Author: Vin Narayanan

Subscribe to Vin's feed.

Premium

Webinar: Meet Ample Foods Founder Connor Young

Ample Foods founder and CEO Connor Young joins the First Stage Investor gang to answer questions about Ample's latest raise and how the company is performing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premium

Why Aurora Cannabis Stock Took a Dive

By Vin Narayanan on December 30, 2019

Aurora Cannabis stock took a beating last week. Here’s why - and what investors should keep in mind going forward.
Premium

The Real Hong Kong Is Worth a Visit

By Vin Narayanan on December 19, 2019

There are different versions of Hong Kong depending on the day of the week and the media’s portrayal of the city. But the real Hong Kong is a beautiful place to visit.

Nothing Is Immune to Disruption – Including Breakfast

By Vin Narayanan on November 16, 2019

No industry is safe from disruption. Even milk and orange juice are in trouble.

News Fix: CBD Products Could Still Make You Fail a Drug Test

By Vin Narayanan on November 9, 2019

In the news this week: New York hemp farmers get a break, Saudi Arabia backs Travis Kalanick again and David Marcus says bitcoin isn’t a currency.

News Fix: Who Watches the Watchers?

By Vin Narayanan on November 2, 2019

In the news this week: Colleges become legal battlegrounds for cannabis, China praises blockchain and the Fix ponders who watches the watchers.
Premium

Four States Gobble Up 80% of Venture Capital Dollars

By Vin Narayanan on October 28, 2019

Just four states receive 80% of all venture capital money. And 40% of all VC money raised goes to Facebook and Google ads. This is a stark reminder of just how broken the VC system is.

News Fix: The Two-Minute Drill Version

By Vin Narayanan on October 26, 2019

In the news this week: Adam Neumann gets a hefty severance package, Indian startups have a record year and the Senate finally starts thinking about marijuana research.

News Fix: Cannabis Companies Roll With the Changes

By Vin Narayanan on October 12, 2019

In the news this week: The MedMen-PharmaCann deal is called off, the IRS updates its crypto guidelines and Andreessen Horowitz gets its fourth female general partner.

How Founders Get Funding and How Investors Ensure They Deserve It

By Vin Narayanan on October 5, 2019

When seeking funding, a startup founder needs to sell their vision to investors. And investors need to challenge that vision. Here are some specific points both parties need to talk about in order to succeed.

How to Modernize the SEC

By Vin Narayanan on October 2, 2019

The slow-moving SEC is in desperate need of an overhaul. And investors need to push for it.
Premium

Airdrop Alert: Beowulf

By Vin Narayanan on October 1, 2019

This week’s airdrop is Beowulf, a project using blockchain and artificial intelligence to create a decentralized communications network.
Premium

Protesters Fight for Hong Kong’s Future While China Grows Impatient

By Vin Narayanan on September 30, 2019

China is growing impatient with the protests in Hong Kong. And that means trouble.

News Fix: WeWork Isn’t the Only One Cleaning Up Its IPO Mess

By Vin Narayanan on September 28, 2019

In the headlines this week: Bitcoin falls 15%, WeWork tries to clean up its IPO mess and the House passes a marijuana reform bill with a historic vote.

News Fix: WeWork Can’t Shake Off Its IPO Woes

By Vin Narayanan on September 21, 2019

In the news this week, WeWork’s IPO woes continue, Massachusetts’ vape sales decline and the U.S. Army looks to hire crypto investigators.

The SEC’s Crypto Market Manipulation Fears Make No Sense

By Vin Narayanan on September 20, 2019

The SEC is refusing to approve a bitcoin ETF out of fear of market manipulation. But that fear is nonsensical.