This week, we had the opportunity to sit down with Adrien Nussenbaum, Co-founder and CEO of Mirakl. With over 400 marketplaces powered by its technology and surpassing $6 billion in gross merchandise volume, Nussenbaum is an invaluable resource into the industry's trajectory and the future it holds. From humble beginnings in 2012, Mirakl has become…

In this interview, we sit down with Tyler Ellison, the founder of ChemDirect, a leading B2B marketplace connecting buyers and suppliers in the chemical industry. Tyler shares his insights on how logistics and supply chain services have been a key driver for ChemDirect. He also discusses the unique characteristic of having users who are both buyers …

Alex Moazed speaks with Bar Geron, founder of Balance, a fintech company that focuses on digitizing B2B e-commerce payments by developing one-click checkout payment tools. Balance was co-founded by Bar Geron and Yoni Shuster, who were former employees of PayPal, the company helps B2B e-commerce merchants and marketplaces to get paid instantly, proc…

In this interview, I speak with Fabrice Grinda, a founder of FJ Labs. With over a thousand unique investments made across different life cycles of FJ funds, Fabrice shares his Marketplace-centric approach to investing, and the importance of investing in extraordinary people who are trying to solve the world's problems. Fabrice also talks about his …

In this interview, we speak with Rob Johnson, the President of the Institute for New Economic Thinking, about the state of the U.S. economy in 2023 and the recent closure of Silicon Valley Bank. Johnson shares his insights on a range of topics, including: - The overall health of the U.S. economy and its prospects for growth in the coming year - The…

In this interview, I sit down with Sultan Meghji, a seasoned entrepreneur and former Chief Innovation Officer at the FDIC. Sultan was the FDIC's first ever Chief Innovation Officer and ended up leaving the position and penning an op ed in Bloomberg titled: Why I Quit as FDIC Innovation Chief: Technophobia. I talk with Sultan about the blockers he r…

We open the show with a look at the ongoing turmoil around TikTok and parent company ByteDance. We look at what AI ChatGPT thinks of TikTok and at news that ByteDance is expanding into enterprise software offerings. Next, Twitter files have revealed that the Federal Government sent payments to Twitter. We look at the emerging evidence about these p…

I connect with Kristin Savilia to talk about JOOR, a platform that connects brands and retailers globally to deliver seamless digital wholesale management from connection to payment. Applico ranked JOOR #2 in our 2022 Top 50 B2B Marketplaces ranking. 00:00 - Follow Applico for the latest on platforms 00:20 - Joor in Applico's Top 50 B2B Marketplace…

It's a packed episode with analysis of Amazon's complaints about regulation in India, YCombinator changing up it's president to Garry Tan, and Home Depot moving into B2B. Also covered in this episode, Reid Hoffman sticks by the blitz scaling strategy, and what Zuckerberg said during his visit with highly scrutinized podcast kingpin Joe Rogan. 00:00…

The episode kicks off with an in-depth look at Farfetch's deal to buy Yoox Net-a-porter from Richemont. The luxury fashion space is an especially interesting vertical for platform innovation and there's a lot of unpack and ideate on with this new deal. Next, news has come out that Chinese tech giant Tencent is divesting its assets under pressure of…

The show opens looking at the Twitter leak from whistleblower Peiter “Mudge” Zatko. Next, eBay has purchased a trader card company called TGCplayer. Is this a good move for the struggling auction based eCommerce platform? Also covered, Penn National completing its acquisition of Barstool sports and DoorDash teaming up with Facebook to deliver marke…

Elon Musk has successfully completed his $44 billion deal to purchase Twitter. The newly self dubbed "Chief Twit" walked into Twitter offices carrying a sink. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and CFO Ned Segal have left the company after day one of Elon's takeover. Musk will take the company private and many reports indicate Twitter will see trimming of u…

We kick off the show with an update on Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter. Next, I document why I think manufacturers are making a big mistake around tech investments and why B2B distributors need to be weary. We close the episode with a look at two happenings out of China, a new article detailing how Chinese startups depend on U.S. market public offe…

It's a quick episode of the show covering two topics! First off, I look at the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, a bill that prohibits certain large online platforms from giving preference to their own products on the platform. I look at how this bill could benefit companies damaged by big tech's ongoing anti-competitive practices and, to …

We kick off the show looking at a new leak showcasing Facebook's devious actions in Australia after Australia had passed a world-first law aimed at making Google and Facebook pay for news content on platforms. Also as a bonus, we have a laugh at Facebook's anti-facebook chat bot. Next, video platform Rumble is suing Google for suppressing search re…

The episode starts with a look at tech companies big and small cutting back on workers and slowing hiring. Next, an in-depth look at grocery delivery analyzing what incumbent grocers are rolling out delivery tech and whether or not they're keeping up with disruptive startups in this space. Also in this episode, startup accelerator YCombinator pivot…

