Hi there, 

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. So the saying goes. 

Netflix is one of the obvious winners in this pandemic as people scramble to fill time at home — its market value even topped Disney’s last week, as its shares hit a record high. 

But the question remains: can Netflix, known for taking down iconic video rental chain Blockbuster, stay on top given growing competition from legacy media players? 

We take a look at how Netflix managed to disrupt Blockbuster, and how it could now find itself on the other side of the innovator’s dilemma, in our Innovation Frameworks report.

Check it out here.

Cash crunch
 

The median US-based SMB has 27 days of cash reserves on hand, meaning that, with no cash inflows, it can only pay its expenses for less than a month. 

We take a look at the risks and opportunities SMBs' current financial troubles present to the fintech ecosystem here.

Just eat...really, just eat

Ah, so this is what innovation is.

An endangered species?

Even unicorns are feeling the impact of Covid-19. 

Check out how US-based unicorn births and valuations have been hit by the pandemic here.

I am once again asking for more digital health
 

Digital health categories including telehealth, at-home diagnostics, and remote monitoring have been the object of renewed attention amid Covid-19.

We map out the top-funded digital health startup in each US state in our infographic.

Financial Times. Hannah Kuchler (@hannahkuchler) reports on Sanofi’s plans for a smartphone-enabled Covid-19 test and quotes CB Insights healthcare analyst Marissa Schlueter (@mschlueter13).

Fortune. Daria Solovieva (@dariasolo) analyzes the impact of Covid-19 on the fertility sector and references CB Insights research.

Inc. Kevin Ryan (@wheresKR) talks with CB Insights senior director of research Marc Albanese (@marcjalbanese) about the recent swell of funding for telehealth startups.

P.S. We’re looking for a principal data warehouse engineer. See the role here.

Pass the buck. Several NY lawmakers have proposed a public payments network — like a “public Venmo” — for emergency cash distribution.

MIT Technology Review

A close shave. Hairdressers are giving virtual haircuts by offering walkthroughs via livestream.

New York Times

Islands in the stream. Hiring and onboarding processes have been turned inside out without the shared space of the office.

Protocol

Paleofeces-ology. Archaeologists are using machine learning to improve the study of ancient poop, which can contain significant DNA and microbiotic materials.

Vice

Robocop. With app usage through the roof, some tech platforms are implementing more robust parental control capabilities.

Washington Post