September 30, 2022 – 39 minutes
Hello and welcome back to Equity, the podcast about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines.
Programming Notes
Before we dive into this week’s show notes, let’s cover some programming notes:
- Use code ‘EQUITY’ for a special listener discount on Disrupt tickets. We’re less than one month away!
- If you were impacted by layoffs, go [here](insert link) to get a free ticket to TechCrunch Disrupt’s Expo.
The Show
This week, Natasha, Mary Ann, and Rebecca took the mic, with Theresa on production duty, to talk through quite a diverse news cycle:
Deals of the Week
- Scout: A company that helps startups find the perfect office space
- HopSkipDrive: A ride-sharing service for kids that’s now worth $1.3 billion
- Hustle Fund’s new fund: A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups
We’re focusing on these deals because they represent a new wave of companies that are changing the way we live and work.
The Human Side of Layoffs
After discussing the deals, Mary Ann and Christine dug into four stories of those impacted by the Better.com layoff spree. We explore the human cost of layoffs and how it affects not only the employees but also their families.
Inside the Human Cost of Better.comâs Brutal Layoffs
Better.com’s decision to lay off over 900 employees was a brutal reminder that even in the tech industry, jobs are not always secure. We spoke with four individuals who were impacted by these layoffs and explored how they’re coping with this new reality.
The Adobe/Figma Deal
Next up, we debated whether or not the Adobe/Figma deal will spur more M&A considering the lack of companies going public and the state of the venture market. Is this a sign that the private markets are getting too hot to handle?
The Venture Market: A Changing Landscape
Speaking of the venture market, we ended with a discussion about how VCs are funding again, but focusing on certain stages. What does this mean for startups and investors? We looked ahead at what Q4 might look like and whether this is a sign that the markets are stabilizing.
Equity Drop Schedule
Don’t miss out on our weekly Equity drops! Tune in every Monday at 7 a.m. PT and Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m. PT to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the startup world.
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Our Team
Meet our team of expert reporters who bring you the inside scoop on the business of startups:
- Natasha Mascarenhas: Senior Reporter at TechCrunch covering early-stage startups and venture capital trends.
- Mary Ann Azevedo: Sr. Reporter with over 20 years of business reporting and editing experience for publications such as FinLedger, Crunchbase News, Crain, Forbes, and Silicon Valley Business Journal.
- Rebecca Szkutak: Senior Reporter, Venture covering venture capital trends and startups.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Want to stay ahead of the curve on the latest news and trends in the startup world? Follow us on social media and tune in to our weekly Equity drops!
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Stay Tuned
We’ll be back next week with more news, analysis, and insights from the startup world. Stay tuned!
