'Super weird' is the best way to describe this startup's pivot

Sep 20, 2024

This week’s discussion dives into an innovative helmet designed to help chemotherapy patients retain their hair, a surprising blend of healthcare and technology. The team also unpacks the rollercoaster funding journey of the quick commerce startup Flink, which defied expectations with a recent $115 million raise. Meanwhile, the Principled Business Summit sparks a debate about the future of capitalism, and autonomous trucking company TuSimple makes a bizarre pivot to AI-generated animation. The podcast is full of unexpected turns and intriguing insights!

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ANECDOTE

Multi-talented Founder

Kirsten Korosec and Devin Coldewey discussed Cohere co-founder Nick Frosst's successful band.
This highlighted Frosst's diverse talents beyond his $5.5 billion AI startup.

ANECDOTE

Chemo Helmet

Luminate created a helmet that prevents hair loss during chemotherapy by applying pressure to the scalp.
Devin Coldewey covered their latest fundraise and the team discussed the potential impact.

INSIGHT

Flink's Success

Flink, a quick commerce startup, raised $150 million despite the sector's struggles.
This suggests investors see potential in Flink's market position, particularly in Germany.

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This week on Equity, the podcast crew discusses several weird things and at least one cool thing.

Kirsten Korosec, Devin Coldewey, and Rebecca Bellan first talked about the least weird thing of the week, how nice it is that Cohere co-founder Nick Frosst has a band that people really like.

Then we get weird. First the good weird: a helmet that squeezes your head, but for a really good reason. It prevents hair loss from chemotherapy. Devin covered Luminate’s latest fundraise and news, and everyone was pleased that money was going to a startup that may really be helping people feel better about themselves during a difficult time. The company is hoping to improve at-home care as well.

Next, Kirsten explained the weird phenomenon of Flink, the “quick commerce” startup that just recently was rumored to be on the block for about $106 million, instead raising $115 million. Quite a turnaround! But as the team discusses, it may be that investors see the possibility that the “tumultuous time” for this sector is ending and Flink may have a good grip on the German market. Still…

Then the weirdness begins in earnest. Rebecca is at the “Principled Business Summit,” aimed at “reclaiming capitalism” from, apparently, itself. She is getting mixed messages from the crowd and the content, which seems to combine enthusiasm for doing the right thing with some fringe tendencies to do… other things.

And weirdest of all, autonomous trucking startup TuSimple’s pivot to… AI-generated animation and video games. What?! Though there is some overlap between simulation and animation/gaming, it’s a wild and unexpected change for the company, and a lot of shareholders are not going for it. Apparently the new division is working on another adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem,” so that’s good… but what about the $450 million they were going to spend on trucks? That conflict is playing out before our eyes.

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Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.

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Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

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