CB Insights - yikes again: millennials

Hi there,

Here is this week in charts.

Robots work hard for the money. Workplace robot orders in North America jumped in 2021. As manufacturers continue to be squeezed by labor and skill shortages, the pace has picked up even more: US orders surged a record 40% YoY in Q1'22. While the US has historically lagged countries like Japan and South Korea — which have aggressively adopted robotics to combat labor costs and constraints — adoption is accelerating as robots get cheaper, more accurate, and safer to use.

There’s something in the air. The US and Europe accounted for over 85% of CO2 emissions each year around 1950. Today, they account for just under one-third of emissions as the rest of the world, especially China, have seen emissions rise significantly. Facing growing pressure from investors, consumers, and regulators, more companies are exploring how to decarbonize their operations. Discover the key technologies and vendors they’re turning to here.

Everytime we touch I get this feeling. Wealth tech startups saw a wave of M&A in the first quarter. This was consistent with the broader fintech landscape, where M&A exits continued to rise quarter-over-quarter. UBS’ acquisition of robo-advisor Wealthfront for $1.4B topped the wealth tech M&A charts in Q1. Financial services incumbents like UBS are future-proofing by actively investing in fintech. 

Paycheckology. One in 3 Americans earning $250K+ a year say they currently live paycheck to paycheck, according to an April 2022 survey. This is more true of millennials than older generations, with more than half of the younger generation’s high earners reporting having little to nothing left over at the end of the month — though few said they had issues actually covering all their expenses. Stop eating avocado toast maybe? 

Rules of the road. US fatality statistics compiled from 2000 to 2009 make it clear just how dangerous motorcycles are compared to other types of transportation, like cars or trains. "A motorcyclist who traveled 15 miles every day for a year, had an astonishing 1 in 860 chance of dying," according to study author Ian Savage. 

All 319%. Inflation is really something.

I love you.

P.S. It’s your last chance to apply for our Advanced Manufacturing 50 awards. Apply here before tomorrow midnight.