Secondary venture activity has ebbed and flowed over the last few months, following a particularly busy summer. But 2024 may see investors returning for good, writes Rebecca Szkutak.<\/p>\n
Full TechCrunch+ articles are only available to members. \u201cThe buyer universe for pre-IPOs expands quite a bit when you have a functioning IPO market. The list of investors who become interested in secondaries expands to those that are interested in public markets,\u201d Caplight CEO Javier Avalos told her.<\/p>\n Thanks for reading,<\/p>\n Karyne<\/a><\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Andriy Onufriyenko (opens in a new window)<\/span><\/a> \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Funding for AI-related startups surpassed $68.7 billion in 2023, but \u201cmega-deals\u201d might be inflating those numbers. In Q3, total VC funding in the space was around $22.1 billion. But after subtracting Big Tech\u2019s mega-deals, the total is more like $15.1 billion. As Kyle Wiggers writes, \u201cCould it be that VCs, initially swept up by the generative AI hype, are coming down to earth and\/or growing wary of the tech\u2019s risks?\u201d<\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> champc \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Twilio\u2019s share price is down after it laid off staff this week amid great instability. In February, CEO Jeff Lawson announced that he\u2019s splitting the business into two parts, with Elena Donio tapped to head data and apps. During its Q3 earnings call, however, the company announced that Donio would be stepping down. And that\u2019s not even taking into account its tanking stock price.<\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Bryce Durbin\/TechCrunch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dear Sophie,<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m currently in the U.S. working for my employer on an H-1B. I\u2019ve been wanting to start my own company, but I\u2019ve been working on boosting my accomplishments for the O-1A because I\u2019ve read in your past columns over the years that transferring an H-1B to a startup comes with a lot of downsides for startup founders, including giving up control and equity. How has that now changed?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 Future Founder<\/strong><\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Bryce Durbin \/ TechCrunch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019ve found yourself in the uncomfortable situation of having to do layoffs in December, TechCrunch reporter Haje Jan Kamps has some tips on how to do it compassionately.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Use discount code TCPLUSROUNDUP<\/strong><\/a> to save 20% off a one- or two-year subscription.<\/i><\/p>\n\u2018Mega-deals\u2019 could be inflating overall AI funding figures<\/h2>\n
![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/GettyImages-1403606692.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTwilio might actually deserve activist investor attention<\/h2>\n
![\"Abstract](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1187660241.jpg\")
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To receive the TechCrunch+ Roundup as an email each Tuesday and Friday, scroll down to find the \u201csign up for newsletters\u201d section on this page, select \u201cTechCrunch+ Roundup,\u201d enter your email, and click \u201csubscribe.\u201d<\/p>\nClick here to subscribe<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ask Sophie: Does the H-1B visa require founders to give up equity and control?<\/h2>\n
![\"lone](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/dear-sophie-immigration-maze-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy layoffs happen in December, and how to handle them compassionately<\/h2>\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/layoffs-e1684946575831.jpg\")
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