My top stories of 2023
A reflection on my best scoops & stories from the past 12 months
What a time to be a tech reporter.
2023 was a year of growth in so many ways, but I’m especially proud of the professional moves I made in building something hard to say goodbye to at TechCrunch and jumping into a new, challenging opportunity at The Information. I started my year covering Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse and ended my year covering the OpenAI board coup and saga. In between those two chaotic events were more solemn yet seismic changes happening around us in startup land: the correction that impacted unicorns and venture funds alike, the AI fundraising boom (seen here, here, and here) that made working out of San Francisco feel vital and the maturation of a tech scene that required even more accountability.
And with that, here are my top stories & scoops from 2023:
VC Firm OpenView Abruptly Winds Down After Key Partners Leave, Returns Sour
Behind the scenes on a venture capital firm’s abrupt halt, teaching us lessons about key man clauses, generational turnover & zombie capital.
Sam Altman’s Tangle of Investments
Altman’s bevy of investments and how he thinks about conflict of interest today.
Altman Argued With OpenAI Board Member Toner Before Ouster
Behind the scenes on rising tensions before Altman’s ouster.
Jasper, an Early Generative AI Winner, Cuts Internal Valuation as Growth Slows
A signal that the AI boom doesn’t come without corrections.
How Deel Became Payout Provider for Prop Trading Firms, Including Site Frozen by CFTC
Reporting that ultimately led to Deel changing its business practices, terms of services and came alongside a CFTC inquiry.
Storage Startup Clutter, Running Out of Cash, Sells Itself at Steep Discount
A detailed look at how a SoftBank & Sequoia bet ran out of cash and sold for pennies on the dollar.
Burned by layoffs, tech workers are rethinking risk
Even though everyone loves to read about mafia spin out trends, I spent time covering the reality of losing your tech job, and rethinking risk.
For female VCs, bias is a branding issue
I covered the bias that impacts how female VC funds think about branding, hiring and investing.
For startup competition, SVB’s nightmare is a win and a dare
How SVB’s collapse impacted fintech competitors and other banking startups & a reminder on the interconnectedness in Silicon Valley.
And with that,
I’m super grateful to all my sources who trust me and talk to me about these topics and more.
If you’re thinking of speaking to a journalist or have a tip but don’t know how to share in a way that protects your identity, reach out via Signal (925 271 0912), DM on Twitter or e-mail natasha@theinformation.com and I will walk you through my process entirely off the record.
To many more stories next year!
N
here's to an even better 2024!