Why startups are buying fewer startups

Plus, will Instacart’s IPO open the door for other unicorns? September 20, 2023 Hi, {NAME}. Startups are buying fewer startups these days. In fact, [Crunchbase]( data shows we’re seeing the lowest level of startup M&A deals since 2017. That’s despite some presumably great bargains to be had — after all, many venture-backed startups have seen their valuations fall dramatically in recent years. We look at [why so few startups are buying their rivals and peers]( these days. And speaking of shopping, grocery deliverer [Instacart]( made its [long-awaited Nasdaq debut]( yesterday, potentially opening the door for [a long list of other highly valued startups]( to follow. 📉 [Why startups are buying fewer startups]( This year is on pace to be one of the slowest ever for VC-backed startups buying other similarly backed startups, [Crunchbase data shows](. So far in 2023, startups have consummated just over 200 such transactions, putting this year on pace for the lowest number of deals since 2017 and just below 2018 and 2020 numbers. We look at [what’s driving the slowdown]( — and what startups would need to see to start opening their pocketbooks again. Related Crunchbase Pro list: [Startups Buying Startups]( 🛍️ [Instacart bags title of first major VC-backed IPO in 2 years]( Grocery delivery platform [Instacart]( went public on the [Nasdaq]( yesterday, less than a week after chip designer [Arm Holdings]( did the same. The offerings could prompt some of the unicorns in the [massive stable of highly valued late-stage startups]( to dust off listing plans after a nearly two-year IPO pause. Related Crunchbase Pro list: [Startup IPOs of 2023]( 💸 [Israeli cyber startup defies trends, raises $238M at huge valuation]( [Funding to Israeli startups is down](. So is [cybersecurity funding](. Startup valuations are too. No matter, says Tel Aviv-based cloud security platform [Cato Networks]( which announced Monday that it had raised a fresh $238 million round led by [Lightspeed Venture Partners]( at a valuation of more than $3 billion. ⚖️ [The pitfalls and perils of hiring finders to find funding]( Can you compensate a person who helps with a capital raise or sale of your business? The question that comes up often during negotiations has a resounding answer of maybe. [Eric R. Smith]( and [Yair Y. Even-Tal]( of Washington, D.C.-based law firm [Venable LLP]( lay out the dos and don’ts of working with a business “matchmaker.” 🧠[2 essential skills you need to stay employable in an AI era]( Already, reports estimate that thousands of jobs have been lost to AI this year, and many more are expected to be rendered obsolete as artificial intelligence continues to take hold. But the technology is also a force that can help those who know how to use it work better and more efficiently. [SnapLogic]( CEO and Chairman, and former [Informatica]( CEO [Gaurav Dhillon]( shares two essential skills knowledge workers need to survive in the AI era. Recent Investments [HiBob]( [$150M]( / [Venture Round]( HiBob is a platform that offers HR and benefits solutions including benefits administration, payroll, and employee engagement. Categories: Human Resources • Information Technology • SaaS • Software Founders: [Amit Knaani]( [Andy Bellass]( [Israel David]( [Ronni Zehavi]( Investors: [Alpha Wave Global]( (Lead), [Farallon Capital Management]( (Lead) [Dave]( [$50M]( / [Post-IPO Debt]( Dave is a neobank and fintech company that helps people avoid overdraft fees and improve their financial well-being. Categories: Banking • Financial Services • FinTech Founders: [Jason Wilk]( [John Wolanin]( [Paras Chitakar]( Investors: [Victory Park Capital]( (Lead) [E3 Lithium]( [20M CAD]( / [Post-IPO Equity]( E3 Lithium is a company that produces lithium-based products for applications in the electric industry. Categories: Battery • Chemical • Mining • Precious Metals Founders: [Chris Doornbos]( More Fundings Company Amount / Round Lead Investor [Writer]( $100M / [Series B]( [ICONIQ Growth]( [Levelpath]( $30M / [Series A]( [Redpoint]( [Plan A]( $27M / [Series A]( [Lightspeed Venture Partners]( [Jurny]( $2.5M / [Equity Crowdfunding]( - [All Recent Funding Activity]( Recent Acquisitions [Relievant Medsystems]( Pending acquisition by [Boston Scientific]( for $850M More Acquisitions Company Acquired By Amount [FormFactor-FRT Metrology]( [Camtek]( $100M [All Recent Acquisition Activity]( Upcoming Tech Events [Singapore Fintech Festival]( November 15 - 17, 2023 in Singapore World's largest FinTech Festival in Singapore, Global Investor Summit, and Innovation Lab Crawl Accelerator Deadlines Date Accelerator Location Sep 20, 2023 [CEEI Valencia]( Paterna Sep 22, 2023 [Hello Tomorrow]( Paris [More Upcoming Deadlines]( Don’t see your event? 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