Facebook Stock Falls: Apple Privacy Changes Impact Ad Tracking

Daily Crunch: September 22, 2021

A daily summary of TechCrunch’s most significant and impactful stories can be delivered directly to your inbox each day at 3 p.m. PDT. You can subscribe to this service here.

Greetings, and a warm welcome to Daily Crunch for September 22, 2021. The second day of Disrupt is progressing rapidly as this is being written. Consequently, some presentations concerning Battlefield are being missed.

However, there is positive news for everyone involved: articles detailing each of the companies demonstrating their innovations are included below. We will remain fully informed!

Disrupt Day Two Updates

The momentum from the first day of Disrupt continues, with numerous companies showcasing their latest developments. Coverage of these presentations is readily available.

Tomorrow will see the announcement of the new Battlefield champion. Attendance is highly encouraged to witness this event!

— Alex

Key Takeaways:

• Daily Crunch provides a curated selection of TechCrunch’s top stories.
• Disrupt Day Two is underway, featuring presentations from various companies.
• The Battlefield competition will conclude with a winner announcement tomorrow.

TechCrunch's Leading Three Stories

Microsoft is prioritizing competition with Zoom over Slack, as indicated by Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield, who is also a potential successor at Salesforce.

Butterfield suggests that Microsoft’s Teams platform poses a more direct challenge to Zoom than to Slack.

He further highlighted during TechCrunch Disrupt that a significant portion of Slack’s user base also utilizes Office 365.

New Hardware Unveiled by Microsoft

Microsoft also hosted a product event today, focusing on new hardware releases.

This event, in contrast to TechCrunch’s startup-centric gathering, centered on the latest Surface devices.

One particular Surface product features a laptop screen with a design unlike any currently available in mass-produced computers.

Facebook Experiences Stock Decline Following Revenue Forecast

Alterations implemented by Apple within the broader digital landscape are impacting Facebook’s performance, according to TechCrunch.

The social media company also acknowledged an underreporting of a key metric, potentially leading advertisers to believe their campaigns were underperforming by approximately 15%.

As a result, Facebook’s stock price decreased by nearly 4% on the day of the announcement.

An NFT Purchase Attempt

For entertainment purposes, you can review an account of the author’s unsuccessful attempt to purchase a Non-Fungible Token (NFT).

The experience provides insight into the complexities of the NFT market.

Startups and Venture Capital Updates

Following yesterday’s format, we begin with a review of the companies participating in the Startup Battlefield competition. Special recognition is due to Neesha Tambe, Startup Battlefield Editor, a valuable member of the TechCrunch team whose contributions often go unseen. Her guidance was instrumental in preparing these companies for the event and in the challenging selection process.

Startup Battlefield Participants:

• Flite Material Sciences employs laser technology, rather than traditional chemical applications, to prevent the formation of ice and rust on various surfaces.
• StethoMe has developed a smart stethoscope enabling remote auscultation of a child’s lungs by their physician.
• Nymbull aims to provide secure transaction safeguarding for items listed on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
• Cellino leverages AI and machine learning to enhance the scalability of stem cell therapy production.
• Koa is focused on empowering African consumers to make more informed financial decisions.
• The Blue Box is pioneering advancements in at-home breast cancer detection technology.
• Tide Encryption is positioned to significantly reduce the incidence of cyber security breaches.
• Prenome is developing tools to assist expectant mothers in predicting and managing gestational diabetes.
• Nth Cycle is innovating metals processing techniques for both recycling facilities and mining operations.
• Carbix transforms carbon emissions into valuable mineral resources.
• Keep Technologies is creating a vehicle security system integrated into standard cup holders.

Beyond the Battlefield, numerous other startups were active today.

• Insights were shared regarding the acquisition criteria of Canva CEO Melanie Perkins.
• Ubco, an electric bike manufacturer, secured $10 million in funding, inspiring visions of urban environments less reliant on automobiles.
• An analysis was provided on Calendly’s strategy of building a platform centered around scheduling functionality. This resonated particularly with someone familiar with Google Calendar’s operations.
• Brave, the privacy-centric browser developer, has officially released its non-tracking video conferencing extension, moving it beyond the beta phase. A personal evaluation of this tool is planned.

