Entrepreneurship news 2019
Here are some of the top entrepreneurship news stories from 2019:
- WeWork's IPO Fiasco: WeWork, a shared workspace company, filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in January 2019, but its valuation and business model were met with skepticism by investors. The company ultimately delayed its IPO and had to restructure its leadership and business strategy.
- Uber's IPO: After a highly anticipated IPO, Uber went public in May 2019, raising $8.1 billion and valuing the company at $82 billion. The IPO was seen as a major milestone for the ride-hailing industry.
- Amazon's Acquisition of Eero: In March 2019, Amazon acquired Eero, a startup that makes Wi-Fi routers, for $97 million. The acquisition marked Amazon's entry into the smart home router market.
- Facebook's Libra Cryptocurrency: In June 2019, Facebook announced its plans to launch a new cryptocurrency called Libra, which was met with skepticism and criticism from regulators and lawmakers.
- The Rise of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: 2019 saw a surge in popularity of plant-based meat alternatives, with companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods going public and expanding their product lines.
- The Gig Economy: The gig economy continued to grow in 2019, with companies like Uber, Lyft, and TaskRabbit facing increased scrutiny over worker classification and benefits.
- The Rise of E-commerce: E-commerce continued to grow in 2019, with online sales reaching new heights and companies like Shopify and BigCommerce expanding their services to meet the demand.
- The Impact of Trade Wars on Small Businesses: The ongoing trade wars between the US and China had a significant impact on small businesses, with many companies struggling to navigate tariffs and supply chain disruptions.
- The Rise of Female Founders: 2019 saw a significant increase in the number of female founders and entrepreneurs, with companies like Glossier and Away raising significant funding and achieving success.
- The Growing Importance of Sustainability: Sustainability became a major focus for entrepreneurs and businesses in 2019, with companies like Patagonia and Seventh Generation prioritizing environmental and social responsibility.
- The Rise of Online Education: Online education continued to grow in 2019, with companies like Coursera and Udemy expanding their offerings and partnering with universities and institutions.
- The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Entrepreneurship: Artificial intelligence (AI) had a significant impact on entrepreneurship in 2019, with companies like Zoom and Slack using AI to improve customer service and streamline operations.
- The Rise of Social Media Influencers: Social media influencers continued to grow in popularity in 2019, with many entrepreneurs and small business owners using influencer marketing to reach new customers.
- The Growing Importance of Mental Health: Mental health became a major focus for entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2019, with many companies prioritizing employee well-being and mental health support.
- The Rise of Alternative Lending: Alternative lending continued to grow in 2019, with companies like Lending Club and Funding Circle offering financing options for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
These are just a few of the top entrepreneurship news stories from 2019. The year was marked by significant changes and trends in the startup ecosystem, and these stories highlight some of the most important developments.