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Selling an Edtech Business: The PositivePsychology.com Exit
PositivePsychology.com, a mission-driven edtech platform used by 19M+ professionals, was acquired in an 8-figure deal advised by FE International. This case study covers their growth, decision to sell, and the exit process.
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Stripe Unveils Chargeback Protection, CrowdStrike Makes its Public Debut, Google Releases New Conversion Action Functionality: Newsletter June 14, 2019
Stripe Inc. has recently launched Chargeback Protection, an insurance for chargebacks resulting from fraudulent transactions. At the end of each quarter, many credit card companies require that businesses pay a chargeback for losses from fraudulent transactions, and Chargeback Protection will seek to shield merchants from the burden of this repayment by covering the payback to credit card companies if fraudulent activity occurs. The insurance works by charging 0.4% of each transaction and means merchants will not have to submit claims against fraud or negotiate down fees. Stripe’s confidence in Radar, the infrastructure supporting the company’s ability to detect and prevent fraudulent charges, is expected to cater minimal risk of financial burden to the payments processing giant.
Google’s June Core Update and PayPal Launches Commerce Platform: Newsletter June 7, 2019
Google has released the June Broad Core Update, one of its biggest algorithm adjustments this year. Webmasters and SEO specialists have already flagged dramatic changes in rankings and organic traffic, with some site owners seeing a recovery of up to 25% from previous Google updates, while others are experiencing significant declines. Results from the first week are not always permanent, however, this time Google pre-announced the algorithm update, indicating significant changes were at hand.
[MAJOR AMAZON UPDATE] Amazon’s Shift from Small Suppliers, Google’s Mobile-First Switch, Crowdstrike Sets IPO Terms: Newsletter May 31, 2019
Amazon this week announced one of the biggest strategy shifts in the history of its independent vendor partnership program. Amazon plans to lower COGS and operational complexity by gearing its wholesale supply strategy towards partnerships larger enterprise companies like Proctor and Gamble and Sony and more direct relationships with manufacturers, versus purchasing from many smaller suppliers.
Slack Aims to Raise $196.5M, Salesforce Launches Datorama Marketplace, PlanetScale Raises $22M: Newsletter May 24, 2019
Slack Aims to Raise $196.5M, Salesforce Launches Datorama Marketplace, PlanetScale Raises $22M: Newsletter May 24, 2019
SEC Approves New Exchange, SugarCRM Acquires Salesfusion, Away Lands $1.4 billion Valuation: Newsletter May 17, 2019
The SEC has recently approved a new national securities exchange, Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE), in response to regulatory criticism from top tech figures. Dubbed the Silicon Valley Stock Exchange, the new trading platform seeks to remove the pressure surrounding the short-term profit-focused mindset of recent IPOs. The LTSE is backed by major Valley leaders like VC Marc Andreessen, and is set to commence trading in late 2019.
Uber Prices IPO at $45, Facebook Launches New Advertising Tools: Newsletter May 10, 2019
In digital marketing news this week, Facebook launched its new Automated Ads platform to help small businesses use Facebook advertising to their advantage. New tools include an ad generator to test different versions, video editing tools, appointment booking and targeting recommendations based on the company’s page. Small businesses without advertising resources are the most likely to see an increase in promotional performance.
Shopify Posts Stronger Than Expected Q1’19 Earnings
Shopify has released its Q1’19 earnings report, posting higher-than-anticipated profits driven by strong growth in subscription revenue. A number of factors, like Shopify’s increase in the total number of new merchants on the platform and several initiatives to make the merchant experience more sophisticated, contributed to the e-commerce platform giant’s strong growth in the quarter.
Facebook Q1 Earnings and FTC Fine, Q1 Economic Growth Results, Google and Verizon Partnership, Patrick McKenzie’s Successful SaaS Exits: Newsletter April 26, 2019
Facebook released its Q1’19 earnings report this week, announcing an allocation of $5 billion towards an investigative fine by the FTC into the Cambridge Analytica data breach. Of the reported $15.07 billion in Q1 revenues (up 26% year-on-year), 99% came from advertising.
Zoom IPO Opens 80% Up, Amazon Leaves Chinese Market, Tax Season and a new $710K SaaS Listing: Newsletter April 19, 2019
Zoom, the popular videoconferencing software company, listed on the NASDAQ this week at $60.76, a stock market value of $15.9 billion. Zoom is unique to several of the recent software IPO due to its profitability (2018 saw net income of $7.58 million). Taking its opening price market cap, Zoom trading at c.50 times its enterprise value, by far the highest multiple for a US software company..
