THE FUTURE OF FINANCE: Check out the 60 fintech startups VCs are betting will be breakout hits
Hello everyone! Welcome to this weekly roundup of Business Insider stories from executive editor Matt Turner. Please subscribe to Business Insider here to get this newsletter in your inbox every Sunday.
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The financial-services industry is changing at a rapid clip, with fintechs addressing people's needs among the big winners in the wake of the coronavirus, as Dan DeFrancesco and Shannen Balogh reported this week.
For example:
Robinhood, which has seen massive growth as market volatility continues, is now valued at $8.3 billion after its most recent funding round in May. Meanwhile, other personal finance apps like Chime and Stash have also seen record sign-up numbers recently.
With that in mind, Dan and Shannen polled 27 investors to discover the fintechs that are on the cusp of breaking out. While investors could pitch companies both inside and out of their portfolio, the caveat was that none could have surpassed a Series B raise.
The response was impressive, with 60 fintechs nominated. Overall, investors seem more bullish on the future of startups catering to businesses, not consumers, as more than 63% of the selections were B2B.
You can read both lists here:
22 fintechs that VCs and big investors say are on the brink of becoming household names
Speaking of fintech investors, Megan Hernbroth profiled 25 young investors in the space, highlighting what drew them to fintech and what they think are the biggest opportunities.
The investors also shared some tips on how to snag a role in their competitive field. You can read both stories here:
Trump's most important 2016 donor is sitting out 2020
Dave Levinthal reports:
Hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah ranked among President Donald Trump's most influential backers in 2016. But they've all but abandoned the embattled president and aren't likely to help him in the home stretch for 2020, five people who know the media-averse Mercers tell Insider.
"They're 100, 100, 100% out," an associate of Rebekah Mercer said.
You can read that story in full here:
Trump's most important 2016 donor is sitting out 2020
In other politics news:
- Tom LoBianco had the inside story on Jared Kushner's call to the CEOs of AT&T, Verizon, & T-Mobile after the Trump campaign was blocked from sending text messages to people who hadn't signed up for them.
- Dave reported that Republican Party officials hid COVID-19 mask purchases by labeling them "building maintenance" in federal disclosures.
- And Elvina Nawaguna reported that Presidential inaugurations are prime time for DC schmoozing. But the coronavirus pandemic might mean no fancy balls, parades or big swampy parties come January 2021.
The transformation of the real estate business
We've written at length in recent months about the future of the office, as the coronavirus pandemic forces employers to rethink their needs and landlords to reimagine their model. This week:
- Dan Geiger reported that 20% of WeWork's New York space is sitting empty. He took a look at key vacancies the city's biggest office tenant is trying to fill.
- Alex Nicoll and Rebecca Ungarino reported that Wells Fargo is ditching a 750-person WeWork space, while Citi inked a deal with the flex-office giant far from a big city. They took a look at how financial firms are retooling their real estate.
- Reed Alexander reported that while Wall Street is starting to return to the office, not everyone is heading back. He took a look at which finance jobs are the most likely to remain virtual.
In related news, the rapid shift to ecommerce that's been accelerated by COVID 19 is putting severe pressure on malls and placing fresh emphasis on warehouse space.
- Dan reported that Neiman Marcus' shocking exit from glitzy Hudson Yards strikes a huge blow to the $25 billion project. The departure could unravel one of the most expensive mega-malls in US history.
- Meanwhile, the $98 billion cold-storage sector is at a tipping point, per Dan and Alex. Investors are piling in as online grocery deliveries surge.
- And logistics startup Bond has teamed up with SoftBank-backed REEF Technology to bring nano-warehouses to parking lots across the US. Alex reported on how they're building the distribution hubs of the future.
Separately, I want to highlight a couple of things before I go:
- We're seeking nominations for the 2020 edition of our annual list of Rising Stars of Wall Street. Here's how to apply.
- We're speaking with YouTube and Instagram influencers with millions of followers about how they're adapting their businesses during the pandemic and earning 6-figure incomes. Sign up for the digital live event on August 5 here.
Below are headlines on some of the stories you might have missed from the past week.
— Matt
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