The comparison of WeWork to AWS shouldn’t be taken too far, because software is different. Look no further than Cloudflare’s IPO. Plus, leadership matters.
The WeWork IPO
The WeWork IPO is defined by audaciousness and excess, all of which is driven by unlimited access to capital.
Uber’s Rocky IPO, What Went Wrong, The Perils of Private
What went wrong with Uber’s IPO, and why the trend to stay private longer is problematic for everyone involved.
Microsoft, Slack, Zoom, and the SaaS Opportunity
The Zoom and Slack IPOs show what Microsoft is missing in its growth story: a way to acquire new customers.
Uber Questions
Uber’s S-1 raises more questions than it answers
Pinterest S-1, Zoom S-1, The Enterprise-Consumer Flip-Flop
Pinterest’s S-1 shows why too much funding can be bad for startups, while Zoom’s S-1 shows the benefits the come from being great. That, by extension, is a result of the enterprise and consumer markets flip-flopping.
Lyft’s S-1, Demand > Supply, Lyft Concerns
Lyft’s S-1 is out, confirming some suspicions about the ride-sharing market, and raising questions about others. The big question: can Lyft get leverage on its costs, or is Uber better placed?
Sonos’ IPO, The De-Integration of Sonos, Spotify Earnings
Sonos will begin trading today, but it faces a tough road without meaningful integration. Spotify faces a difficult road too: it is interesting to think about what they would look like together (even though it won’t happen).
Xiaomi IPOs, Samsung’s Profit Slips, The Smiling Curve
Xiaomi’s IPO shows a company that has come full circle but still has a long ways to go. Then, Samsung remains reliant on components for profit, and both companies show that the Smiling Curve applies to smartphones more than ever.
SendGrid IPOs, The Nintendo Marios
SendGrid’s IPO exemplifies a company that works: a SaaS offering that enables, and grows alongside, its customer. Then, the differing results for Super Mario Run and Super Mario Galaxy show the value in maximizing revenue amongst core customers.