Economist Podcasts The Intelligence: Horn under a bad sign
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Feb 27, 2024 
Charlize Chitness, a Business correspondent for The Economist, discusses the alarming decline of unicorns in the tech industry, attributing it to economic pressures and a shift towards sustainable growth. Holly Berman, Social media editor at The Economist, provides insights into the return of Parler, touching on its rocky history with political extremism and the changing dynamics of social media platforms. The conversation also highlights the urgent housing crisis in sub-Saharan Africa and innovative solutions to secure affordable housing.
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Unicorn Decline
- Tech unicorns, once abundant, are now declining due to rising interest rates and market changes.
- Investors struggle to recoup returns as IPOs stall and acquisitions face scrutiny.
Investor Retreat
- Crossover investors, who fueled the unicorn boom, have retreated due to rising interest rates.
- This leaves many unicorns with high cash burn and limited exit options.
Limited Exit Options
- Unicorns face limited exit options, as IPOs are stalled and acquisitions face regulatory scrutiny.
- Many are winding down or being acquired for parts, exemplified by Convoy and Veve.