In this episode of Equity, we dive into the latest congressional hearing, discuss some notable deals of the week, and touch on the ongoing fintech layoffs. We also explore how venture capitalists are leveraging AI tools to automate their work.
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Today’s Episode
Our discussion covers the following topics:
Congressional Hearing
The latest congressional hearing went about as expected: poorly. We discuss the implications of this hearing on the tech industry and what it means for startups and venture capitalists.
Deals of the Week
- Zum Raises $140 Million: EV school transit company Zum has raised $140 million in funding. We break down what this means for the electric vehicle industry.
- Ramp Acquires Smaller Companies: Despite a slew of layoffs across fintech, Ramp is still actively buying smaller companies. We explore why this might be happening and what it could mean for the industry.
- Metronome’s Usage-Based Billing Software Grows Fast: Metronome’s usage-based billing software is growing rapidly. We discuss what this growth means for the company and the market.
Fintech Layoffs
Speaking of fintech layoffs, we highlight recent job cuts at Block and PayPal. These layoffs underscore the fact that we are not out of the tech layoffs era. In fact, it’s getting worse.
Cap VC Builds AI Tools for Venture Investors
In closing, we touch on Cap VC building AI tools for venture investors. This raises questions about how much of a venture capitalist’s work can be automated and what this means for the industry as a whole.
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About Our Hosts
Our hosts are:
- Alex Wilhelm: Senior Reporter at TechCrunch, covering markets, venture capital, and startups.
- Kirsten Korosec: Transportation Editor at TechCrunch, covering the future of transportation from EVs to urban air mobility.
- Karyne Levy: Deputy Managing Editor at TechCrunch.
Stay Informed
For episode transcripts and more, head to Equity’s Simplecast website.