Podcasts about spac

Get the free playbook for building a brand to $100K a month: ► The free $100K playbook: https://capitalism.com/100K Black Rifle Coffee built a nine-figure brand on YouTube videos, a Shopify checkout and 287,000 people on autoship. Then they went public, chased retail shelves, quieted the content that built them, and watched the subscriber base fall to 150,000 while the stock dropped more than 97%. I break down the 3 pillars they had, the 2 they gave up, and why keeping it simple is what lets a brand scale and sell. Resources mentioned in the episode: ► The full step-by-step plan: https://capitalism.com/model (0:00) How Black Rifle Coffee went from viral videos to a billion dollars, and back (0:42) The 1 number to remember: 287,000 people on autoship (1:17) The 3 pillars of a brand you can scale and sell (2:09) Audience first: a $1,800 Black Friday test and 300 pounds of coffee (3:17) Viral videos and the exposure that compounded (4:26) Content, a subscription and a Shopify checkout: that was the whole business (5:10) The 2021 investor deck: 70% organic traffic, 7% conversion, 43% margin (6:13) Going public meant new people to please besides the fans (7:07) The PR controversy did not cause the decline, and the numbers show it (7:57) Marketing went from over 15% of revenue to under 10% (9:26) The SPAC, the IPO, and share payouts that triggered in 60 days (11:16) My theory about the coffee shops, and why I was wrong (12:33) Retail looks great on paper, and it became their priority (13:51) 287,000 subscribers down to 150,000 while revenue hit $390 million (15:02) Every major decision they made after going public (16:41) Complication kills growth, simplicity scales (17:01) Coffee prices, tariffs and the pricing power they had given up (18:49) Lesson 1: audience is the asset (19:17) Lesson 2: simplicity scales (19:45) Lesson 3: retail is a one-time event, not a growth machine (20:17) Why Black Rifle is now on my watch list (21:19) The 3 pillars, and what Black Rifle teaches about all of them DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this Podcast Channel and the resources available for download/viewing through this Podcast Channel are for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this episode is investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of Tank Talks! Matt Cohen is joined once again by John Ruffolo to break down the biggest stories shaping the future of technology, investing, and Canada's economy.From the market reaction following Xanadu's SPAC lockup expiration to the growing debate around whether Canadian pension funds are investing enough in homegrown innovation, this episode explores the opportunities and risks facing investors, founders, and policymakers.John also shares his concerns around AI privacy, Meta's personal AI agents, the massive infrastructure demands behind AI adoption, and the future liability risks that come with increasingly powerful technology.Plus, Matt and John dive into Canada's budget debate and question whether accounting strategies are masking the true scale of government spending.As AI reshapes industries, investors rethink risk, and governments navigate economic uncertainty, the decisions being made today will define the next decade.Xanadu's Market Reality: AI Opportunity or Overhyped Valuation? (04:45)After Xanadu's SPAC lockup expired, the quantum computing company's stock faced significant selling pressure, dropping sharply as early investors and shareholders gained the ability to sell.Matt and John discuss founder Christian Weedbrook's decision to sell a portion of his shares while maintaining a majority stake, and why John views the move as a strategic step rather than a negative signal.Why Aren't Canadian Pension Funds Backing More Canadian Innovation? (09:29)Matt and John examine a recent investment by a Canadian pension fund into Harvey Legal, an AI legal technology company, and question why similar-sized investments are not flowing into more Canadian startups.John argues that Canadian pension funds have the capital and ability to support domestic venture and growth-stage companies, but many remain underweight in Canadian innovation.The conversation explores whether institutions are doing enough to support companies like Clio, Float Financial, and other Canadian technology businesses that are building globally competitive products.Meta AI, Personal Agents, and the Privacy Trade-Off (12:04)Meta's new AI assistant has created excitement across the technology world, but John raises a major question: how much personal information should consumers be willing to hand over to AI platforms?The discussion explores the growing popularity of AI agents that connect to email, calendars, and personal data, and whether convenience is worth the potential privacy risks.While Matt highlights the power and usefulness of personal AI assistants, John remains cautious about giving technology companies access to sensitive personal information.The Hidden Cost of AI Growth: Compute, Capital, and Liability (14:10)As AI adoption accelerates, Matt and John discuss the enormous infrastructure requirements needed to support these systems.From computing power and capital expenditures to potential legal liabilities, the next phase of AI growth may depend on whether companies can continue scaling while managing the costs behind the scenes.The conversation also touches on Anthropic's upcoming IPO concerns and the unanswered questions surrounding liability when AI systems make mistakes or operate unpredictably.Canada's Budget Debate: Are The Numbers Telling The Full Story? (16:06)Matt and John close the episode by examining Canada's deficit projections and the government's approach to separating operating expenses from capital spending.John challenges the idea that certain spending categories should be treated differently when evaluating the country's financial position, comparing it to how companies can manipulate profitability by changing accounting treatment.The discussion raises a broader question: are governments presenting a clearer picture of their finances, or are accounting methods making the numbers harder to understand?Connect with John Ruffolo on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/joruffoloConnect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Marie Lepske brings a combination that's genuinely rare in venture: a background in applied mathematics and physics, early experience covering quantum at Runa Capital before most generalist funds knew the field existed, and now a GP seat at Constructor Capital, which closed a $110M Fund I in February 2026 with more than half its capital directed toward next-generation computing including quantum. She backed Qnami at Runa — a quantum sensing company acquired by Quantum Design in June 2026, one of the few clean sensing exits the field has produced — and Constructor's portfolio includes QuEra, which raised over $230M in a round led by Google Quantum AI and SoftBank.The conversation matters now because the quantum investment landscape is genuinely changing. SPAC activity, mega-rounds from hyperscalers, and rising valuations are pulling in non-specialist capital at the same time that the science is getting harder to evaluate from the outside. Lepske is one of the people who has to navigate that tension every day, and she's willing to name the failure modes.Founders building quantum or deep-tech companies, investors trying to understand where specialist and generalist capital intersect, and technically curious listeners who want to understand how the business side of quantum actually works will all find this episode useful.What We Get IntoWhy technical training matters at the earliest stages — and what it actually buys you when a founding team's only asset is a laboratory and an optical table, before there's even a legal entityHow the specialist-versus-generalist divide is evolving — Lepske's 2022 argument that early-stage quantum would stay specialist territory, and how she reads the arrival of Google, SoftBank, and NVIDIA in QuEra's cap tableThe due diligence framework for pre-product science startups — team provenance, patent landscape, IP legal review, and how Constructor uses its scientific advisory board to validate founders they can't fully assess internallyWhat a "no" looks like — the specific signals that make Constructor wait rather than invest, including teams with strong science but no credible path to market and IP positions that are already crowdedThe Qnami exit and what it reveals about quantum sensing — why sensing applications are currently concentrated in R&D markets, which verticals Lepske thinks will break out first, and why sensing competes with computing for buyer attentionThe SPAC problem — why the wave of quantum public listings concerns her, and why evaluating roadmap credibility requires the kind of deep familiarity that takes years to buildHow Constructor supports portfolio companies beyond capital — executive hiring, software development guidance, co-investor introductions, and the limits of that hands-on modelAI and quantum as parallel tracks — why she doesn't see AI as cannibalizing quantum talent or capital, and where she thinks the two fields will eventually convergeResources & LinksGuest & FundMarie Lepske — LinkedIn — Primary professional profile; includes keynote highlights and 2026 speaking engagementsConstructor Capital — Official Website — Fund homepage with portfolio listings, team bios, and investment thesis across DeepTech, Software Tech, and Knowledge TechConstructor Capital Fund I Close (Tech.eu, Feb 2026) — Coverage of the $110M close, check sizes ($1–10M, select up to $15M), and the university sourcing networkPortfolio Companies ReferencedQuEra — $230M+ Financing Round Announcement — The round led by Google Quantum AI and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with NVIDIA's NVentures participatingQnami Acquisition by Quantum Design (The Quantum Insider, June 2026) — The sensing exit discussed in the episode; context on what a quantum sensing acquisition looks likeBackground ReadingQuantum Computing Report — "Venture Capital Trends in Quantum Technologies" (Runa Capital, 2022) — Lepske's co-authored market analysis, the source of her "specialist VC" thesis discussed in the episodeConstructor Capital — "Quantum Investing Playbook" (Nov 2025) — Her Paris keynote on making successful quantum investments; source of the valuation figures cited in the conversationEntangled Future — Quantum Computing Funding & Investment Landscape 2026 — Context on the $4.9B private VC figure for 2025 and the broader public commitment landscapeRecent Constructor NewsConstructor Start Demo Day Finalists (The Quantum Insider, Sept 2026) — Quantum startups among the 16 finalists announced one week before this recordingKey Quotes & InsightsOn what early-stage diligence actually looks like: > "They have only laboratory, and they have optical table which they want to show to you and you should understand if they have some interesting and useful patents or they can file them during the next one to two years."On where specialist and generalist capital divide: > "These bigger players, they're coming later. They're coming when we already investigated that this particular technology and this particular team actually could win."On the SPAC problem: > "It's very difficult for [non-specialist investors] to evaluate if they're doing proper investment or not, or if this valuation is good or not… You should be able to find out these roadmaps and to understand if this is a real roadmap or just written for the SPAC."Insight — sensing vs. computing for buyer attention: Lepske observes that quantum sensing is structurally underappreciated relative to computing, not because the products aren't real, but because governments and corporates perceive computing as the larger prize — which she suggests is not obviously correct.Insight — quantum talent scarcity as a leading indicator: She notes that quantum computing companies are now competing for talent the way AI companies did four or five years ago, with roughly 400–450 relevant laboratories globally — a number that puts the field's scale in sharp relief.Related EpisodesEp. 22 — Trapped Ions and Quantum VCs with Chiara Decaroli — Another physicist-turned-investor conversation; useful companion for understanding how scientific training shapes investment judgment in quantum hardwareEp. 96 —

