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☆ Flexport told employees to expect cost-cutting and possibly job cuts, a day after its CEO's sudden departure
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Eugene Kim | Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Flexport told employees Thursday to expect cost-cutting and a possible reduction in workforce. Flexport founder Ryan Petersen said the company needs changes to "return to profitability." Flexport is considering cutting part of its corporate workforce, following Wednesday's sudden departure of CEO Dave Clark. The overarching message was that Flexport was spending too much money, and the company needs to focus more on helping customers, the people said. In it, he emphasized the need to return to profitability and focus on customers' needs.

Persons: Flexport, Dave Clark, Ryan Petersen, Clark, Ryan Petersen's, Petersen, Clark's, Eugene Kim Organizations: Amazon Locations: Amazon

☆ Flexport CEO says he's rescinding job offer letters for candidates joining as soon as Monday: 'I have no ideas why more than 75 people were signed to join'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen announced on X that the company was rescinding dozens of job offers. The rescinded job offers come after Petersen reclaimed his role as CEO on Wednesday. On Wednesday, former Flexport CEO Dave Clark announced he was leaving the company less than a year after departing from his role as CEO of Amazon's consumer business to join Flexport. AdvertisementAdvertisement"It's clear that important changes are needed to sustain our growth and return to profitability," Petersen wrote. Petersen, Clark, and a spokesperson for Flexport did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Ryan Petersen, Petersen, Steve Jobs, Dave Clark, Clark, FreightWaves, Insider's Eugene Kim, Madeline Stone, he'd, Flexport Organizations: Service, Flexport, Flexport's, Wall Street Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Insider Today: Y Combinator's Demo Day decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Y Combinator's Demo Day, which will wrap up today, was long considered the event for early-stage startups. AdvertisementAdvertisementInvestors front-running Demo Day was previously considered a major faux pas. You might ask yourself: Who cares if startups line up investments before Demo Day? And companies that get investments before Demo Day might regret it in the long run. The new rating system for performance reviews determines pay — and managers were instructed to not share it with employees.

Persons: I've, that's, Madeline Renbarger, haven't, It's, it's, Samantha Lee, Madeline, There's, Martin, Ryan Reynolds, LeBron James, they're, Ed Yardeni, Jeremy Grantham, Brevan Howard, Peter Hornick, Eduardo Munoz, Sapna Chadha, Shopify, Arantza Pena Popo, YIMBYism, Elon Musk, Katy Perry, Hozier, Hayao Miyazaki's, Heidi Tissenbaum's, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, NFL, Tech, Bank, Getty Images, REUTERS, Google, Google Asia Pacific, The Kansas City Chiefs —, Detroit Lions, 48th Toronto, Getty Locations: Wall, Silicon, Silicon Valley, Nevada, The, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Younger, educated women are less likely to change their names upon marriage, data shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Men largely kept their last names at 92%, while 5% changed their last names, and less than 1% hyphenated their names with their partner’s last name, the data showed. The tradition of women changing their names upon marriage is still strong in the United States, but views on marriage have been changing, the survey said. Most married women in opposite-sex relationships — nearly 80% — said they took their husband’s last name. Women who are not married were significantly less likely to report plans to take their partner’s last name. Why women change their namesWhy is it so common for women in the US to take their husband’s name in an opposite-sex marriage?

Persons: CNN —, Michelle Lin, Lin, “, ”, ’ ”, Kim Parker, —, Melanie Mayer, Mayer, Deborah Ashway, ” Pew, Parker, It’s, Catherine Allgor, Allgor, ” Allgor, ” Coverture, couldn’t, Ashway, “ It’s, ” Ashway, that’s Organizations: CNN, Pew Research, Massachusetts Historical Society Locations: New York City, United States, New Bern , North Carolina, Massachusetts

☆ VCs don't care as much about Y Combinator's Demo Day anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Y Combinator's Demo Day used to be the hottest in-person early-stage event in Silicon Valley. For early-stage venture capitalists, few days on the calendar used to compare to Y Combinator's biannual Demo Day. "All of the funds try to go meet the best YC companies before Demo Day," the same investor told Insider. When asked about startups raising before Demo Day, Y Combinator president and CEO Garry Tan told Insider in an emailed statement that "lots of the best companies raise at Demo Day and after." "Coinbase, Instacart, Whatnot, Rappi, Airbyte, Retool — you could have gotten into their rounds at Demo Day.

