Databricks, Snowflake, and Battery Ventures discuss when to cash out or scale your startup at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024
Navigating the complex decision of when to sell a startup or keep pushing forward is one of the toughest challenges founders face. In an era where IPOs are frequently delayed and acquisition offers arrive earlier, determining the right moment to either cash out or stay independent is increasingly nuanced. We’re
Read moreSubscription management firm Zuora agrees to be acquired for $1.7B
Zuora, a company selling software to help businesses manage their subscription-based services, has agreed to be acquired by private equity firms GIC and Silver Lake for $1.7 billion. The all-cash deal is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to approvals and customary closing conditions. It’ll take Zuora, which is
Read moreBrain Drain: David vs Goliath
There are worries that GenAI systems may run out of fresh data as they scale. Synthetic data is an option, but using AI-generated data to train AI can degrade the model's performance. There may be a better solution. Can data quality overcome a loss of data quantity?
Read moreStay Secure: 4 Practices to Thwart Ransomware Attacks
Research from Trend Micro has shown that businesses are especially prone to cyberattacks during major events and busy periods, like the holiday season. There are several reasons why cybercriminals target this time of year. Firstly, employees tend to be more distracted than usual. There’s often a rush to complete tasks
Read moreCan AI make us feel less alone? The founder of Manifest thinks so
Amy Wu, founder of the AI-based mental health app Manifest, has a bold prediction for the next wave of tech. “Separately from the AI trend, I think so many people are seeing this loneliness epidemic that’s happening with Gen Z,” she said. “There is no doubt in my mind that
Read moreEclipse opens an NYC office with plans to bolster its presence on the East Coast
After nearly a decade, industrials-focused VC Eclipse expanded out of Silicon Valley. The firm opened its second office in New York’s Soho neighborhood with plans to invest more on the East Coast. Eclipse backs startups in sectors including manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, and infrastructure, among others, both through its seed
Read morePermira completes Squarespace acquisition after upping bid to $7.2B
Website builder Squarespace is no longer a publicly-traded company, after private equity firm Permira procured all remaining common stock in the firm. Permira first revealed plans to acquire Squarespace back in May, offering shareholders in the NYSE-traded company $44 per share — this equated to an equity valuation of $6.6
Read moreIndia’s central bank orders Sachin Bansal’s Navi to halt loans
India’s central bank ordered four non-bank lenders, including Navi Finserv and DMI Finance, to halt loans from October 21, citing excessive interest rates and regulatory breaches. The Reserve Bank of India said (PDF) the firms violated rules on pricing, income assessment, and asset classification. This action follows months of warnings
Read moreElon Musk’s X boosts DSA info for EU users as bloc’s probe of its complaint handling continues
An incoming privacy policy update to Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) will see the company making it clearer to users in the European Union that they have the right to appeal decisions under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), such as account bans, content takedowns and shadowbanning. The online governance
Read moreVisa Partners with Omni-Channel Platform for SMEs Solutions
Visa has announced a strategic partnership with littlefish, an omni-channel platform that provides financial institutions with a suite of business solutions aimed at empowering their small business customers. This partnership will support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) across Africa by streamlining their in-store and online digital experiences through advanced
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