The Equity Podcast Crew’s Week in Review
In this episode of The Equity podcast, we’re wrapping up another eventful week with a focus on real estate, AI agents, gambling, and secondary markets. Mary Ann Azevedo, Rebecca Szkutak, and Devin Coldewey dive into the latest deals, trends, and controversies in the tech industry.
The X/Twitter Ban Situation in Brazil
We start off by acknowledging that the X/Twitter ban situation in Brazil is a complex issue that’s hard to have an opinion on. Let’s table this for now and focus on more pressing topics.
Deals of the Week
You.com’s $50 Million Play
Devin starts off with You.com’s $50 million play to tackle difficult AI tasks that can’t be solved with a quick Google search. The company aims to become the go-to platform for complex queries that require live search, coding, and natural language understanding. Unlike many of its competitors, You.com has some customers who pay for themselves!
DubClub: Systematizing Professional Betting Handicappers
Becca is intrigued by DubClub, a startup that claims to systematize and legitimize professional betting handicappers. These individuals claim to be able to beat the odds but often offer their services through informal methods. Can DubClub make a clean business out of this popular but legally fraught line of work?
Paylocity’s Acquisition of Airbase for $325 Million
Mary Ann brings up Paylocity’s acquisition of Airbase for $325 million, but notes that the real value of the deal is probably even higher. The nine-figure deal raises questions about the true worth of such transactions.
Real Estate and the Future of Realtor Fees
Realtors’ fees are a significant expense for homebuyers. A recent court ruling has overturned an established business practice in real estate, potentially paving the way for flat fees and pay-on-close to become the new standard. Startup Landian is at the forefront of this movement, but Redfin seems less than thrilled about it.
Investing in AI: The Beanie Baby Economy
Investing in AI has become a hot trend, with people investing in investors who are investing in AI. This has created a secondary market where positions on Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI are commanding a staggering 30% premium. Devin likens this to the beanie baby economy of the early 2000s, where hype drove prices to unsustainable levels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, another eventful week in tech comes to a close. From real estate revolutions to AI agents and secondary markets, there’s no shortage of exciting developments in the industry. Join us next time on The Equity podcast for more analysis, insights, and commentary on the latest trends and news.
About the Authors
- Devin Coldewey: Writer & Photographer
- Seattle-based writer and photographer.
- Personal website: coldewey.cc
- Mary Ann Azevedo: Sr. Reporter
- More than 20 years of business reporting and editing experience for publications such as FinLedger, Crunchbase News, Crain, Forbes, and Silicon Valley Business Journal.
- Holds a Master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas in Austin.
- Rebecca Szkutak: Senior Reporter, Venture
- Covers venture capital trends and startups for TechCrunch.
- Previously covered the same beat for Forbes and the Venture Capital Journal.
