#early investor
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Text
How an Early PEPE Investor Turned $3,000 into $30 Million
In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrencies, tales of overnight fortunes are not uncommon. One such extraordinary story revolves around an early investor in PEPE, a digital asset that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Back in April 2023, an investor made a modest investment of approximately $3,000 in PEPE tokens. Little did they know that this initial bet would soon turn into aâŚ
View On WordPress
#crypto market#cryptocurrency#digital asset#early investor#investment#overnight fortune#PEPE#success story#volatility#wealth generation#windfall
0 notes
Text
Here is a rare, time-barred opportunity to turn your $50 into a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of redeemable products and services.
https://social.digitalshoppingmall.net/content/perma?id=8913&cd1=4&cd2=4
#Digital Shopping Mall#DSM#Digital Shopping Point#DSP#Ground Floor Opportunity#Pre-launch opportunity#early investor#early buyers#early investment#early birds#crypto investment#cryptocurrency#rare opportunity#DSM Early Founding Members#DSM EFMs#Wealth#wealth hacks#money#innovation#new economic order#digital voucher#digital revolution#crypto revolution#price revolution#moneyless revolution#moneyless economy#affiliate program#referral program#work from anywhere#passive income
0 notes
Text
A Girls Guide To Wealth | Investing for Beginners
as promised, I've just released a mini easy-to-read ebook guide for young beginner investors. ive included everything i learnt at the start of my journey, specific steps I took as well as definitions explaining what specific topics mean in simple terms.
investing is often looked over within the majority of the young gen. it can open doors to opportunities of financial independence much sooner than you'd expect and there is a possibility to even begin living off your investments when done right.
i can't stress enough how beneficial it is to learn the basics of investment. it's one of the biggest ways to earn self growing money that doesn't need attention. wallstreet isn't big for no reason. there's ton's of money to be made through stocks, real estate, interests and many more assets.
www.agirlsguidetowealth/gumroad.com
#investment#investors#making money#how to earn money#colebabey888#pink#early 2000s#fashion#it girl#pink aesthetic#branding#pink core#dream girl journey#makeup#it girl journey#og it girl#becoming the it girl#becoming that girl#that girl#dream girl#girlblogger#girlblog aesthetic#gaslight gatekeep girlblog#just a girlblog#girlblogging#this is a girlblog#girlhood#Investing made easy#Investing in simple terms#investing for beginners
228 notes
¡
View notes
Text
Star Wars: Visions volume 3 in 2025.
Returning from S1:
Kamikaze Douga (The Duel)
Kinema citrus Co. (The Village Bride)
Production I.G (The Ninth Jedi)
TRIGGER (The Twins)
New studios:
ANIMA (in co-production with Kamikaze Douga)
David Production
Polygon Pictures
Project Studio Q
WIT Studio
#star wars visions#WE ARE SOOOO BACCCCCCK#thought they'd've save it for Celebration to announce now I can pray for a preview panel if not an early screening!!#lol thanks investors#star wars
99 notes
¡
View notes
Text
{ MASTERPOST } Everything You Need to Know about Retirement and How to Retire
How to start saving for retirement
Dafuq Is a Retirement Plan and Why Do You Need One?
Procrastinating on Opening a Retirement Account? Hereâs 3 Ways Thatâll Fuck You Over.
