Equity

Cate Ambrose, CEO of the Global Private Capital Association, shares insights on the shifting landscapes of global venture capital. She discusses the impressive growth peaks of emerging markets and the resiliency of smaller startup ecosystems amidst economic corrections. Government policies play a crucial role in fostering innovation, with examples from Latin America. Ambrose also highlights signs of recovery in global investments, particularly in technology and generative AI, and the importance of new generations driving social impact.

This week dives into Visa's impressive acquisition of Pismo, marking a significant trend in fintech M&A. The hosts also dissect Honey Homes' innovative handyman subscription model, sparking debate on its cost-effectiveness. Gusto's collaboration with Remote shines a light on international hiring in hybrid work environments. Plus, they explore the challenges unicorns face amid declining funding and discuss the acquisitions reshaping the tech landscape, including Ramp's buyout of Cohere.io and Databricks' acquisition of MosaicML.

David Vélez, co-founder and CEO of Nubank, a pioneer in Latin American digital banking, shares his insights on the region's unique fintech landscape. He discusses Nubank's journey to profitability despite economic challenges and highlights how Latin American founders differ from their U.S. counterparts. The conversation touches on Brazil's innovative payment systems and their impact on financial inclusion. Vélez also examines the future of digital banking, emphasizing the resilience required in the Latino market and the potential for transformative growth.

Cryptocurrency is experiencing a mini-boom, providing hope after weeks of negativity. Notable startups are making waves: Vanta is rapidly growing into a unicorn, while IRL faced collapse due to fraud. TreasurySpring's new funding highlights the evolving fintech landscape amid global economic shifts. Meanwhile, major investments are flowing into India as American firms and Japan strategize their semiconductor ventures. Lastly, IBM made headlines with a hefty $4.6 billion acquisition of Apptio, signaling the importance of strategic tech deals.

Kirsten Korosec, TechCrunch's mobility lead and a podcast host, joins to dive into exciting topics. They discuss Robinhood's acquisition of X1 and Dropbox's new AI fund, exploring the evolving tech landscape. The conversation heats up around Twitch and Reddit, revealing tensions between corporate interests and community needs. Lastly, they tackle the booming market for non-alcoholic drinks, showcasing a new app designed for sober explorers. A lively discussion that blends technology, innovation, and societal shifts!

Eric Silver, Head of Creative at Multitude, shares his insights into the ups and downs of the creator economy. He discusses Spotify's struggles with layoffs and how major platforms fail to support a thriving creator class. The conversation also dives into the disparities between independent creators and corporate giants, exploring how authenticity often gets lost in the chase for ad revenue. Silver touches on the impact of AI on creativity while advocating for unique human storytelling in an increasingly automated world. It's a candid look at the state of creativity today.

Big changes are afoot at Alibaba as the CEO transitions to lead its cloud division amidst a company restructure. Intel secures a notable subsidy for a new plant in Germany, while OpenAI navigates EU regulations to safeguard its AI innovations. The late-stage startup scene struggles with waning investor interest, evidenced by Tiger's fire sale of startup stakes. In brighter news, Eleven Labs raises $19 million in a Series A round, showcasing the ongoing appetite for AI funding amidst the layoffs in the tech industry.

Jacquelyn Melinek, a TechCrunch reporter specializing in the crypto industry, joins the discussion. They kick off with highlights from Apple's WWDC and its costly new headset. Jacquie dives into the SEC's recent crackdown on crypto exchanges, including Binance's legal woes, and the implications for the market. The conversation turns to Sequoia Capital's self-competitive strategy, likened to an inverse approach from Google. The partnership between Affirm and Amazon is also explored, revealing its potential to reshape the BNPL landscape.

Henry Ward, CEO and co-founder of Carta, shares his insights on the current early-stage venture capital market, insisting it's looking better than perceived. He discusses Carta's new automated Seed and Series A product designed to streamline early funding rounds. The conversation touches on the hurdles young startups face in attracting capital and highlights the importance of tech solutions amidst market shifts. Ward also reflects on entrepreneurship trends, the impact of generative AI, and the future of augmented reality with excitement.

Global stocks show mixed results, while Bitcoin and Ethereum remain stable despite falling trading volumes. Reddit faces backlash over proposed API charges, highlighting tensions between monetization and user satisfaction. Twitter struggles with declining ad revenues amidst high debt, signaling a bumpy road ahead. Mutual funds are tightening their grips, exemplified by a markdown on Canva's valuation and concerns for other unicorns. Plus, excitement builds for Apple's upcoming event!