The fall of WeWork was a jolt to venture capital—how that could change VC investing

January 22, 2020

When news broke in September that SoftBank-backed WeWork was pulling its doomed IPO, a chill ran across the capital markets.

Mere days before, entertainment and talent agency Endeavor had also pulled its IPO. In December, following disappointing growth, SoftBank sold back its nearly 50% stake in late-stage dog-walking startup Wag Labs to the company. And according to reports, pizza startup Zume was in talks with SoftBank to raise another funding round in late 2019, but the deal fell apart in December (the company subsequently laid off hundreds of workers in January).

New stocks are red hot to start 2020 with IPO ETF tripling the return of the market

January 22, 2020

IPO watchers expect the 2020 market to be front-half loaded due to a big second-half event: the presidential elections.

“In an election year, IPO issuance is traditionally strong in the first two quarters, slow in the third quarter, then picks up in the end of the fourth quarter,” said Santosh Rao, head of research at Manhattan Venture Research.

“My best guess is the biggest names will try to come out well before the election,” he said.

Hedge fund puts $550m into technology stock option financing

January 14, 2020

Privately held start-ups have typically not been keen to see employees enter contracts backed by their shares and options. But Andrea Walne, a partner at Manhattan Venture Partners, said with more than a dozen groups now offering financing tied to start-up stocks and options, she hoped a marketplace would develop.  “Companies have been leaning far too much on their inability to provide financial and tax advice as a cop out to supporting employees with their stock options,” Mrs Walne said.

Phase I of Sino-US Trade trade pact a done deal, Phase II likely after the elections: Santosh Rao

January 13, 2020

Santosh Rao of Manhattan Venture Partners, says both China and the US need the trade deal and it will be a step in the right direction for the global economy. In an interview with ETNOW, he said nothing can derail the US markets in 2020 unless a huge macro event takes place.