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☆ Rent the Runway's losses narrow as company edges closer to profitability
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Rent the Runway's losses narrowed in its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings reported Wednesday as the digital retailer continues to streamline its costs and work towards profitability. For the full year, the company expects revenue in the range of $320 million to $330 million. Active subscribers excludes those with paused memberships. At the end of the fiscal year, Rent the Runway had 126,712 active subscribers, a 10% increase compared to the year-ago period. The company expects its active subscriber count to grow by more than 25% in the next fiscal year.

☆ Who says romance is dead? Couples are using ChatGPT to write their wedding vows
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —When Elyse Nguyen was nearing her wedding date in February and still hadn’t started writing her vows, a friend suggested she try a new source of inspiration: ChatGPT. Nguyen ultimately ended up using a good portion of ChatGPT’s suggestions and said her husband was on board with it. “It helped alleviate some stress because I had no prior experience with wedding vows nor did I know what should be included,” Nguyen said. The Writer’s Block Assistant tool helps users write vows, best man and maid of honor speeches, thank you cards and wedding website “about us” pages. We’re working on responsibly innovating using AI to advance the wedding and event industry as a whole.”Michael Grinn and Kate Gardiner used viral AI tool ChatGPT to write the Ketubah, a Jewish wedding contract, for their June wedding.

☆ Asia is aging rapidly. Strategists reveal stocks to cash in — including tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

He recommended the Global X Aging Population ETF , which includes not just health-care companies and pharmaceutical firms, but also wearables and medical device companies such as Cochlear, GN Store Nord and Teleflex. China's 'very promising bets' Investors can look to focus on China's aging population by market reach or income segment, according to Leverage Shares' Rao. As for investors looking to get exposure to China's wealthier income segment, he named Raffles Medical, Asian Healthcare Specialists and IHH Healthcare — stocks that will also give similar exposure in other Asian countries. Dividend payers and financial services High-dividend-paying stocks as well as financial services are set to benefit from the aging population, according to analysts. Another potential beneficiary of aging populations is financial services, according to Rob Clarry, investment strategist at wealth manager Evelyn Partners.

☆ The FBI says you may want to think twice before plugging into a free phone-charging station
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The FBI warned people to avoid using free phone-charging stations found in hotels, airports, and other public places. A Los Angeles deputy district attorney once warned that "a free charge could end up draining your bank account." Free phone-charging stations are often found in shopping centers, airports, and hotels. Some cities also offer free charging at public bus stops. Charging stations that have USB cords already plugged in could signal a hack, according to a report in the New York Times.

☆ As Gen Z flounders at work and millennials struggle to buy a house, boomers are enjoying a golden moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( Matt Turner | Dave Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

This week's dispatchThe Metals Company; Greenpeace; Luis Alvarez/Getty Images; Karl Hendon/Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/InsiderOptimists don't just dream — they do. Gen Zers and young millennials have soured on work just as much as everyone else — and that's bad news for companies everywhere. Also read:Tyler Le/InsiderOver the past few years, Lex Fridman has gone from an unknown academic researcher to a social-media celebrity and member of Elon Musk's inner circle. But recently, "The Lex Fridman Podcast" has become a haven for a growing and powerful sector looking to dismantle years of "wokeness." More on the rise of Lex Fridman.

☆ Potential regulator challenges to Big Tech M&A may have far-reaching consequences for the tech ecosystem
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | April Joyner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

M&A deals involving large tech companies may get harder as US regulators ramp up scrutiny. If regulators increase scrutiny, it could deter other large tech companies from buying startups. More challenges to proposed tech M&A deals may also mean that the pool of potential acquirers shrinks. Of course, there are cases where a large tech company seeks to buy out a smaller, more innovative competitor because it is scared of getting displaced. "There has to be the hope and dream of selling to a larger tech company some day," Sherman said.