Persons: It's, Erik Bruckner, Y, Garry Tan, it's, Bruckner, They're, Y Combinator, Jeff Weinstein, Combinator, Tan, haven't Organizations: YC, Bruckner Ventures, FJ Labs Locations: Silicon Valley, Columbus , Ohio

☆ The 25 most promising education-tech startups of 2023, according to top VCs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Aprende InstituteEsteban Sosnik, a cofounder and partner at Reach Capital. Reach CapitalRecommended by: Esteban Sosnik, Reach CapitalRelationship: InvestorTotal funding: $27.2 million, according to the companyWhat it does: Aprende Institute offers vocational training for the US Hispanic community. Why it's on the list: While there are several prominent trade and upskilling startups, not all of them offer instruction in Spanish. Aprende Institute offers career training catering to the US Hispanic community, operating "in support of their economic empowerment," said Sosnik. Aprende Institute last raised $22 million in Series A funding in the fall of 2021, led by Valor Capital Group.

Persons: Esteban Sosnik Organizations: Aprende, Reach, Aprende Institute, Valor Capital

☆ Someone you love attempted suicide. Where do you go from here?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. The problem is when fear leads loved ones to avoid a survivor of a suicide attempt, said Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. How to get help Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues. One thing that makes the aftermath particularly hard is the feeling of shame that often accompanies surviving a suicide attempt, Duckworth said. And even though you may feel like it, the attempt is not a failure of your love and support, Duckworth said.

Persons: Christine Yu Moutier, ” Moutier, Ken Duckworth, Moutier, “, ”, Duckworth, you’ve, Anita Everett, chastising, “ It’s, ” Duckworth, Rather, Everett, —, one’s, Lean Organizations: CNN, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, US Centers for Disease Control, National Alliance, Mental, Center for Mental Health Services, Mental Health Services Administration, American Foundation, Suicide Locations: United States

☆ Why Some Seats at Elite Colleges Only Go to Prep School Students
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Douglas Belkin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Supreme Court has banned colleges from using race as an admission criterion, essentially ending affirmative action. California did the same 25 years ago. Photo illustration: Madeline MarshallThis summer, Cornell University’s squash coach, David Palmer, is tracking 200 of the best high-school juniors. Over the next 10 months, he will begin to decide which six to recruit, paving their path for admission to one of the most selective universities in the country.

Persons: Madeline Marshall, David Palmer Organizations: Cornell Locations: California

☆ The Best Deals From Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Sale
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Madeline Diamond | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

If so, you’ll probably want to take a look at Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale. The event, which runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 16, includes new discounts on makeup, skincare, fragrance and bath products each day. Body butterOsea is known for its luxe skincare and body products, including this rich body butter. Buy Side favoritesWhile you’re shopping Ulta’s sale items, consider stocking up on these vetted favorites. Mineral sunscreenWe featured this lightweight sunscreen from First Aid Beauty in our roundup of the best mineral sunscreens.

Persons: Madeline Diamond, you’ll, Ulta, Monsieur Big, It’s, shea, it’s, there’s Locations: L’Oréal

☆ Her Rare Import Was Never Meant to Be Driven in Indiana
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( A.J. Baime | Photographs Madeline Tolle For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/cars/her-rare-import-was-never-meant-to-be-driven-in-indiana-4da60a6e

Persons: Dow Jones, 4da60a6e Locations: indiana

☆ A VC firm has built an AI-powered pitch deck generator for startup founders — and is giving it away for free
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Growth Warrior Capital is launching a new tool Elevo, an AI-powered pitch deck generator. For Phelon as an investor, the sheer amount of pitch decks that she was sorting through began to become overwhelming. Elevo will then generate a pitch deck for them with the key details that VCs are looking for. Elevo's interface allows founders to input details about their startup and generate a short pitch deck. Growth Warrior CapitalThe designs are typically simple and the slide numbers are short, but that's oftentimes what investors who see dozens of decks a week prefer.

