Startups used to be obsessed with billboards. It was the first thing I noticed when I moved to San Francisco: venture-backed companies like Eaze, Airbnb, and notoriously Brex, were posting large billboard advertisements across the city to get attention and attention. As I got into it more, I learned this kind of old school. Outdoor advertising was a response to the increasingly crowded online channels such as Facebook and Instagram advertising.
Well folks, years later we have a new answer to crowded marketing channels: throw away the billboards and just buy a media company instead. More recently, startups and venture capital firms have been pushed to acquire or create media companies. I would argue that they find a creative way to position content marketing. Last week, Axios discovered that Coinbase was launching a media operation on cryptocurrency. At the same time, Clubhouse is looking to hire freelance writers, while its largest main investor to date, Andreessen Horowitz, has ambitions to open an opinion box. Other news like The Skimm, investigating a possible sale, and Hubspot, acquiring the Hustle, also help portray broader media ambitions in the tech field.
We saw the impact of a Venture-backed media push on Equity, our award-winning (!) Podcast, this week. As you can see from this introduction, I don’t think there is any rush to compete with journalism. There is a rush to compete with a noisy world and rename advertising media outlets.
I could talk about journalism, technology, and media forever, but that’s all on the subject today. For the remainder of this newsletter, we’ll cover new IPOs, startups that are earning other startups upfront revenue, and tactical advice on building and buying a tech stack. As always, I can podcast @Equitypod and tweet @nmasc_.
IP (oats)
Oatly went public this week and there weren’t enough jokes or puns about it. (Although I really appreciated this one). My complaint aside, IIt’s been a busy week for the public markets.
Here’s what you should know: Focusing on card issuance and payment technology, Marqueta has an intriguing S-1 filing – including Peloton and Affirm’s relationship with Square. Alex delved into the numbers and told you what to think about submitting to The Exchange.
And a splash of oat milk please:
Credit: Getty Images / Eugene Mymrin
Build or Buy?
Telemedicine must prepare for a post-pandemic world that has its own upfront costs, risks and, as Marcela points out, opportunities. Around $ 3.1 billion flowed into the sector in 2020 – roughly three times as much as in 2019, according to its recent history. To make money and be influential, startups have to do some work.
Here’s what you should know: It’s time for you to read a market map on telemedicine, from its current state to various tensions, to affordability and the dynamics no one is talking about.
And here is a dessert to end your healthy meal:
Credit: MoMorad / Getty Images
Pipe is burst
Everyone is paying attention to Pipe, which just raised $ 250 million on a valuation of $ 2 billion. As Mary Ann puts it, the company claims to be the Nasdaq for Revenue, and it gives SaaS companies the ability to earn their revenue upfront by “working with investors in a market that offers a discounted rate on annual value these companies pay contracts. “
Here’s what you should know: This wasn’t the only scrutiny done in startups in an effort to advance income for other startups this week. Uncapped, Pipe’s European equivalent, has raised $ 80 million in funding. Put another way, TechCrunch reported in less than 24 hours that nearly $ 330 million was spent on the concept of startups bringing other startups upfront revenue.
Other dollar signs to look out for:
Credit: MirageC / Getty Images
All about TC
TechCrunch is looking for 20 early-stage companies to be represented at TC Disrupt 2021 in the Startup Battlefield this year. Startups will receive an article on TechCrunch.com, intensive pitch training from the TC team, the chance to win a $ 100,000 share-free prize pool, and the attention of thousands of global press and investors.
So what are you waiting for? Apply by May 27th!
In the course of the week
Seen on TechCrunch
Seen on Extra Crunch
Thank you for reading! Do something this week that doesn’t require technology. Of course, after you’ve shared this newsletter with at least two people.
Always,
N.