Monday, February 5

Startup and VC news, curated for you

Author

Juliet McAlee
February 05, 2024

Hello!

Winter begone because spring is coming according to America’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. No offense to other clairvoyant critters like Dunkirk Dave or Chattanooga Chuck.

Before you let that spring fever get to you and your plans for taking the startup ecosystem by storm, take a second to read some TechDay Express. And maybe fill out this survey while you’re at it.

Onwards!

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It's no secret startups need to nail their marketing to survive. That's why one of the most popular TechDay speakers ever has been marketing guru & startup growth expert @MarketingMax.

Well, Max is hosting his own Growth Hacking Summit live in NYC on February 29th and we just bought 25 of you tickets!

The first 25 of you to use code TECHDAY here will claim 1 of 25 completely free tickets to Max's EPIC Growth Hacking Summit!

Max is bringing together some of the most successful Growth Hackers in the world who are guaranteed to deliver real, applicable, & easy-to-implement Growth Hacks sure to grow your startup faster ASAP!

Psst..interested in powering an edition of TechDay Express to an audience of 28k+? Click here

🌟 This Week’s Headlines 🌟 

🙌 Behold Big Tech’s startup champion Nvidia, which dominated funding in 2023

💉 Houston-based biotech startup rBIO wants to democratize insulin access

😶‍🌫️ More AI startups are considering M&As to make ends meet

🎤 Congressional hearings with Big Tech CEOs are spurring some changes

♻️ NYC waste management platform BinIt raised $6.2 million in seed funding

Get Your Startup in Front of the Tech World

At the TechDay Expo, founders can exhibit their products to thousands of potential investors, new hires, and customers.

Everyone else, get your FREE Expo and Networking Pass here

⚡️ Poll of the Week ⚡️

Super Bowl Sunday is coming up. What are you looking forward to?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

According to last week’s poll, our community has more Chiefs fans (37.5%) and Puppy Bowlers (35%) in its ranks than 49ers fans (27.5%).

📚 Quick Reads 📚

👔 IN A WORLD OF FOUNDERS, BE AN ENTREPRENEUR — When identifying potential early-stage investments, VCs look for entrepreneurial qualities in startup founders. But what exactly separates a founder from an entrepreneur?

🧶 NOTICE THE SIGNS, OR PREPARE TO DEPROGRAM — As never-boring and disruptive as working at a startup can be, some are prone to developing a cultish work culture. Startup employees: be wary if your workplace exhibits these signs.

🧗‍♂️ AI’S VERTICAL TRANSFORMATION — Horizontal AI, like Open AI and Anthropic, is experiencing some growing pains. As the market and technology advance, VCs’ attention is going toward its more specialized sibling, vertical AI.

👩‍💻 GO BIG OR GO NO CODE — More and more startups are adopting low-code/no-code (LCNC) SaaS platforms thanks to AI’s acceleration. Software devs will always have a place, but there are benefits to opting for LCNC.

Did a friend or colleague share this with you? Get your own subscription to TechDay Express here… 

📣 Speak Now @ the Founders Summits 📣

Did you hear? Applications to present at TechDay’s 2024 Founders Summits are open!

If you’re a successful startup founder or co-founder, a subject matter expert who works with startups, or a VC or other investor in the startup ecosystem, we want to hear from you.

Submit your application with this form. Apply by February 16 to be considered.

Interested in attending one or more of the three TechDay Founders Summits in 2024? Apply here.

Space is limited, so act fast!

🗓️ Upcoming Events 🗓️

NEXT WEEK

Mindy Zemrak, Shark Tank’s Supervising Casting Producer, will tell you how to contour your brand’s story for every occasion.

Become an expert in engaging and inspiring the listener with your brand's story at this FREE webinar.

Coming up on March 5

Startup Fundraising, the State of Seed & A-Rounds

Whaaat? Another free webinar? We shouldn’t have, we know. But you won’t want to miss this.

Charlie Stephens from Fidelity for Startups and Mac Conwell, Managing Partner and Founder of RareBreed Ventures, will give you a peek behind the VC curtain when it comes to funding in 2024.

Get closer to becoming a VC whisperer by registering for this all-expenses-paid webinar!

Mark your calendars for some pretty rockin’ upcoming in-person TechDay events. Discover and connect with the resources you need to thrive.

Early-Stage Founders Summit — May 7 at Civic Hall in NYC

TechDay Expo — May 10 at the Javits Center in NYC

Want Your Startup to Exhibit? Click Here

Not interested in Exhibiting? Join Us to See All These Ultra-Cool Startups Here

AI Founders Summit — June 11 at Civic Hall in NYC

Climate Tech Founders Summit — September 24 at Civic Hall in NYC

😎 Calling All Founders & Funders 😎

We are looking for founders and funders who want to share their career advice, business insights, and any other information of note that will inform the TechDay community.

Interested? Answer five short questions for the chance to be featured in TechDay Express

Head here to get in front of our audience of 28k+