This week on Autonomy Signals presented by KPMG, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss May Mobility filing to go public through a SPAC merger with an estimated $93 million annual cash burn, Mercedes-Benz adding Wayve as its third automated driving software partner, and Figure AI's Helix 2.5 taking on household chores across 30 homes it had never seen before.May Mobility is merging with ACP Holdings Acquisition Corp at a $1.4 billion valuation and will trade under the ticker MAY upon completion of the transaction. Of the up to $337 million in proceeds, only the $120 million PIPE is committed.At the company's current burn rate, the PIPE covers about 1.3 years of operations against roughly $10 million in 2025 revenue. The remaining $217 million depends on the redemption rate.Mercedes-Benz signed with Wayve for point-to-point Level 2 driving assistance within two years. Wayve joins NVIDIA and Momenta as Mercedes retreats from L3 Drive Pilot and focuses on L2 driving assistance partnerships.Figure AI's Helix 2.5 raised zero-shot success from 9% to 56% by pre-training on human behavior data, using half the task-specific data. That still leaves a 44% failure rate in curated homes, with no independent replication and no commercial contracts. The result supports a learning strategy, not a dependable, unsupervised home humanoid.Episode Chapters0:00 KPMG Sponsor Introduction01:45 Signal 1: May Mobility's SPAC27:52 Signal 2: Mercedes Partners Wayve on Autonomous Driving47:07 Signal 3: Figure AI Introduces Helix 2.5Follow May Mobility on the Robotaxi IndexFollow Wayve on the Autonomous Driving Licensing Index --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IPOs are having a major moment; SpaceX just had the biggest IPO in history, Anthropic and OpenAI are lining up next, and suddenly everyone's throwing this term around like they know what it means. Vivian breaks down what actually happens when a company goes public, whether the hype is ever worth it, and what SpaceX's rollercoaster can teach us about IPO investing. 1. What an IPO actually is: the process of a company going from private to public, why companies choose to do it (cashing out early investors, raising capital for growth, and the marketing splash), and what happens behind the scenes with underwriters, lock-up agreements, and IOIs before shares ever hit the market. 2. Why IPOs have been a losing bet since 2019: peak valuations from the 2020-2021 boom, the Fed's interest rate hikes squeezing growth stocks, and lower-quality companies going public and getting measured against mega-cap winners. 3. Should you actually buy one: how to think about risk (keep it to 2-5% of your portfolio), alternatives like IPO ETFs, and a look at other 2025 IPO stories — Bending Spoons, Shein's years-long path to going public, and the direct listing, SPAC, and reverse merger routes companies take instead. Download Vivian's financial companion app, Ask Dolly, HERE ! Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok! Got a financial question you want answered in a future episode? Email us at podcast@yourrichbff.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack Raines turned $6,000 into roughly $400,000 trading SPACs, then lost $157,000 in three minutes after taking a very different bet. The author of Young Money joins Matt Zeigler to discuss what that experience taught him about investing risk, the urge to chase more, and the time a growing portfolio can cost you.The conversation follows Jack Raines from SPAC warrants and market narratives to a broader question: how do you allocate money, time, and risk to build a life you actually want? They explore the limits of a trading edge, why cheap stocks can get cheaper, and how debt, career choices, and status shape the decisions investors make beyond their portfolios.Young Money: A Field Guide to Wealth and Purpose in Your Twentieshttps://amzn.to/4AtUsDoJack Raines' Young Money newsletterhttps://www.youngmoney.co/Jack Raines on Xhttps://twitter.com/Jack_RainesTopics covered:How Jack Raines grew his Roth IRA through SPAC warrants and pre-merger common shares, and why those positions carried different risks.Why an edge in one corner of the market did not translate into a successful concentrated earnings bet.How a million-dollar target and constant account checking changed Jack Raines' relationship with money and time.What SEC filings, Discord research, and market narratives contributed to his trading process.Why Jack Raines bought Figma after questioning the market's AI narrative and speaking with designers.Applying portfolio thinking to careers, creative projects, and opportunities that change with each stage of life.Weighing retirement saving against other opportunities, and why Jack Raines treats expensive debt as a constraint on taking risks.Escaping the "someday" trap while giving long-term venture investments time to develop.Combining steady income and index funds with independent bets, while treating status as a tool rather than a goal.Why Jack Raines believes investors learn about risk through experience, with stakes they can afford to recover from.Timestamps:00:00 Jack Raines on the lessons of losing money04:57 Inside the SPAC trades and the $157,000 loss15:16 Separating market hype from downside math22:18 Building a life with portfolio principles29:45 Retirement saving, trading obsession, and the cost of time36:56 Debt, freedom, and the trap of waiting for someday44:33 Venture investing: acting quickly and waiting patiently51:03 Using status without making it the goal56:08 The investing lesson experience has to teachLearn more about the Excess Returns podcast network:https://excessreturns.coNo information discussed in this podcast should be construed as investment advice. Securities discussed may be held by the hosts and guests, their firms or their clients.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's expansion to Tokyo and Singapore, NHTSA's ongoing audit of Tesla's Cybercab in Austin and Bolt's plan to deploy up to 25,000 Lucid robotaxis in Europe.Today, Tesla has roughly 40 Cybercabs operating in Austin, and Grayson believes Tesla is respectfully holding at its home market while NHTSA completes a fact-finding audit. If Tesla passes, it is free to deploy in any state that permits fully autonomous operations. Walt expects the process to wrap by year-end, and Grayson reads Administrator Morrison's Pittsburgh speech on updating outdated federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) as a signal that a pathway is opening.As Waymo continues their global expansion, Grayson predicts Singapore will be an IONIQ 5 market and Tokyo a Toyota market, with the vehicle constraint that has defined Waymo now dissipating, and he reads the Allianz partnership as the insurance piece falling into place for Waymo's grand European expansion.In Las Vegas, riders can now go anywhere in the ODD, and in Nashville, The Road to Autonomy Special Field correspondent David Moss got banned from the Lyft app playing autonomy roulette.May Mobility announced a SPAC with $10 million of 2025 revenue and a $270,000 bill of materials, and Wayve hired Waymo's former CFO, which Grayson views as a signal Wayve may be eyeing the public markets.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Grayson and Walt analyzed Einride's deployment in Germany, Pony AI, Uber and Verne's driver-out launch in Zagreb on a 13.67-mile fixed loop. Spain issued its first SAE Level 4 permit to WeRide and Uber, with Grayson predicting a Waymo expansion to Madrid by Q2 of next year. In Singapore, Grab is expanding their WeRide fleet 5X to 50 robotaxis.Episode Chapters0:00 Reviewing the Jason Calacanis Episode03:17 Tesla Cybercab NHTSA Audit06:23 NHTSA Administrator Morrison's Pittsburgh Speech08:14 Waymo on Lyft in Nashville10:56 Waymo in Las Vegas13:17 Waymo in Tokyo and Singapore16:20 Waymo / Allianz Partnership17:25 Bolt's Grand Robotaxi Ambitions20:45 May Mobility SPAC23:42 Wayve's Hires Waymo's Fmr. CFO24:45 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Robotaxis28:11 Autonomous Trucking30:34 Foreign Autonomy Desk35:35 Next WeekFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nouvel épisode en ligne avec Louis des Courtis. Ancien d'HEC. Ancien de Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, UBS. Ancien Co-Head of EMEA Private Placements EMEA. Ancien Head of ECM France & BeLux. Ce n'était pas seulement une conversation sur les marchés actions. C'était une conversation sur ce qui se joue vraiment quand une entreprise décide d'entrer en bourse. Nous avons parlé de ses débuts en 2009, juste après Lehman Brothers, quand commencer une carrière en finance n'avait rien d'évident. Nous avons parlé des grands cycles de l'ECM, des recapitalisations bancaires d'après-crise à la vague d'IPO de 2013-2015, celle de 2019-2021, jusqu'au retour récent des méga-IPO. Nous avons parlé des quatre grands produits du métier : l'IPO, l'augmentation de capital, les blocs et les convertibles. Et nous avons surtout parlé de cette frontière, de plus en plus mouvante, entre le marché privé et le marché public. Il a d'ailleurs dirigé le tout premier SPAC coté en France. Mediawan, en 2016. Avec Xavier Niel parmi les sponsors. Pourquoi les entreprises restent-elles privées de plus en plus longtemps? Pourquoi l'Europe fait-elle beaucoup moins d'IPO que les États-Unis? Et qu'est-ce qui fait, au fond, qu'une société est prête, ou non, à franchir le pas? Beaucoup d'expérience. Beaucoup de recul. Et beaucoup de lucidité sur un métier que l'on regarde souvent de loin. Merci Louis des Courtis,Voix de la FinanceHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Yuval Boger interviews Sumit Kapur, CEO of Zapata Quantum. They speak about the company's remarkable phoenix-from-the-ashes story — surviving a quantum winter and a failed SPAC to rebuild as a focused quantum applications company. They discuss Zapata's partnerships, their landmark cancer research published on the cover of Nature Biotech, and their work on using agentic AI to accelerate quantum resource estimation. Sumit walks us through the quantum journey for enterprises, from Quantum Application Intelligence to Quantum Application Engineering, shares his view on how the challenges in quantum have shifted, and much more.

