This week at Social Leverage...

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4 articles, 1 podcast & 1 video

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READING

I. Punchup Live Acquires Tixologi

Punchup.Live (Fund IV) has acquired Tixologi (Fund IV) , a next-gen ticketing provider, in an all-equity deal to enhance its ticketing infrastructure for live comedy events. The acquisition allows Punchup to offer seamless, direct-to-fan ticket sales and advanced marketing tools for comedians, venues, and producers, while Tixologi continues to support its existing clients in live music, sports, and self-service events.

II. Quarter Won

Beehiiv (Fund IV) had its best quarter ever, adding over $3M in ARR for Q1 2025, driven by strong subscription growth and a successful ad network. The company launched several new features, including a website builder and direct sponsorships, and expanded its team with key hires. Beehiiv is positioning itself as a comprehensive content and monetization platform for creators, with big plans ahead for the future.

III. AI-powered interviewing startup aims to improve hiring outcomes and the candidate experience with new tech

AI-powered interviewing startup Ribbon (Fund IV) has launched its platform to streamline the hiring process, offering AI-driven voice interviews that enable quicker, more candidate-friendly screening. Ribbon targets high-turnover industries, helping companies save time and improve hiring outcomes while providing candidates with instant feedback and a richer profile. The platform integrates with popular ATS systems and aims to reduce hiring timelines by 30-40%.

IV. Moats Make the G.O.A.T.s: Lunch & Learn Recap with Matt Ober

Matt Ober discussed the evolving market data landscape during a "Lunch & Learn" session with Wells Fargo, highlighting the importance of proprietary data as a competitive edge in the AI-driven market. He emphasized that startups like Finchat (Fund IV) and AlphaSense are reshaping data consumption, while incumbents like FactSet may need strategic acquisitions to strengthen their positions. Ober also noted that AI is redefining scale and operational efficiency, and that the shift to consumption-based pricing models is challenging traditional vendor revenue structures.

LISTENING

I. The Business of Financial Markets Data | Matt Ober - General Partner, Social Leverage (ex-Bloomberg, ex-HF, now VC)

WATCHING

II. Inside the CoreWeave IPO: AI Hype, Financial Shenanigans & the New IPO Circus

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