Thursdays at Abnormal Returns are all about startup and venture capital links. You can check out last week’s links including a look at the effect WeWork’s implosion has had on the broader startup space.
Quote of the Day
"Grinding isn’t very satisfying. It is hard to stand up in front of everyone and say “we are going to fix things around here bit by bit with a lot of hard work.” Big flashy moves are an easier sell most of the time. But they don’t work nearly as well and are prone to complete and abject failure."
(Fred Wilson)
Chart of the Day
“The composition of companies raising supergiant venture capital hasn’t changed all that much. There’s just more of them now.”
Venture
- Plexo Capital is focused on investing in companies founded by women and people of color. (news.crunchbase.com)
- A successful Saudi Aramco IPO could lead to more Saudi money in venture. (vox.com)
- China VC funding is down big in 2019. (news.crunchbase.com)
Companies
- A profile of Hipcamp, the Airbnb for camping. (newyorker.com)
- Ross Ufberg, "Plant Prefab is an all-in-one, vertically integrated startup that will design, manufacture, and install your modular dream home — imagine if Daniel Libeskind or Frank Gehry also ran their own construction companies." (marker.medium.com)
- Former SoFi CEO Mike Cagney's new company Figure has gone unicorn. (axios.com)
- Duolingo has gone unicorn. (cnbc.com)
Fintech
- Fintech startups are making their presence in New York City known. (bnnbloomberg.ca)
- The fintech bubble seems to be bursting. (ftalphaville.ft.com)
- Momentum wants to make it easier to give to charity, Acorn-style. (qz.com)
Startups
- Sallie Krawchek, "It's easier to divorce your spouse than it is to get rid of an investor in your company." (riabiz.com)
- On the downside of raising too much capital. (avc.com)
- Failing fast and learning from failure are easier said than done. (wsj.com)
- There is a big difference between innovation and attention. (seths.blog)
- 16 good lessons on how to pitch effectively. (nfx.com)
- Some life hackers are taking advantage of online mattress companies' generous return policies. (wsj.com)
- Porn is now adopting the streaming subscription model (cnbc.com)