How does a nuclear energy startup with roughly a million dollars in revenue become an $8 billion publicly traded company sitting on $3 billion in cash? In this episode of Business For Good, Paul Shapiro sits down with Caroline DeWitte, Co-founder and COO of Oklo, to find out what investors are betting on and why the company believes it can deliver.   Oklo is building compact nuclear powerhouses that use fast neutrons to extract up to 95 percent of the energy in nuclear fuel, compared to roughly five percent in conventional reactors. The company plans to run its first plants on recycled fuel from a reactor that operated from the 1960s through the 1990s, turning what most people consider nuclear waste into a viable energy source. DeWitte explains how the system shuts itself down through natural physics if something goes wrong, eliminating the need for the layers of backup systems that drive up costs in traditional nuclear plants.   The conversation traces Oklo's evolution from a one-megawatt micro-reactor concept to 75-megawatt powerhouses designed for data centers and utilities. DeWitte discusses how Sam Altman became an early backer and longtime board chair, why the company chose to go public through a SPAC during what she calls the doldrums after the SPAC rush, and how President Trump's reactor pilot program allowed Oklo to begin construction under an accelerated Department of Energy pathway.   Things You Will Learn: How fast reactors can recover up to 95 percent of the energy in nuclear fuel, compared to roughly five percent in conventional water-cooled reactors. Why Oklo's reactor design shuts itself down through natural physics without any human intervention. How the company went from a grad school idea to an $8 billion publicly traded company backed by Sam Altman. Why President Trump's reactor pilot program dramatically accelerated Oklo's construction timeline. How Oklo brought a reactor from a greenfield site to nuclear criticality in under a year.   Tools & Frameworks Covered: Fast Reactor Technology: A nuclear reactor design using fast neutrons and liquid sodium cooling that can fission elements conventional reactors cannot, enabling fuel recycling and dramatically higher energy extraction from uranium. Nuclear Fuel Recycling: A process for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel so that up to 95 percent of its energy content can be used, reducing the volume and half-life of remaining waste from thousands of years to a few hundred. Reactor Pilot Program (DOE Pathway): A federal framework allowing the Department of Energy to work with the NRC on reactor reviews and permit early construction, significantly compressing deployment timelines for advanced nuclear companies.   #NuclearEnergy #AdvancedNuclear #CleanEnergy #NuclearInnovation #EnergyInfrastructure #Oklo #BusinessForGood

This week, we speak with Allyson Satin, COO of the Ares SPACs, and Paul Wood, Co-Head of SPAC Investment Banking at BTIG. 2026 has already been a breakout year for SPAC issuance, and deals are moving through the pipeline faster than they have in years. We discuss what's driving the rebound, why sponsor quality is rising to the top, and how SPACs are competing with a strong traditional IPO market. Plus, we look ahead to the fall and Q4 for any positive or negative catalysts that could affect the SPAC market. Give it a listen.

For our first-ever video podcast episode, we headed to the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to speak with Allyson Satin, COO of the Ares SPACs, and Paul Wood, Co-Head of SPAC Investment Banking at BTIG.. 2026 has already been a breakout year for SPAC issuance, and deals are moving through the pipeline faster than they have in years. We discuss what's driving the rebound, why sponsor quality is rising to the top, and how SPACs are competing with a strong traditional IPO market. Plus, we look ahead to the fall and Q4 for any positive or negative catalysts that could affect the SPAC market. Give it a listen.

SpaceNews reported that Astrum Space plans to go public via a SPAC transaction sized at $1 billion. The company targets direct-to-device satellite connectivity for smartphones and IoT devices. Recent direct-to-device activity includes Apple's partnership with Globalstar, SpaceX and T-Mobile's direct-to-cell efforts, and AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global's carrier collaborations. Prior space SPACs such as Rocket Lab, Planet, Spire, BlackSky, Astra, and Momentus faced execution and revenue challenges that inform current investor scrutiny. Financing outcomes for Astrum will depend on SPAC redemptions, any PIPE financing, and contracted revenue. Regulatory factors include the SEC's 2024 SPAC rules and the FCC's supplemental coverage from space framework governing satellite and carrier collaboration.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we speak with Tod Higinbotham, CEO of battery maker ZincFive and Jim Rhee, Chairman and CEO of Spark I Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:SPKL). The two announced a $752 million combination in June. Lithium-ion batteries have dominated much of the conversation in cutting-edge technology. But, what if there was a battery chemistry based on more available materials that were more recyclable and that were an even better fit for certain data center energy needs? Tod explains how ZincFive's nickel and zinc-based battery chemistry is uniquely suited to providing high-density backup power to data centers, and how this SPAC transaction will help it meet the ballooning demand for its products.

Plus: A flurry of tech companies will likely join this year's IPO bonanza. And Hyundai Mobis's robot parts business is poised for growth. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have institutions killed the tokenization trend? Plus, Northern Dynasty Minerals (NAK) vs. Coppernico Metals (CPPMF)... Walmart (WMT) vs. Target (TGT)... Will the Clarity Act finally pass this year? … And another horrible SPAC crushing retail investors. In this episode: Is Northern Dynasty Minerals (NAK) worth another look? [2:11] Coppernico Metals (CPPMF) is a great buy right now [7:045] Walmart (WMT) vs. Target (TGT): Which is the better stock? [8:28] My No. 1 pick for fantasy football [17:02] Will the Clarity Act finally pass this year? [20:46] Institutions are ruining tokenization [28:11] Another horrible SPAC crushing retail investors [33:16] Ask us anything at askcurzio.com! [49:07] Did you like this episode? Get more Wall Street Unplugged FREE each week in your inbox. Sign up here: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu Find Wall Street Unplugged podcast… --Curzio Research App: https://curzio.me/syn_app --iTunes: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_i --Stitcher: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_s --Website: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_cat Follow Frank… X: https://curzio.me/syn_twt Facebook: https://curzio.me/syn_fb LinkedIn: https://curzio.me/syn_li

Nearly 50 years after 'Star Wars' first transported moviegoers to a galaxy far, far away, the film - and its music - remain unmistakable. On Friday, August 21st at 7:30, 'Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert' comes to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

What does it really take to prepare a company for the public markets? On this episode of The Silicon Valley Podcast, we sit down with Shari Mager to explore the complex process of going public, from identifying red flags and selecting the right path to navigating uplistings, SPAC transactions, PIPE financing, and the accounting challenges associated with digital assets. Shari shares her perspective on what companies should be thinking about before pursuing a public listing and why an IPO should be viewed not as the finish line, but as an important milestone in a company's broader growth strategy. In This Episode The biggest red flags companies encounter when preparing to go public The different paths companies can take to access the public markets The advantages and disadvantages of IPOs, SPACs, and other listing approaches Considerations for international companies pursuing a U.S. listing Why having the right "quarterback" and advisory team can be critical Why Bitcoin treasury strategies are attracting SPAC interest Accounting and tax considerations surrounding digital assets What a PIPE is and why it is often important to SPAC transactions The difference between completing an IPO and successfully operating as a public company What leadership teams should prepare for after going public About Shari Mager Shari Mager brings experience in advising companies navigating complex financial, accounting, and public-market considerations. In this conversation, she provides insight into the preparation, decision-making, and professional support required when a company moves from private markets into the public arena. Connect with Shari: Shari Mager on LinkedIn Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Discussions regarding IPOs, SPACs, PIPEs, uplistings, digital assets, public companies, valuations, or other financial matters are for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation, solicitation, or offer to buy or sell any security. Listeners should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified legal, tax, accounting, and financial advisors before making any investment or business decision. #SiliconValleyPodcast #IPO #SPAC #PublicMarkets #Uplisting #CapitalMarkets #VentureCapital #PrivateMarkets #DigitalAssets #Entrepreneurship  

Rob Jesudason, CEO and founder of Serendipity Capital — a $1.3 billion permanent capital vehicle focused on critical technologies — joins the podcast to discuss quantum investing across modalities, the SPAC versus IPO debate, and how governments should allocate quantum funding. Jesudason argues that the quantum industry has entered a new phase where managerial execution and engineering scale matter as much as the underlying science, and that future winners will likely be multimodality companies that can ship systems at scale. He offers a nuanced perspective on government investment strategy, suggesting that while leading nations should pick winners in partnership with the private sector, smaller countries should focus on being the fastest integrators of winning technologies into their economies rather than trying to build world-leading hardware from scratch.