Persons: Phelon, Ashley Pilipiszyn, TapInfluence, Lizzie Widhelm, Elevo's waitlist, Elevo, I'm Organizations: Morning, OpenAI, Growth

☆ Anger gets a bad rap, but it can be an asset, experts say. Here’s what to do with it
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

It might be an unpleasant emotion to experience, and it might be culturally discouraged, but we need anger, she added. While many people may feel the need to resist or hide their anger, these mental health experts are urging the opposite. Anger, they say, is an important tool we should better learn to wield in a kind, healthy and productive way. That is often tied to rage — not anger, Ashway said. But in those cases, “we’re talking about the outcome of unprocessed anger, not anger in and of itself.”Rage, she said, is old, unprocessed anger.

Persons: CNN —, wrathful, ”, Brett Ford, Jaime Mahler, “, Ford, ” Ford, Deborah Ashway, ” Ashway, “ Anger, ‘ something’s, Mahler, Ashway, it’s, ” Mahler, that’s Organizations: CNN, University of Toronto, Toxic Locations: New York, New Bern , North Carolina

☆ You can shop Drake's virtual $100 million mansion for everything from a $3,000 robe to a $69 Hotline Bling pool float
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Dominick Reuter | Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Fans can explore and buy exclusive products through a digital rendering of Drake's Toronto mansion. Shopify's latest tool allows the rap star to partner with other brands for unique merch drops. True to form, his approach has been a bit unconventional, with a flagship e-commerce site modeled off his $100 million Toronto mansion, The Embassy. Rather than scroll through the same-old grid of product listings, fans can explore various virtual rooms strewn about with items to buy, all powered by Shopify's e-commerce platform. Shopify Collective is one of several new business-to-business initiatives the company has announced recently, and on the earnings call Finkelstein highlighted the launch of dozens of new B2B features in the last year alone.

Persons: Drake, Everette Taylor, Harley Finkelstein, Finkelstein Organizations: Service, Shopify's Locations: Toronto, Wall, Silicon, Canadian, Embassy

☆ Shopify plans to introduce a new level of customer support for its largest enterprise merchants, as it works to attract bigger companies, leaked video reveals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Shopify is working on a customer support offering for enterprise merchants. In June, Shopify announced that its one-click checkout Shop Pay would be made available to non-Shopify enterprise merchants through Commerce Components. The 2023 version of the report evaluated Shopify Plus and ranked the platform at the top of its peers in terms of execution. Merchant success managers are Shopify employees who consult with Plus merchants about launching and running their online stores. They're often touted as a benefit that can help merchants "get the most value out of Shopify Plus."

Persons: Shopify, Staff Glen Worthington, Ken Wong, Oppenheimer, Wong, Harley Finkelstein, Kaz Nejatian Organizations: Staff, Mattel, Merchant, Shopify Locations: Canadian, Commerce

Adept: a machine learning research labNiki Pezeshki is a general partner at Felicis Ventures. FelicisStartup: AdeptRecommended by: Niki Pezeshki, FelicisRelationship: No financial interestTotal funding: $415 million, according to the companyWhat it does: Adept is a machine-learning research and product lab aiming to build AI technology that can automate human tasks as varied as running software and browsing the web. Why it's on the list: "Fresh off a massive round of funding, Adept is poised to deliver artificial general intelligence that truly benefits working people," Pezeshki said. "So much software is repetitive tasks, and Adept is creating an AI that will enable workers to increase productivity and focus on more creative tasks."

Persons: Niki Pezeshki, Pezeshki Organizations: Felicis Ventures, Felicis

☆ How Preply became one of the largest online language learning startups in the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

He started to see the potential for online language tutoring as a viable business model, since online lessons were cheaper than in-person lessons and class schedules were more flexible. In the summer of 2012, Bigai, Voloshyn and Lukyanov founded the online language learning startup Preply. Last month, Preply raised a $70 million Series C extension round with a combination of debt and equity led by Horizon Capital. Reach Capital, Hoxton Ventures and Owl Ventures, which led its previous $50 million Series C in 2022, also participated. The company's successful fundraising comes after a difficult year personally for the Preply team.

