Hi there,

Alright, two things to kick us off:

1. There are some new rules around here

2. Today’s NL is 🔥

So first, the new rules.

If you respond to a question posed in the newsletter, we may feature your response in a future newsletter. 

We’ll credit you with your first name and last initial.

Why am I sharing this banal news with you?

Cuz last week we asked who should acquire Peloton and a bunch of you wrote back with good, funny, and even some terrible ideas.  

And we were going to compile them for a coming newsletter.  

But when I reached out to folks to let them know their responses might be featured, a small but vocal minority got all hot & bothered about it cuz they viewed their idea as confidential or some equally silly isht.

Amigos — your idea that Amazon should acquire Peloton is not super proprietary. Capiche?

Others were like, “Can you mention and link to my startup that does ABC and is raising a Series A round?”

The answer is no.

I’m glad we could clear this up.

I read every response. Even the mean & nasty ones.  

So please keep replying.

Alright, today’s newsletter is bonkers good, so let's get to it.

Blockchain gang

Blockchain & crypto companies are riding 2021’s funding wave into 2022. 

These startups have raised more funding in the first month and a half this year than all of 2020 — or any year prior. 

Just look at the insane numbers in the chart below (and get a full breakdown of 2021 here). 

Tiger Global — 2021’s most active investor — has been a big mover here. 

The firm has done 8 blockchain deals in 2022 already (vs. 21 in 2021 and none in 2020).

Four of these were mega-rounds, with 3 above $200M. Tiger also backed Polygon’s $450M private token sale earlier this month. 

Overall, $100M+ deals are driving most of 2022’s funding activity, accounting for nearly three-quarters of funding.
 

At the same time, 74% of deals so far this year have gone to early-stage startups — indicating the market’s still nascent. 

We’ll be breaking down all things blockchain and what it means for your strategy in our live webinar on Thursday (February 17). Save your spot here.

It’s go time

Sephora has partnered with an AI-powered personalization platform equipped with tools for search and product discovery. 

Neiman Marcus acquired a digital merchandising platform in June that will help associates personalize the shopping experience.

German grocer REWE is optimizing shelf space with an inventory management tech vendor. 

If you're in the business of brick-and-mortar retail and not consistently testing and iterating new ideas, others will take your place.

We take a look at the tech enabling seamless in-person and online shopping experiences here. 

All in on healthcare

Amazon is accelerating its involvement in the US healthcare market.

In December, it consolidated its healthcare efforts into one central organization — combining its Amazon Care, Amazon Pharmacy, and Amazon Diagnostics businesses — as it hones its strategy. 

We mined Amazon’s recent acquisitions, investments, and partnerships to uncover the company’s most important strategic healthcare priorities here.

Up in flames

Having millions in funding doesn't always guarantee success.

Check out 200+ of the biggest, costliest startup failures here.

Straight As

The concept of smart cities has been around for a decade. 

But now, as cities around the world look to address issues that have come into focus amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the space has seen an influx of interest. 

From connectivity & cybersecurity to environment monitoring, we map out 100+ startups working on smart city tech in this client-only brief.

Bloomberg. Joe Williams (@JoePWilliams31) covers Databricks’ IPO plans and cites CB Insights data.

Inc. Melissa Angell (@melissajourno) cites CB Insights unicorn data in her coverage of how the SEC is scrutinizing private companies. 

CNBC. Ryan Browne (@Ryan_Browne_) covers BlockFi’s $100M settlement with the SEC and references CB Insights data.
 

P.S. We’re coming up on the deadline for the AI 100 awards. Apply here.