In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Peter Goldstein, entrepreneur, investor, CEO, and founder of Integrated CEO, shares lessons from nearly four decades of building, exiting, and advising companies. He explains why transferability matters more than short-term performance, how founders can prepare early for an exit without committing to sell, and what buyers actually evaluate when pricing risk. The conversation also explores SPACs, M&A integration, company culture, founder dependency, leadership bottlenecks, and the personal consequences of selling a business. For founders, CEOs, investors, and executives building companies for sustainable growth, this episode offers a practical framework for creating enterprise value without sacrificing purpose, health, or freedom.What You'll Learn• Why profitable businesses can still lose value when they depend too heavily on the founder.• How founders can build transferability, stronger leadership, and optionality years before an exit.• What buyers and investors evaluate when determining company valuation and acquisition risk.• When a SPAC or public-market strategy may make sense compared with other exit options.• The leadership habits that help founders reduce bottlenecks while building sustainable companies.Chapters00:00 Building a Transferable Business03:30 When to Prepare for Exit07:56 What Makes Companies Valuable13:53 Understanding SPACs20:38 Valuation and Market Reality22:12 Why M&A Deals Fail29:12 Life After Selling35:57 Rebuilding Through Adversity42:35 Founder Bottlenecks and Scaling48:50 Ego, Curiosity, and LeadershipFollow Avetis AntaplyanInstagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyan⁠Spotify:⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0rOkUXDSQb6SVFE6LttWDe⁠Apple Podcasts:⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tech-leaders-playbook/id1690263628⁠Follow Peter GoldsteinLinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergoldstein-exitandcapitalmarketstrategist/⁠Website:⁠https://petergoldstein.co/⁠HIRECLOUT:⁠https://www.hireclout.com⁠The Tech Leader's Playbook:⁠https://www.podcast.hireclout.com⁠LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright⁠business exit strategy, company valuation, business valuation, founder leadership, business succession planning, selling a business, exit planning, enterprise value, founder dependency, business transferability, mergers and acquisitions, M&A strategy, SPAC, special purpose acquisition company, IPO alternative, public markets, private equity, acquisition strategy, company culture, leadership development, scaling a business, founder bottleneck, CEO leadership, institutional capital, corporate governance, Peter Goldstein, Integrated CEO#BusinessExit #ExitStrategy #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CEO #MergersAndAcquisitions #SPAC #ScalingBusiness #FounderLeadership #PrivateEquity #IntegratedCEO

The deal announcement is just the beginning. In Episode 2 of their two-part series, Embark's Nicole Harger and Adam Olsen get into the accounting and reporting mechanics that determine whether a de-SPAC actually succeeds on the other side of closing. The complexity surprises even experienced finance teams. This episode is the preparation they wish they'd had.In this episode:What public company readiness actually means for a private target, and why the de-SPAC process tests it rather than creates itPCAOB audit requirements, Reg S-X compliance, and the finance function capacity demands that can't be built during the transactionThe accounting acquirer determination under ASC 805: why the legal acquirer and the accounting acquirer are often different entities, and why it mattersHow redemption scenarios can flip the accounting acquirer conclusion, and what that means for pro forma financial statementsReverse recapitalization mechanics: no goodwill, no fair value step-up, and why the operating company's history becomes the combined entity's historyWarrant classification under ASC 480 and ASC 815-40: the 2021 restatement wave, what triggers liability classification, and the quarterly income statement consequences that followEarnout accounting: when it's compensation under ASC 718, when it's contingent consideration, and how liquidity event triggers can create mark-to-market exposureThe Form S-4/merger proxy, the Super 8-K's four-business-day clock, and why that deadline has no exceptionsICFR obligations post-closing: why de-SPAC companies don't get the newly public company grace period, and what that means for the first annual reportIf you haven't listened to Episode 1 yet, start there. The deal structure decisions covered in Episode 1 and the accounting consequences covered here are more connected than they might seem.

“By operating in secrecy, they're able to avoid or evade accountability — and, in many instances, engage in anticompetitive behavior or even fraud.” — Renée M. Jones on unicorns Twelve years ago there were 39 unicorns — private companies worth a billion dollars or more. Today there are over 1,400, collectively valued above $7 trillion, with the twin beasts of Anthropic and OpenAI at the front of the herd, driving the entire American economy. A good thing, surely? Not according to Renée M. Jones, the SEC's chief regulator of corporate finance from 2021 to 2023 and author of Untamed Unicorns: Why Startup Finance Is Broken and How to Fix It. The former SEC big game warden worries that this stampede of wild unicorns might be driving the entire American economy off a cliff. Her problem isn't that these private companies exist. It's that we know almost nothing about them. That's because of changes in the law since the Nineties that have lifted the hundred-investor cap on private funds, thereby enabling them to mushroom from under $1 trillion to $17 trillion. Add secondary markets where insiders quietly cash out, and the IPO becomes optional. And so we know almost nothing about companies like Anthropic and OpenAI with private valuations in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The result is what Jones calls the founder-friendly model of Facebook, Uber or Airbnb. With super-voting shares at ten votes apiece, founders effectively choose their own bosses, thereby stripping investors of the power to discipline anyone. Think Travis Kalanick and Mark Zuckerberg. Think Theranos, WeWork and FTX. Unicorns are named, of course, for their impossibility. Not so long ago, nobody could imagine a private company worth more than a billion dollars. However, with $7 trillion now on the table, Jones is concerned about the health of the American startup economy. On the brink of the OpenAI and Anthropic IPOs, I fear Renée Jones might be right about the dangers of a real crash triggered by the stampede of these mythical creatures. Jurassic Park is now playing in Silicon Valley. Pass the popcorn. Five Takeaways •       The $7 Trillion Secret. The unicorn was named for its rarity: 39 existed twelve years ago. Today there are more than 1,400, worth over $7 trillion — roughly 1,100 in America, nearly 300 in China — and the biggest of them shape the economy while disclosing essentially nothing. That is Jones' target: not the billion-dollar valuations but the secrecy. A billion-dollar private company faces neither the disclosure rules nor the governance requirements of a public company its size, which means accountability arrives only by accident — a scandal, a frustrated investor, a whistleblower calling a reporter. Everything else stays dark.•       How the IPO Died. Startups once went public within five to seven years, for two reasons: growth capital lived in public markets, and the 500-shareholder rule forced large private companies to register — it's reportedly why Google and Facebook held their IPOs at all. Both reasons were legislated away. NSMIA (1996) uncapped private funds, whose assets exploded from under $1 trillion to $17 trillion; the JOBS Act (2012) moved the trigger to 2,000 shareholders with employee shares exempt; and secondary markets — Forge Global, Nasdaq Private Market, EquityZen — let insiders cash out without a prospectus. The IPO became a liquidity event rather than a necessity. Only AI's bottomless capital hunger, Jones notes, is pushing OpenAI and Anthropic toward the public markets at all.•       Founders Choosing Their Bosses. The founder-friendly model gives startup founders super-voting shares — ten votes to one — letting them control the board that supposedly controls them. Venture capitalists lost their traditional power to discipline or dismiss a misbehaving founder: Uber's investors, lacking the votes to oust Travis Kalanick, had to stage a coup via press leak. And the VCs are conflicted anyway — exposing fraud destroys the exit they're invested in. Jones' answer to the Google-and-Facebook counterargument is historical: dual-class structures were invented at those companies precisely to coax their founders into IPOs, and they now arrive by the second or third funding round — so the governance rot starts earlier and, as Zuckerberg demonstrates, persists indefinitely after the public offering.•       The Fraud Files — and the Social Bill. FTX. Theranos, which hid parts of its lab from inspecting regulators. WeWork, whose IPO filing finally told the truth about the spending and self-dealing — whereupon the public refused to buy, the company limped through a SPAC into bankruptcy, and employees who had borrowed money to exercise options and pay taxes were left holding worthless paper. (The VC money lost, Jones notes, is substantially public pension money anyway.) Beyond the frauds lies the social bill of the below-cost blitzscale: taxi drivers destroyed and then prices raised; passengers assaulted under lax background checks; Airbnb's uncollected occupancy taxes, underinvested security, and name-based discrimination. A culture of outrunning the law, Jones argues, gets baked in — and firms powerful enough simply change the law, as Uber and Lyft did to driver-classification rules in California and Massachusetts.•       Not Teddy — Franklin. Asked whether the coming reckoning demands a new Teddy Roosevelt — Casey Michel's prescription on this show days earlier — Jones reaches a generation later: Franklin's New Deal securities acts of 1933 and 1934, which made disclosure the price of other people's money and worked for ninety years. Since the 1980s the architecture has been chipped into optionality, and the SEC is now dismantling Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank protections while deregulating public markets too. Her remedies: disclosure to employees paid in options they cannot value, and disclosure in the largest private offerings — because investors of any sophistication cannot make responsible decisions while investing blind. Andrew's closing verdict: I hope she's wrong. I suspect she's right. About the Guest Renée M. Jones is Professor of Law and Dr. Thomas F. Carney Distinguished Scholar at Boston College Law School, where she has taught corporate and securities law for nearly a quarter century. From 2021 to 2023 she served as Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — the nation's chief regulator of capital formation. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, she is the author of Untamed Unicorns: Why Startup Finance Is Broken and How to Fix It (Harvard University Press, August 4, 2026). References: •       Untamed Unicorns: Why Startup Finance Is Broken and How to Fix It by Renée M. Jones (Harvard University Press, August 4, 2026). Jennifer Taub: “This essential book, replete with details and drama.”•       The National Securities Markets Improvement Act (1996) and the JOBS A...