☆ Tech Companies Are Ruining Their Apps, Websites, Internet
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Ed Zitron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Google, Amazon, Meta, and other tech companies have monetized confusion, constantly testing how much they can interfere with and manipulate users. Abandoning the core productIn the 2000s and early 2010s, tech companies actually produced new, interesting products. This fueled Silicon Valley's explosive growth: Companies saw their valuations soar, revenue growth was exponential, and new users were joining by the boatload. There are ways to integrate new technology into a core product that doesn't end in disaster. Netflix was able to iterate on their core product — letting people watch movies — in a way that actually made that experience better.

☆ The digital media rollup dream is dead for the moment — now it's all about core brand strength
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

What's happening in the digital media space echoes trends from the biggest media companies, including Netflix , Disney and Warner Bros. The rollup dream's rise and fallFrom late 2018 to early 2022, the digital media industry had a shared goal. First, digital media companies needed more scale to compete with Facebook and Google for digital advertising dollars. Large legacy media companies such as Disney and Comcast 's NBCUniversal invested hundreds of millions in digital media in the early and mid-2010s. "The digital media rollup has proven successful only when assets are thoughtfully combined with an eye toward consumers," Goldberg said.

☆ Amazon looms over Shopify: Analysts worry that Buy with Prime will further eat into Shopify's profits
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Analysts are increasingly negative on the impact Amazon's Buy with Prime could have on Shopify. Analysts are increasingly worried about the impact that Amazon's Buy with Prime feature could have on Shopify's bottom line. Buy with Prime allows sellers to offer Prime benefits — like fast shipping, free delivery, and free returns — on websites outside of Amazon.com. If Amazon does need Shopify's help, Shopify could theoretically insist that Amazon provide insight about Shopify merchants' Buy with Prime transactions and separate fees from Amazon, the analysts said. "That's why we're working with Amazon to build a direct integration for Shopify merchants using Buy with Prime."

☆ Failure of Silicon Valley Bank Mirrors the Myth of the Wild West
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As Silicon Valley Bank went down the tubes, it wasn't surprising that the loudest mouths in Techworld started demanding that the federal government cover everyone's losses. They were pioneers on the frontier of tech and finance, and as such they acted the way pioneers always do. Myths of the frontiersIt's unfashionable for people in the tech industry to dispute the central role that government-funded infrastructure and academic projects have played in the development of Silicon Valley and the digital age. Shout down into Silicon Valley and you'll hear echoes of this same pioneer myth. They see themselves as heroes not of a Western frontier but of space — the Final one — as refracted by the legendary writers of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

☆ 20 years of digital transformation, as seen by an IT expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Goto | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Back then, the average person would hear the term "remote support" and probably think it meant getting help for their TV controller. Jaromi said he has seen teams increase their productivity between 20% to 50% by letting GoTo Resolve's efficiencies work for them. For SMBs, GoTo Resolve can often be their main IT presence. But Rescue and GoTo Resolve have constantly stayed a step ahead, building in the most secure layers possible. Looking to the futureOver his 18 years at GoTo, Jaromi has seen the company endure significant changes, from being an upstart innovator to an established industry leader.

☆ 25 years later, the company that modernized the way we straighten our teeth is still revolutionizing dentistry
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Align | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Align Technology, the company behind the Invisalign® system and iTero™ intraoral scanners, is celebrating 25 years of transforming smiles and changing lives. Align Technology transformed the orthodontic industry with the Invisalign® clear aligner system, a series of clear, removable aligners custom-made for each patient. On average, Invisalign treatment is five months shorter than braces treatment, and Invisalign patients report 30% fewer doctor visits than braces patients. Fast Facts: The Invisalign clear aligner system was introduced in 1999. Invisalign® Personalized Plan delivers Invisalign treatment plans by automating doctors' specific treatment preferences for efficiency and treatment planning consistency.

☆ Adidas' new CEO came out swinging during his first press conference, calling out Nike's lack of innovation and defending the three stripes
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Danni Santana | Matthew Kish | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He stood up for Adidas' performance innovation pipeline while taking a shot at NikeAdidas is always compared to its larger rival Nike. But Gulden took issue with criticisms that Adidas is not innovating enough in its performance business. The Yeezy business is not coming backAdidas has not made a decision on what to do with its stockpile of Yeezys. Given Lorenzo's popularity, the underperformance of the Ivy Park line, and the end of Adidas' Yeezy business, Lorenzo could give the company a needed spark. Gulden took the stage Wednesday in front of a backdrop that featured Jesse Owens and Muhammad Ali, two sports icons and former Adidas athletes.

