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☆ Not a good buy: Rent the Runway, exactly one-year after IPO, is down nearly 90%
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Barbara Collins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

While Rent The Runway closed its retail stores due to the pandemic, it still has a network of drop-off locations in major cities, including New York. More than 50% of clothing hanging up in someone's closet is only worn a handful of times before being discarded, according to Rent the Runway CEO Jennifer Hyman. That's why she, along with co-founder Jenny Fleiss, started the fashion rental and subscription business Rent the Runway in 2009 – a service the company has coined a "closet in the cloud." Customers can rent items for as long as they'd like and have the option to purchase any pieces they love. In its first decade of existence, Rent the Runway says it reached more than 11 million members.

☆ Jules Bass, producer and director known for ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ dies at 87
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The three prominent holiday specials, “Rudolph,” voiced by Burl Ives, “Frosty” starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante and “Santa Claus,” voiced by Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, all debuted during the 1960s and 1970s. NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesBass was known for his longstanding creative partnership with director Arthur Rankin Jr., who died in 2014 at 89. Bass and Rankin’s first production was a syndicated television series titled “The New Adventures of Pinocchio,” which premiered in 1960. In addition to numerous holiday specials, they served as producers of series including “Thundercats” and “The Jackson 5ive” animated series. The January death of Bass’ daughter, Jean Nicole Bass, preceded his own.

☆ I make up to $17K a month on Amazon KDP by self-publishing 'low-content books' like journals and notebooks. Here's how I got started with zero design experience.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Sue Irven | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sue Irven and her husband began selling on Amazon KDP after they were laid off during the pandemic. During this research period, we searched "how to sell on Amazon KDP" on YouTube, and after watching a few explanatory videos, we decided to try our hand at KDP. My husband and I started selling on Amazon KDP in June 2020 and saw a profit after our very first month. Although there's no such thing as truly passive income, Amazon KDP is pretty close. In my opinion, Amazon KDP is one of the most effective side hustles you can start at any time.

☆ Drag story time at Oregon pub draws gun-carrying protesters
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

EUGENE, Ore. — Protesters, some of them armed, threw rocks and smoke grenades at each other outside a drag queen story time event at an Oregon pub, but the weekend show that was to have featured a child performer went on as planned. The nonprofit Drag Queen Story Hour was started in San Francisco in 2015 by activist and author Michelle Tea. As part of Drag Queen Story Hour’s programming, drag queens read to children and their parents at libraries, bookstores, fairs, parks and other public spaces to celebrate reading “through the glamorous art of drag.”Other drag events have also been in the headlines lately. Most recently, a half-hour “Drag Kids” program planned for the Boise Pride Festival generated national backlash and anonymous threats. Festival organizers envisioned a short performance where kids could put on sparkly dresses and lip-sync to songs like Kelly Clarkson’s “People Like Us” on stage.

☆ This HR tech startup raised a $3 million seed round from Google and Y Combinator without a pitch deck. Here's how.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Jacob E. Robbins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

HR tech startup Pastio just raised a $3.25 million seed round without a pitch deck. Pasito, an HR tech startup, just raised $3.25 million in seed funding on Monday led by Google and Y Combinator — and it did so without a pitch deck. That generated lots of interest from investors, and helped it stand out in a hot HR tech market, Roteta told Insider. The HR tech firm pulls data from across internal records and the US census to pair workers with health insurance and retirement plans. But Pasito enters a hot market for HR tech.

☆ An Equinox sales manager got treated to an Angels game for 'a job well done' after emailing his team a racist, misogynistic meme, lawsuit claims
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Sindhu Sundar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A sales manager at an Equinox gym shared a racist pornographic meme at work, a former employee said. As September drew to a close, a sales manager at an Equinox gym in Irvine, California, emailed his supervisors and colleagues about their monthly sales targets. The email, according to a new discrimination lawsuit against the luxury fitness chain, contained a meme with a pornographic image. Varga and Torrao are still employed at Equinox, Piccolo's attorney Michael Willemin, a partner at Wigdor LLP, told Insider. Equinox representative Bank did not respond to an inquiry about whether Varga and Torrao had been disciplined over the email.

