This Week in Startups E1062: News Roundtable! Acquired.FM Co-Hosts Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal on Clubhouse’s pre-launch $100M valuation, Joe Rogan to Spotify, Uber layoffs, food delivery wars, Facebook buys GIPHY & more!
May 20, 2020
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, co-hosts of Acquired.fm, dive into hot topics like Clubhouse's jaw-dropping $100M pre-launch valuation. They discuss the implications of secondary shares and whether the valuation was justifiable. The duo explores Joe Rogan's game-changing move to Spotify and what it means for the podcast industry. They also dissect the chaotic food delivery market, Uber's challenges, and Facebook's acquisition of GIPHY, questioning the sustainability of ad-based models in today’s landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Clubhouse's VC Product Fit
- Clubhouse achieved rapid VC adoption pre-launch, securing a $100M valuation from Andreessen Horowitz.
- This was driven by the founders' successful targeting of VCs and founders, creating "VC product fit."
Pre-Launch Valuation Pressure
- Securing a high valuation pre-launch, like Clubhouse, can create internal pressure to justify it.
- This pressure can lead to a distorted focus and hinder long-term success due to the need to "fill in" the valuation.
Secondary Share Controversy
- Selling secondary shares early, like the Clubhouse founders, can be controversial.
- It raises questions about founder motivation and long-term commitment, despite potential benefits like risk reduction.