Season 4, Episode 5: â401(k)s Arenât Offered in My Industry. How Do I Save for Retirement if My Employer Wonât Help?â
How To Save for Retirement When You Make Less Than $30,000 a Year
Workplace Benefits and Other Cool Side Effects of EmploymentÂ
Your School or Workplace Benefits Might Include Cool Free Stuff
Do NOT Make This Disastrous Beginner Mistake With Your Retirement Funds
The Financial Order of Operations: 10 Great Money Choices for Every Stage of Life
Advanced retirement moves
How to Painlessly Run the Gauntlet of a 401k Rollover
The Resignation Checklist: 25 Sneaky Ways To Bleed Your Employer Dry Before Quitting
Ask the Bitches: âCan I Quit With Unvested Funds? Or Am I Walking Away From Too Much Money?â
You Need to Talk to Your Parents About Their Retirement Plan
Season 4, Episode 8: âIâm Queer, and Want To Find an Affordable Place To Retire. How Do I Balance Safety With Cost of Living?âÂ
How Dafuq Do Couples Share Their Money?Â
Ask the Bitches: âDo Women Need Different Financial Advice Than Men?â
From HYSAs to CDs, Hereâs How to Level Up Your Financial Savings
Season 3, Episode 7: âIâm Finished With the Basic Shit. What Are the Advanced Financial Steps That Only Rich People Know?âÂ
Investing for the long term
When Money in the Bank Is a Bad Thing: Understanding Inflation and Depreciation
Investing Deathmatch: Investing in the Stock Market vs. Just⌠NotÂ
Investing Deathmatch: Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA
Investing Deathmatch: Stocks vs. BondsÂ
Wait⌠Did I Just Lose All My Money Investing in the Stock Market?Â
Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)
The FIRE Movement, ExplainedÂ
Your Girl Is Officially Retiring at 35 Years Old
The Real Story of How I Paid off My Mortgage Early in 4 YearsÂ
My First 6 Months of Early Retirement Sucked Shit: What They Donât Tell You about FIRE
Bitchtastic Book Review: Tanja Hester on Early Retirement, Privilege, and Her Book, Work Optional
Earning Her First $100K: An Interview with Tori DunlapÂ
If you found this helpful, consider joining our Patreon.
#personal finance#saving money#retirement#saving for retirement#retirement account#retirement fund#401k#FIRE movement#early retirement#financial independence#investing#stock market#investors
76 notes
¡
View notes
Text
I did post initially during the thick of scriptgate that I believed Nickâs scripts were fake, but Iâve now held the opinion for awhile that they were probably real, the Duffers are just very unserious writers
#putting stuff like DRY AS A CALIFORNIA SUMMER and so many nonvisual details in a script is not something a Real Person would do#if the duffs were writing scripts to send to an outside investor then it would probably be cleaner like the snippets they posted on twitter#however if you were writing for your own show you could probably do whatever you wanted in your scripts#esp an early draft that is not being sent to the emmys for award consideration#âi love you but you are not serious peopleâ#scriptgate#byler#<- target audience
34 notes
¡
View notes
Text
Top investors in space in India
Why Venture Capitalists Are Betting Big on Indiaâs Space Sector
A Thriving Ecosystem of Space Startups: Indiaâs space ecosystem is no longer limited to government-run entities like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Today, a surge of innovative space startups are taking the stage, offering cutting-edge solutions in satellite technology, launch services, space data analytics, and more. Companies like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Pixxel lead the charge, each carving out a unique niche. These startups are pushing the boundaries of whatâs possible, driving investor interest with the potential for high returns in a relatively untapped market.
Strong Government Support and Policy Reforms: One of the key reasons behind the surge in space venture capital in India is the proactive stance taken by the Indian government. Recent policy reforms have opened the doors for private players to participate in space activities, previously dominated by ISRO. Establishing IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) is a significant step, providing a regulatory framework that encourages private sector involvement. Such government support has given investors in space in India the confidence to back ambitious projects, knowing thereâs a clear path for private ventures.
Cost-Effective Innovation as a Competitive Edge: Indiaâs reputation for cost-effective innovation is another major attraction for investors. Launching satellites at a fraction of the cost compared to global competitors has positioned India as a hub for affordable space technology. This competitive edge not only allows Indian space startups to thrive domestically but also makes them attractive on the international stage. Investors are keen to support companies that can deliver world-class technology with lower capital outlays, reducing investment risks while promising impressive returns.
Global Interest in Indian Talent and Expertise: Indiaâs space sector is not just about affordability; itâs about world-class talent. The country boasts a deep pool of highly skilled engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs with expertise in aerospace and technology. This talent pool has been instrumental in driving innovation and attracting global attention. International investors are increasingly looking to partner with Indian space startups, recognizing the countryâs unique blend of technical prowess and entrepreneurial spirit.
A Growing Market for Space-Based Services: The market for space-based services, including satellite communications, Earth observation, and data analytics, is expanding rapidly. In India, this growth is driven by rising demand from industries such as agriculture, telecommunications, logistics, and defense. With space technology playing a crucial role in optimizing these sectors, investors see an opportunity to capitalize on the potential for domestic and international applications. Space-based services represent a lucrative market, attracting space venture capital in India to back startups that can cater to these needs.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: Indian space startups are not working in isolation; they are forming strategic partnerships with global companies and space agencies. Collaborations with NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and private companies have opened up new opportunities for technology sharing, funding, and market access. These partnerships have also strengthened investor confidence, as they reduce risks and validate the technology being developed by Indian companies. For investors in space in India, such collaborations signal a promising future, driving more venture capital into the sector.
