Equity

Dominic-Madori Davis, co-host of TechCrunch's Found and a diversity advocate, dives into pressing issues in venture capital. She discusses a lawsuit challenging grants for Black women entrepreneurs, highlighting the alarming push to dismantle supportive programs. The conversation reveals the stark funding disparities faced by women and minorities in the U.S. versus promising initiatives in countries like the UK. Davis also critiques the lack of transparency in funding decisions and explores the ongoing fight for equity in the venture landscape.

Global stock trends and a dip in crypto kick off the discussion, with a focus on whether the smartphone market has peaked after Apple's latest earnings. A controversial privacy law in India raises concerns about government control over data. Triller's upcoming IPO promises excitement, even as the podcast team remains cautious about its profitability. Meanwhile, Paytm is making strategic moves in the FinTech sphere, showcasing financial innovation in challenging markets. It's a dynamic blend of tech updates and economic insights!

Stu Alderoty, the Chief Legal Officer of Ripple Labs, shares his wealth of experience shifting from traditional finance to the crypto world. The discussion centers around a pivotal federal court ruling that differentiates XRP as a commodity in public sales but a security for institutional ones. Alderoty emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory clarity in the crypto space, challenges faced by startups, and how this ruling could reshape the financial landscape. Insights into Ripple’s ongoing SEC lawsuit shed light on the future of cryptocurrency regulations.

Sara Mauskopf, CEO and co-founder of Winnie, a childcare marketplace, shares her journey in the evolving childcare sector. She discusses how Winnie carved its niche and the unique challenges of scaling in a care-focused market, especially post-pandemic. Sara highlights the discrepancies in funding opportunities between childcare and eldercare. She also tackles the undervaluation of care work in society and the pressing need for innovative solutions that support both childcare access and women's workforce participation.

Stocks are trending higher globally, with major tech companies poised to release crucial earnings this week. Twitter is undergoing a significant rebranding, complete with a fresh tagline, while the crypto scene sees more depth to the Coinbase-SEC lawsuit. Tiger Global exits Flipkart in a hefty deal, although Fidelity has mixed news with markdowns and improved valuations for others like Reddit. Meanwhile, the competition heats up between fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu, sparking intriguing business rivalries.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.