☆ Here's how generative-AI startup Jasper raised $125 million in Series A funding from Insight Partners and became a unicorn
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Stephanie Palazzolo | Emilia David | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jasper uses artificial intelligence to create content from marketing copy and blog posts to images. The Texas startup has raised $125 million in Series A funding, led by Insight Partners. The startup runs on GPT-3, an AI model from its fellow generative-AI company OpenAI. For instance, in addition to online blog posts and marketing content, Jasper can feed user-generated content back into the model to refine its output over time. The startup also trains its model on content that users "favorite" or copy onto clipboards to improve quality.

☆ Treasury management startup Payflows raises $5.5 million in round co-led by Coinbase-backer Ribbit Capital
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ribbit Capital has co-led a $5.5 million round into French startup Payflows, Insider understands. Payflows, which is still in stealth mode, is developing treasury management software. Payflows, a fintech startup focused on treasury management, has raised $5.5 million in a round co-led by US investing giant Ribbit Capital, Insider understands. Coinbase and Plaid-backer Ribbit co-led the round, four sources familiar with the deal told Insider. "We are excited to partner with amazing finance teams of top European scale-ups to build the next-gen treasury management software," she said.

☆ Congolese NGOs decry mining in main refuge of 'Africa's unicorn'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Erikas Mwisi Kambale | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Industrial activities are supposed to be banned in the 13,000 square kilometers of the reserve in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo. Aerial photo evidence shows mining has persisted, the civil society groups said at a joint news conference to mark the international day of the okapi. The NGOs blamed a Chinese company called Kimia Mining, which has previously been accused of flouting a ban on river-dredging in Ituri province and other mining regulations, according to a 2016 report by a UN Group of Experts. There was no available contact information to reach Kimia Mining for comment. Congo is currently at loggerheads with conservationists and scientists over its plan to open other parts of its rainforest and peatlands to oil and gas drilling.

☆ 34 of the most promising women's health startups of 2022, according to VCs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Stephanie Palazzolo | Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

We asked top venture capitalists to name the most promising women's health startups so far in 2022. The result is a list of 34 companies covering everything from menopause to cardiovascular health. Last year, funding for women's health startups exploded to an impressive $2.5 billion, about a threefold increase from the previous year, according to data from McKinsey and Rock Health. Some think the colloquial label "femtech" for women's health startups prevents investors from seeing the potential of the space. Insider asked top investors to nominate the most promising women's health startups they'd come across, both within and outside their portfolios.

☆ The female venture capitalist creating billions in a new world of work beyond the office
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Rebecca Fannin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Worklife Ventures holds weekly meetings for its portfolio company founders to seek advice from successful Silicon Valley operators. You have to have an eye out for people and for new tools," Kimmel said. Worklife Ventures is betting on good returns from its 50 investments in startups, and with nine of them as unicorns, the stakes are high. With venture funds typically having a 10-year life cycle before investment returns are tallied, Worklife Ventures still has a ways to go. Join us October 25 - 26, 2022 for the CNBC Work Summit — Dislocation, Negotiation, and Determination: The World of Work Right Now.

☆ Why the Ukrainian tech company N-iX refused to quit working as Russia unleashed intense strikes that knocked out power across Lviv: 'The sector is banding together'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Sage Lazzaro | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

N-iX, an IT firm with a big presence in Lviv, described how it'd managed amid the latest attacks. But like many Ukrainian companies, N-iX was prepared with a contingency plan that allowed it to continue servicing clients in the attack's aftermath. "It started in the morning," Deshchynskyy told Insider. Ukrainian tech workers and companies have rallied to help the war effort, including by joining the "IT army" and providing tech services for the military. And just two weeks ago, N-iX was the main partner at the annual IT Arena tech conference, which was held in Lviv.

