CB Insights - dead unicorns

Last year, 537 unicorns were born.

Now, as venture funding to startups ebbs, fewer unicorns are being minted each quarter. 

Just 18 unicorns have emerged in Q3’22 so far. At the current pace, only 27 will be born by the end of the quarter.

We analyze how the slowdown is impacting venture globally and also by sector. We also dig into how valuations and funding have shifted.

Mind control

Brain-computer interfaces have existed for decades. 

These systems translate brain signals into device commands — like typing words or moving a robotic arm.

While implanting a BCI has historically been an invasive procedure, startups today are developing safer approaches that could help the tech go mainstream.

In our new Game Changers report, we look at this emerging technology and 8 others that have world-changing potential.

Curry gets an upgrade

2022 NBA Finals. Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics. Do you know how many people watched the Warriors snag their championship win?

We do. The answer is a whopping 15M+.

The NBA is one of the largest and most influential sports leagues in the world, and its innovative history has helped get it to where it is today. As far back as 1948, the league was creating brand loyalty through innovative marketing platforms.

The NBA has continued to push the technological envelope since then. In recent years, not only has it moved to elevate fan interaction and capitalize on NFTs, but internally, it’s also using next-gen tools to analyze, assess, and hone player performance and strategy. 

Requests for Technology 
 

Every week, hundreds of CB Insights customers source technology vendors on our platform.

Here are a few recent RFTs we’ve received:

RFT #1 — An e-commerce company is looking to collaborate with retail tech companies to create a seamless grocery store solution. One concept it is exploring is an autonomous cashier-less grocery store.

RFT #2 — A multinational banking and financial services company is exploring partnerships with fintechs to help build a P2P bill-splitting solution. The goal is to build a “Venmo” in-house for its own banking application.

RFT #3 — A global insurtech has a mission to make people healthier through its partnerships and is examining technologies in the wearables space.

I’m with you ‘til the end of the line

You head over to an automated pickup locker to retrieve your recently purchased cooking robot.

Next, you put on your AR goggles to set it up, and then you ask a holographic avatar to help guide you through a new recipe. You also attend an exclusive cooking class provided by the utility NFT that came with your purchase. 

Months later, the company sends you a notification that your robot has an issue and helps you schedule a maintenance appointment. Eventually, you’re notified that a newer model just launched and are given the chance to sell your old one for store credit through the retailer’s resale program. You trade it in, buy the new model, and repeat. 

This is the future of the post-purchase experience. We cover the technologies that will make this possible, from automated logistics to embedded recommerce, in this report.

A metaverse not so far away

Qualcomm has its eyes set on the metaverse. And it’s quickly making moves to make its vision come true. 

For example, it has ramped up its activity in augmented reality, virtual reality, and extended reality since 2019. It also announced its $100M Snapdragon Metaverse Fund earlier this year.

The semiconductor giant is also focusing on other next-gen technologies, like autonomous driving software and 5G infrastructure.

Digital Health Business & Technology. Gabriel Perna (@GabrielSPerna) discusses Salesforce’s move into healthcare and quotes CB Insights analyst Alexander Lennox-Miller.

Bloomberg. Priya Anand (@Priyasideas) covers Patreon’s recent layoff and uses CB Insights research.

P.S. We’re hiring a senior healthcare analyst. Check out the role here.