UK Startups Face Funding Crisis: The Shift to Series A

UK startups are struggling to transition from Seed to Series A funding, with graduation rates plummeting from 12.5% to just 4.5%. This episode explores the changing landscape of venture capital, the increasing risk aversion among investors, and the strategies startups can adopt to improve their chances of securing funding. We also discuss Stripe's potential $1 billion acquisition of crypto startup Bridge, General Catalyst's controversial investment in Saudi Arabia, and the challenges faced by 23andMe's CEO Anne Wojcicki amid a board resignation crisis.

Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevorclawson/2024/10/18/uk-startups-are-struggling-to-reach-series-a-so-whats-the-problem/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2024/10/17/stripe-talks-buy-crypto-startup-bridge-1-billion/
https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/general-catalyst-reportedly-to-back-saudi-arabian-startup/
https://fortune.com/2024/10/17/23andme-what-happened-stock-board-resigns-anne-wojcicki/

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:42) UK Startups Are Struggling To Reach Series A: So What’s The Problem?
(00:03:59) Stripe In Talks To Buy Crypto Startup Bridge For $1 Billion
(00:06:38) General Catalyst reportedly to back Saudi Arabian startup
(00:09:59) 23andMe’s entire board resigned on the same day. Founder Anne Wojcicki still thinks the startup is savable