Hi there, 

Tech giants’ billion-dollar acquisitions are getting bigger. 

Since we last visualized every $1B+ acquisition by Meta (fka Facebook), Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Apple in February 2021, the group has made 5 more big-ticket purchases:

• Microsoft announced its acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard for $68.7B
• Microsoft completed its $19.7B purchase of conversational AI company Nuance
• Amazon closed its $8.5B acquisition of movie studio MGM — its 2nd largest deal ever
• Google announced its acquisition of cybersecurity firm Mandiant for $5.4B — also its 2nd largest acquisition ever
• Amazon announced last month its $3.9B acquisition of One Medical

For a look back at tech’s billion-dollar bets, check out our timeline here.

Crypto heists

We’re only 3 days into August and crypto has already seen 2 major hacks.

Hackers stole nearly $200M from crypto startup Nomad and almost 8,000 Solana wallets have been drained as of this morning.  

As reports of costly crypto attacks rise, the crypto security and compliance space is set to grow dramatically — a trend we identified in early 2022.

Companies like Coinbase, PayPal, and Mastercard have all acquired crypto security companies over the last 2 years.

Investors are also taking note. Funding to the cybersecurity market in general has exploded, and a range of cybersecurity startups are building crypto-specific solutions. 

Clients can explore our Cybersecurity Expert Collection with nearly 5,000 companies here.

Pulling the curtain back

After a record-setting 2021, retail tech funding slowed dramatically in Q2'22.

Join Principal Analyst Laura Kennedy as she dives into the downturn and breaks down the trends shaping retail tech in our webinar tomorrow (Thursday, August 4). 

Have your questions ready and save your spot here. 

Knocking on healthcare’s door

What was it like scheduling your last doctor’s appointment? 

If it wasn’t a seamless experience, you’re not alone.

Patients are demanding a more modern, consumer-like experience — a “digital front door” — when accessing healthcare.

From patient-directed scheduling to price estimation, we map out 110+ companies helping healthcare providers meet these demands, while reducing the burden on staff and protecting revenue.

All aboard the sustainable supply chain train

Retailers are looking to track and improve sustainability efforts across their supply chains.

For example, Amazon, Dollar General, Walgreens, and Walmart are leveraging visibility platforms — which offer real-time data on the movement of freight along the shipping journey — to reduce empty miles and improve operations globally.

Need an adoption playbook?

We break down 13 technologies making the supply chain more sustainable and the ones that retailers should prioritize now.

Retail Dive. Daphne Howland (@daphnehowland) looks at the fall of 9 retail companies and cites CB Insights data.

Insider Intelligence. Will Paige covers the UK banks on the lookout for acquisitions and mentions CB Insights research. 

TechCrunch. Kyle Wiggers (@Kyle_L_Wiggers) covers Sprig’s funding raise and references CB Insights research.

P.S. Don’t sign up for our blockchain newsletter. Seriously, don’t.