My Modern Monopolies co-author Nick Johnson joins the episode and our  discussion starts with Sequia Capital's presentation to growth startups  urging founders to focus on profitability and positive cash flows. Also  covered, how some VC may have over extended during the current downturn  and an explanation on open vs. closed marketplaces.   #podcast #startupnews #marketplaces  —

We start the show with a look at how Australia's law requiring big tech  companies to pay for news sharing has been going 1+ years in. Next, we  share some Applico data on M&A activity among B2B distributors and  adjacent competitors looking to disintermediate incumbents and disrupt  the traditional supply chain. The second half of the show covers some  washy data on market outflows coming out of China and why Carvana has  gone from a rising tech star on Wall Street to a sputtering linear...

The episode opens up looking into the tumultuous market conditions as of  late and Netflix's reporting that subscriber numbers are declining.  Next, Elon Musk has announced the Twitter deal is on hold pending  verification on the number of fake/bot users. I discuss what these means  for the deal price and if this could be the end of this transaction.  Also covered, Nike files a lawsuit against sneaker marketplace StockX  and Walmart's marketplace sees a huge influx of Chinese sellers. We wrap...

It's a special edition of the show focused on news in the B2B industry.  First, we take a look at both Amazon and Home Depot making announcements  that they'll be launching funds to invest in B2B technology startups. I  break down what these companies have invested in so far and explain why  this should be a wake up call for traditional distributors in B2B. Also  in this episode, a look at a top HVAC distributor and a top IT  distributor embracing marketplace and tech investment....

The episode starts with SEC documents that reveal what the breakup fee  is between Elon Musk and Twitter. We discuss if the size of this fee is a  signal on how serious each side is on making this deal happen. Another  story concerning the Twitter buyout, we look at what Amazon founder Jeff  Bezos has to say about the transaction and Elon's business ties with  China. We also dig into eCommerce fulfillment, looking at news that  Walmart's marketplace fulfillment service has grown 500% and...

We start off with an update on Elon Musk's attempts to purchase a  majority share in the social platform Twitter. With the Twitter board  now instituting a poison pill strategy to ward off hostile takeover  attempts, it would appear things are getting tense. I still think Elon  can make a purchase of Twitter happen but it's going to have to be done  the hard way. Next, a look at Chinese netizens voicing dissent on the  social platform Weibo. We close out the episode with a look at  Andreessen...

The episode starts with a detailed look at the saga between Elon Musk  and Twitter. At the time of recording, Elon had rejected an offer to  join Twitter's board and was holding an almost 10% stake in the social  platform. Next, a look at the Etsy seller strike over the craft  marketplace's increases to its take rate. Is this a classic example of a  dominant platform squeezing its producers or does Etsy need this  increased revenue to spend on platform improvements? The show closes  with a...

We dive into new tech regulations in this episode, begining with a look at the EU's troublesome new Digital Markets Act. This new EU regulation aims to curb the power of gatekeeper tech companies but unfortunately the set definition for a "gatekeeper" is much too broad and I think this one will cause much more chaos than good. Next, we look at some comments from the U.S. on how tech companies may be regulated before the end of 2022. We close out with a look at why GameStop is refusing to pay...

The episodes kicks off looking at Uber's decision to integrate taxis  onto the platform in NYC and San Francisco. Next, a look at Pinterest's  failed attempts to add commerce to its platform and the company's  spectacular failure to acquire Verishop. We also cover two stories on  Instacart, looking at the delivery platform deciding to slash its  valuation by 40% and a new suite of SaaS tools being offered to grocers.  The episode closes with our announcement of Dot Foods acquisition of...

The episode starts with a look at the European Union banning Russian  media from spreading on the web. While I've supported businesses right  to cease business with Russia, I think an outright ban on information is  a more complicated issue. Next, discussion on the SEC asking for more  information from Chinese companies and some signs that the tech  crackdown from Chinese regulators may be easing. We end the episode with  a look at the FED announcing they will raise interest rates by 25 basis...

I dig into the auto industry with Applico Managing Director Nick  Johnson! We start off with a big announcement concerning Applico Capital  and the LatAm auto market. Next, Carvana's purchase of ADESA is  analyzed as Nick and I breakdown why the digital enabled car retailer  might want to own a B2B auction provider. We finish off the episode  looking at how some auto manufactures are leaning towards direct to  consumer sales.   00:00 - Subscribe and Fight Big Tech 00:29 - Investing in Curbo...

We dive right into the episode with Alex discussing why he decided to  sell his "beloved" mfers NFT. He details if this venture into the NFT  world was profitable and if he would recommend others try out the  "investment". For our second topic, a look at Elon Musk supplying the  Ukraine with Starlink internet equipment so that the nation can access  internet while in conflict with Russia. Also covered, eBay's declining  market share has now sunk below 5% and what companies are pulling out of...

The Federal Reserve has broken our American economy and I sit down with Chris Leonard to discuss his new book that details how our monetary system ended up here teetering on ruin. Chris is a New York Times best selling author and his new book The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy is a "fascinating and propulsive story about the Federal Reserve" and how quantitative easing and political posturing have put America's monetary system in peril.  I talked to...

This episode of Winner Take All starts by looking at Peloton, a downtrodden exercise equipment and "media" company that activist investors are peddling to everyone from Disney and Netflix to Berkshire Hathaway. Alex comments on why he thinks the business is in decline and criticizes Peloton for claiming to have Network effects. Next, discussion on why music isn't profitable for Spotify, how the company's cash flow is not as it appears, and the controversy surrounding its marquee podcaster Joe...

I talk with Christopher Bedford, a founding partner at RightForge, about  building a new internet infrastructure company in the shadow of big  tech. RightForge is an internet infrastructure provider that claims to  be a first of its kind company operating infrastructure while being  committed to American ideals online. RightForge is positioning  themselves to be a key player for enabling independent free speech  platforms to operate outside the gargantuan grasp of big tech providers  like...

I start the show with a look at the epic Twitter battle between (now former) Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow and Y Combinator. Are Breslow's claims anointing Y Combinator and Stripe as mob bosses of  Silicon Valley accurate? Next, a story that DoorDash engineers are outraged at the company policy requiring all employees to do a food delivery once per month. We wrap up looking at Robinhood's stock price being in the basement (time to fire Vlad maybe?) and Sonos beating Google via its patents.   00:00 -...

Nick and I welcome Jonathan A. Knee onto the show, author of The Platform Delusion: Who Wins and Who Loses in the Age of Tech Titans. Knee is Professor of Professional Practice and Co-Director of the Media and Technology Program at Columbia Business School and also a Senior Advisor at Evercore Partners.   At a quick glance, The Platform Delusion appears to stand in opposition to Nick and I's book, Modern Monopolies. Tim Wu describes Jonathan's new book as "a jolting and often hilarious...

I sit down with Salih Hudayar, Prime Minister of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile. The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile claims to be the sole representation of East Turkistan and its people on the international stage. East Turkestan is an area annexed by the People's Republic of China in 1949 and is officially recognized as the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region despite The East Turkistan Government in Exile's calls on the U.S. and other governments to recognize East Turkistan.   I...

The FTC has reshaped its arguments against big tech monopolies and will  now look at potential regulation with monopsony power in mind. Alex and  Nick discuss how this new angle being used by U.S. competition  regulators at the Federal Trade Commission, lead by Biden-appointed FTC  chairwoman Lina Khan, has the potential to actually prove big tech  platforms like Amazon and Google are monopsonies.   How the FTC Is Reshaping the Antitrust Argument Against Tech Giants:...

Alex starts the show looking at a CNBC story that claims ultra-wealthy investors are buying platform stocks as a hedge against inflation in the United States. Next, a look at the unpaid army of moderators that run platforms like Reddit and Wikipedia. Alex analyzes how much power these users hold and whether or not platforms should be paying them. Also covered in this episode, why food delivery platforms are adding in fintech functions and reports that Joe Rogan already hates alt-tech social...

The episode starts with a look at Microsoft's massive deal to buy Activision Blizzard inc.. Alex breaks down the deal and questions Microsoft's positioning that this deal is a play towards the metaverse. Next, news that Y Combinator will change its standard deal offered to startups in the accelerator to now invest as much as $500,000. We discuss how this change may affect seed investments for YC startups and share some reactions and thoughts from Y Combinator alums that work at Applico. The...

Alex starts the show with a look at the metaverse acquisitions Facebook has been making and whether or not Mark Zuckerberg can just buy Roblox. Next, Alex explains why he loves Rocket Mortgage's move to buy TrueBill, a personal finance suite for users who'd like to track spending and rid themselves of delinquent subscriptions. Also covered, why China is seeing a decline in venture capital investing and the SEC's investigation into Medallion Financial Corp..   00:00 - Subscribe and Fight Big...

Applico CEO Alex Moazed breaks down platform and platform adjacent companies that are expected to go public in 2022. These companies span multiple spaces and industries including B2B, fintech/payments, food, delivery, eCommerce, buy now pay later, social media, content, and more. Moazed looks at various fundraising by these platforms, current valuations, and gives his thoughts on market fit and IPO timing.   00:00 - Subscribe and Follow the Fight Against Big Tech 00:15 - Instacart IPO...

Alex kicks off the episode looking at eBay's changes to how the company will be reporting gross merchandise volume and he breaks down what eBay's claimed immaterial differences between the old and new GMV numbers actually are. Reddit has confidentially filed for IPO and we take a look at how profitable of an investment Reddit could turn out to be for Advance Publications who acquired the platform back in 2006. Also covered, Amazon opening a bookstore for the Chinese Communist Party, Cathie...

The show opens looking at an interview with Palantir CEO Alex Karp where he calls out Silicon Valley's reluctance to work with the U.S. government. Alex commends Karp for his criticisms and calls for big tech to have more of a backbone when it comes to supporting the U.S.. Next, discussion of The Information's exposé revealing Apple's clandestine $275 billion investment into China. The show closes with some alt tech news that includes former President Trump's SPAC DWAC (Digital World...