☆ Women's Tennis Association partners with CVC to advance commercial growth of women's tennis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( John Lynch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Women's Tennis Association has partnered with CVC Capital Partners in an effort to advance the commercial growth of the sport. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1973, the WTA is the principal organizing body of women's professional tennis. The ambition is to materially grow women's tennis — its profile, value, and prize money — for the benefit of the players, tournaments, and its fans. "I'm inspired to be a part of the evolution of women's tennis and building out the next 50 years of the WTA." "This is exactly what women's tennis needs and I'm excited for what's to come," Jessica Pegula, WTA world No.

☆ New Uber app features photo guides to lead users from gates to pickup areas at world's busiest airports
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Uber announced new features designed to improve transit from airports for its users. One feature will guide riders through a step-by-step route from gates to pickup areas outside. Others include expanded availability for Uber Reserve and estimated times to walk from gates to baggage claim. On Tuesday, the rideshare app announced several new tools designed to help users better plan trips and increase efficiency. An Uber photo guide at San Francisco International Airport UberAccording to Uber, the new tools are intended to help riders find drivers faster, ultimately reducing traffic congestion in airport pickup areas.

☆ Uber is making it easier to find your ride at the airport
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Uber on Tuesday unveiled some new product features that aim to make it easier for you to find your ride at the airport. The ride-hailing company said it was adding step-by-step instructions in the app to guide people through the airport and get them smoothly from the gate to their Uber pick-up location. Some of the US airports where this feature will be available include all three of New York City’s main airports (John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty), as well as Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Miami International Airport. “Our new series of products and features will help you plan for your upcoming trips and make your airport travel smoother than ever.”Uber wants to make it easier to find your ride at the airport. Finally, the company said it was expanding its Uber (UBER) Reserve offerings (which lets users reserve a ride up to 90 days in advance) so that travelers can book flights, hotels and Uber (UBER) rides for upcoming trips all at once.

☆ How China's shifting growth picture could hit global markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A shopping mall in Qingzhou, Shandong province, broadcasts the opening ceremony of China's National People's Congress on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesChina's economy will be forced to recalibrate because of a "fractured" global order, and the new drivers of growth will "disappoint" global markets, according to David Roche, president of Independent Strategy. President Xi Jinping and other officials took aim at the West for constraining China's growth prospects, as relations between Beijing and Washington continue to deteriorate. Veteran investment strategist Roche told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Tuesday that "things have changed" permanently with regards to China's role in the global economy, as Beijing will be forced to look inward to achieve its growth ambitions. watch nowRoche also noted that the "hegemony of the U.S. is now fractured" in the global economic order, with Russia and China detaching from Western democracies.

☆ Big tech was a major target at CPAC, but conservatives building alternatives are facing challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Ben Goggin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., targeted big tech and the legal immunity companies enjoy under Section 230, which is currently being considered by the Supreme Court. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Co., said in her speech Saturday: "I have called for 230 protections to be removed from these big tech companies who are hiding behind section 230, and they are acting like editors rather than publishers." "The key was, could we build something that big tech couldn't tear down and couldn't stop?" But not all Big Tech was a target. LibsofTikTok creator Chaya Raichik criticized how big tech has treated her accounts while also boasting about her follower count on those platforms and promoting her book sold on Amazon.

☆ A leaked draft of Salesforce's business plan focuses on Slack, Tableau, MuleSoft — and admits it's been too slow to integrate acquisitions into its main products
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Ashley Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A draft of Salesforce's internal business plan discusses integrating Slack, Tableau, and MuleSoft with its main products. The draft plan shows how Salesforce aspires to fix "delays in M&A integration" and "siloed priorities." A leaked draft of Salesforce's annual business plan shows the company is focused on better integrating Slack, Tableau, and MuleSoft into its core products as it faces criticism about its acquisition strategy. Salesforce is using Slack, Tableau, and MuleSoft to help fight off activistsSalesforce appears to want to fix this perception, according to the draft document and recent public moves. Slack, Tableau, and MuleSoft — and their integration into Salesforce's other key products — feature heavily in a discussion in the plan on how Salesforce will reach its goal of over 30% margins.

