mPharma, a Ghanaian health startup, has taken a controlling stake in Uganda’s Vine Pharmacy for an undisclosed amount, marking the firm’s entry into its latest market in Africa. mPharma disclosed to TechCrunch that it has acquired a 55 percent stake previously held by the Abraaj Group, a private equity firm that collapsed after investors, including […]
Sequoia dramatically revamps its fund structure as it looks to rethink venture capital model
Sequoia Capital is debuting a big shift in strategy as they look to boost their returns amid increased competition in the market for startup financing. The storied venture capital firm announced in a blog post today that they’re breaking with tradition, abandoning the traditional fund structure and their artificial timelines for returning LP capital. The […]
Lessons from founders raising their first round in a bull market
In a bull market, it’s especially hard to understand people and their value systems. The pandemic does not help us engage, understand culture nor help build a human connection.
Mission-driven ventures are growing fast during the pandemic
You’ve heard of SPACs, meme stocks and buy now, pay later, but have you heard of the LTSE, First Women’s Bank and Upsolve?
TechCrunch+ roundup: Automattic TC-1, federal startup grants, ‘getting s*** done day’
Our latest longform look at a notable tech company examines Automattic, “the leading commercial complement to the open-source WordPress publishing platform.”
The venture bull market is great for founders, but not in the way they might expect
Venture firms have more dry powder, deal sizes are growing rapidly and valuations are soaring. But a closer look reveals that these trends apply very unequally across the funding continuum.
Seven years after raising $542M at a $2B valuation, Magic Leap raises $500M at a $2B valuation
Magic Leap has had one hell of a journey, and to their credit, it seems investors are still addicted to giving them money. The augmented reality startup announced today that they have raised $500 million at a $2 billion valuation from existing investors. The round echoes the terms of an October 2014 raise where Magic […]
TechCrunch+ roundup: VCs rate pitch decks, IPO analysis, Techstars’ expansion plans
No one’s going to tell you when your startup has reached product-market fit — there are no flashing lights, no siren, no balloons falling from the ceiling. “Especially for first-time founders, assessing product-market fit at a stage where it’s mostly anticipation can be as much art as science,” writes News Editor Darrell Etherington, who interviewed […]
The pandemic put a spotlight on the need to invest in women founders
Taking risks leads to further innovation and evolutionary strides. It’s time to take that risk on women and bet on a brighter future in VC.
Private equity is ready to take MSP consolidation to the next level
Recent sales processes have attracted as many as 30-40 private equity bidders, and these firms are looking over their shoulder, as interest in MSP acquisitions rises among other buyers.