Dan Primack

Boston

Biz editor @Axios. Pro Rata newsletter. [email protected]. Native Masshole. DM for Signal/Telegram. https://t.co/SxHx1mvPXN

Articles

Scoop: Anduril's Palmer Luckey to invest in stealthy stablecoin startup

1 week ago | axios.com | Lucinda Shen |Dan Primack

Axios Pro Exclusive Content Photo: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAtticus, a stealthy stablecoin banking startup, is in advanced talks to raise new funding at a valuation of between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, Axios has learned from multiple sources. The round would be led by Palmer Luckey, the cofounder and CEO of defense-tech giant Anduril Industries.
NYC pension's $5 billion sale of private equity stakes might be largest ever of its kind

1 week ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosNew York City's pension systems yesterday announced a $5 billion sale of private equity stakes, with Blackstone as the lead buyer. Why it matters: This appears to be the largest PE secondaries deal ever, in terms of dollar value, and highlights how large limited partners are seeking to streamline their manager rosters. It's also NYC's first-ever secondaries sale, having abandoned two prior processes — one due to COVID and one due to pricing.
U.S. Steel situation gets even stranger

1 week ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosThe U.S. Steel saga is entering its ludicrous era, more than 17 months after the Pittsburgh-based company agreed to be acquired by Japan's Nippon Steel for around $15 billion. Why it matters: None of this is working the way it's supposed to, and the chaos has opened the door for potential impropriety.
Tencent invests in K-pop firm, as China restrictions may ease

1 week ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/AxiosTencent of China is acquiring a 9.7% stake in listed South Korean music firm SM Entertainment Co. from K-pop agency Hybe for around $177 million, according to a securities disclosure. Why it matters: This is the latest indication that mainland China plans to lift its unofficial ban on K-pop and other forms of Korean entertainmentTencent operates several large online music platforms in China, which had been a major K-pop consumer before the ban.
U.S. Steel situation gets even stranger

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Dan Primack

6 hours agoRobert Ward is the Japan chair at the London-based think tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), where he also directs the geo-economics and strategy program. He is the author of "Evaluating Japan's New Grand Strategy". Since President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs that …
Harvard ban threatens startup pipeline

1 week ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty ImagesPresident Trump's decision to prevent international students from studying at Harvard could hurt America's economy by reducing the number of startup founders. Why it matters: Trump is aiming at Harvard, but buckshot may hit the innovation engine that America needs to stay ahead of China.
Trump's Harvard move could deprive the U.S. of its unicorns

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty ImagesPresident Trump's decision to prevent international students from studying at Harvard University could hurt America's economy by reducing the number of startup founders. Why it matters: Trump is aiming at Harvard, but buckshot may hit the innovation engine that America needs to stay ahead of China.
Trump's Harvard move could break startup pipeline

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Dan Primack

3 hours agoFor Tom Cruise, These 2 Words Are the Secret to Aging Well. Science Agrees With HimCruise is still doing incredible stunts at 62—and these two simple (stealable) words can help you resist the effects of aging as well. As an entrepreneur, you probably don’t need to leap out of airplanes and scale skyscrapers the way 62-year-old Tom Cruise does in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Rippling and Deel fracas pulls in a third "unicorn"

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosThe corporate espionage fight between Rippling and Deel again has escalated, and this time appears to involve a third HR software "unicorn."Catch up quick: Rippling sued Deel in March, accusing Deel of hiring a spy inside of Rippling. Deel, which is valued by VCs at around $12 billion, denied the allegation and countersued for defamation.
Trump nears decision on U.S. Steel takeover

2 weeks ago | axios.com | Dan Primack

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/AxiosPresident Trump has opposed Nippon Steel's proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel since almost the moment it was announced. He also is fixated on signing deals that include large foreign direct investment commitments. Why it matters: We're about to learn which force is stronger.