Archive: startup update
Cityzenith Shuttered, but Investors Still Have Hope
By Vin Narayanan on June 8, 2023
Many First Stage Investor members have written in to ask us about Cityzenith closing its business. We recommended Cityzenith as an investment opportunity in September 2020. And like you, we’re disappointed that Cityzenith closed. We were hoping for big things. I reached out this week to Cityzenith founder and CEO Michael Jansen to see if we could have a quick conversation. I wanted to better understand why…
Startup Status Report: Genius Juice Takes a Shot at a New Product
By Early Investing on February 2, 2023
When we first recommended Genius Juice in May 2021, we were impressed by the company’s 100% organic coconut smoothies. They’re protein-rich, filling, nutritious, and tasty. Even better, Genius Juice smoothies contain “no dumb stuff” — as in, no added sugars, stabilizers, or other…
Portfolio Update: TÖST Expands Its Global Reach With Rave Reviews
By Teddy Lyons on January 26, 2023
We first recommended TÖST in 2021. The company sells non-alcoholic sparkling beverages made with simple ingredients and low sugar. We recently caught up with CEO Brooks Addington to see how things have been going over the last year and a half. …
SampleServe Is on the Brink of Major Growth
By Teddy Lyons on January 5, 2023
We recommended SampleServe back in 2020. SampleServe is a Michigan-based provider of environmental project and data management solutions. The company offers environmental sampling tools that allow gas stations and oil companies to monitor and manage underground contaminants as required by law. …
What Went Wrong With NowRx
By Andy Gordon on December 12, 2022
Last Monday, I told you that NowRx was going out of business. Today, I’m going to share some more thoughts on why it happened. The company says it was because of the deteriorating economy. But there’s a lot more to it…
NowRx Is Going Out of Business
By Andy Gordon on December 5, 2022
As many of you know, NowRx is going out of business. NowRx issued an email yesterday detailing some of the asset sales of the company that have recently taken place, including a link to the company’s announcement last Wednesday that Alto Pharmacy has acquired the rights to NowRx’s…
Startup Insider: Gryphon Sees Supercharged Sales Growth
By Early Investing on October 17, 2022
When we first recommended Gryphon in 2018, we were impressed by the company’s innovative product and excellent team. The company makes arguably the most secure and functional wireless internet router on the market. The Gryphon router uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology…
Portfolio Update: Monogram Orthopaedics Explores a Public Listing
By Teddy Lyons on August 18, 2022
We recommended Monogram Orthopaedics to you back in 2019 and again in 2021. The company is developing advanced robotics technology combined with 3D printing to disrupt the joint replacement industry. We recently caught up with Monogram CEO Benjamin…
Portfolio Update: CodeCombat Grows Revenue, Expands Customer Base
By Early Investing on June 9, 2022
We recommended CodeCombat almost two years ago in July 2020. The company develops video games that teach middle schoolers and high schoolers how to code. Since we recommended CodeCombat, the company has navigated the COVID-19 storm and is now growing sustainably and profitably. …
Startup Insider: Winc Explores Sake, Non-Alcoholic Wines and More
By Early Investing on May 9, 2022
The wine market was worth $64 billion in 2021 — and that’s just in the U.S. Yet this gargantuan industry has been sorely lacking in innovation. Until Winc came along, that is. Winc is a wine club…
Startup Update: Turning Misfortune Into Opportunity
By Andy Gordon on December 30, 2021
We first presented Amsterdam-based Tradefox in 2017 (back when it was called Scrap Connection). We presented the company again in 2019. It provides a business intelligence and trading platform for…
Tradefox Rides Virtual Business Trend to New Growth
By Andy Gordon on May 27, 2021
I recently spoke to Chris Yerbey, the founder and CEO of Amsterdam-based Tradefox. We recommended TradeFox in 2017 (back when it was called Scrap Connection) and again in 2019. It provides a business intelligence and trading…