, so let’s dive right in.
Self-Driving Setbacks
Cruise is set to slash its costs in the wake of a safety mess and greater scrutiny from regulators. Alex hopes that the current set of news items doesn’t slow down the progress of self-driving tech.
- Autonomous vehicles have been gaining traction in recent years, with many companies investing heavily in the technology.
- However, there are still significant challenges to overcome before self-driving cars become a reality on public roads.
- The safety mess and regulatory scrutiny facing Cruise is a setback for the industry as a whole.
Webull Snaps Up Flink
Free trading is not just a business model that is popular in the United States. Webull is taking the Latin American market more seriously with its purchase of Flink.
- Webull has been expanding its presence in the Latin American market in recent years.
- The company’s acquisition of Flink is a significant move into the region, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
- Free trading has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s clear that Webull sees an opportunity to capitalize on this trend.
Uber <3’s Taxis
What are London’s iconic black cabs doing on Uber’s platform? And how long does it take to go from enemies to frenemies?
- The partnership between Uber and the London Taxi Association is a significant development in the ride-hailing industry.
- It will be interesting to see how this partnership plays out, and whether it sets a precedent for other companies in the industry.
- The move also raises questions about the future of traditional taxi services.
Rover Finds the Exit
Who would have guessed that dog walking would be worth $2.3 billion?
- Rover’s sale is a significant milestone for the company, and it’s clear that the pet care industry is becoming increasingly important.
- The acquisition highlights the growth of the sharing economy and the increasing demand for pet-related services.
- It will be interesting to see how Rover continues to grow and evolve in the future.
IPOs Are Heating Back Up (A Little)
With Shein and Reddit targeting the IPO market in the coming months, it’s time to get our S-1 boots back on and prepare for some new debuts.
- The IPO market has been relatively quiet in recent years, but there are signs that things are starting to pick up.
- Shein and Reddit are two companies that have a lot of potential for growth, and their IPOs will be closely watched by investors.
- It’s clear that the IPO market is becoming increasingly important for startups and scale-ups.
Venture Downturns Are Not Death Sentences
EU venture funding levels are down, but not out. And what’s going on Down Under?
- Venture capital investment has been declining in recent years, but there are still many companies that are raising significant amounts of money.
- The EU market is becoming increasingly important for startups and scale-ups, and it will be interesting to see how things play out in the coming months.
- It’s clear that venture capital remains a crucial source of funding for startups.
Back on Monday!
We’ll be back on Monday with more news and analysis. In the meantime, you can catch up on our latest episodes and articles at TechCrunch.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Equity. We hope you enjoyed it, and we look forward to seeing you next time!
Recommended Reading
- Startups: $5B Livestream Shopping Apps, Nvidia Reveals, And The Weirdest Tech At CES
- 2024: Founder Mode, AI, and the ‘Rise of the Broligarchs’
- Fundraising: Are AI companies just defense tech now?
Links
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