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Daily Crunch: December 1, 2021

A daily summary of TechCrunch’s most significant and impactful stories can be delivered directly to your inbox each day at 3 p.m. PST. You can subscribe to this service here.

Greetings, and a warm welcome to Daily Crunch for December 1, 2021. We have reached the last month of the year, suggesting a potential slowdown in the news cycle and a chance for respite.

However, it’s likely that the pace will remain brisk. Fortunately, there’s also some positive news: Brian Heater’s new robotics-focused newsletter will be released tomorrow.

Introducing Actuator

Actuator, as the newsletter is named, promises to deliver comprehensive coverage of the robotics industry. It is expected to be a valuable resource for those following this rapidly evolving field.

You can subscribe to Actuator here.

Postscript: Ariane Cornell from Blue Origin will be a featured speaker at TC Sessions: Space 2021!

This event will provide insights into the latest developments in space exploration and technology.

TechCrunch's Top 3 Updates

Here's a rundown of the most significant stories currently covered by TechCrunch, focusing on developments in China, legal settlements, and security concerns.

Potential Ban on Chinese IPOs Abroad

Reports suggest a potential shift in Chinese policy regarding initial public offerings (IPOs). The Chinese government is considering a prohibition on domestic tech companies listing on foreign stock exchanges.

This move could significantly impact companies like Alibaba, which have previously utilized this method for raising capital. Such a restriction would likely accelerate the trend of economic and technological separation between China and global markets.

Match Group Reaches Settlement with Tinder Founders

A substantial legal dispute involving the co-founders of Tinder has been resolved. The settlement, exceeding $400 million, addresses claims of financial manipulation.

Allegations centered around IAC and Match Group allegedly undervaluing Tinder prior to its integration into the larger Match Group organization. This resolution brings closure to a protracted and high-profile legal battle.

U.S. Agencies' Use of Chinese Surveillance Equipment

A concerning investigation by TechCrunch’s Zack Whittaker has revealed a potential security vulnerability within U.S. federal agencies.

At least three U.S. federal agencies, including branches of the military, have reportedly acquired video surveillance equipment manufactured in China. This equipment is currently prohibited for use within the federal government due to security risks.

The purchase raises serious questions about supply chain security and the potential for surveillance by foreign entities. This situation demands immediate attention and a thorough review of procurement practices.

Startups and Venture Capital Updates

Prior to examining several individual startup announcements, it’s noteworthy that another company specializing in 3D printing is preparing for a public offering. This will be achieved through a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC. Essentium, headquartered in Austin, is the company in question. It’s worth remembering that Desktop Metal previously utilized a SPAC to go public.

Desktop Metal’s stock reached a peak of $34.94, but currently holds a value of $6.08 per share.

Recent Funding and Developments

• Evolution of Coaching Services: The provision of coaching to employees within corporations represents a substantial market. However, it fundamentally relies on human interaction, resulting in relatively limited profit margins. Sounding Board is transitioning from a direct coaching service to a software platform for coaching, a move that facilitated a $30 million Series B funding round. Jazz Venture Partners spearheaded this investment, a firm previously unknown to us.
• Reducing Customer Churn with Butter: Avoiding an overused analogy concerning butter and churn, it’s sufficient to state that Butter, a startup focused on customer retention, is actively working to combat churn. The company recently secured $7 million in funding to assist businesses in minimizing revenue loss due to payment-related issues.
• The Expanding Applications of AI: Artificial intelligence is proving to be remarkably versatile. Our contributor, Devin Coldewey, has highlighted the promising potential of AI in both protein generation and mathematical problem-solving. This is a key area for startups to explore.
• AI-Powered Medical Technology: Harrison.ai, based in Sydney, has successfully raised $129 million (AUD) to further its development of medical technologies leveraging artificial intelligence.
• Improving Youth Financial Literacy: A significant portion of the population struggles with financial management, often due to inadequate financial education within the U.S. educational system. Goalsetter, a financial platform designed for children, aims to address this issue by linking access to allowances with educational resources about money management.
• Republic Acquires Seedrs: Republic facilitates the trading of private-market shares in the United States. Seedrs, conversely, supports equity crowdfunding for companies based in the U.K. A $100 million agreement will result in Republic owning the European firm.
• A Credit Card for Cannabis Purchases: The legal cannabis industry in the United States faces challenges due to historical and ongoing legal restrictions. SuperNet has developed a credit card specifically designed for use at dispensaries, representing a small but positive step forward.
• Autonomous Deliveries with Nuro and 7-Eleven: Another week brings news of a limited-scale autonomous delivery service entering the market. While Slurpee deliveries may not be the primary application for this technology, the initiative is welcome as it encourages further development in the field.
• Founder Transitions and CEO Succession: The Equity team recently investigated the topic of founder roles, CEO positions, and the point at which a company may need to transition leadership.