Applico CEO Alex Moazed and Director Nick Johnson sit down with 3 time tech disruptor Mitch Lowe. Lowe is known for heading up MoviePassas CEO, being a founding executive at Netflix, and President of RedBox. Mitch has detailed his amazon journey from high school dropout to tech executive in his new book Watch and Learn: How I Turned Hollywood Upsid…

We start the show with a look at the bizarre narrative around inflation and why so many sources are trying to claim that a recession is not happening in the United States (and how big tech is helping spread this misinformation). Next, Amazon has made waves with its proposed acquisition of One Medical, a technology-powered national primary care orga…

The show opens with a look at LIV, a new professional golf tour funded by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. LIV has quickly become a challenger to the PGA via a marquee strategy. I do some analysis on how sports leagues can be considered platforms and what strategies are being employed in this new battle for the top spot. Next, a look at h…

To start the episode we take a look at a recent Financial Times story detailing how fake social media posts from Chinese misinformation groups attempted to derail a new rare earths mining operations in the U.S.. Next, Alex looks at TikTok's response to the BuzzFeed leaks and a report detailing how China is putting pressure on Elon Musk over Starlin…

The episode kicks off with a look at inflation and some real estate data that may hint as to whether or not the FED's rate hikes are working effectively. Next, we take a look at Elon Musk announcing that he is backing out of the Twitter deal and I discuss if I think this transaction will ever actually happen. Also covered, Amazon striking a deal wi…

It's the first official day of the recession in the U.S. and we kick off the episode looking at what this means and why the media doesn't seem to be paying attention. Next, in a move predicted on WTA pre pandemic, Pinterest has finally made a change at CEO. Will new CEO Bill Ready be able to finally tackle commerce on the platform? Also covered, ve…

We're back and broadcasting from Minnesota for the summer! The show starts with a look at rising inflation in the U.S. as we question how the Federal Reserve is measuring and reacting to the tumultuous economic environment. Next, a look at how startup valuations are falling and the changing relationships between VCs and early stage startups. We als…

The episode opens up with a look at Airbnb's decision to exit the Chinese market, a move that I see as part of a larger exodus of foreign tech companies who've been unwelcome in China and continuously managing complicated relationships with the Chinese government's regulators. Next, as we see foreign companies exiting China, the government has pled…

My Modern Monopolies co-author Nick Johnson joins the episode and our discussion starts with Sequia Capital's presentation to growth startups urging founders to focus on profitability and positive cash flows. Also covered, how some VC may have over extended during the current downturn and an explanation on open vs. closed marketplaces. #podcast #st…

We start the show with a look at how Australia's law requiring big tech companies to pay for news sharing has been going 1+ years in. Next, we share some Applico data on M&A activity among B2B distributors and adjacent competitors looking to disintermediate incumbents and disrupt the traditional supply chain. The second half of the show covers some…

The episode opens up looking into the tumultuous market conditions as of late and Netflix's reporting that subscriber numbers are declining. Next, Elon Musk has announced the Twitter deal is on hold pending verification on the number of fake/bot users. I discuss what these means for the deal price and if this could be the end of this transaction. A…

It's a special edition of the show focused on news in the B2B industry. First, we take a look at both Amazon and Home Depot making announcements that they'll be launching funds to invest in B2B technology startups. I break down what these companies have invested in so far and explain why this should be a wake up call for traditional distributors in…

The episode starts with SEC documents that reveal what the breakup fee is between Elon Musk and Twitter. We discuss if the size of this fee is a signal on how serious each side is on making this deal happen. Another story concerning the Twitter buyout, we look at what Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has to say about the transaction and Elon's business ti…

We start off with an update on Elon Musk's attempts to purchase a majority share in the social platform Twitter. With the Twitter board now instituting a poison pill strategy to ward off hostile takeover attempts, it would appear things are getting tense. I still think Elon can make a purchase of Twitter happen but it's going to have to be done the…

The episode starts with a detailed look at the saga between Elon Musk and Twitter. At the time of recording, Elon had rejected an offer to join Twitter's board and was holding an almost 10% stake in the social platform. Next, a look at the Etsy seller strike over the craft marketplace's increases to its take rate. Is this a classic example of a dom…

We dive into new tech regulations in this episode, begining with a look at the EU's troublesome new Digital Markets Act. This new EU regulation aims to curb the power of gatekeeper tech companies but unfortunately the set definition for a "gatekeeper" is much too broad and I think this one will cause much more chaos than good. Next, we look at some…

The episodes kicks off looking at Uber's decision to integrate taxis onto the platform in NYC and San Francisco. Next, a look at Pinterest's failed attempts to add commerce to its platform and the company's spectacular failure to acquire Verishop. We also cover two stories on Instacart, looking at the delivery platform deciding to slash its valuati…

