future unicorn

Are you a future unicorn?

Hi there,

With the rumored Spotify acquisition of Gimlet Media for $200-$230M, is this finally podcasting’s breakout moment (at least from an investor perspective)?

We used CB Insights’ data on M&A, market sizings, VC financings, and earnings transcripts to analyze the rumored transaction, including:

• Valuations in podcasting M&A

• Where this deal would stack up in terms of size

• The size of the podcast advertising market

• Spotify’s partnerships in podcasting (a soon-to-be-released dataset)

• The largest financings to-date in podcasting (it’s been pretty anemic)

• What Daniel Ek has been saying about Spotify’s podcasting strategy to Wall Street

The podcasting industry analysis is available for clients here.

From sea to shining VC

Venture capital firms are spurring innovation across the United States — not just in California and New York.

We mapped out the most active VCs in each state based on unique tech investments. See them all here.

Friendly reminder

We’re teaming up with the New York Times to highlight the top 100 venture capitalists. Don’t forget to submit your data here.

You can check out the 2018 and 2017 rankings here.

Not all heroes wear capes

BTW, this is disruptive innovation.

Still here

Blockchain got lots of media attention last year, for everything from price volatility to gaining traction with some of the world’s largest corporations.

The technology isn’t likely to fade from the headlines this year. From decentralized exchanges to stablecoins to identity management, we take a look at the top blockchain trends to watch in 2019.

Make your life easier

If you’re a CBI client (meaning you pay us money, for clarity) and haven’t downloaded the CB Insights mobile app, why not?

The above is a text I received from a client earlier today.

Get it from the Apple store here or from Google Play here.

Higher and higher

Funding to French tech companies in 2018 hit a record high, with $3.5B raised by year-end. 2018’s dollar funding was marked by several $100M+ rounds to French tech companies.

Download La French Tech and CBI’s latest report for more on tech funding trends in France.

 Let’s be smart about this

Most of the buildings in our world are energy inefficient, unintelligent, and difficult to work with. Upgrading them for the 21st century is a complex task that requires many new sensors, software, and forms of security.

We mapped out 55+ startups developing the technology needed to make our buildings smarter, cleaner, and safer. Expert Intelligence clients can see them all here.

Calling all future fintech unicorns

If you’re a fintech startup looking to meet customers and partners who can buy your solution, investors who can fund your company, or journalists who can cover your company, apply to present on the Future Unicorn stage at this year’s Future of Fintech (June 11-13, NYC). 

This stage is for startups on their way to $1B+ valuations. To be considered, submit your company here.

Nominations close February 19, but companies will be reviewed and admitted on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the better.

The Industry Standard

CB Insights data is the most trusted by those in the industry and the media. A few recent hits.

Fortune. Donna Fuscaldo (@donnabail) reports that New York-based fintech Petal has raised $30M in venture funding and cites CB Insights research.

Healthcare Dive. Samantha Liss discusses what PillPack’s newly secured state licenses could mean for Amazon’s pharma goals and quotes CB Insights healthcare analyst Josh Mark (@joshmark2).

Fast Company. Ruth Reader (@ruthreader) writes about WeWork’s rebranding, expansion, and strategy and cites CB Insights research.

I love you.

Anand
@asanwal 

P.S. Do you love building well-designed UI tools and frameworks that empower engineers? We’re hiring a UI platform engineer and we want to hear from you.

P.P.S. On February 12, we’ll be discussing game-changing startups to watch in 2019. Register for the briefing here.