☆ 17 women founders innovating in the creator economy, with startups from Tezza to Fanhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Marta Biino | Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Insider is highlighting 17 female founders of popular startups, like Hashtag Pay Me and Roster. These trends have created a difficult climate for women founders in the creator economy, most notably first-time entrepreneurs who are actively fundraising. "The creator economy is largely influenced and run by women but creator-economy startups — especially startups that have received funding — are all run by men," she said. Insider is highlighting 17 women founders who have launched successful startups that are helping remedy problems in the creator economy. Here are 17 women founders within the creator economy, listed alphabetically by company:

☆ Factbox: Want billions to make US chips? Here is how to get them
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] CMOS chips, are shown at the manufacturing facility of VAS, an electronics manufacturer in San Diego, California April 14, 2009. Chip giant Intel Corp (INTC.O) moved ahead with the ground breaking of a $20 billion chip factory in Ohio after the chips bill passed. The CHIPS Program Office will give "strong preference" to projects that are largely funded with private capital. The department also said that the workers hired to build plants or chips should be able to join unions. The CHIPS Program Office will require any company given more than $150 million to return money if it makes more than they projected.

☆ Senator Warren urges U.S. patent office to scrutinize Merck's Keytruda
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Senator Bernie Sanders, as well as Representatives Katie Porter and Pramila Jayapal also signed the letter. They expressed particular concern over Merck's efforts to patent a subcutaneous version of the currently infused drug, which Reuters reported on late last year. They wrote that Merck’s use of dozens of patents to fend off Keytruda competitors "appear(s) to be an example of the anti-competitive business practices ... that we have long beenconcerned about." Merck, which reported $20.9 billion in 2022 sales of Keytruda, has relied on the immunotherapy to fuel its growth. They urged Vidal to "give close scrutiny to any of Merck’s requests for new patents for Keytruda, and reject those that do not clearly meet the agency’s standards."

☆ Singapore ride-hailing firm Grab beats on revenue, pulls forward profitability timeline
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2022 grew 310% to $502 million, up from $122 million a year ago. We should be getting back to pre-Covid levels by fourth quarter this year. The company said that it is bringing forward its group adjusted EBITDA breakeven guidance to the fourth quarter of 2023, half a year earlier than its previous guidance. Deliveries reboundDeliveries revenue increased to $268 million in fourth quarter 2022, up from $1 million in the same period in 2021. Incentives dropped to 8.2% of gross merchandise volume in the fourth quarter from 9.4% in the previous quarter.

☆ Amazon closes deal to buy primary care provider One Medical
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon on Wednesday said it had closed its $3.9 billion deal for primary care provider One Medical. Amazon agreed last July to acquire One Medical to deepen its presence in health care, and "dramatically improve" the experience of getting medical care. The deal gives Amazon access to One Medical's more than 200 brick-and-mortar medical offices in 26 markets, and roughly 815,000 members. In a statement, he said health care is ripe for disruption, citing long appointment times and the complexities of primary care. "Together, we believe we can make the health care experience easier, faster, more personal, and more convenient for everyone."

☆ Meta's cold war with Apple over privacy is coming to a critical moment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Paayal Zaveri | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Meta's ads unit will only recover if it continues to innovate so it doesn't need to track user data to sell ads. In 2021, Apple changed its iOS operating system to limit the abilities of apps to track user behavior. Apple CEO Tim Cook, for his part, has criticized Facebook's business model several times over the years, with Apple going so far as to declare privacy a "human right." It's clear from Meta's most recent earnings report, and its drive for efficiency and cost-cutting, that this cold war with Apple is taking its toll on the bottom line. "It's forced Meta to move so quickly to building the workarounds, not just to accommodate Apple's changes, but really where it sees the state of digital advertising data use going," Shmulik said.

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