This Week in Startups News! Robinhood/Duolingo IPOs, Big Tech earnings, China & more with TechCrunch’s Alex Wilhelm | E1257
Jul 30, 2021
Alex Wilhelm, a Senior Editor at TechCrunch, joins to dissect the latest happenings in the tech world. They explore the surprising IPOs of Robinhood and Duolingo, emphasizing how pandemic shifts fueled consumer subscriptions. The conversation moves on to Google’s growth, Amazon's developments, and the complex landscape of venture capital amid market uncertainties. They also dive into China's regulatory challenges and Apple's impressive quarterly results, showcasing the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
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Unexpected IPO Performance
- Duolingo's IPO outperformed Robinhood's, defying expectations.
- This unusual outcome highlights the current unpredictable nature of post-unicorn IPOs.
Robinhood's IPO
- Jason Calacanis, an angel investor in Robinhood, discusses its IPO, which opened at $38 and traded around $36.
- He attributes some of this to the company offering a significant portion of shares directly to its user base.
IPO Pop Misconception
- There's a disconnect between media reporting on IPO "pops" and the investment community's view.
- A small IPO pop is not a failure; steady growth and long-term value creation are more important.