☆ Crypto firm 21Shares lists bitcoin ETP on Nasdaq Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Yousef Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Crypto investment products firm 21.co said on Wednesday its subsidiary 21Shares AG has listed a bitcoin exchange-traded product on Nasdaq Dubai, making it the Middle East's first physically-backed bitcoin ETP. The 21Shares Bitcoin ETP trades, under the ticker ABTC, in the same way as the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP in Europe, 21.co said in a statement. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterFollowing the Dubai listing, 21Shares has 46 listed products in seven countries, 21.co added. But Sherif El-Haddad, appointed 21Shares head of Middle East in August, was upbeat, saying cryptocurrencies were "fast becoming the asset of the future for investors and wealth managers around the world". Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Yousef Saba; editing by Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

With the ongoing energy crisis, the demand for solar panels has been soaring. Solar panels are difficult to test before you take the plunge due to their substantial cost and infrastructure. The startup is aiming to make solar energy a realistic option for everyone via its solar-panel-rental model. Another view of my parents' house and solar panels. The consultant proposed that Enpal could install 20 solar panels, offering a total output of 7.6 kilowatts peak, which is the rate at which solar panels generate energy at peak performance.

☆ SoftBank-backed tech unicorn Kavak expands in Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Valentine Hilaire | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The facade of used autos platform Kavak is pictured in Mexico City, Mexico, August 25, 2020. Kavak plans to invest $130 million over the next two years in the three Middle-Eastern countries, which are set to represent 7-10% of its business, Garcia said. Kavak, which buys used cars, fixes them up and resells them, has grown quickly in its six years of existence and now operates in 10 countries. He said customer satisfaction levels have risen in Mexico, with around 70% of users recommending Kavak after purchasing services. Kavak is not planning any additional expansions this year and will focus on its existing operations.

☆ Spain's startup scene has gone from a desert crossing to a $4 billion burgeoning industry. Now, it plans to cut red tape to birth a new batch of unicorns.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Spanish startups lured a record $4.1 billion from investors in 2021, according to PitchBook. The government hopes its new Startup Law will help birth an array of new unicorns. In 2016, Lucas Carné sold his fashion marketplace startup Privalia for around 500 million euros (around $495 million) in a landmark deal for the Spanish tech ecosystem. Privalia's sale to its enlarged French counterpart Ventee-Privee – since rebranded as VeePee – illustrated just how far the Spanish startup scene had changed in the space of 10 years. Spanish startups secured a record $4.1 billion in 2021 – more than double that of 2020 –, according to PitchBook data.

☆ Here are Tuesday's biggest analyst calls: Meta, Apple, Walmart, Netflix, Coca-Cola, Roblox & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Here are Tuesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Morgan Stanley reiterates Walmart as overweight Morgan Stanley said that Walmart+ could be worth $45 billion. Morgan Stanley upgrades Amgen to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the biopharma company is a defensive stock. Morgan Stanley reiterates Microsoft as overweight Morgan Stanley said Microsoft has an attractive valuation. Morgan Stanley downgrades Zoom to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said there's a lack of near term catalysts for the stock. Morgan Stanley names Taiwan Semiconductor as a catalyst driven idea Morgan Stanley said it's bullish heading into semiconductor company's analyst meeting on Thursday.

☆ HR software startup Factorial has raised $120 million at a $1 billion valuation. Here's the 11-slide pitch deck it used.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Spanish HR tech startup Factorial has raised $120 million in fresh funding. Its software lets employers manage time off, hiring, payroll, and other HR functions. The Barcelona-based company has become a unicorn after raising a new deal led by Atomico. Spanish HR tech startup Factorial has raised $120 million in fresh funding to become the country's latest unicorn, valued at $1 billion. Founded in 2016, Factorial provides an HR platform to small- and medium-sized businesses.

☆ Unicorn salaries revealed: How much 17 of the hottest startups like Revolut, Celonis, and Sorare pay, with base salaries as high as $472,000.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

But analysis of foreign labor hires to the US indicates how much fast-growing firms pay talent. We found European firms willing to fork out generous 6-figure base salaries for roles such as head of crypto at Revolut. The US is taking more steps towards pay transparency. Any company that hires foreign talent on specialist visas to the US must disclose compensation data. The salaries are also likely higher than what European firms might pay domestic talent.

