February Newsletter
Impact
Healthcare: Researchers have made significant strides in developing personalized medicine, utilizing advancements in genomics and AI algorithms to tailor treatments to individual patients. This approach promises more effective therapies with fewer side effects, potentially revolutionizing the healthcare industry's approach to treating diseases. (Source: AI Catalyzing Precision Medicine for Customized Healthcare Solutions)
Education: The adoption of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in education has transformed the way students learn. Immersive experiences enable learners to interact with educational content in dynamic and engaging ways, enhancing retention and understanding. This innovation has particularly benefited fields such as medical training, where VR simulations allow students to practice procedures in a risk-free environment. (Source: AR and VR Training: Leveraging Capabilities)
Market News
The "State of Private Markets: Q4 and 2023 in review" report provides insights into the trends in fundraising, valuations, and overall market conditions for startups and investors. Here's a summary of the key points:
Overview of 2023: After the volatility of the previous years, 2023 saw a more stable startup ecosystem, with fewer deals and decreased funding compared to previous years. However, fundraising proceeded steadily throughout the year.
Q4 Highlights: Down rounds remained elevated, seed activity slumped, and late-stage valuations experienced a surge. There were fewer seed rounds and Series A deals, while late-stage valuations saw increases.
Geographical Trends: While California remained the top fundraising state, Massachusetts surpassed New York to become the second-largest fundraising state. Other states like Texas and Florida also saw significant increases in fundraising activity.
Regional Market Share: The South saw an increase in market share, while the Midwest also experienced growth. The West's share fell below 50% for the first time.
Series B and C: Both Series B and C deal counts and capital raised remained low compared to previous years, with slight declines year-over-year.
Late-Stage Deals: Series D deals saw a rebound in Q4 after a downturn earlier in the year, while Series E+ valuations rose steadily throughout 2023.
Employee Equity and Movement: The exercise rate of stock options declined, and terminated options with a 90-day exercise window remained high. Startup layoffs decreased over 2023.
Portfolio Updates
Inito, a startup that helps women quickly track fertility hormones at home, raises $6M
FidoCure® delivers 3X survival improvement to dogs with cancer. Our study in Nature Precision Oncology in partnership with Stanford AI Health showed how our platform delivers remarkable patient outcomes and makes us the only precision pet health company with validated outcomes in Nature. FidoCure’s innovative offering of 12 targeted therapies to treat pet cancer is now validated- these 21st Century therapies designed for humans, work for dogs.
Innovative child care platform Wonderschool has launched “Wonderschool Academy” in New Mexico, a free program to help prospective providers start child care businesses out of their homes.
Fractional
Bethany's article follows the author's journey into becoming a fractional executive, dividing their focus among multiple projects. They express excitement about embracing their diverse interests and goals, finding fulfillment in hands-on project work. Despite the challenges, like the lack of traditional benefits, they highlight the flexibility and efficiency of fractional work. Overall, the author is optimistic about the opportunities and rewards this new work model offers in today's dynamic environment.