Equity

Today, on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Max Zeff and Anthony Ha are unpacking the week’s news, including the possible return of the SPAC in an uncertain IPO market. It’s a curious moment for a public debut, as Kirsten points out, especially after so much chatter that 2025 would be the big comeback year for blockbuster IPOs, but some major players like Klarna and StubHub have already hit pause. And as investor Mark Goldberg put it on this week’s show, folks holding their breath for a fintech IPO wave this year “are going to be blue in the face.”Listen to the full episode to hear about: How Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos’s AI voices could be taking over a crosswalk near you Figma’s IPO plans, and questions on the Equity crew’s mind ahead of the S-1. How Hugging Face’s latest acquisition confirms its push into humanoid robotics The latest wave of OpenAI models, updates to its o3 and o4-mini reasoning models, and why all eyes are on the bigger launch still to come: GPT-5. Equity will be back next week, so stay tuned!Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here.Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. We’d also like to thank TechCrunch’s audience development team. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mark Goldberg, founder of the early-stage venture firm Chemistry, shares insights from his career at Index Ventures where he backed fintech giants like Plaid. He discusses the shift in fintech towards more tech-driven models and the challenges of consumer vulnerability. Goldberg delves into AI's dual role in enhancing operations and tackling fraud, while also highlighting the slow pace of fintech IPOs. With a fresh perspective on investment strategies compared to chess and surfing, he emphasizes the need for agility in this evolving landscape.

Meta's recent AI models sparked more confusion than excitement, with critics questioning their performance credibility. The discussion also touches on Trump's potential tariffs and their looming impact on the tech sector. A secretive EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos raises eyebrows with its unconventional designs, while ethical dilemmas loom over Colossal Biosciences' ambitious de-extinction goals. The interplay between trade tensions and technological advancements creates a fascinating landscape for investment and innovation.

Tarek Mansour, the CEO of Kalshi, leads the largest prediction market in America, creating a dynamic platform for trading on political, sports, and cultural events. He dives into the regulatory hurdles facing prediction markets, discussing the fine line between financial exchanges and gambling. Mansour envisions Kalshi as a global tool for decision-making and transparency, while outlining the legal battles that highlight the controversial status of prediction markets. Tune in to explore how these markets could reshape economic forecasting.

Dive into a corporate espionage thriller where Rippling accuses Deel of undercover tactics and secret payments to an alleged mole. The tension escalates as legal claims turn personal, all while hosts discuss the hilarity of smashing a spy phone with an ax. The podcast also explores Circle's IPO and its implications for the crypto world, alongside gaming innovations in tax prep amidst copyright concerns. Plus, insights into major shifts in the AI landscape and how industry giants are adapting their strategies!

Valentina Agudelo, co-founder and CEO of Salva Health, is revolutionizing breast cancer detection with the innovative Julieta device. She identified alarming survival rate disparities in Latin America, leading to her groundbreaking efforts. The conversation covers how Julieta makes early detection accessible in underserved communities, the unique hardware-as-a-service model, and plans for expansion into other medical conditions. Valentina shares insights from her Startup Battlefield experience and the challenges of securing funding for female-led startups.

The shift of CoreWeave from cryptocurrency to AI reveals the complexities of managing substantial loans within tech. Rivian's venture into micromobility explores the promise and pitfalls of sustainable transport. The launch of the GPT-4O Omni model showcases advancements in AI image generation but raises copyright concerns. Major layoffs at Block highlight strategic shifts in the industry, while the financial struggles of a well-known tech figure provoke discussions on efficiency and leadership. Ethical dilemmas in startup culture come to the forefront with the challenges faced by 11X.

In this engaging discussion, Bradley Tusk, co-founder of Tusk Venture Partners and the mind behind mobile voting initiatives, shares his candid views on the state of venture capital, claiming it's been 'effectively dead' for four years. He explores the pivot to equity-for-services to assist startups maneuvering through regulatory mazes and reflects on his impactful role in Uber's early growth. Tusk also unveils his mobile voting project aimed at boosting voter turnout, emphasizing the importance of accessible technology in democracy.

Google's bold $32 billion acquisition of cloud security startup Wiz is unpacked, revealing its significance for investors and the tech landscape. Sequoia capital scores big, but an Israeli VC, Cyberstarts, wins even more percentage-wise. The drama doesn't stop there—Waymo's mapping efforts at San Francisco International Airport and potential robotaxi services are explored. Plus, a deep dive into NVIDIA's groundbreaking AI innovations and the corporate espionage saga between HR companies Rippling and Deel. Intrigue abounds in this week’s tech updates!

Avlok Kohli, CEO of AngelList and a seasoned entrepreneur, shares insights on the evolution of venture capital in the age of AI. He discusses how every startup now considers itself an AI company and the impact of this trend on funding dynamics. Kohli also highlights the importance of scout programs in capital deployment and introduces 'Fin,' a new AI tool for private market data. He sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in the tech industry, emphasizing the need for innovation beyond just capital.