

Equity
TechCrunch, Rebecca Bellan, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, Max Zeff, Theresa Loconsolo
The intersection of technology, startups, and venture capital touches everything now. That’s why Equity, TechCrunch's flagship podcast, digs into the business of startups for entrepreneurs and enthusiasts alike. Every Wednesday and Friday, TechCrunch reporters keep you up-to-date on the world of business, technology, and venture capital. Equity is ranked the No.2 podcast in the Top 100 Venture Capital All time leaderboard on Goodpods—As well as No.17 for the Top 100 Finance All time chart and No.32 for the Top 100 Business News All time chart.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2023 • 36min
It's always earnings season if you look hard enough
Kirsten Korosec, a TechCrunch reporter known for her deep dives into autonomous vehicles and Fintech, joins the conversation this week. They discuss AngelList's acquisition of Nova and Waymo's shift from autonomous trucks to ride-hailing, sparking important debates. The earnings season reveals rising AI costs with revenues finally on the horizon, while major tech stocks perform decently. The team also analyzes the role of funds of funds in increasing diversity within venture capital, highlighting the challenges diverse founders face in the ecosystem.

Jul 26, 2023 • 32min
What’s next for social media from someone who’s Extremely Online
In this conversation with Taylor Lorenz, a Washington Post columnist and author of "Extremely Online," the complex evolution of social media is dissected. Lorenz reveals why online work is often undervalued despite being the birthplace of much cultural discourse. The saga of Vine's rise and fall highlights the disconnect between creators and platforms. With the dominance of video formats, she discusses the evolving landscape of content creation and the unpredictable future of social media, including the challenges faced by journalists on platforms like Twitter.

Jul 24, 2023 • 9min
Please re-xeet this podcast episode
Stocks around the world are feeling mixed vibes, with Chinese equities dropping and U.S. shares expected to rise. In the crypto sphere, prices are bouncing back to pre-XRP levels, while Worldcoin makes its debut. Twitter is undergoing a rebranding into X, aiming to transform into a superapp—success or embarrassment? Spotify's price hike is welcomed, as it acknowledges the value of music. Finally, San Francisco is re-emerging as a tech powerhouse, fueled by AI innovation and vibrant job opportunities.

Jul 21, 2023 • 33min
That's capitalism, baby!
Discover the shocking layoffs at Cameo and the decline in fintech valuations, highlighting Stripe's dramatic drop. The story of VanMoof's bankruptcy serves as a cautionary tale on unicorn ambitions. Dive into the complexities of CEO turnover and when leadership changes are necessary. There's also a lively debate about the role of generative AI in creative industries, sparked by an AI-generated 'South Park' episode, prompting discussions on ethics and author compensation. A week filled with revelations and industry insights!

Jul 19, 2023 • 34min
Venture's Q2 was calm (and that's not good)
In this engaging discussion, Kyle Stanford, Lead Venture Capital Research Analyst at PitchBook, dives into the turbulent waters of Q2 2023 in U.S. venture capital. He highlights the alarming slowdown in exits and its detrimental effect on fundraising efforts. Seed deals and down rounds are scrutinized, revealing a challenging landscape for early-stage investors. Kyle also reflects on Kava's IPO and its influence on investor sentiment, while hinting at some promising trends that could signal hope amid uncertainty.

Jul 17, 2023 • 8min
Equity Monday: Intel backs robotics startup, Twitter loses money, and fintech shows signs of life
Global stocks are feeling the pinch from weak Chinese data, while Twitter struggles with cash flow issues, aiming to pay users for popular tweets. In the crypto world, XRP sees a lift from a recent legal win. Meanwhile, Instagram Threads is rapidly growing, intensifying competition with Twitter, as Meta faces regulatory hurdles in Norway. On the startup front, Intel's investment in robotics shines a light on innovation, and fintech startup Thunes nears unicorn status, capitalizing on current trends in digital payments.

Jul 14, 2023 • 32min
We're in the pruning phase of tech layoffs
A new Chinese AI model is stirring up competition in the tech world, with questions about regulatory impacts and innovation. There's an interesting twist where a founder now invests in other founders. AI could potentially create a more equitable venture landscape, says Connetic Ventures. On a positive note, tech layoffs are slowing down, while inflation may ease interest rate hikes that pressure tech valuations. Plus, a look at the social media rivalry landscape adds an intriguing layer to the discussion.

29 snips
Jul 12, 2023 • 32min
Is ChatGPT the iBeer of LLMs?
Matthew Lynley, a former TechCruncher and founder of the AI-focused newsletter Supervised, dives into the evolution of large language models. He discusses how transformers revolutionized AI by enhancing attention mechanisms. The conversation also highlights recent acquisitions in the AI space, particularly Databricks and Snowflake's roles in shaping the LLM stack. Lastly, Lynley examines the startup landscape, noting how emerging companies are gearing up to make significant impacts in the ongoing AI race.

Jul 10, 2023 • 9min
Equity Monday: People like Threads
The global stock market shows mixed signals, while inflation in China steals the spotlight. Crypto remains steady, but the NFT market is shaky due to recent changes. Meta's new social app, Threads, skyrockets to 100 million sign-ups in just five days, offering a fresh alternative to Twitter. Meanwhile, the startup space faces ups and downs, with FrontRow shutting down in India while Propel successfully connects African tech talent to the global market. It’s a vibrant landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities!

Jul 7, 2023 • 29min
Hey, stuck startups, reducing growth could make you less fundable
In this engaging discussion, Immad Akhund, CEO and co-founder of Mercury—a fintech that emerged as a crucial resource during the Silicon Valley Bank collapse—shares vital insights for startups. He reveals the ‘Startup Death Spiral’ and how companies can avoid it by prioritizing sustainable growth over aggressive strategies. Immad also reflects on his angel investing experiences, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics. The conversation underscores the unique banking challenges faced by startups and the critical role of financial stability in today's economic climate.