From Unicorn to Unicorpse: One Kings Lane Goes For A Song

The flash sales or discount sites sector was once a cool sector that saw several billion dollar unicorns like Groupon, Gilt Groupe, LivingSocial, and Zulily. But as the sector’s appeal fades, these unicorns are turning into unicorpses*. The latest addition to the unicorpse list is One Kings Lane, which was recently bought by Bed, Bath & Beyond for $30 million, a mere 3% of its peak valuation of $912 million in 2014. >>>

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2016 IPO Prospects: Uber Eyeing Self-Driving

According to eMarketer, 15 million US adults are expected to use ride-sharing services, a 20.5% y-o-y increase. However, the sector is maturing with no more booming growth rates. While the segment is expected to grow through 2020, the rate of growth is expected to shrink to single digits by 2018. >>>

2016 IPO Prospects: Optiv Grows Inorganically

According to a MarketsandMarkets report, the cyber security market is projected to grow 10.6% annually over the next five year period to be worth $202.36 billion by the year 2021. The industry is estimated to be worth $122.45 billion this year. The report projects the highest growth in the application security market.

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2016 IPO Prospects: Blue Apron Cooking up an IPO

According to market research firm Packaged Facts, the US meal kit delivery services market is estimated to grow to $1.5 billion in sales this year. The researcher predicts that the industry will grow to a multi-billion dollar market over the next five years. New York-based Blue Apron is estimated to be the market leader in the industry and analysts believe that the company is now gearing to go public.

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Billion Dollar Unicorns: iCarbonX Wants to Create a Digital You

According to a MarketsandMarkets report published last year, the global healthcare analytics market is projected to grow 26.5% annually over the five year period to be worth $18.7 Billion by 2020. The industry was estimated to be worth $5.8 billion in 2015. North America has the largest market in the Big Data healthcare market due to the Big Data initiatives launched by the federal government to reduce healthcare expenses. China’s recent Billion Dollar Unicorn Club member iCarbonX is also making big waves in the industry.

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Billion Dollar Unicorns: Xiaohongshu Leverages Social Commerce to Join the Club

According to eMarketer, there is an increasing trend of cross-border e-commerce in China. In 2016, 181.2 million buyers are estimated to purchase goods from abroad worth $85.76 billion. By 2020, nearly 291.8 million e-commerce buyers will be making purchases from abroad, either directly or through third party apps. Total spending on cross border e-commerce is estimated to grow to $157.7 billion by the year 2020. Billion Dollar Unicorn Club’s new member Xiaohongshu is facilitating in delivering these high growth forecasts.

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2016 IPO Prospects: Human Longevity Leverages Machine Learning and Analytics to Increase Lifespan

According to a recent Deloitte report, advances in medical science are leading to an increased life expectancy. In 2014, the average life expectancy globally was 72.3 years and that is expected to grow to 73.3 years by 2019. In 2019, 11% of the total population are expected to be aged more than 65 years. Analysts expect that out of the global health spend of nearly $7 trillion, nearly half of the funds are diverted to making sure that this ageing population continues to live longer. >>>

SAP Emphasizing Internet of Things

After the announcement of Brexit last quarter, many were worried about the performance of Europe-based companies. Recently reported second quarter results by ERP leader SAP (NYSE: SAP) appear to have put those concerns to rest. After delivering rather lack luster results in the first quarter, SAP delivered very strong second quarter results that sent the stock soaring to 52-week high levels.

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Alibaba’s Magic Code Appears to be Working

Recent economic results point to an economic downturn in China. Its economy grew 6.7% over the year during the second quarter, the same rate at which it had grown in the first quarter. But growth rate has fallen from the 7% level it had touched a year ago and 7.9% back in 2013. Despite the worries about the economy, China’s e-commerce leader Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) doesn’t appear to be much bothered.

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Priceline Should Buy Yelp

At the beginning of the year 2016, Yelp’s stock (NYSE: YELP) plunged by about 50% after a disastrous quarter, but things are looking up for the local reviews site. It swung to a profit after five consecutive quarters of losses.
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