IEP vs. Proposed Startup Visa: A Detailed Comparison

Dear Financial Founder,

You've raised a crucial question regarding the distinctions between International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP) and the recently suggested startup visa. Understanding these differences is vital for entrepreneurs seeking to establish their ventures in the United States.

International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP) Explained

International Entrepreneur Parole allows eligible startup founders to enter the U.S. temporarily to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. This program requires a substantial ownership stake in the startup and a demonstrated potential for significant economic benefit to the nation.

The IEP pathway is currently available, but its future is uncertain due to ongoing legal challenges and potential policy changes.

The Proposed Startup Visa: Key Features

The proposed startup visa represents a potential new pathway for foreign entrepreneurs. It aims to create a more formalized and secure route for founders to build their companies within the U.S. legal framework.

Unlike IEP, the proposed visa doesn't necessarily require a significant initial investment. Instead, it focuses on evaluating the startup's potential for growth and job creation.

Key Differences Summarized

• Investment Requirement: IEP generally necessitates a substantial personal investment, while the proposed visa places greater emphasis on the startup’s potential.
• Legal Certainty: IEP faces ongoing legal scrutiny, whereas the proposed visa, if enacted, would offer a more stable legal status.
• Eligibility Criteria: The proposed visa broadens eligibility beyond solely ownership stake, considering factors like innovation and scalability.

Will the Startup Visa Become a Reality?

The prospect of the startup visa becoming law remains uncertain. It has garnered bipartisan support, indicating a potential for passage. However, legislative processes are complex and subject to change.

Currently, the timeline for enactment is unclear. It depends on Congressional priorities and the broader political climate. Many anticipate a lengthy debate and potential amendments before any final legislation is passed.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for entrepreneurs planning to launch or scale their businesses in the United States.

Big Tech Inc. – Recent Developments

Major corporations have remained active, resulting in several noteworthy updates. The following provides a summary of recent events.

Patreon and Adult Content Creators

Patreon is exploring avenues to provide support for creators producing adult content. The significant presence of adult material online, exemplified by platforms like OnlyFans, has prompted this consideration.

New guidelines from Patreon detail how the platform and adult content creators could potentially collaborate.

Advancements in Self-Driving Technology

Further evidence suggests the gradual integration of self-driving technology into everyday life. FedEx has announced a partnership with Aurora to implement Aurora’s autonomous driving systems on a delivery route within Texas.

This collaboration represents a step-by-step approach to the widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles.

Intuit's Venture Capital Initiative

Following its acquisition of Mailchimp for $12 billion, Intuit is expanding its investment strategy. The company is establishing a venture capital arm to invest in startups at an earlier stage.

This move is somewhat surprising, given Intuit’s history and lobbying efforts. However, the creation of a corporate venture capital division mirrors the increasing trend of companies establishing their own venture funds, similar to the rise of corporate blogs in the past.

• Corporate venture capital arms are becoming increasingly common.
• This strategy allows Intuit to tap into emerging technologies and innovative businesses.

TechCrunch Insights: Identifying Leading Growth Marketing Professionals

Image Credits: SEAN GLADWELL / Getty Images

TechCrunch is dedicated to assisting startups in locating the most suitable experts to address their specific requirements.

Currently, we are compiling a curated list of premier growth marketers within the industry.

Since the launch of our survey, we have received numerous valuable suggestions regarding accomplished growth marketing professionals serving the startup ecosystem.

Seeking Further Recommendations

We anticipate receiving and reviewing additional submissions with enthusiasm.

Your input is valuable! Please contribute your recommendations by completing the survey, accessible here.

The goal is to provide a resource for startups seeking to accelerate their development through effective growth marketing strategies.

• This initiative aims to connect startups with proven professionals.
• The survey is a key component in identifying top talent.
• TechCrunch is committed to supporting the startup community.

Participation in the survey will directly contribute to the creation of a comprehensive and reliable list of growth marketing experts.