WorkMarket Co-Founder and President Jeff Wald joins the show from  Manhattan to discuss Volunteer Surge, a platform launched in response to  the COVID-19 Outbreak to train and deploy nurse aides. Jeff and Alex  discuss how Volunteer Surge was created, how the platform works, who can  apply, and the response the program has received since launching. Jeff  also details the inception of WorkMarket, his journey as a founder, and  views on the future of contract workers and the gig-economy. Jeff's book  "The End of Jobs: The Rise of On-Demand Workers and Agile Corporations"  is available June 2, 2020.  BECOME A VOLUNTEER👩🏼‍⚕️: https://volunteersurge.com/  The End of Jobs📕:  https://www.amazon.com/End-Jobs-Demand-Workers-Corporations/dp/1642934356  WorkMarket is trusted by businesses of all sizes to find, manage and pay  their freelancers and independent contractors:  https://www.workmarket.com/

Munchery co-founder Tri Tran joins the show from San Francisco to  discuss with Alex how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected different areas  of the food industry. Tri and Alex talk about food startups pivoting in  response to new quarantine driven types of demand and detail how they  think now could be an opportune time for incumbents to invest in  disruptive startups within the industry.

Alex opens the show with a look at the continued difficulties some  traditional retailers are facing during the pandemic and discusses what  companies may not survive the downturn. Next, he discusses a recent post  from Marc Andreessen on it being time for the U.S. to invest in  building. The show closes with a look at tech earnings and the shift to  digital.

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Alex opens the show looking at Verizons recent acquisition of video  conferencing tool BlueJeans and breaks down what makes a communication  tool a true platform. Next, he discusses Stripe's $600 million raise and  Microsoft's new multi-year deal with the NBA. The show closes with a  special offer for viewers interested in reading Modern Monopolies on a  Kindle device.

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UPDATE: It appears the sale on the Kindle edition of Modern Monopolies  has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway!

Alex opens the show with more details on Airbnb's $1 billion private  equity deal and a look at Slack selling convertible notes to raise $600  million. Next, a look at some platforms that are thriving during the  pandemic and the biggest issue with Zoom's recently security blunder.  The show closes with a look at Macy's departure from the S&P 500.

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Alex opens the show talking about the three main buckets of businesses  that are "pandemic proof". Next, he explains why Venture Capital is  failing at supporting disruptive startups and breaks down the 4 lasting  impacts he sees coming out of COVID-19. The show closes with a look at  the new video service Quibi and a message about where we're currently at  in the pandemic.

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Alex opens the show with a look at the continued difficulties tech  startups have been facing and then highlights the two platform stocks he  thinks are good buys during the downturn. Next, Alex shares excerpts  from an Applico deep dive looking at Booking.com vs. Marriott  International Inc. The show closes with a round up of Amazon News and a  story about Gojek shares being bought and sold on the secondary market.

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Alex starts the show with a look at how the SARS outbreak impacted  markets and compares that data to what we've seen so far with COVID-19.  Next, a look at the current state of startups and some ways regulation  is being done right during the pandemic. The second half of the show  looks at some companies that are still able to successfully raise  capital and what the big tech monopolies have been doing in response to  conronavirus. Alex breaks down if Airbnb's IPO will be canceled, the  surge in Uber Eats orders, Gojek raising $1.2 billion, France helping  fund startups, and the potential Facebook deal with Reliance Jio.

Originally aired 03/20/26

00:33 - Will Stocks Stay Up/Look at SARS Data

Alex opens the show with his views on the current pandemic and market  volatility before jumping into what might happen to Fintechs during the  down cycle and explaining why private equity firms are licking their  chops. Next, an analysis of Uber vs. Lyft during COVID-19 taking a look  at which ride sharing platform is better positioned to outlast the  pandemic. The show closes with some corporate innovation topics covering  digital transformation, accelerators, and incumbent tech integrations.

00:12 - COVID-19 Message

Alex opens the show with a look at the impact Coronavirus is having on  content platforms. Next, he takes a look at the bump we've seen on  gaming platforms, some moves Amazon has made during the pandemic, and  the slow down in buying properties from Real Estate platforms. The show  closes with a look at how startup funding is slowing and what is going  on with Blue Apron's stock.

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