Implementing an Effective Amplified Marketing Strategy

Each blog entry, social media update, and Instagram Story represents a chance to demonstrate to both customers and company leadership the value your organization delivers or its competitive advantage.

However, in content marketing, the caliber of your work will consistently outweigh the sheer volume produced. While search engine crawlers like Googlebot benefit from fresh links, prospective customers prioritize demonstrable expertise and valuable perspectives.

Lindsay Tjepkema, CEO of the audio and video content marketing platform Casted, emphasizes the need for marketers to adopt a revised approach. This new plan should prioritize inventive content creation over mass production, focus on the target audience rather than search engines, and establish meaningful connection as the primary objective.

Content marketing requires a shift in focus.

The Importance of Quality Over Quantity

The demand for insightful content is growing. Potential customers are seeking more than just information; they want expertise.

Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving, but the core principle remains: provide value to the user. A focus on quality content will always be rewarded.

Prioritizing Audience Connection

Building a strong connection with your audience is paramount. This involves understanding their needs and delivering content that resonates with them.

Moving beyond simply attracting traffic, marketers must cultivate relationships. This fosters loyalty and drives long-term engagement.

• Focus on providing genuine value.
• Understand your audience’s pain points.
• Create content that sparks conversation.

(TechCrunch+ is a membership program designed to support founders and startup teams in achieving their goals. Registration is available here.)

Big Tech Inc.

The highly anticipated day has arrived! Spotify Unwrapped 2021 is now live, prompting widespread sharing of musical preferences across Twitter. Further details regarding the updates can be found on TechCrunch.

Key Developments

• Facebook Addresses Child Safety Concerns Amid Encryption Delay: Facebook, operating under the Meta umbrella, intends to implement end-to-end encryption for its messaging platform in 2023. This rollout has been postponed. Proactively, the company is highlighting its efforts to safeguard children online.
• Niantic Acquires Lowkey: The gaming firm Niantic is incorporating the Lowkey team into its organization. Lowkey specializes in enabling users to record and distribute gameplay highlights, as reported by TechCrunch.
• Updates Across Social Media Platforms: TikTok has introduced new tools for creator monetization. Simultaneously, Reddit has deployed several platform enhancements. Improvements to Reddit’s web-based user experience are ongoing.

Additional news emerges from Amazon:

• Amazon Lex Enhancements: Automated transcript review is now available within Amazon Lex, streamlining the development of chatbots.
• New AWS SageMaker Capabilities: AWS has launched new features for SageMaker, designed to simplify the process of scaling machine learning applications.
• AWS DMS Fleet Advisor: A new tool, DMS Fleet Advisor, has been introduced by AWS to facilitate and optimize data migration to the Amazon cloud.

These developments showcase ongoing innovation and adjustments within the major technology companies.

TechCrunch Seeks Growth Marketing Professionals

TechCrunch is currently soliciting recommendations for accomplished growth marketers.

Specialized skills sought include proficiency in SEO, social media marketing, and content creation.

Growth Marketer Survey

Growth marketers are encouraged to share this survey with their clientele.

TechCrunch aims to gather insights into positive client experiences and the value provided by these professionals.

Insights into TechCrunch+ Coverage

Those interested in understanding how these surveys influence TechCrunch’s reporting can review an article on TechCrunch+.

The article, authored by Marjorie Radlo-Zandi, is titled “4 key strategies for succeeding at international expansion.”

It details crucial approaches for companies pursuing global growth.