SpaceX Starship: Taller Than the Great Pyramid of Giza - Daily Crunch

Daily Crunch: August 6, 2021

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Greetings, and welcome to the Daily Crunch for August 6, 2021. The workweek has concluded, and it's Friday! Celebrations are in order. Those invested in stocks or cryptocurrencies are likely finishing the week positively.

Crypto and Market Performance

Cryptocurrency prices are currently experiencing an upward trend. Simultaneously, certain market indices are achieving new record highs.

New Newsletter Launch: This Week in Apps

Prior to delving into the latest news, please remember that TechCrunch is introducing a new newsletter. The inaugural edition of “This Week in Apps,” curated by Sarah Perez, will be available Saturday morning.

This newsletter serves as a comprehensive resource for all things related to applications. Ensure you register for it here to stay informed.

Today’s Headlines

Now, let’s proceed with the news updates. — Alex

TechCrunch's Leading Three Stories

Here's a rundown of the top three tech stories currently highlighted by TechCrunch.

SpaceX's Massive Rocket Assembly

Concerns about a lull in commentary surrounding billionaire-led space ventures are unfounded. SpaceX has successfully integrated its Starship spacecraft with the Super Heavy booster.

This pairing represents the first instance of the complete Starship and Super Heavy system being assembled. The resulting rocket stands at an impressive 400 feet tall and possesses substantial power.

Insurtech Startup Valuations Under Scrutiny

Recent weeks have seen a reevaluation of insurtech startup valuations, prompting questions about market stability.

Following the public listing of Hippo, TechCrunch analyzed the situation and concluded that many publicly traded insurtech companies possess sufficient cash reserves to withstand the current valuation declines.

However, the extent of these declines remains a point of discussion.

Preview of Samsung's Upcoming Unpacked Event

Samsung’s next hardware event, scheduled for August 11th, is anticipated to be a significant showcase of new products.

Expectations include the unveiling of a new Galaxy Fold smartphone, updated smartwatches, and wearable technology developed in collaboration with Google.

TechCrunch will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, so stay tuned for the latest updates.

Startups and Venture Capital Updates

A noteworthy shift is occurring within the startup landscape, with DesignOps emerging as a parallel to the established DevOps methodology. This observation stems from zeroheight’s recent $10 million Series A funding round.

According to CEO Jerome de Lafargue, zeroheight functions as a central repository for UX components, mirroring the role of platforms like GitHub in code development and deployment.

Expanding Startup Infrastructure in Africa

500 Startups has invested in Raise, a company aiming to replicate the functionality of Carta within the African startup ecosystem.

Carta is a crucial tool for U.S. startups, ensuring accurate cap table and share management. As the African startup scene matures, a similar solution is becoming increasingly necessary.

Currently, a significant portion of startup equity in Africa is still managed using traditional paper-based methods, a practice Raise intends to modernize.

Streamlining Healthcare Provider Management

A $17 million funding round has been secured by an API provider focused on simplifying healthcare provider management.

While APIs for provider management aren't novel, companies like AgentSync (for insurance brokers) and Verifiable are carving out niches. This particular API aims to address inefficiencies in healthcare worker management.

Like Rapid, the core benefit lies in automating and replacing cumbersome manual processes. Software excels at relieving personnel from repetitive and unproductive tasks.

Card Issuing APIs Gain Traction in Africa

Union54, the first Zambian company accepted into Y Combinator, is pioneering card-issuing APIs in Africa.

Initially launched in 2015 as Zazu, a neobank, the company pivoted to address the challenges associated with card issuance, ultimately rebranding in the process.

Given the substantial market for card issuing in regions like the U.S. and Latin America, its performance within the African startup environment will be closely watched.

Utrecht: A Rising European Startup Hub

Concluding today’s startup coverage, TechCrunch provides an in-depth exploration of Utrecht, Netherlands, a city rapidly gaining recognition as a thriving startup hub.

Utrecht consistently presents itself as a visually appealing location in photographs, and its growing startup scene is attracting increasing attention.

Focus Your Pitch Deck on a Single, Compelling Investor Hook

Numerous articles offer guidance to founders developing their pitch decks. This process represents a crucial stage in the lifecycle of any startup, and diverse strategies can be employed.

Recently, Michelle Davey, representing telehealth staffing and services provider Wheel, and Jordan Nof from Tusk Venture Partners, participated in an Extra Crunch Live session to dissect Wheel’s Series A pitch.

Nof emphasized that entrepreneurs should openly communicate to prospective investors the core belief required for them to support the startup.

He explained that this approach “removes a significant amount of speculation for the investor and refocuses their attention on the central problem being addressed.”

According to Nof, the initial presentation provides a unique opportunity to shape the investor’s perspective regarding the necessary assumptions for investment. Failing to do so, he warned, could lead to a misdirected evaluation.

It’s vital to clearly articulate the foundational belief that must be accepted for investment to occur.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to empower founders and startup teams. Registration is available here.)

Big Tech Inc.

Recent developments highlight the ongoing activities and challenges within major technology companies.

Amazon's Legal Victory in India

Amazon secured a favorable outcome in the Indian Supreme Court regarding the proposed sale of Future Group. The court affirmed the validity of a Singaporean ruling that previously blocked the transaction with Reliance Retail, a dominant force in the Indian retail sector.

While it may appear paradoxical for a U.S. technology company to oppose market consolidation, it’s crucial to recognize that corporations generally operate without moral considerations.

Velodyne Faces Costs Related to Internal Issues

Velodyne, a lidar technology company that became publicly traded through a SPAC merger, is incurring expenses related to internal conflicts and the separation of certain executives.

Further details regarding the company’s recent financial performance and these associated costs can be found in a report by TechCrunch.

These events demonstrate the complex legal and operational landscapes that large technology firms navigate.

TechCrunch Experts: Growth Marketing

Startup founders are being contacted to share their preferred sources for current growth marketing strategies.

Participation in the survey can be completed through this link.

A sample testimonial from those surveyed is presented below.

Expert Spotlight

Marketer: Tate Lowry, Ranq

Recommended by: Anonymous

Testimonial: Mr. Lowry came to our attention following the sale of the e-commerce platform, Here Pup, by his co-owner.

He and Perrin demonstrated a clear understanding of the requirements for achievable growth for our website.

They provided a pragmatic assessment of potential outcomes, avoiding exaggerated claims.

Furthermore, their billing practices were transparent and fair.

Agencies exhibiting such honesty and a commitment to outlining their assistance are rare.