A New Era of Commercial Space Exploration: The idea of commercial space exploration, once confined to science fiction, is now becoming a reality. From reusable rockets to satellite constellations, Indian space startups are exploring new frontiers that were once considered out of reach. This new era of commercial space exploration has piqued the interest of venture capitalists who see the potential for profitable exits through IPOs, acquisitions, and global partnerships. With private space missions no longer just a dream, space venture capital in India is ready to fuel the next big leap.
Encouraging Signs from Successful Fundraising Rounds: The confidence in Indiaâs space sector is evident from the successful fundraising rounds by leading space startups. Companies like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos have secured millions in funding from top-tier venture capital firms. These funding rounds not only provide the necessary resources for scaling but also act as a signal to other investors that the Indian space market is mature and ready for high-stakes investment. The momentum created by these early successes is a clear indicator of why investors in space in India are increasingly willing to place their bets.
Conclusion: A Promising Orbit for Investment Indiaâs space sector is on an exciting trajectory. With a favorable policy environment, a surge of innovative startups, and a proven track record of cost-effective solutions, itâs no wonder that space venture capital in India is booming. As the country continues to explore new frontiers and expand its role in global space exploration, venture capitalists are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future. For those looking to invest in the final frontier, Indiaâs space industry presents a unique opportunity to be part of a revolution thatâs only just beginning.
#305, 3rd Floor, 5 Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560001, India
5 Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar 4, 3rd Floor, New Delhi-110024
#Keywords#best venture capital firm in india#venture capital firms in india#popular venture capital firms#venture capital firm#seed investors in bangalore#deep tech investors india#startup seed funding india#funding for startups in india#early stage venture capital firms#invest in startups bangalore#funders in bangalore#startup investment fund#fintech funding#india alternatives investment advisors#best venture capital firms in india#business investors in kerala#venture capital company#semiconductor startups#semiconductor venture capital#investors in semiconductors#startup seed funding in India#deep tech venture capital#deeptech startups in india#semiconductor companies in india#saas angel investors#saas venture capital firms#saas venture capital#b2b venture capital#space venture capital in india
2 notes
¡
View notes
Text
Happy Fucking Joe Day!!!
You wanna know what my crazy ass did last night? I scrolled Joeâs whole LiveJournal and made a playlist of every song he put as his current music. Granted, itâs not a carbon copy. I couldnât put any repeats, and I couldnât get some of the covers, and some tracks just werenât there, and itâs not in perfect order, BUT I did it. What can I say? The man has impeccable taste.
Spotify:
YouTube:
#he was an early investor and appreciator of the Black Eyed Peas and I really hope he has recovered#didnât include any songs from the tangent about R Kelly songs and how panty-dropping they are because they werenât on âcurrent musicâ#and also because no#samoa joe
7 notes
¡
View notes
Note
I believe the workers who say Kurvitz was difficult to work with, especially Argo since heâs known the guy for a long time but now I have to wonder if those people now regret speaking in it.
Do I think they regret what they said? I can't say for sure because a) I cannot claim to know, let alone guess, exactly how they feel about this mess since I am not them, and b) unless someone decides to come forward about it we likely will never know.
But what I can talk about is what we do know for certain.
I've spoken on this before in a post I made about the misgivings I had with Chris Bratt's take on the ZA/UMa (ZA/UM drama) where I expressed that I felt like the video overexaggerated some of Kurvitz's behaviors and actions to make him appear like some kind of villain when we know he was slowly being frenzied by the investors for months on end. Now despite that, it still does not excuse the fact that Argo Tuulik, Kaspar Tamsalu, and Petteri Sulonen were hurt by him regardless of the circumstance (which they will resolve with him on their own time if they so choose). But as youâd also know, Tuulik has stated in his interview that even though he has his personal gripes with the man, he still greatly admires and respects Kurvitz which is a sentiment Kurvitz has echoed about all his former colleagues in an interview with Jacobin.
