Start-Ups Are Pummeled in the ‘Great Unwinding’

The New York Times (04/01/2020)
  • The coronavirus pandemic has forced startups to layoff thousands to survive.
  • Startups reliant on social gathering and movement (eg Airbnb, Bird scooter rental, fitness) have been especially hard-hit.
  • While some areas – telemedicine, food delivery, online learning, remote work, gaming – are thriving, most are feeling the pinch from venture capital investors pulling back (steepest decline in funding in 10 years).
  • Bird laid off hundreds of employees via video-conference.
  • The current “start-up survival guide” involves spending cuts, lowering prices and seeking government assistance.