If you are a horrible tech person and didn’t download Cards Against Silicon Valley yesterday, you are clearly not horrible enough.
Sinning and winning
We looked at startups working in areas traditionally considered taboo, and found that while the “vice tech” landscape is varied, investor participation remains mixed. These startups, which range from gambling to tobacco to alcohol and more, have raised over $540M in total.
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Some of the comments on both sides of the argument were incredibly insightful. I really appreciate you writing in and sharing your perspectives. I learned a lot. I will share some of the comments after getting permission from the folks who wrote in.
RIP Hans Rosling
One of the best TED talks I’ve ever seen was done by Hans Rosling, a data visionary and development champion, who passed away this week.
His talk — which I think I saw in 2008/2009 right as we were thinking of CB Insights — showed the power of data and facts to unveil the truth. It was hugely inspiring.
We look at on-demand financing trends since 2012. Startups in the space attracted 55 investment deals in Q4’16 worth $1.7B in total, a significant decline for both deals and dollars from the prior quarter.
Disturbing bar chart of the day
Drugs, alcohol, and suicide represent a growing share of US mortality.
Healthy pay
Interesting look at hospital CEO pay per patient day at the 20 largest hospital systems.