I can 100% understand where Tuulik is coming from in his statements about Kurvitz. It's always going to be a difficult adjustment when the person who you've been friends with for years becomes your boss because it suddenly creates a power dynamic that didn't exist before. At least in Kurvitz's case, who obviously didn't have any experience in leadership positions, it's no surprise he became such a shitty boss towards his friends and coworkers since the man clearly had no clue how to properly lead a team, was demanding perfection from everyone, on top of his stress levels being exacerbated from constant conflict with the meddling investors.
Now, if I were to speculate on this issue knowing all this, I'd say at the very least Tuulik probably feels like he's in the same boat as Kurvitz given the similarities of how they were dismissed from the studio. Whatever comes of this, whether it'd be reconciliation between the two or officially parting ways for good, is up to him. Honestly, I just hope he isnât feeling guilty for bringing up both the good and bad about working with Robert Kurvitz in his interview. It was very brave of him to do as well as provided us outsiders with a window into the dynamic he had with Kurvitz. He couldnât have possibly known the investors would one day retaliate against him and anyone else who voiced their dissent against their authoritarian rule of the studio. His only mistake was blindly trusting the people who spent years systematically othering Kurvitz and co in order to split the group apart so that they could be further manipulated by them.
#disco elysium#studio za/um#za/um#argo tuulik#robert kurvitz#people make games#even martin luiga who left the project early on made a statement about him long before the investors released their own version of events#he admits that yes kurvitz can be difficult to work with given his perfectionism#but still loves and respects him and will always be his friend despite their history of constantly butting heads#ofc that same sentiment was then echoed by tuulik a year later in his pmg interview#from that alone it's clear a pattern exists for those who have worked with kurvitz before#turns out he doesn't sound as bad as the investors or Bratt made him out to be#it's just that the investors went out of their way to imply kurvitz was somehow above everyone else's labor to feed the growing resentment#and it worked#mp
12 notes
¡
View notes
Text
Heartstopper is bringing up traumatic sophomore year memories of dating a blonde golden retriever boy who was a grade above me and also we did in fact compare ourselves to Nick and CharlieâŚ
11 notes
¡
View notes
Text
Ah, the days when people paid for internet access? (Well, âpaidâ in many cases with howevermany DVDs of complimentary AOL hours.) The days when people mostly used sites that were written by people who either knew what they were doing or outsourced to those who did? I remember the days when it was considered poor form to embed someone elseâs image on your page, not because of credit concerns, but because it meant they had to deal with an unexpected source of traffic.
I hate the ad-based internet, donât get me wrong. But servers do cost time and resources to maintain, especially with the data-gobbling programs running on sites today, so if we want to break the ads, there needs to be another support model.
The internet was never free. It was just funded by different means.
love when ppl defend the aggressive monetization of the internet with "what, do you just expect it to be free and them not make a profit???" like. yeah that would be really nice actually i would love that:)! thanks for asking
#yeah op tags the early www was funded largely by speculators#which isnât a long-term maintenance model#i will grant that itâs my right to stop using adware sites#but then i have to stop using the sites#there is a good argument for the govât supporting my access to public resources online#thereâs not a great argument for govât subsidized tumblr#so if i want the niche social media and gaming sites there needs to be a funding model#the previous model of âpromise investors it HAS to make money if itâs popularâ#is too close to dead#the cloud doesnât consist of magical infinite resources#it consists of networked computers that need physical and software maintenance and coolers and heaters and electricity#nothing virtual exists without a physical reality somewhere#build as many layers of abstraction and connection as you like#it will still collapse without the support of physical reality underneath
55K notes
¡
View notes
Text
Angel Investment In India: A Necessity for Startups
Running a startup is like a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs. Angel investors act as your safety harness, providing the capital and mentorship needed to secure your startup's future. In India, angel investors play a crucial role by offering early-stage funding, market credibility, and valuable networking opportunities. To attract angel investment, startups need a strong business model, an effective pitch deck, and connections within the angel investor network. Attend events like the Global Startup Summit by 21BY72 to meet potential investors and grow your business.
#angel investment in India#Angel Investor for startups#angel investor network in India#Angel investors for startups in India#early-stage startups in India#How to get angel investors in India
0 notes
Text
How Unicornivc Identifies and Supports Promising Small Businesses
Early-stage investment serves as a vital lifeline for small businesses, often determining their ability to scale, innovate, and compete in the marketplace. A notable player in this arena is UnicornIVC, a venture capital firm focused on identifying and nurturing startups with significant growth potential.
What is UnicornIVC?