Tour Diaries continues with a full recap of one of the most anticipated weekends of the summer—SPAC! We break down both nights in Saratoga Springs, share our favorite performances, gush about guest violinist Jake Simpson, and talk about everything that made this year's SPAC run so special. 

Wall Street's transfer agents want issuers, not outside platforms, to control tokenized stock. Securitize's CEO says the alternative invites insider trading. ======================================================== Thank you to our sponsor! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cape⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Your biggest crypto vulnerability isn't your wallet, it's your phone number. Cape is America's privacy-first mobile carrier that rotates your SIM identity daily and blocks SIM swaps before they happen. Get 33% off your first six months at cape.co/unchained (use code: UNCHAINED). ======================================================== Securitize took itself public twice this year: once through a direct listing, and once by tokenizing more than $265 million of its own stock via a SPAC with Cantor Equity Partners, testing whether Wall Street lets equities trade onchain. Carlos Domingo, founder and CEO of Securitize, joins Laura Shin to argue that much of crypto's tokenized stock boom is unauthorized, offshore paper exposing investors and issuers to real legal risk, and to make the case that transfer agents, not outside platforms, should control what gets tokenized. They cover Rule 611, the SEC rule locking onchain and offchain share prices together, the Securities Transfer Association's push for issuer authorization, and a Netflix stock split that left an unauthorized derivative trading five times off. Domingo also lays out Securitize's NYSE partnership, launching tokenized trading in the fourth quarter. The SEC is now weighing whether to unwind the rule that keeps those prices identical, with real stakes for how equities trade next. Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laura Shin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Host / Unchained Guests: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Carlos Domingo - Founder and CEO of Securitize Timestamps

SPACs are back. The numbers make it hard to argue otherwise. In Episode 1 of their two-part series, Embark's Nicole Harger and Adam Olsen unpack what's driving the resurgence, what went wrong in 2021, and what CFOs and finance leaders actually need to know before they consider this path.In this episode:What a SPAC is and how the three-phase lifecycle actually works, from IPO to business combinationThe full equity instrument landscape: founder shares, warrants, PIPE financing, and earnout arrangements, and why the headline deal value is never the complete pictureWhy the 2020-2021 SPAC boom collapsed, and how the SEC's 2024 rules changed the calculusWhat's fueling the current resurgence and why PE-backed companies are at the center of itSPAC vs. traditional IPO: the real trade-offs on speed, valuation certainty, cost structure, and projectionsThe three most common mistakes companies make going into a de-SPAC, including the one that shows up in almost every SEC filing reviewWhy public company readiness isn't a post-closing project, and what that preparation actually requiresEpisode 2 goes deep on the accounting and reporting mechanics. If you're close to a de-SPAC transaction or think you might be, it's worth your time.

It's EV News Briefly for Thursday 30 July 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyBMW IX3 ORDERS NEAR 100,000BMW has taken nearly 100,000 orders for the iX3 since launch and is raising output at its Debrecen plant in Hungary, which built its 50,000th unit just nine months after opening — the fastest ramp-up of any new BMW plant. The Neue Klasse flagship uses sixth-generation eDrive tech and a 108.7 kWh battery, charges at up to 400 kW to add 373 km (231 miles) in ten minutes, and starts at €73,925 ($85,200) in Germany for the iX3 50 xDrive with up to 805 km (500 miles) of WLTP range.BMW TO BUILD IX5 BATTERY PACKS IN SOUTH CAROLINABMW will begin mass production of iX5 high-voltage battery packs in December at its new Plant Woodruff in South Carolina, near Plant Spartanburg where the iX5 is assembled, keeping pack assembly in-house to build a local supply chain, cut geopolitical risk and reduce logistics costs. AESC, now majority-owned by China's Envision Group, supplies the 120 mm cylindrical cells — which deliver 30% more usable energy than the iX3's 95 mm cells — giving the US iX5 a 144 kWh pack (141 kWh in Europe), an estimated 435 miles of range, 460 kW peak charging and a 10-80% charge in 22 minutes.ZEEKR 9X ARRIVES IN EUROPEZeekr has launched the 9X Ultra 6-Seater in Europe as a luxury SUV and its first Super Hybrid, pairing a 900V dual-motor system with a 2.0-litre turbo engine used purely as a generator for 897 horsepower, 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, up to 737 km of range and a 10-80% DC charge in 9.5 minutes. Designed in Gothenburg with adaptive air suspension and CDC dampers, it offers reclining, massaging first and second rows, an onboard refrigerator, a ceiling-mounted 17-inch 3K OLED screen and a 32-speaker Naim system, and marks Zeekr's fifth European model in three years across 16 markets.SK ON AND FACTORIAL TARGET SOLID-STATE SCALESK On and Factorial Energy have partnered to push solid-state batteries towards production, combining Factorial's FEST cell technology with SK On's manufacturing network to tackle the scaling problem that has held back a chemistry promising higher energy density, longer range and faster charging than lithium-ion. Factorial is already testing cells in North America and has integrated them into Stellantis' Dodge Charger Daytona prototype, claiming 375 Wh/kg energy density, while its work with Mercedes-Benz produced a modified EQS that covered over 745 miles on a single charge.TESLA SHIP LOAD SETS SHANGHAI RECORDThe Chinese-built car carrier Glovis Nova loaded 7,738 electric vehicles — all Tesla Model 3 and Model Y cars — at Shanghai's South Port Terminal on Sunday, a domestic record for a single voyage, and set sail for Zeebrugge, Belgium, for distribution across Europe. The 10,800-car vessel and its sister ship Glovis Leader, which berthed the same day before heading to Busan, were built by Guangzhou Shipyard International, a China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary, and rank among the largest of their kind in the world.NORWAY LEADS GLOBAL EV ADOPTION INDEXNorway tops the latest Global EV Adoption Index with 73.2 out of 100, ahead of Denmark on 64.7 and China on 64.5, backed by a 92% EV sales share in 2024, 32 public chargers per 1,000 battery vehicles and 41.9% fast-charger coverage. Denmark climbed 40 percentage points since 2020 to a 56% sales share with 73 chargers per 1,000 EVs, China recorded a 48% share and 103 chargers per 1,000 vehicles, and Tesla led brand interest across 75 countries with 71.6 million Google queries in the past year.MITSUBISHI RETURNS TO NORTH AMERICA WITH LEAF EVMitsubishi will re-enter the North American EV market with the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV, on sale in the US and Canada by late summer or early fall of 2026 through around 300 dealerships. Billed as all-new, it is in fact based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf via the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, sharing its 75 kWh liquid-cooled battery, native NACS port, Supercharger access and 150 kW charging (10-80% in about 35 minutes) beneath new fascias, lighting and alloys, with range and pricing still undisclosed.LEPAS L8 TARGETS EUROPE ON VALUEChery has launched the Lepas L8, a D-segment family SUV priced from £34,900 to £37,900, using the upmarket Lepas brand to challenge BMW and Volkswagen on space, equipment and price alongside stablemates such as the Jaecoo 7, Omoda 7 and Chery Tiggo 8. Power comes from Chery's Super Hybrid system combining a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and 18.4 kWh battery, while the cabin offers an upmarket feel, generous tech, vast rear legroom and headroom despite the panoramic roof, and a 507-litre boot comparable to a Nissan Qashqai's.KERBSIDE CHARGING SEARCHES JUMP AS EV COST SCRUTINY GROWSVertu reports that searches for "kerbside EV charging" rose 125% over the past three months while searches for "cheapest EV tariff" climbed 173%, suggesting buyers are weighing access and running costs together before switching. The trend matters because government figures published in 2024 found 40% of UK households have no access to off-street parking, leaving a large share of the market dependent on public charging and highly sensitive to the cost of every kilowatt-hour.PRINCE AL WALEED RAISES LUCID STAKEPrince Al Waleed bin Talal's investment office bought just over 19 million Lucid shares, lifting his stake to about 5% according to an SEC filing, with the prince saying he bought when Lucid's market cap was below $2 billion following speculation — since denied by Lucid — about bankruptcy or a take-private deal. The purchase, which Lucid welcomed as an independent vote of confidence, comes as the company restructures under new CEO Silvio Napoli after cutting 18% of staff in June on top of an earlier 12% lay-off, and adds to Saudi ownership alongside the Public Investment Fund's roughly 60% stake held since the 2021 SPAC merger.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) welcomes back The Philadelphia Orchestra for a three-week summer residency from August 5–22 as part of its celebratory 60th anniversary season.Led by Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin,the season pairs classical masterworks with SPAC premieres and performances by world-renowned artists, including Tony, Emmy, and five-time Grammy Award–nominated singer Josh Groban, Grammy Award–nominated indie-folk singer Gregory Alan Isakov, and two-time Tony Award–winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell.Christopher Shiley is President of Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

This week, we speak with Paul Lichty, Co-Founder and CEO of Forge Nano. He explains how Forge Nano's atomic layer deposition approach can build better batteries and semiconductors while maximizing the rarest materials these require. And, how its manufacturing plans and growing sales pipeline led the company into a $1.3 billion business combination with Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners II Co. (NASDAQ:ATII). Investment has poured into the companies making the chips and batteries needed for cutting age technology to work. Now, a company that has pioneered a new way of building those key components at the atomic level, is going public, via a SPAC.  

Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we dive into the latest news shaping these dynamic sectors, exploring strategic corporate maneuvers, groundbreaking scientific advances, and pivotal regulatory changes. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is embarking on a comprehensive restructuring initiative aimed at achieving $2.5 billion in annual cost savings by 2029. This ambitious initiative underscores the company's commitment to strengthening its late-stage research and development capabilities. The strategy involves optimizing mature product lines, procurement processes, and supply chain efficiencies, reflecting broader industry trends where financial prudence is balanced with innovation. As part of this transformation, GSK plans to relocate its research headquarters near AstraZeneca's facilities, though specifics on employment impacts remain under wraps. This restructuring highlights the competitive nature of the pharmaceutical landscape and GSK's intent to maintain its edge through enhanced R&D initiatives. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson is nearing a resolution in its extensive talc litigation by proposing a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve approximately 76,000 lawsuits. These lawsuits allege that J&J's talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer. This potential settlement represents a significant step toward closing a protracted chapter of legal scrutiny for J&J, offering the company a chance to mitigate ongoing legal risks and refocus on core business operations. On the regulatory front, MannKind has secured FDA approval for its fast-acting edema autoinjector, reflecting an ongoing emphasis on addressing unmet medical needs with innovative delivery mechanisms. Conversely, Baxter has issued a recall for one lot of cefazolin in dextrose injection due to contamination concerns, underscoring the continuous challenges of ensuring product safety within complex manufacturing and supply chain environments. In terms of public health initiatives, Gilead Sciences is employing a novel approach to HIV prevention through its "Up to Date" campaign featuring comedians Nicole Byer and Devon Walker. This effort aims to destigmatize HIV discussions within the Black community by leveraging humor and relatability—a testament to evolving strategies in patient engagement and education. In drug development news, Atea Pharmaceuticals is making strides with its hepatitis C treatment candidate following positive Phase 3 trial results showing equivalence with Gilead's Epclusa. This positions Atea for further clinical evaluations and potential market entry with a simplified treatment regimen. Similarly, Hansoh Pharmaceutical's collaboration with GSK has yielded another Phase 3 success for their B7-H3-directed antibody-drug conjugate in China, highlighting the growing importance of targeted therapies in oncology. Emerging biotech hubs are reshaping the industry's landscape as cities beyond traditional centers like Boston and San Francisco gain prominence. This geographical diversification reflects global trends in biotech innovation and investment. In clinical advancements, Altimmune's GLP-1/glucagon receptor-targeting drug shows promise in reducing heavy drinking among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). This finding opens new therapeutic avenues for AUD by leveraging mechanisms traditionally associated with weight loss medications. Concurrently, regulatory scrutiny remains high as Replimune faces setbacks with its melanoma data package deemed "not interpretable" by the FDA—an indication of the rigorous standards required for gaining regulatory approval. The geopolitical landscape also influences industry dynamics, particularly in China where intellectual property risks are heightened under new legislative acts. Companies must navigate these complexities strategically to protect innovations while capitalizing on market opportunities. Financially, Novo Holdings-backed Claris has secured $118 million in Series B funding to advance its corneal disease drug candidate—a substantial investment underscoring growing interest in ophthalmology therapeutics. Additionally, RA Capital has launched Oak Hill Bio onto Nasdaq via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), focusing on rare genetic diseases—a strategy showcasing continued momentum within biotech to leverage financial tools for niche therapeutic advancements. Overall, these developments reflect an industry characterized by rapid scientific progress and evolving regulatory landscapes. Companies are under pressure to optimize operations while ensuring robust clinical data to meet regulatory standards. As these sectors strive for innovation and patient care advancements amidst competitive global markets, balancing innovation with safety and efficacy remains paramount. As always, we'll continue to track these stories closely and bring you the latest insights right here on Pharma Daily.Support the show

Earlier this summer we had a lobster bake of sorts under a pavilion at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, part of SPAC's Culinary Arts events with chef Devin Finigan. Finigan is owner of Aragosta and recognized as one of food and wine's best restaurants in both 2024 and 2025. Finigan shares stories from her debut cookbook 'A Kitchen on Goose Cove: Recipes from the Heart of Maine.' Joe Donahue spoke with Devin Finigan in May 2026.

Yankees Hoping Max Fried is Sign of Healthier 2nd Half One of the Yankees' top pitchers is back and in a big way. Max Fried missed most of the 1st half of the season, but can he lead New York back to the top of the AL East? Plus, Ryan Fox introduces himself to a lot of golf fans with a historic win at The Open Championship. And, we're talking with Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant ahead of the band's show at SPAC on August 23.

Plus: OpenAI says two of its models hacked a company in a cybersecurity test gone wrong. And U.S. data-center operator TECfusions plans to go public. Danny Lewis hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nolan made his first trek up to SPAC, and what a year to have chosen to do so. He takes us boots on the ground from Night Zero all the way through the entire epic weekend. We also discuss the Camden and Gilford shows as well, so be sure to tune in for our full thoughts and analyses of DMB's most recent shows in the Northeast! Long Live Saratoga! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buyers finally have more leverage—but mortgage rates are rising, home prices are still climbing, and pending sales are slipping. Is it really a buyer's market when the monthly payment still does not work? This week in real estate news, we're examining the contradiction defining the 2026 housing market: buyers have more negotiating power, more price cuts, and less competition, but stubbornly high housing costs continue to hold demand back. We'll also look at why some affluent baby boomers are buying larger homes instead of downsizing, how outdated capital-gains exclusions may discourage longtime homeowners from selling, and why national home-price numbers are hiding dramatically different local markets. Beyond the market data, communities are pushing back against AI data centers, buyers are prioritizing clean indoor air over traditional luxury features, Boxabl has reached the public market through a $3.5 billion SPAC transaction, and one of Keller Williams' most influential leaders is stepping away from his day-to-day role. In this live episode, we'll cover: • Why mortgage rates are rising while some buyers are gaining negotiating power • How home prices can climb nationally while many local markets favor buyers • What slipping pending sales actually tell us about housing demand • Why some baby boomers are buying bigger homes instead of downsizing • The so-called "hidden home equity tax" affecting more longtime sellers • Why clean air is becoming more desirable than views and luxury amenities • The growing opposition to AI data centers—and the potential community tradeoffs • Whether Boxabl's public debut validates its housing model or simply tests its valuation • Jay Papasan's transition after 26 years with Keller Williams • How agents can determine whether AI search tools can access their websites Join us live on YouTube and tell us: What matters more in your market right now—buyer leverage, the monthly payment, or finding the right inventory? #RealEstateNews #HousingMarket #mortgagerates 

This week, we are sitting at 2BD HQ for the final time as a neighbor to Stewart's Shops. We unpack the unexpected announcement that our beloved next-door convenience store is leaving and brainstorm what the next chapter of this building could look like with us as the solo tenants (for now). We also discuss our peaks and pits, from Jack's full-circle experience at SPAC to an all-time embarrassing moment I had at the track. EPISODE NOTES: Jack ghosted me over the weekend (0:30) This is what happens when you raw dog The Odyssey (4:20) Nobody Asked Me, But... (13:55) The million dollar merch idea I turned down (16:40) Stewart's has left the building (29:09) Brainstorming our next business to place in the vacant space (38:42) Peaks and Pits presented by WellNow Urgent Care (58:08) Reminiscing on BTS weather and core school memories (59:07) Chuck Schumer's little toot (1:31:11) This episode is brought to you by Tully Rinckey PLLC, a full-service law firm serving individuals and businesses in the Capital Region for over 20 years. Their attorneys are ready to protect your rights and guide you through legal matters related to Family & Matrimonial Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, Litigation, Education Law, Business Law and Trusts & Estates. For experienced legal support from a firm that proudly gives back to its community, learn more at tullylegal.com or follow on social media @tullylegal.

This week, on a SPACInsider Podcast Replay, we revisit a September 2024 discussion from the beginning of the current SPAC cycle. SPACInsider founder Kristi Marvin was joined by Ed Kovary, Head of SPAC Capital Markets at BTIG, Nick Skibo, Managing Partner at Gritstone Asset Management, and Dimitre Genov, Managing Director at Brookline Capital Markets. Together, the panel brought perspectives from the banking, investing and advisory sides of SPAC transactions. They discussed the resurgence of anchor investors, how market participants were adapting as the previous cycle wound down, and the early signs that a broader reset was taking shape. Looking back nearly two years later, which of their predictions came to fruition, and how clearly could they see the next SPAC cycle beginning?  