Persons: Preply, Kirill Bigai, Dmytro Voloshyn, Sergey Lukyanov, Bigai, Lukyanov, James Kim Organizations: Preply, Horizon Capital, Morning, Skype, Horizon, Reach, Hoxton Ventures, Owl Ventures, Datadog, Bain, Reach Capital Locations: Ukraine, Boston, Texas, Barcelona, Kyiv, Berlin, Czech, Russia

☆ The Best Mattress and Bedding Deals to Shop Labor Day 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Madeline Diamond | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Keep reading for the best Labor Day mattress sales and bedding deals, including one discount that’s exclusive to Buy Side readers. Eco-friendly mattressSave 10% on mattresses, mattress toppers and pillows at Avocado now through Sept. 11 with the code LABORDAY during the brand’s Labor Day sale. The brand’s Staycation/Early Labor Day Sale includes some of our favorite pieces, including the All-Season Down Comforter, which was our top pick in our tested roundup thanks to its lightweight feel and down fill that stays evenly distributed. Foam and spring mattressCasper’s Labor Day Sale has already begun and runs through Sept. 12, and it includes a wide range of mattresses, pillows, beds and other sleep accessories. You can also save an extra 15% through Sept. 10 when you bundle a mattress purchase with a mattress protector, down alternative pillow set and sheet set with the code MATTRESS15.

Persons: Madeline Diamond, —, it’s, comforter Brooklinen, Staycation, you’ll Organizations: Madeline Diamond Labor, Cozy, Labor, GOLS, Luna’s Labor Locations: Luna

☆ Sedentary time as a kid could mean heart problems as an adult, research shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Childhood inactivity may be increasing risk for heart disease later in life, according to new research. The longitudinal study included 766 children and looked at data from ages 11 to 24, the research showed. More sedentary time was associated with increased left ventricle mass in the girls who were followed in the study, according to the new research. “Since it is rare for children to have heart attacks, left ventricular hypertrophy or enlarged heart has been employed as early signs of heart damage,” he said. “An example of such light physical activity is taking a long walk.”Children ages 6 to 17 need about an hour of physical activity a day, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Persons: ”, Andrew Agbaje, ” Agbaje, Agbaje, Nieca Goldberg, University’s, Goldberg, Andrew Freeman, Freeman, “ Organizations: CNN, CNN’s, European Society of Cardiology’s ESC, University of Eastern Finland’s School of Medicine, University’s Grossman School of Medicine, Jewish Health, US Centers for Disease Control Locations: Amsterdam, York City, New, Denver

☆ TikTok is killing its Shopify storefront integration as it moves to control all aspects of in-app e-commerce
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Dan Whateley | Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

TikTok is shutting down its Shopify-integrated "storefronts" feature next month as it looks to control all aspects of in-app shopping and drive sellers to use its e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop. The tool let Shopify sellers sync product catalogs to TikTok where users could click on linked items to purchase them on Shopify. Purchases that happen on TikTok Shop aren't redirected to third-party platforms like Shopify, which means TikTok will have primary visibility into all aspects of the customer journey. Since TikTok Shop does not currently integrate with Shopify, Shopify could miss out on revenue if its merchants choose to set up shop with TikTok and direct sales there instead of their main Shopify store. However, Rick Watson, the CEO and founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, doesn't consider TikTok Shop too much of a threat to Shopify.

Persons: TikTok, Kylie Cosmetics, it's, It's, ByteDance, Shopify, influencers, Rick Watson, doesn't, Watson Organizations: Manly Bands, RMW Commerce Locations: China

☆ Here's an exclusive look at the pitch deck a former Meta VP used to raise $7.5 million in seed funding for his AI chatbot tutoring startup that helps students with STEM homework
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sizzle AI is a new AI tutoring chatbot startup where students can get help with STEM homework. Sizzle AI was founded by an ex-Meta vice president and just raised $7.5 million in seed funding. Sizzle AI has launched in both the Apple App store and Google Play store and just raised $7.5 million in seed funding led by Owl Ventures, with participation from 8VC. Other AI tutoring chatbots have popped up in recent months, most notably Khan Academy's Khanmigo chatbot. See the pitch deck that Sizzle AI used to raise $7.5 million in seed funding:

Persons: Jerome Pesenti, Pesenti, Khan, Sizzle, Emily Bennett Organizations: Meta, Apple, Google, Owl Ventures, 8VC

☆ Shopify plans to cut a key benefit for 16,000 of its highest-paying subscribers, leaked email shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

About 16,000 Shopify Plus merchants will lose access to the company's merchant success managers. Merchants success managers are a key perk of the Shopify Plus subscription. Shopify plans to tell about 16,000 of its Plus merchants that they will no longer have direct access to merchant success managers, a key perk of the higher-priced subscription. Merchant success managers are Shopify employees who consult with Plus merchants about launching and running their online stores. They're often touted as a benefit that can help merchants "get the most value out of Shopify Plus."