UnicornIVC is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage funding for startups. The firm's mission is to identify and support companies with the potential to become "unicorns"âprivately held startups valued at over $1 billion. By concentrating on the initial phases of a company's development, UnicornIVC aims to assist businesses through crucial growth stages, enabling them to reach the scale required for long-term success.
How Does UnicornIVC Operate?
Identifying Potential: Unicorn india venture capital actively scouts for startups that demonstrate innovation, strong market potential, and a capable founding team. The firm leverages data-driven analysis and industry expertise to pinpoint companies with a high likelihood of long-term success.
Early-Stage Funding: Upon identifying a promising startup, UnicornIVC provides essential capital to fuel its growth. This funding is typically directed towards product development, market expansion, and talent acquisition.
Strategic Support: Beyond capital, UnicornIVC offers strategic support to its portfolio companies, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to industry experts. This guidance helps startups navigate the complexities of scaling their operations.
Building a Growth Path: UnicornIVC collaborates closely with the management teams of its portfolio companies to establish a clear growth trajectory. This involves setting milestones, refining business models, and preparing for future funding rounds.
Exit Strategy: UnicornIVCâs ultimate goal is a successful exit, usually through acquisition or an IPO. By helping startups reach a level of maturity and market presence, UnicornIVC aims to secure significant returns for both the company and its investors.
The Impact of UnicornIVC on Small Businesses
UnicornIVC plays a critical role in the success of small businesses by providing the necessary resources and support to help them thrive in competitive markets. Their early-stage investments often act as a catalyst for growth, allowing startups to scale more quickly than traditional funding sources would permit. For small businesses, partnering with UnicornIVC can unlock their full potential, leading to lasting success.
Understanding how early-stage investors like UnicornIVC operate can help small business owners navigate the complexities of raising capital and growing their ventures.
Contact Details Of Unicornivc
Contact Us Page:Â https://www.unicornivc.com/contact.php
#Unicorn#Unicorn India Venture Capital#Unicorn India#Early Stage inverstors#investors for small businesses#early stage investors in small businesses
0 notes
Text
Arguing for worse craftsmanship is not how you get better labor conditions. Devaluing the work they do is not how you support artists.
Like all laborers, game devs need unions and workplace protection laws passed and enforced. No amount of lower-quality graphics will help a single worker not be taken advantage of.
It may come as a shock to you, but terrible crap is put out all the time by people who are still horribly overworked and mistreated. Getting rid of high-fidelity graphics doesn't reduce overwork. Changing laws and corporate culture and mostly unionizing DOES.
when i say 'i want worse graphics', some ppl assume i mean 'i want stylyzed instead of realistic' then get mad at me for saying it wrong (???) so let me be clear:
i want worse graphics. i want the models topology to be a bit off, i want the rigging to have a few verts mis-weighted, i want the final model to not be accurate to the concept art cuz it would have been too labor intensive to make the scarf that long. i want the shading to do the thing where a real time character shadow is casting on top of another baked in shadow. i want whatever eases the devs workload and prevents crunch so they can go home to their loved ones and actually enjoy their life outside of work
and im not kidding
#I just don't understand how telling people that their work isn't important is somehow standing up for them#I deeply value game quality in all areas#and also always support workers and needing more time to make the products that they put out#game devs are taken advantage of same as book writers and artists#because there is an idea that they are replaceable and 'lucky' to be working#which is why they need unions#video games#the idea that somehow 4K ultra realism graphics are the enemy is so laughable to me#it's about the budgeting and hiring and scheduling of game releases#and you can rush any game without enough time to make it#usually because it's announced far too early to get buzz and investors and stock prices up#and then demand for its release gets too high and suddenly there's a deadline that can't be met#plus the industry has created a problem of demanding better graphics#by putting out cgi trailers too good to recreate in a game#and then not living up to them#so they are constantly chasing what they promised#but they can't make it#so they need to stop promising fake levels of photoreality
39K notes
¡
View notes
Text
Top saas venture capital firms in India 2024
SEAFUND, one of the prominent SaaS venture capital firms in India, has strategically invested in Finsall, a cutting-edge SaaS startup transforming insurance premium financing.
This innovative platform bridges the gap between insurers and customers through seamless technology solutions, making premium financing more accessible and efficient. With SEAFUNDâs support, Finsall is set to expand its footprint and enhance its offerings in the financial technology sector.