☆ Carbon accounting startup Emitwise becomes latest climate tech startup to lay off staff as red hot sector jostles with economic downturn
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Layoffs have hit the red-hot climate tech sector as it jostles with the economic downturn. Carbon accounting startup Emitwise has become the latest climate tech startup to lay off staff as the industry jostles with the economic downturn, Insider understands. Climate tech is wide-ranging, encapsulating everything from research and development-heavy batteries to carbon accounting SaaS tools. The energy crisis has been a boon for home energy startups working on rooftop solar, heat pumps, and smart thermostats. At One Ventures' Lin added that in moments of economic difficulty "sometimes the most interesting innovations are born."

☆ I binge-listened to tech podcasts for a week, and what I learned about Silicon Valley is kind of scary
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

2: The hosts don't know what they don't knowThe problem is, VC podcasts don't stick to the core issues of venture capital. 3: The hosts want us to believe what they don't knowThere's a shocking amount of this kind of drivel on the tech podcasts. This is what a good tech podcast should do: Use access to the best and most successful investors and innovators to illuminate the way Silicon Valley works. But that's not what matters in the world of tech podcasts. But after 40 hours of listening to tech podcasts, I feel kind of bad about it.

☆ A wave of restaurant operators and high-profile chains like Chipotle and Burger King are investing millions in innovation amid a slowdown in food-tech funding. Here are 10 investing in ghost kitchens,
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

"My dad says I'm taking the joy out of a restaurant," Frischling said. "If this industry doesn't keep up, we're not going to have so many restaurants," Frischling told Insider. Frischling is part of a wave of restaurant operators and high-profile chains investing millions in the industry's future. Over the years, Chipotle, Inspire Brands, and Restaurant Brands International — the owner of Burger King and Popeyes — have invested in autonomous-delivery vehicles, ghost kitchens, and digital-ordering software. IGC HospitalityThe New York restaurant company, also known as In Good Company Hospitality Group, invested in the restaurant-tech firm MarginEdge in 2021, according to PitchBook.

☆ Italy's Satispay valued at over 1 bln euro after raising 320 mln euros
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Satispay, Italy's mobile app payments startup, said on Wednesday it is now valued at more than 1 billion euros ($955 million) after raising 320 million euros in a new round of investments. U.S. investment firm Addition has become the lead investor in the company, which can now boast "unicorn" status. Venture capital firm Greyhound Capital, a shareholder since 2018, also increased its stake, a company statement said. The new investments will allow Satispay to become "the next leading payment network in Europe," said company co-founder and CEO, Alberto Dalmasso. ($1 = 1.0473 euros)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Alvise Armellini Editing by Keith WeirOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ One Point Five just raised $10 million to replace single-use plastics. Check out the pitch deck it used to raise the round led by Speedinvest.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A startup cofounded by former execs from vertical farming unicorn Infarm has raised $10 million. Hamburg-based One Point Five is designing "litter-proof" materials for sauce and shampoo sachets. We got an exclusive look at the 10-slide pitch deck it used to raise the cash. A startup designing and developing "litter-proof" material to replace single-use packaging has raised 10.5 million euros (around $1.1 million). While designed to be recyclable, One Point Five's materials will also be "litter-proof," Weber said.

Parafin, launched in 2020, works with so-called platform partners, or companies that other small businesses sell their products through. All the cofounders knew was that they wanted to build technology that would help small businesses. And they may not get their first contract payment from the government for as long as 120 days," Reed, the startup's CEO, told Insider. Helping small businesses manage their taxesComplYant's founder Shiloh Jackson wants to help people be present in their bookkeeping. HoneyBookWhile countless small businesses have been harmed by the pandemic, self-employment and entrepreneurship have found ways to blossom as Americans started new ventures.

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