The episode starts with a look at the European Union banning Russian media from spreading on the web. While I've supported businesses right to cease business with Russia, I think an outright ban on information is a more complicated issue. Next, discussion on the SEC asking for more information from Chinese companies and some signs that the tech cra…

I dig into the auto industry with Applico Managing Director Nick Johnson! We start off with a big announcement concerning Applico Capital and the LatAm auto market. Next, Carvana's purchase of ADESA is analyzed as Nick and I breakdown why the digital enabled car retailer might want to own a B2B auction provider. We finish off the episode looking at…

We dive right into the episode with Alex discussing why he decided to sell his "beloved" mfers NFT. He details if this venture into the NFT world was profitable and if he would recommend others try out the "investment". For our second topic, a look at Elon Musk supplying the Ukraine with Starlink internet equipment so that the nation can access int…

The Federal Reserve has broken our American economy and I sit down with Chris Leonard to discuss his new book that details how our monetary system ended up here teetering on ruin. Chris is a New York Times best selling author and his new book The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy is a "fascinating and propulsiv…

This episode of Winner Take All starts by looking at Peloton, a downtrodden exercise equipment and "media" company that activist investors are peddling to everyone from Disney and Netflix to Berkshire Hathaway. Alex comments on why he thinks the business is in decline and criticizes Peloton for claiming to have Network effects. Next, discussion on …

I talk with Christopher Bedford, a founding partner at RightForge, about building a new internet infrastructure company in the shadow of big tech. RightForge is an internet infrastructure provider that claims to be a first of its kind company operating infrastructure while being committed to American ideals online. RightForge is positioning themsel…

I start the show with a look at the epic Twitter battle between (now former) Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow and Y Combinator. Are Breslow's claims anointing Y Combinator and Stripe as mob bosses of Silicon Valley accurate? Next, a story that DoorDash engineers are outraged at the company policy requiring all employees to do a food delivery once per month. W…

Nick and I welcome Jonathan A. Knee onto the show, author of The Platform Delusion: Who Wins and Who Loses in the Age of Tech Titans. Knee is Professor of Professional Practice and Co-Director of the Media and Technology Program at Columbia Business School and also a Senior Advisor at Evercore Partners. At a quick glance, The Platform Delusion appe…

I sit down with Salih Hudayar, Prime Minister of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile. The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile claims to be the sole representation of East Turkistan and its people on the international stage. East Turkestan is an area annexed by the People's Republic of China in 1949 and is officially recognized as the Xinjiang Uyg…

The FTC has reshaped its arguments against big tech monopolies and will now look at potential regulation with monopsony power in mind. Alex and Nick discuss how this new angle being used by U.S. competition regulators at the Federal Trade Commission, lead by Biden-appointed FTC chairwoman Lina Khan, has the potential to actually prove big tech plat…

Alex starts the show looking at a CNBC story that claims ultra-wealthy investors are buying platform stocks as a hedge against inflation in the United States. Next, a look at the unpaid army of moderators that run platforms like Reddit and Wikipedia. Alex analyzes how much power these users hold and whether or not platforms should be paying them. A…

The episode starts with a look at Microsoft's massive deal to buy Activision Blizzard inc.. Alex breaks down the deal and questions Microsoft's positioning that this deal is a play towards the metaverse. Next, news that Y Combinator will change its standard deal offered to startups in the accelerator to now invest as much as $500,000. We discuss ho…

Alex starts the show with a look at the metaverse acquisitions Facebook has been making and whether or not Mark Zuckerberg can just buy Roblox. Next, Alex explains why he loves Rocket Mortgage's move to buy TrueBill, a personal finance suite for users who'd like to track spending and rid themselves of delinquent subscriptions. Also covered, why Chi…

Applico CEO Alex Moazed breaks down platform and platform adjacent companies that are expected to go public in 2022. These companies span multiple spaces and industries including B2B, fintech/payments, food, delivery, eCommerce, buy now pay later, social media, content, and more. Moazed looks at various fundraising by these platforms, current valua…

Alex kicks off the episode looking at eBay's changes to how the company will be reporting gross merchandise volume and he breaks down what eBay's claimed immaterial differences between the old and new GMV numbers actually are. Reddit has confidentially filed for IPO and we take a look at how profitable of an investment Reddit could turn out to be f…

The show opens looking at an interview with Palantir CEO Alex Karp where he calls out Silicon Valley's reluctance to work with the U.S. government. Alex commends Karp for his criticisms and calls for big tech to have more of a backbone when it comes to supporting the U.S.. Next, discussion of The Information's exposé revealing Apple's clandestine $…

The episode starts with analysis of a report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance that details how Amazon has continuously extracted increasing profits from third-party sellers on its marketplace platform. Next, Alex digs into the departure of Jack Dorsey from Twitter and looks at newly appointed CEO Parag Agrawal. Also covered, alt tech vide…