As a leader in SaaS venture capital, SEAFUND focuses on fostering startups that bring groundbreaking ideas to market.
Their commitment to innovation solidifies their position among the top SaaS venture capital firms in India, enabling transformative growth in the startup ecosystem.
Learn more about this exciting collaboration of SEAFUNDâs investment on FINSAL.
#Keywords#early stage venture capital firms#invest in startups bangalore#funders in bangalore#startup investment fund#popular venture capital firms#startup seed funding india#seed investors in bangalore#deep tech investors india#venture capital firms in india#best venture capital firms in india#seed investors in delhi#semiconductor startups#semiconductor venture capital#saas venture capital#b2b venture capital#saas angel investors#saas venture capital firms#deep tech venture capital#deeptech startups in india#semiconductor companies in india#investors in semiconductors#space venture capital in india#space startups#investors in space in India#best venture capital firm in india#venture capital firm#funding for startups in india#fintech funding#india alternatives investment advisors
0 notes
Text
If anyone wants to know why every tech company in the world right now is clamoring for AI like drowned rats scrabbling to board a ship, I decided to make a post to explain what's happening.
(Disclaimer to start: I'm a software engineer who's been employed full time since 2018. I am not a historian nor an overconfident Youtube essayist, so this post is my working knowledge of what I see around me and the logical bridges between pieces.)
Okay anyway. The explanation starts further back than what's going on now. I'm gonna start with the year 2000. The Dot Com Bubble just spectacularly burst. The model of "we get the users first, we learn how to profit off them later" went out in a no-money-having bang (remember this, it will be relevant later). A lot of money was lost. A lot of people ended up out of a job. A lot of startup companies went under. Investors left with a sour taste in their mouth and, in general, investment in the internet stayed pretty cooled for that decade. This was, in my opinion, very good for the internet as it was an era not suffocating under the grip of mega-corporation oligarchs and was, instead, filled with Club Penguin and I Can Haz Cheezburger websites.
Then around the 2010-2012 years, a few things happened. Interest rates got low, and then lower. Facebook got huge. The iPhone took off. And suddenly there was a huge new potential market of internet users and phone-havers, and the cheap money was available to start backing new tech startup companies trying to hop on this opportunity. Companies like Uber, Netflix, and Amazon either started in this time, or hit their ramp-up in these years by shifting focus to the internet and apps.
Now, every start-up tech company dreaming of being the next big thing has one thing in common: they need to start off by getting themselves massively in debt. Because before you can turn a profit you need to first spend money on employees and spend money on equipment and spend money on data centers and spend money on advertising and spend money on scale and and and
But also, everyone wants to be on the ship for The Next Big Thing that takes off to the moon.
So there is a mutual interest between new tech companies, and venture capitalists who are willing to invest $$$ into said new tech companies. Because if the venture capitalists can identify a prize pig and get in early, that money could come back to them 100-fold or 1,000-fold. In fact it hardly matters if they invest in 10 or 20 total bust projects along the way to find that unicorn.
But also, becoming profitable takes time. And that might mean being in debt for a long long time before that rocket ship takes off to make everyone onboard a gazzilionaire.
But luckily, for tech startup bros and venture capitalists, being in debt in the 2010's was cheap, and it only got cheaper between 2010 and 2020. If people could secure loans for ~3% or 4% annual interest, well then a $100,000 loan only really costs $3,000 of interest a year to keep afloat. And if inflation is higher than that or at least similar, you're still beating the system.
So from 2010 through early 2022, times were good for tech companies. Startups could take off with massive growth, showing massive potential for something, and venture capitalists would throw infinite money at them in the hopes of pegging just one winner who will take off. And supporting the struggling investments or the long-haulers remained pretty cheap to keep funding.
You hear constantly about "Such and such app has 10-bazillion users gained over the last 10 years and has never once been profitable", yet the thing keeps chugging along because the investors backing it aren't stressed about the immediate future, and are still banking on that "eventually" when it learns how to really monetize its users and turn that profit.
The pandemic in 2020 took a magnifying-glass-in-the-sun effect to this, as EVERYTHING was forcibly turned online which pumped a ton of money and workers into tech investment. Simultaneously, money got really REALLY cheap, bottoming out with historic lows for interest rates.
