Secondary business activity has ebbed and flowed in recent months, following a particularly busy summer. But 2024 may see investors return for good, writes Rebecca Szkutak.
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“The universe of buyers for pre-IPOs expands quite a bit when you have a functioning IPO market. The list of investors interested in secondary companies is expanding to those interested in public markets,” Caplight CEO Javier Avalos told her.
Thanks for reading,
“Mega-deals” could swell AI funding totals
Image Credits: Andriy Onufriyenko (opens in new window) / Getty Images
Funding for AI-related startups topped $68.7 billion in 2023, but “mega-deals” may be inflating those numbers. In the third quarter, total VC funding in the space was about $22.1 billion. But after Big Tech mega-deals are subtracted, the total is more than $15.1 billion. As Kyle Wiggers writes, “Are VCs, initially drawn in by the creative AI hype, coming down to earth and/or becoming wary of the technology’s risks?”
Twilio may actually be worth the attention of activist investors
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Twilio’s share price fell after it laid off staff this week amid high volatility. In February, CEO Jeff Lawson announced that he was splitting the business into two parts, with Elena Donio tapped to run data and applications. During the third quarter earnings call, however, the company announced that Donio would be stepping down. And that’s not even considering its stock price.
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Ask Sophie: Does the H-1B visa require founders to give up equity and control?
Image Credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch
Dear Sophia,
I am currently in the US working for my employer on an H-1B. I’ve wanted to start my own company, but I’m working on building up my O-1A credentials because I’ve read in your previous columns over the years that bringing an H-1B to a startup comes with a lot of downsides for startup founders , including giving up control and equality. How has that changed now?
— Future Founder
Why layoffs happen in December and how to handle them with compassion
Image Credits: Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch
If you’ve found yourself in the unfortunate position of having to make layoffs in December, TechCrunch reporter Haje Jan Kamps has some tips on how to do it with compassion.
