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The untold story behind the billion dollar exit surge
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Billion-dollar exits increase in 2023, with 11 U.S. venture-backed startups going public or being acquired at valuations over $1 billion, more than double the number from last year. Google plans to acquire cybersecurity company Wiz for $32 billion, potentially the largest acquisition of a venture-backed startup. This month sees momentum in exits, including SoftBank's $6.2 billion purchase of Ampere Computing, totaling over $60 billion in eight billion-dollar exits. In the past year, 37 startups experienced similar exits, nearly double the previous period. Most exits this year are acquisitions, with Metsera’s IPO as an exception, valued at around $3 billion. Several acquired firms sold at lower valuations than previous peaks, such as Next Insurance, Niantic, and Divvy Homes. Additional billion-dollar exits are likely as companies prepare for upcoming IPOs, including CoreWeave, targeting a $32 billion valuation, and Hinge Health, valued at $6.2 billion in 2021. The current startup exit landscape shows increased activity and may indicate a shift in the market dynamics.
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Massive funding rounds that shook the startup landscape this week
05:12|Seven startups raised over $100 million in funding during the week of March 28, 2025. Fleetio, a fleet management software provider, secured $450 million, valuing it at over $1.5 billion. Mercury, a fintech company, raised $300 million, increasing its valuation to $3.5 billion. Island raised $250 million for its enterprise browser, reaching a valuation of $4.8 billion. Aura, focused on consumer cybersecurity tools, secured $140 million, valuing it at $1.6 billion. Supira Medical raised $120 million for medical devices, while Nexthop AI secured $110 million for AI infrastructure solutions. Additionally, the electric mobility company Also raised $105 million, Heartflow raised approximately $98 million for coronary care technology, Character Biosciences obtained $93 million for drug development, and Omaha Productions secured $80 million for media production. The largest round this week came from the U.K.-based Level, which raised nearly $136 million for financial services.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Is the auto union leader's surprising shift a game changer for labor politics?
02:20|President Trump announced new tariffs on auto imports, aiming to reshape labor politics and influence voter loyalty ahead of future elections. The proposed 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and additional tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico, and China have received mixed reactions. A prominent auto worker union leader, previously critical of Trump, shifted support based on these tariffs, while some Democrats in auto-producing states view the tariffs as beneficial for U.S. jobs. Conversely, other Democrats warn of potential inflation and increased consumer costs. Union leaders, including United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, express concerns about union rights, Social Security, healthcare, and job dignity, while remaining politically independent. Many Republicans favor the tariffs, leading to divisions within the political landscape regarding their long-term implications. Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Could a TikTok deal really change trade tariffs with China
02:03|President Trump proposed tariff reductions on Chinese goods in exchange for cooperation on a deal regarding TikTok, as the April deadline approaches. He suggested that the current 20% tariff could lower if it aids in resolving the TikTok sale. TikTok must find a new owner or face a potential ban; the deadline was initially set for January but extended to April 5. Various parties, including Kevin O'Leary and Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok, with an offer of $20 billion. Analysts estimate TikTok's value at over $100 billion due to its large user base of 170 million in the U.S. A ban on TikTok could impact U.S. small businesses and creators, leading to potential revenue losses exceeding $1 billion within a month. Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Is the US economy on the verge of a new challenge?
01:02|The U.S. economy showed a growth rate of 2.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by increased consumer spending. The Commerce Department revised its previous growth estimate for this quarter. For context, the economy grew at 3.1% in the third quarter of 2024. The overall growth for the entire year of 2024 reached 2.8%, reaffirming the U.S. as the largest economy globally.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Are you ready for the new rules about student loan repayment plans?
02:30|The U.S. Education Department reopened applications for income-driven repayment plans for student loan borrowers after a court ruling previously halted them. The ruling blocked the Biden administration’s Savings on a Valuable Education Plan, complicating renewals for borrowers. The American Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit to expedite processing. These delays impacted the relief available to borrowers, particularly those in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The Student Borrower Protection Center noted that unprocessed applications hinder support. While online applications were unavailable, the department continued processing paper applications. Income-driven repayment plans adjust monthly payments based on income and family size, requiring periodic eligibility verification. Advocates recommend borrowers prepare for potential delays and select appropriate repayment plans. The Federal Student Aid office faced staffing reductions, raising concerns about support levels, though the administration claims service delivery remains unaffected.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/Warren Buffett's big win could change everything for March Madness fans
01:20|Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway announced the winner of their March Madness bracket contest after over a decade. This individual predicted the outcomes of all 63 NCAA tournament games, a first in the contest's history. The contest highlights the blend of sports and financial incentives, attracting numerous participants each year. The $1 million prize generates excitement for basketball fans and fosters community spirit during the tournament.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/What prompted Dollar Tree to sell Family Dollar for over a billion dollars
01:50|Dollar Tree sold its Family Dollar chain to Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management for over $1 billion, marking a shift to private ownership. The sale is set to close in the upcoming quarter, separating Family Dollar from the public Dollar Tree company. Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar for $8.81 billion a decade ago but encountered challenges in integrating the two businesses. Analysts point out that Dollar Tree and Family Dollar serve different markets: Dollar Tree operates mainly in suburban areas while Family Dollar focuses on urban regions. Family Dollar faced issues including inflation and theft, struggling to compete with larger retailers like Walmart and Amazon. In light of financial difficulties, Dollar Tree planned to close around 1,000 underperforming Family Dollar stores. The previous year brought significant financial losses and a fine from the U.S. Justice Department for food safety violations.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/China responds to US export controls with heated objections
02:11|The U.S. has added over 50 Chinese companies to its export control list due to military concerns, targeting firms involved in supercomputing, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. In total, around 80 companies from various countries, including Taiwan, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa, and the UAE, are affected. The Inspur Group and the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence are among those listed, with the latter expressing strong opposition. China's Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. action, claiming it violates international law and seeks to suppress Chinese enterprises. The U.S. aims to restrict China's access to advanced supercomputers and military technologies. The new measures coincide with increased tariffs on Chinese imports, which currently stand at 20%, with an additional 25% tariff on nations importing oil or gas from Venezuela. In retaliation, China has implemented new tariffs on American goods and initiated investigations into companies like Google.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/What is the untold story behind Craigslist's billion dollar journey
01:42|Craigslist, known for its influence in online classifieds, celebrates its 30th anniversary. Founder Craig Newmark moved to San Francisco in 1993 and utilized the Internet to connect with the community. In 1995, he began emailing updates about local events to a small group, which grew rapidly by word of mouth. This evolution led to the establishment of Craigslist, which maintains a minimalistic design. Craigslist does not disclose its revenue, but it receives approximately 20 billion pageviews monthly, has an estimated value of $3 billion, and generates around $694 million in annual revenue. Newmark noted that he does not identify as a billionaire and points to his charitable contributions. Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/