Then the tide changed with the massive inflation that struck late 2021. Because this all-gas no-brakes state of things was also contributing to off-the-rails inflation (along with your standard-fare greedflation and price gouging, given the extremely convenient excuses of pandemic hardships and supply chain issues). The federal reserve whipped out interest rate hikes to try to curb this huge inflation, which is like a fire extinguisher dousing and suffocating your really-cool, actively-on-fire party where everyone else is burning but you're in the pool. And then they did this more, and then more. And the financial climate followed suit. And suddenly money was not cheap anymore, and new loans became expensive, because loans that used to compound at 2% a year are now compounding at 7 or 8% which, in the language of compounding, is a HUGE difference. A $100,000 loan at a 2% interest rate, if not repaid a single cent in 10 years, accrues to $121,899. A $100,000 loan at an 8% interest rate, if not repaid a single cent in 10 years, more than doubles to $215,892.
Now it is scary and risky to throw money at "could eventually be profitable" tech companies. Now investors are watching companies burn through their current funding and, when the companies come back asking for more, investors are tightening their coin purses instead. The bill is coming due. The free money is drying up and companies are under compounding pressure to produce a profit for their waiting investors who are now done waiting.
You get enshittification. You get quality going down and price going up. You get "now that you're a captive audience here, we're forcing ads or we're forcing subscriptions on you." Don't get me wrong, the plan was ALWAYS to monetize the users. It's just that it's come earlier than expected, with way more feet-to-the-fire than these companies were expecting. ESPECIALLY with Wall Street as the other factor in funding (public) companies, where Wall Street exhibits roughly the same temperament as a baby screaming crying upset that it's soiled its own diaper (maybe that's too mean a comparison to babies), and now companies are being put through the wringer for anything LESS than infinite growth that Wall Street demands of them.
Internal to the tech industry, you get MASSIVE wide-spread layoffs. You get an industry that used to be easy to land multiple job offers shriveling up and leaving recent graduates in a desperately awful situation where no company is hiring and the market is flooded with laid-off workers trying to get back on their feet.
Because those coin-purse-clutching investors DO love virtue-signaling efforts from companies that say "See! We're not being frivolous with your money! We only spend on the essentials." And this is true even for MASSIVE, PROFITABLE companies, because those companies' value is based on the Rich Person Feeling Graph (their stock) rather than the literal profit money. A company making a genuine gazillion dollars a year still tears through layoffs and freezes hiring and removes the free batteries from the printer room (totally not speaking from experience, surely) because the investors LOVE when you cut costs and take away employee perks. The "beer on tap, ping pong table in the common area" era of tech is drying up. And we're still unionless.
Never mind that last part.
And then in early 2023, AI (more specifically, Chat-GPT which is OpenAI's Large Language Model creation) tears its way into the tech scene with a meteor's amount of momentum. Here's Microsoft's prize pig, which it invested heavily in and is galivanting around the pig-show with, to the desperate jealousy and rapture of every other tech company and investor wishing it had that pig. And for the first time since the interest rate hikes, investors have dollar signs in their eyes, both venture capital and Wall Street alike. They're willing to restart the hose of money (even with the new risk) because this feels big enough for them to take the risk.
Now all these companies, who were in varying stages of sweating as their bill came due, or wringing their hands as their stock prices tanked, see a single glorious gold-plated rocket up out of here, the likes of which haven't been seen since the free money days. It's their ticket to buy time, and buy investors, and say "see THIS is what will wring money forth, finally, we promise, just let us show you."
To be clear, AI is NOT profitable yet. It's a money-sink. Perhaps a money-black-hole. But everyone in the space is so wowed by it that there is a wide-spread and powerful conviction that it will become profitable and earn its keep. (Let's be real, half of that profit "potential" is the promise of automating away jobs of pesky employees who peskily cost money.) It's a tech-space industrial revolution that will automate away skilled jobs, and getting in on the ground floor is the absolute best thing you can do to get your pie slice's worth.
It's the thing that will win investors back. It's the thing that will get the investment money coming in again (or, get it second-hand if the company can be the PROVIDER of something needed for AI, which other companies with venture-back will pay handsomely for). It's the thing companies are terrified of missing out on, lest it leave them utterly irrelevant in a future where not having AI-integration is like not having a mobile phone app for your company or not having a website.
So I guess to reiterate on my earlier point:
Drowned rats. Swimming to the one ship in sight.
35K notes
¡
View notes