This month’s eclectic mix includes M&A war stories from tech deals we have done, how Elon Musk planted a chip in a pig’s brain, a reveal on Antipodean rocket technology, and tips on how to increase your SaaS revenues. All in a day’s work! Best wishes from the team at NRP.

Getting Deals Done in a Pandemic:

A stock market listing doesn’t suit everyone. North Ridge Partners advises Mint Payments on its delisting from ASX.

Original Thinking from North Ridge Partners:

Our team reveals all: M&A war stories direct from the battle ground. Essential reading if (like most founders) you’re thinking about your exit!

Chris Tran’s compelling investment thematic on social commerce examines its escalation from nowhere to everywhere in Southeast Asia.

In Global Tech News:

Big news from the Wild West as The Donald orders the sale of TikTok’s English language platform, then the East fights back.

Here they are, the stories that tech investors don’t like to tell you about: Tech’s biggest losers - 2020 version.

It’s lift-off for tech IPO season! The secretive Palantir files for IPO, followed by a host of others.

An Epic dispute with Apple: Here’s the short read, from The Verge. And here’s the long read, fresh from the NoCal District Court. Knock yourselves out, folks.

In Regional Tech News:

Ant Group is set to go public: Ant’s mega IPO sets up Jack Ma to escalate the battle with Tencent.

Amazon’s fintech push into India: Will Amazon be successful in India’s huge and complex market?

Show me the money, Xiaomi: Strong earnings and prospects propel the Chinese tech company’s share price to an all-time high.

Singapore is the #1 innovator in APAC and #8 globally: The Red Dot shows us all how it’s done. Check out the Global Innovation Index.

Just as Mint delists, yet another “buy now, pay later” company jumps on the ASX bandwagon.

The Antipodean Space Race:

Rocket Lab rocks: Who’d have thought a plucky New Zealand company would become a bona fide contender?

But wait - here come the Aussies! This ABC video examines the role that Antipodeans are playing in the global Space Race. Add it to your weekend viewing list.

Some Aussie space movie humour from that 20 year old classic, The Dish (watch til the end, and prepare to laugh, if you’re old enough to remember!)

From Fintech Corner:

The countries leading the fintech revolution: ValueWalk pinpoints the global hotspots.

Increase per customer SaaS revenues 2-5x through embedding fintech: Excellent reading from Andreessen Horowitz.

Early stage fintech hit hardest by the pandemic: The solution? Build strong digital solutions.

Some Eclectic Stuff we Liked:

Elon Musk is at it again, this time implanting chips in a pig’s brain. In Musk’s words, “the future is going to be weird.” Check out the video.

Fitbit identifies half of COVID-19 cases before symptoms take hold - a win for wearables? Meanwhile, here comes Halo - should we trust Amazon with our personal health records?

An update on the eCommerce Shipping Wars as Amazon now delivers nearly two-thirds of its own shipments in the USA.

The Last Few Words:

Tech’s dirty little secret: In the past 10 years we have spent $25 trillion maintaining legacy technology. Sounds like a great recurring revenue model!

Tesla strikes back. Cheetah mode rocks.

When life goes pear-shaped. Who says Apple plays nice?

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Build, fund and exit your technology company with North Ridge Partners

North Ridge Partners works with technology companies across the Asia Pacific to achieve transformational outcomes through advice on strategic positioning, raising third party funding, M&A, and direct investment. We’re experienced deal-makers who have built, run, and sold numerous technology companies.

Contact us here.

© North Ridge Partners 2020