🧑‍🏫 Keep Chegg-ing Along

Did someone forward this to you? Get your subscription to TechDay Express here…

🌟 Top News in Startupland 🌟 

GrubHub has been struck by Wonder (with an acquisition)

Your food delivery apps folder became a little more consolidated last week. The food delivery startup Wonder, founded by ex-Walmart exec Marc Lore, finalized a deal to acquire food delivery app GrubHub for $650 million last Wednesday, Nov. 13. This value comprises the $150 million Wonder will pay in cash, and the remaining $500 million in debt Wonder will assume on behalf of GrubHub.

Wonder originally launched as a startup that operated a fleet of mobile kitchens to recreate renowned restaurant meals. In 2023, the startup reoriented, ditching its trucks for physical locations, of which there are a couple dozen in the New York City metropolitan area. Wonder intends to open 100 locations by the end of 2025, and GrubHub only helps the startup get closer to this goal. The delivery app company brings a labor source in its delivery drivers and the technology needed for Wonder to expand its reach via a “mealtime ‘super app.’”

According to Pitchbook, Wonder is valued at $3.85 billion. GrubHub is not the first acquisition for the startup. Wonder bought Blue Apron, the meal kit company that was super popular (and cornered the market in partnerships with some of your favorite podcasts, probably) until declining sales led to its acquisition.

⚡️ Community Poll ⚡️

Last week, 68.6% of the TechDay Express community indicated they don’t use Anthropic.

Last Chance: Hear from leaders at NVIDIA, IBM, Palo Alto Networks and more

TechDay AI Founders Day is the event for founders building AI-enabled products and services to…

1. Hear insightful talks and discussions by leaders from Nvidia, IBM, Palo Alto Networks and more

2. Get funding advice ahead of next year from our VC panel, composed of investors from F-Prime Capital, Saga Ventures, and New York Life Ventures

3. Watch eight AI startups pitch to Pete Mathias of Alumni Ventures at the first-ever TechDay AI Founders Day Pitch Fest

4. Forge connections with startup peers in high-impact networking sessions

You asked, and we delivered. We are now offering Student Passes (a $25 value)

One of our generous sponsors has offered TechDay Express readers an exclusive discount! Use the code TDFAM25 to get your ticket at a super-cool 25% discount 😎 (applies only to Advanced Price tickets)

Even More Headlines

💎 Startup Akash Systems, manufacturer of cooling diamond substrates for GPUs, received CHIPS Act funding.

🤗 This CEO of a billion-dollar AI startup anticipates the future of AI lies not in LLMs, but in its smaller counterparts.

👋 Amid the startup’s many departures, Greg Brockman has announced his return to OpenAI after three months’ leave.

🏘️ Even in a funding decline, data shows that these four themes in real estate startups stand out for investors.

Apply for 1 of 10 Complimentary Admissions to TechDay AI Founders Day

Thanks to our sponsors, we are giving away 10 complimentary admissions to TechDay AI Founders Day. By application only. This is for anybody in the AI community including: Founders, Corporates, Operators, Investors, Students

The deadline is today at noon ET!

📚 Dive A Bit Deeper 📚

🧑‍🏫 KEEP CHEGG-ING ALONG — Have you checked in on your college study buddy, Chegg lately? The edutech startup has been facing hard times as AI chatbots and search engines take over the student sphere by providing quick (and free) answers to academic questions. Chegg may have to pivot its approach. It’s done it before.

🏢 SMALL FISH, BIG POND — The saying, “location, location, location” isn’t just limited to the real estate world, it matters for startups too. Startups that are hiring and based in the same location as bigger firms must offer roughly 10% more while reducing their expected growth by 36%. Read the study here.

❓VC-APPROVED QUESTIONS — Contrary to what many may think, meetings with VCs are two-way streets. VCs are often seen as the authority in these talks as they hold the capital startup founders want. However, startups have more power than they think, and the time to show it is in the question period after the initial conversation.

🤝 DEMOCRATIZING OPPORTUNITY — Harley Blakeman experienced obstacles trying to fund Honest Jobs, a startup that helps connect formerly incarcerated people with jobs. As one himself, Blakeman understands how limited opportunities are, even in VC. He and a professor created eight ways to democratize access to funding opportunities.