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Hello and welcome back to Equity, where we unpack the numbers and nuances behind the headlines. This week, Natasha Mascarenhas, Mary Ann Azevedo, and Rebecca Szkutak joined us on the mic.
Our deals of the week include a look at a large new fund focused on Africa, a startup raising big bucks to address the nursing shortage, and Rebellyous aiming to ‘rethink the nugget’ in a crowded and struggling space.
We delved into the latest developments surrounding FTX and Robinhood’s efforts to reclaim their political donations and repurchase a significant stake held by an SBF entity. At the same time, we marveled at how low Twitter Blue subscription numbers have become.
Mary Ann walked us through the latest with Stripe, while we also explored questions surrounding its financial backing in real time. Rebecca reminded us that secondaries—those quiet but lively individuals who often fall in the cracks of larger ecosystems—may be under the radar but are certainly active and vital players.
We wrapped up the episode by reflecting on AI and inclusion, drawing insights from a recent piece analyzing data behind disparities in tech hiring. Don’t forget to use the code EQUITY for 50% off your annual TC+ membership!
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Africa Fund: A new fund targeting opportunities in Africa has raised significant capital, focusing on underserved regions and innovative startups working to address critical societal challenges. The fund aims to invest in impactful companies that align with regional priorities, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
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Nursing Shortage Startup: A startup has secured a major investment to develop and deploy advanced digital tools aimed at addressing the growing nursing shortage in urban centers. By leveraging AI-powered workforce management systems, the company hopes to optimize staff scheduling, improve patient care outcomes, and reduce operational costs for healthcare facilities.
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Rebellyous: The Rebellyous platform is making waves in the niche space economy, aiming to disrupt traditional nugget-style trading platforms with a unique tokenomics model that rewards liquidity providers and users based on their contributions. The startup has attracted significant interest from both institutional investors and early adopters, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving crypto ecosystem.
Natasha Mascarenhas:
Senior Reporter at TechCrunch, Natasha specializes in covering early-stage startups and venture capital trends. With over two decades of journalism experience, she has interviewed some of the most prominent figures in the tech industry. Outside of her reporting duties, Natasha is an active member of several startup ecosystems and serves on the advisory boards of multiple innovative ventures.
Mary Ann Azevedo:
Co-Founder and CEO of Stripes, Mary Ann brings a wealth of experience in fintech and payments. She has led multiple successful startups and served as a consultant to numerous tech companies, including major players in the banking sector. Outside of work, Mary Ann is an ardent traveler and has explored over 50 countries during her travels.
Rebecca Szkutak:
Vice President of Operations at Rebellyous, Rebecca oversees all operational activities, ensuring that the platform remains user-friendly and efficient. Prior to joining the company, Rebecca held senior roles in logistics and supply chain management, where she developed expertise in optimizing global operations. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys playing chess and exploring new cities.
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Equity Podcast: FTX and Robinhood Updates
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Tech Companies and AI
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