CB Insights - all 650+ unicorns

Hi there,
 

Well, I certainly didn’t expect that.

You all had some very strong opinions about astrology startups after we shared that some VCs disapproved of funding startups in the space.

Most of you argued that the VCs were wrong.

This wasn’t because you all are weirdos who believe in palmistry or Tarot cards.

Most of you rationally argued (with very little flapdoodle) that drawing lines on what is and is not investable is ultimately very arbitrary.

You highlighted investments into vaping companies, addictive social games, gun makers, and "buy now, pay later" companies as all being of questionable value to society but yet we allow investments into those types of companies.  

Some of you also asked why astrology is worse than apps focused on religion or mindfulness.  

The reactions from readers reminded me of some recent comments from Warren Buffett’s latest shareholder meeting where he argued that finding perfection in companies isn’t possible.  

Rising to the top

There are currently 650+ unicorns (worth $1B+) from 35 countries around the world. 

Find out which countries boast the most top unicorn investors here.

To see every unicorn, check out the CB Insights unicorn tracker here.

Work it harder, make it better

Bank of America has joined a blockchain-based settlement network as it looks to settle stock trades in minutes rather than days.
 

From payments to clearance and settlement systems, we look at how blockchain could disrupt key services that banks provide in this report.

Healthy as can be
 

Teladoc’s $18.5B acquisition of Livongo in August 2020 marked the arrival of a new telehealth care model: comprehensive, integrated, and personalized. 
 

Clients can see our analysis of pandemic-era telehealth M&A activity here.

Gently down the stream
 

Stream processing is helping companies make sense of real-time data. 

We look at what CIOs need to know about the tech in this client-only brief.

Cha-ching
 

Fintech funding soared to a record $22.8B in Q1’21.
 

Join CB Insights senior analyst Alex Kern in our live webinar tomorrow (May 19) at 2 pm to learn which regions and markets are attracting the most fintech funding and what to watch for next. Register here.

WWD. Arthur Zaczkiewicz (@arthurzaczkiew1) interviews CB Insights senior lead analyst Laura Kennedy about key takeaways from the CBI State Of Retail Tech Q1’21 report. 

Reuters. Anna Irerra (@annairrera) and Maria Caspani (@MariaCaspani85) cover digital banks targeting minority markets and cite CB Insights data.

Supply Chain Dive. Maria Monteros (@MariaMonteros_) digs into the CB Insights State Of Retail Tech Q1’21 report.

P.S. We’re looking for a strategic account manager. Apply here.

The Blurb

Paws off. Offices that allow pets are planning how to handle a safe return with more “pandemic puppies” expected.

WSJ

Fake it ‘til you make it. Amazon blocked 10B counterfeit listings in 2020, as it ups its investments in AI and personnel to combat fakes.

Fast Company 

Dig it. The Suez Canal, where 10% of the world’s trade flows, is widening and deepening a section of the canal.

The Guardian

You’re hired. Bank of America is raising its minimum wage to $25 by 2025 as it looks to attract talent.

Bloomberg

Ow. The creators of the “Charlie bit my finger” video are auctioning it off as an NFT and will delete it from YouTube after the sale.

The Verge