"האינטרסנטים", הפודקאסט הכלכלי היומי של TheMarker, עם איתן אבריאל וסמי פרץ. (08:44) היום נעשה משהו קצת יוצא דופן. לפני שנצלול לענייני הכלכלה השוטפים, ויש הרבה כאלה, נעצור לרגע לחשוב על גביע העולם לנבחרות בכדורגל שמתקיים בארצות הברית. לאחר שהפייבוריטית צרפת הפסידה לספרד אתמול, ולפני משחק חצי הגמר השני בין ארגנטינה לאנגליה שיתקיים הלילה, יחסי ההימורים לטובת ניצחון של ספרד בטורניר כולו זינקו. מהמרי אתר התחזיות פולימרקט, למשל, נותנים סיכוי של 58% לספרד, מול 23% לאנגליה ורק 20% לארגנטינה. האמנם? על כך אנחנו נדבר עם עוזי דן, שליח הארץ למונדיאל. (22:58) בשווקים, לאחר יומיים של ירידות בגלל חידוש ההפצצות האמריקאיות, סגירת מצרי הורמוז והעלייה במחיר הנפט, שווקי המניות שוב אופטימיים על רקע נתוני אינפלציה מפתיעים לטובה בארצות הברית. מדד ה-S&P 500 עלה אתמול, והוא מסכם עלייה של 10% מתחילת השנה, עומד על פחות מאחוז משיאו הקודם שנקבע לפני חודשיים, והחוזים על פתיחת המסחר אחר הצהריים מצביעים על המשך עליות. השאלה הגדולה היא האם המניות לא נכנסו כבר לאזור של "בועה", דבר שמקבל חיזוק מחזרתה של תופעת ה-SPAC, אותן חברות "צ'ק פתוח" שמגייסות כסף ורק לאחר מכן מתמזגות עם חברות פרטיות. בסיבוב העליות הקודם, בעת מגפת הקורונה, עשרות רבות של חברות, גם ישראליות, נכנסו לבורסה האמריקאית דרך מנגנון ה-SPAC ואז קרסו בעשרות אחוזים או נמחקו לחלוטין. פרשן ההייטק והפיננסים עמרי זרחוביץ' יצטרף אלינו לשיחה על חזרת ה-SPAC. (38:15) אצלנו, תחום שזוכה לאחרונה לגאות גדולה ודי מפתיעה הוא ענף המזון. חברות מזון ישראליות, החל ממפעלים ועד לרשתות מסעדות, מקבלות מהשוק שוויים גבוהים, ובעזרתם יוצאות לבורסה או מחליפות ידיים ברכישות ומיזוגים. אבל האם נקודת המוצא, השוויים הגבוהים הללו, באמת מוצדקת? אנחנו נדבר על הערכות השווי של חברות המזון עם ד"ר אלי אלעל, רואה חשבון ומנכ"ל חברת שווי הוגן.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our 251st episode with a summary and discussion of last week's big AI news!Recorded on 07/01/2026Hosted by Andrey Kurenkov and Jeremie HarrisFeel free to email us your questions and feedback at andreyvkurenkov@gmail.com and/or hello@gladstone.aiRead out our text newsletter and comment on the podcast at https://lastweekin.ai/In this episode:Anthropic redeploys Claude Fable 5 after talks with the US government, adding new cybersecurity classifiers, drafting a jailbreak-severity framework with major partners, and expanding model-testing coordination; broader concerns remain about the inevitability of jailbreaks and uneven release constraints versus OpenAI.Anthropic launches Claude Sonnet 5 with time-limited discounted pricing, improved agentic coding and benchmark performance, reduced misaligned behavior, and default cyber safeguards despite relatively weaker cybersecurity capability than top-tier models.New tools and apps include Google NotebookLM generating TikTok-style vertical video summaries of uploaded research and Google releasing Nano Banana 2 Lite, a faster, cheaper image generator available via API.Business and research updates span Etched's push toward full-stack inference hardware with major funding and contracts, Baidu's AI chip unit IPO ambitions, Agility Robotics' SPAC plan, DeepSeek's hiring expansion, and China's open-source Longcat 2.0 MoE model with notable large-scale training and efficiency techniques alongside new long-horizon agent benchmarks.Timestamps (note - these don't take into account dynamically inserted ads and therefore may be off by a couple of minutes):(00:00:10) Intro / Banter(00:02:07) News PreviewTools & Apps(00:02:32) Trump drops restrictions on Anthropic's Mythos and Fable models | TechCrunch(00:16:08) Anthropic launches Claude Sonnet 5 as a cheaper way to run agents | TechCrunch(00:20:35) Google's NotebookLM can sum up your research in a TikTok-style clip | The Verge(00:22:08) Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite | TechCrunchApplications & Business(00:22:50) Etched Pulls 400+ Engineers From NVIDIA, TSMC & More to Build a New Frontier Inference Cluster For AI Which Is Already Worth $1B in Demand(00:31:17) Baidu Rallies on AI Chip IPO Report(00:33:54) Agility Robotics plans to go public via SPAC in a $2.5B deal | TechCrunch(00:37:06) China's DeepSeek plans to at least double staff in all departments | ReutersProjects & Open Source(00:40:44) Introducing LongCat-2.0(00:57:42) OSWorld2.0: Benchmarking Computer Use Agents on Long-Horizon Real-World Tasks(01:01:33) TUA-Bench: A Benchmark for General-Purpose Terminal-Use Agents(01:04:29) SWE-Together: Evaluating Coding Agents in Interactive User SessionsPolicy & Safety(01:07:38) Taiwan raids Supermicro and two supply-chain partners in widening Nvidia smuggling probe — nine sites hit as six people summoned for questioning | Tom's HardwareResearch & Advancements(01:11:53) Autodata: An agentic data scientist to create high quality synthetic data(01:17:13) Reinforcement Learning without Ground-Truth Solutions can Improve LLMsSynthetic Media & Art(01:22:54) Neon Buys ‘Artificial,' a Film About OpenAI, After Amazon Dropped It - The New York Times(01:26:32) Tidal won't pay royalties on AI-generated music, but isn't banning it outright | The VergeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of CoinDesk's Public Keys at the New York Stock Exchange, Jennifer Sanasie is joined by Two Prime Founder and CEO Alex Blume to discuss Bitcoin's range-bound price action, Strategy's accelerating Bitcoin sell-off, and why he's skeptical of the stablecoin consortium behind OpenUSD that knocked Circle lower. In a taped interview from the NYSE floor, Securitize CEO Carlos Domingo breaks down the company's NYSE debut under the ticker SECZ via a SPAC deal, its more than $400 million raise, and its move to tokenize its own common stock on the Solana and Avalanche blockchains. Plus, Lumida CEO Ram Ahluwalia makes sense of the macro picture — from MicroStrategy's shift from Bitcoin's marginal buyer to marginal seller and the bull case for Hyperliquid, to why he sees non-farm payrolls as "noise" under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. - Learn more at https://www.bullish.com/. - Register now for CoinDesk's Policy and Regulation event on September 22, 2026: https://policy-regulation.coindesk.com/. - To get market moving news delivered daily, download CoinDesk's mobile app: https://linktr.ee/coindeskapp. - Timecodes: 00:00 Welcome to Public Keys 00:22 Two Prime Founder and CEO Alex Blume on Bitcoin's Range 01:26 Strategy Sells 3,588 Bitcoin to Fund Dividends 03:53 How Bitcoin Breaks From the Strategy Narrative 05:46 Circle Drops 15% on OpenUSD Consortium News 09:13 Securitize (SECZ) Goes Public on the NYSE via SPAC 10:56 Why Securitize Chose a SPAC Over an IPO 12:10 Securitize Tokenizes Its Own Stock on Solana and Avalanche 13:33 Bitcoin, Ether and Hyperliquid ETF Flows 14:37 Lumida CEO Ram Ahluwalia on MicroStrategy's Shift to Selling 16:53 The Bull Case for Hyperliquid 17:37 Non-Consensus Picks: Quality Stocks and ICE 19:09 Why Non-Farm Payrolls Are 'Noise' 20:37 Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Won't Hike or Cut 21:44 Can AI Beat the Market? 23:41 Fear & Greed Index at 24

