The future mistrust of startups

We live in a very trusting investment world.

The business model appears to be;

  • Set up a company, with a tech-like focus
  • do amazing PR at a time when more money than sense is looking for a home (thank you loose monetary policy),
  • expand in such a way that no one is much bothered by the impossibility of profitability,
  • focus on generating market share to create a “network effect”
  • make the game last at least until you are rich.
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WeWork valuation update

Seems a lot of negative news is provoking a response

Softbank- after investing US$10.5Bn at a US$47Bn valuation in WeWork – now doesn’t want a WeWork IPO … one way not to recognise a potentially heavy investment loss is to close your eyes, ignore the evidence and pretend nothing has happened, reports the FT .  A listing would expose the horrible truth about the allegedly hip workspace landlord isn’t worth its US$47Bn value.… Read more