Persons: Biss, Shopify Organizations: Merchant, Shopify

☆ 5 ways to spot a narcissist
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

There are three types of narcissists, and they can be distinguished by how they go about feeling special, Malkin said. “Their achievements are better.”Covert narcissists feel special by being seen as the person suffering the greatest misfortune or misunderstanding, he added. Third, there are communal narcissists, who feel special by being seen as the most helpful person in any group. How to evaluate itNeeding to feel special often gets in the way of narcissists nurturing close relationships, Malkin said. • Exploitation, “which is doing whatever it takes no matter the cost to others in order to feel special.”• Entitlement, which is “acting as if the world should bend to their will.”• Empathy impairments, which is “to feel special compared to others.

Persons: Keith Campbell, …, ” Campbell, Craig Malkin, Malkin, “ It’s, ” Malkin, “, ”, you’ve, Covert, “ They’re, Deborah Ashway, ” Ashway Organizations: CNN, University of Georgia, Harvard Medical School Locations: Cambridge , Massachusetts, New Bern , North Carolina

☆ Edtech startup Kinjo incentivizes kids to play educational mini-games in Roblox. Check out the pitch deck it used to raise $6.5 million in seed funding.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

With Kinjo, kids can earn virtual currency called Robux by playing higher-ranked learning games. To earn these Robux, kids can spend real-world money, or they can play simple mini games to "grind" for Robux rewards. Kids who use Kinjo are three times more likely to spend time on games that are more productive than kids without Kinjo, Malcolm said. Many edtech gaming platforms are already on the market, such as the social-emotional learning game Social Cipher or the STEM learning game Royelles. Check out the 16-slide pitch deck that Kinjo used to raise $6.5 million in seed funding:

Persons: Charles Thornburgh couldn't, Thornburgh, Jim Breyer's Breyer, Kinjo, Laura Malcolm, Kinjo's, Malcolm said, Krishna Srinivasan Organizations: Austin, LiveOak Venture Partners, Silverton Partners, Jim Breyer's Breyer Capital, Roble, Robux, Roblox Locations: Roblox, Silverton, Austin , Texas, Fortnite

☆ A message to OpenAI's Sam Altman was an AI startup founder's last ditch effort to help save her company — and it worked
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The AI startup was recently named by VCs as one of 2023's most promising startups. Thompson named her startup Milo, an acronym for "my important loved ones," and raised some early funding from the accelerator Y Combinator in 2020. "You never hear someone talk about the power of these models to help families," said Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's chief operating officer. On Milo, parents can send text messages of grocery lists, photos of permission slips or sign-up-sheets for school activities to the Milo chatbot. To date, Milo has raised an undisclosed amount of pre-seed and seed capital from Y Combinator, OpenAI, Magnify Ventures, Bronze Ventures, and several angel investors.

Persons: Milo, Avni Patel Thompson, Sam Altman, VCs, Thompson, Mary, Archa Jain, Brad Lightcap, Milo chatbot, Cleo, Sara Ittelson, I'm Organizations: Starbucks, Reebok, Accel, Bronze Ventures Locations: Y

☆ Which arm gets the Covid-19 booster may make a difference, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —When you go to get your newly updated Covid-19 booster this fall, you might want to choose the arm the vaccine goes in carefully. The immune response may be stronger if your booster goes in the same arm as your last Covid-19 shot, according to a study published August 11 in the journal eBioMedicine. The immune response may be stronger if a Covid-19 booster goes in the same arm as your last shot, a new study suggests. Two weeks after the booster, the number of “killer T cells” was significantly higher in those who had both shots in the same arm, according to the study. This study made Schaffner think about this fall, when he will get vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, and influenza as well as a Covid-19 booster.

Persons: Martina Sester, Scott Olson, Laura Ziegler, “, ”, William Schaffner, Schaffner Organizations: CNN, of Infection, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, American Cancer Society, National Institutes of Health Locations: Germany, Nashville

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