LinkedIn is Raising $1Bn; Could Acquisition Be In Store?

LinkedIn-Logo (2)LinkedIn, which already has $873 million of cash and short-term investments sloshing around, now is seeking to raise an extra $1 billion by selling freshly issued stock. What’s behind the fund-raising binge? Lots of possibilities — with acquisitions being the most interesting idea.

In a news release, LinkedIn ticked off all the standard, vague reasons that companies cite for raising more money. The Mountain View, Calif.-based social network for professionals says it wants to increase its financial flexibility and “further strengthen its balance sheet.” It adds that it might use the money for working capital, expanding its already hefty product development and field-sales teams, expanding abroad, general administrative matters, or
capital expenditures.

LinkedIn also says it may use some of the money for “potential strategic acquisitions of, or investments in, complementary businesses, technologies or other assets.” So far in its 10-year history, LinkedIn has done occasional small acquisitions, but nothing all that big. It paid $119 million for SlideShare last year, and $90 million for Pulse (a mobile news feed app-maker) earlier this year. Doubtless there are lots more venture-funded startups that wouldn’t mind negotiating a sale that would give them ready cash — and access to LinkedIn’s 238 million members.
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7 Lessons from Building a $15-Million-a-Year Lifestyle Business with No Loans, VCs or Angel Money

Often times there is a misconception that you can’t develop an amazing business without VC’s, investors and stuff. Mindvalley proved that not only this can be done but their success can be emulated and … you have to screw it and just do it. Vishen draws seven important lessons he learned in the past nine years of building Mindvalley from scratch.     The takeaways fro this article are: 1. Your College Degree is Meaningless (and sometimes a liability) 2. Don’t Quit Your Day Job Too Soon 3. Business Plans are Mostly Bullshit 4. Control Your Equity 5. Forge Networks … Continue reading 7 Lessons from Building a $15-Million-a-Year Lifestyle Business with No Loans, VCs or Angel Money

The World’s Rudest Nations For Tourists

Denis Foynes- Skyscanner has released the results on an intensive survey designed to locate the countries where the people are the rudest towards tourists. Skyscanner claims to be Europe’s leading travel search site, operating in over 25 languages with over 25 million visits and over 11 million unique visitors per month. It has offices in Scotland and Singapore. Some of the seeming rudeness may be attributable to cultural differences rather than anything deliberate. For example, says Tatiana Danilova, Skyscanner’s Russian Market Manager, “the Russian language is not as polite as English, so when Russians translate directly from Russian to English, … Continue reading The World’s Rudest Nations For Tourists

TEDxAsheville – Adam Baker – Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love

In 2008, after the birth of his first child, Baker and his wife decided to sell everything they owned, pay off their consumer debt, and spend a year traveling abroad as a family. They began sharing their journey in early 2009 on the blog Man vs. Debt, now 15000 subscribers strong. In sharing their ups and downs in the areas of personal finance, consumerism, clutter, travel, minimalism, and passionate entrepreneurship, they realized they aren’t alone in a desire to explore and grow. One of the funniest idea from this video is that people go to expensive trips to escape their … Continue reading TEDxAsheville – Adam Baker – Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love