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4vddsCn In a midyear 2026 Dividend Cafe holiday episode, the host reviews surprises and themes shaping markets: despite the “Mag Seven” down about 2%, the S&P 493 is up roughly 15–16% and the overall index about 10%, reflecting a major rotation toward value, smaller caps, and sectors like industrials, utilities, and energy. Another surprise is the two-year Treasury yield rising from ~3.4% to nearly 4.25% as rate-cut expectations faded, flattening the curve without derailing equity valuations. He discusses AI “vulnerabilities,” noting hyperscalers' surging CapEx and financing, dispersion across AI-related stocks, and froth signaled by a parabolic semiconductor run and tech's heavy S&P weight, alongside speculation in meme stocks and levered single-stock ETFs. Economically, tariffs were partially removed, labor data remains mixed, M&A/SPAC activity is strong, energy and small caps have worked, housing has softened, and he reiterates disciplined, fundamental, value-oriented investing. 00:00 Holiday Weekend Welcome 00:36 Midyear Market Setup 01:21 Mag Seven Surprise 03:27 Rates Rise Yet Stocks 04:40 AI Theme Check In 05:28 Capex And Cash Flow 08:08 Valuations And Dispersion 09:50 Semiconductor Froth Warning 12:03 Speculation Beyond Crypto 14:36 Economic Tug Of War 17:14 M&A And SPAC Revival 18:26 Other Themes Scorecard 20:07 Midyear Closing Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss the pending Uber-Waymo divorce, Agility Robotics' $2.5 billion SPAC merger with Churchill Capital XI, and the launch of The Road to Autonomy Confidence Indices.As of May, Waymo and Uber concluded their robotaxi partnership in Phoenix after roughly 948 days, with Waymo going exclusively direct-to-consumer in that market and Uber seeking a replacement partner, with a Nuro / Lucid partnership as the leading candidate.Uber's value to select autonomous vehicle operators is highest during market entry, and once an operator builds density and consumer trust, Uber's value diminishes as the robotaxi provider's brand grows in that market.Then there is Agility Robotics, whose $2.5 billion SPAC merger with Churchill Capital XI targets over $620 million in gross proceeds to become the first pure-play humanoid robotics entity in the public markets. The listing could be perceived as a forced transparency event, as SEC disclosures will stress-test the contested 98% task success rate, the $300 million contingent backlog, and a warehouse data moat that risks becoming a depreciating asset as the industry pivots to foundation model generalization.Closing out the show, Grayson and Rob discuss the launch of The Road to Autonomy Confidence Indices, a first-of-its-kind benchmark tracking the market's confidence in the global commercial adoption of robotaxis, autonomous driving licensing, autonomous trucks, and delivery bots.Each index is a single zero-to-100 reading, cryptographically sealed and independently verifiable, and the early divergence is telling, as robotaxi confidence is rising while the market continues to be unsure about autonomous trucking.Episode Chapters00:00 Signal 1: Waymo/Uber Divorce: Predictable and Repeatable34:29 Signal 2: Agility Robotics' $2.5B merger with Churchill Capital XI55:06 Signal 3: The Road to Autonomy Confidence Indices Launch1:04:19 AUTNMY AIFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Securitize (SECZ) CEO Carlos Domingo discusses the company's decision to go public and its position as the largest tokenization platform with $4.5 billion in tokenized assets. He explains why tokenization remains in the early stages of growth, highlights the importance of institutional adoption from firms like BlackRock and Nasdaq, and outlines why Securitize chose a SPAC merger over a traditional IPO.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Crypto News: Bitcoin chart signals show the crypto market bottom is near. Ripple CEO stays bullish on bitcoin but says Saylor's strategy has hurt crypto.Brought to you by

Building a startup on Bitcoin means you're not riding one rollercoaster, you're riding two at once. The volatility of launching a company is hard enough. Layer on top of that a protocol still finding its own product-market fit, and you get a compounding effect that will break founders who aren't prepared for it. Will Reeves knows this firsthand. He co-founded Fold, lived through deep bear markets with no investor interest in sight, made a critical pivot after realizing he was building the wrong solution, and took Fold public on Nasdaq in February 2025 as the first Bitcoin financial services company on the exchange. In this episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up, host Alisa Cohn sits down with Will Reeves, Co-Founder and CEO of Fold, to explore the real cost of building on Bitcoin, why "growth at all costs will destroy you," how a Starbucks line changed everything for Fold, what shifts the moment you go public, and the one truth about imposter syndrome most founders will never admit. You'll learn:Why building a company on top of Bitcoin creates a compounding risk that most founders and investors seriously underestimateThe exact moment Will realized Fold was solving the wrong problem, and how the pivot unlocked real product-market fit and landed Visa as their first major partner. Why "growth at all costs" is uniquely dangerous for Bitcoin companies, and what it actually looks like to build a business for long-term survivalWhat changed when Fold went public How to spot when an executive has stopped scaling with the companyWhat imposter syndrome actually feels like from inside a public company CEO roleWe talk about:00:00 Why building on Bitcoin means you're riding two rollercoasters at once 04:03 Is resilience something you're born with or something you build over time? 06:37 The advice Will gives founders on withstanding the startup journey day to day 09:32 How Fold realized it was solving the wrong problem, and what they did about it 13:22 How do you get your team on board when you've found a new direction? 15:04 What Bitcoin is really for: decentralization, inflation, and financial freedom 22:23 Why growth at all costs will destroy you when you're building on Bitcoin 24:41 Why Fold went public via SPAC and what that decision looked like from the inside 33:03 The painful lesson of replacing yourself as a founder CEO 39:18 The lowest lows and highest highs of building Fold 43:13 Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Will's honest answer 46:43 Advice for founders on building a company and a life at the same timeFollow Will onLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-reeves/ Website: https://foldapp.com/ Connect with Alisa!Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohnTwitter: @alisacohnFacebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/Website: http://www.alisacohn.comDownload her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

Robert and Austin talk about Agility Robotics' SPAC, Tesla & SpaceX merger rumors, and Apple raising pricing on their devices. We're also joined by Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of BLADE, to discuss the future of air mobility. ---

Plus: humanoid robot maker Agility Robotics is planning to go public in a $2.5 billion SPAC deal. And South Korean chip maker SK Hynix is planning to raise more than $29 billion through a U.S. listing. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These tech stocks are buys on the pullback. Plus, is it still a "buy-the-dip" market? … What's driving the outperformance in small caps? … Steer clear of this SPAC… Accenture's (ACN) management should be fired… And the broken housing market. In this episode: Curzio Alpha has launched! [2:56] Is it still a "buy-the-dip" market? [6:30] These stats show just how wild market speculation has gotten [10:36] What's driving the outperformance in small caps? [14:53] These tech stocks are buys on the pullback [19:22] A special deal on your next vacation rental [23:48] This chipmaker is a screaming buy [25:01] Steer clear of this SPAC [33:07] Accenture's management should be fired [39:13] Grand Theft Auto VI will be a boon for Take-Two Interactive [46:17] Why is nobody talking about the horrible housing market? [54:08] This episode is brought to you by Savvy, the direct-booking marketplace for vacation rentals. Savvy helps travelers find the same kinds of homes they'd see on major rental platforms, without the extra markup ($500 savings on average!). Every listing is managed by a professional host, so travelers can book with confidence. And right now, Wall Street Unplugged listeners can get $50 cash back on their first stay with Savvy. Here's how to book: https://www.savvy.com/wsu Did you like this episode? Get more Wall Street Unplugged FREE each week in your inbox. Sign up here: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu Find Wall Street Unplugged podcast… --Curzio Research App: https://curzio.me/syn_app --iTunes: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_i --Stitcher: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_s --Website: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_cat Follow Frank… X: https://curzio.me/syn_twt Facebook: https://curzio.me/syn_fb LinkedIn: https://curzio.me/syn_li

Lots of sleepy bears this morning coming off an evening of concerts, including Jelly Roll in Syracuse and Evanesence at SPAC. Josh introduces his Fuddy Duddy Conert Series; done by 8:30pm. What are some of the best & worst road trip state in the US? GTA6 finally announces a release date & preorders. Plus so much more on a Wednesdee!

Paul Tran started Manscaped with $50,000, a bloody problem nobody was talking about, and a category that didn't exist. The company hit $300 million in revenue in just 36 months, eventually turned down a $1 billion SPAC deal, and has become the #3 men's grooming brand in a category dominated by companies over 100 years old—while staying profitable the entire way. In this interview, the founder and CEO of Manscaped breaks down the exact DTC playbook that got him from 10,000 units sold out in two weeks to nine figures in annual media spend, why he waited until $50–60 million in marketing spend before entering retail, and the counterintuitive brand decisions—including turning down better-performing ads—that built one of the most recognizable men's lifestyle brands in the world. What you'll learn in this interview: • How Paul identified a completely unaddressed category and validated it with just 10,000 units and $5-a-day Facebook ads • Why Manscaped had lower revenue than Paul's other two businesses at launch—and the three signals that told him it had the highest potential • The $18,000 mistake that wiped out a third of the starting budget in one hour—and what it taught him about brand vs. performance media • Why he deliberately waited until $50–60 million in annual media spend before entering retail—and why most brands jump in too early • The brand values decision that cost them short-term revenue: why they turned down better-converting ads that used provocative imagery • How 66% of first-time buyers chose a starter kit—and the bundle-testing framework behind it • Why he walked away from a $1 billion SPAC deal in 2021—and why that decision looks like genius three years later • The post-purchase upsell structure that turns a single transaction into a lifetime customer • Why consumer brands should never adopt the VC "raise and burn" playbook—and how Manscaped scaled to $300M while staying profitable • What Paul would do radically differently if he started today—and why AI changes the entire early-stage playbook If you're building a DTC brand, trying to figure out the right time to go into retail, or looking for the real story behind how a category-defining brand gets built from scratch on a shoestring, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about timing, positioning, and what profitable scale actually looks like. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH PAUL TRAN Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/paultran/ LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhtran/ Website → https://www.manscaped.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast⁠

Plus: nuclear power startup Newcleo plans to go public via SPAC. And Tesla's European sales surge. Imani Moise hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices