500 European startups, representing billions of dollars in value, are lobbying lawmakers to reform the rules around stock options. They warned of a “brain drain” if Europe can’t come up with unified policies to help startups attract the brightest talent to compete with Silicon Valley and China. Stock options give employees the chance to buy shares in their company, and help startups compete for talent against bigger companies. Europe has yet to produce its own Silicon Valley-style tech giant, and investors and CEOs believe fierce competition for talent is one reason why. European startup CEOs representing billions of dollars in value are lobbying lawmakers across the bloc to consider reforms to the rules governing employee stock options, so they can attract better talent and compete with Silicon Valley. Around 500 chief executives from startups such as Stripe, TransferWise, Clue, Supercell, and BlaBlaCar have signed an open letter, which is being sent to … [Read more...] about 500 European tech startups say they will never be able to compete for talent with Google or Facebook thanks to the muddle around employee stock options
Startups
Saigon Startup Party 2019 at New ZumWhere
The Saigon Startup Party 2019 will be held from 5pm to late on January 26 at New ZumWhere on 11 Nguyễn Thành Ý Street, District 1.Viet Nam News HCM CITY — The Saigon Startup Party 2019 will be held from 5pm to late on January 26 at New ZumWhere on 11 Nguyễn Thành Ý Street in District 1. The party will take a look back at what the start-up community overcame and accomplished in 2018. Together, they will look forward to a new year full of fruitful ventures and successes. First organised in 2017, Saigon Startup Party is a special occasion for the start-up ecosystem to meet in one big celebration at the end of a year, and onto the New Year. Tickets are VNĐ400,000 including beer and food. — VNS … [Read more...] about Saigon Startup Party 2019 at New ZumWhere
This online startup is challenging the traditional jewelry industry with conflict-free diamonds and custom engagement rings
Connie Chen, provided by Published 6:00 pm CST, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Vrai & Oro comes up in every jewelry shopper's search for alternative and affordable fine jewelry sites. What makes shoppers stay and stick with the company boils down to these factors: beautiful styles, high quality, transparency, and customizability. With Valentine's Day coming up, Vrai & Oro's 14-18-karat gold and ethically grown diamond pieces make a thoughtful gift for yourself or a loved one. For a jewelry company that stands by the values of quality, simplicity, and transparency, Vrai & Oro, which translates to "truth" (French) and "gold" (Spanish), couldn't be a more appropriate name. Founded in 2014, Vrai & Oro is where you can find simple, timeless, and beautiful fine jewelry — no … [Read more...] about This online startup is challenging the traditional jewelry industry with conflict-free diamonds and custom engagement rings
Scooter startup Bird is reportedly raising $300 million with assistance from financial giant Fidelity
Graham Rapier, provided by Published 3:28 pm CST, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 Facebook/Bird Bird, the scooter startup, is raising a new $300 million funding round led by Fidelity, Axios reported Wednesday. Last month, reports surfaced that Uber was working on a bid for either Bird or competitor Lime. Any buyout proposals, if true, could be complicated by Bird's latest fundraising. Scooter startup Bird is raising $300 million in an extension of its previous fundraising round led by the financial giant Fidelity, Axios' Kia Kokalitcheva reported Wednesday. The company will likely keep its $2 billion valuation from the previous round. Throughout 2018, the scooter company expanded at breakneck speed across the United States and now operates in more than 100 cities in the US and Europe, according to its website. Sometimes, however, the company has showed up with little warning, dumping its scooters seemingly overnight on unaware cities, causing headaches for local … [Read more...] about Scooter startup Bird is reportedly raising $300 million with assistance from financial giant Fidelity
Explore Startup Investing Beyond Silicon Valley
Be smart, and don't go solo. Mack Kolarich Published 9:30 am CST, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 Photo: Pattanaphong Khuankaew | EyeEm | Getty Images Photo: Pattanaphong Khuankaew | EyeEm | Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 Photo: Pattanaphong Khuankaew | EyeEm | Getty Images Explore Startup Investing Beyond Silicon Valley 1 / 1 Back to Gallery Startup unicorns and billion dollar funds grab headlines these days, but most investors only hear about these opportunities late in the investing cycle, when growth is slowing. Increasingly, company value is realized in the private markets vs. after initial public offerings (IPOs). And recent performance data shows that … [Read more...] about Explore Startup Investing Beyond Silicon Valley