This Week in Startups Slack CEO departs Salesforce, Circle cancels SPAC, SBF's links with media & regulators | E1628
Dec 6, 2022
Breaking news reveals that Slack's CEO is stepping down from Salesforce, raising questions about company culture and leadership stability. Circle has canceled its SPAC merger due to regulatory hurdles, highlighting challenges in the crypto landscape. A controversial discussion surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried examines his ties to media and politics amidst financial scrutiny. Lastly, a fascinating startup is introduced, leveraging VR technology to revolutionize helicopter pilot training, offering a cost-effective solution to address industry shortages.
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Butterfield Leaves Salesforce
- Slack CEO Stuart Butterfield is leaving Salesforce, two years after the acquisition.
- This is a common pattern for founders, often coinciding with retention bonus vesting periods.
Internal Replacements and Integration
- Internal replacements often prioritize integration over original product philosophies.
- This can lead to changes that upset original users but benefit the acquiring company's user base.
Post-Acquisition Product Velocity
- Acquired companies often experience slower product velocity and eventual integration.
- Figma's acquisition by Adobe exemplifies user concerns about product independence post-acquisition.