11.28.2023

Maya's Reading List

November 28, 2023

SPICE CAPITAL PRESENTS: 🔥 🌶 HOT SAUCE 🌶 🔥 

Here at Spice Capital, we’re focused on making big bets in areas primed for rapid change. To do that, we believe it’s important to stay up to date with what some of the most exciting thinkers and builders are saying day-to-day as well as mixing up your content intake with some fun from the corners of the internet. We know there’s a lot of noise and the space can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry! We’re here to be the Hot Sauce in your bag so you can make sure you always keep things spicy!

1) Where are we in the Creator Economy Hype Cycle

The “Creator Economy” has officially fallen out of favor with VCs.

I think VCs are in trough of disillusionment when it comes to creator economy after they invested in hype rounds of companies like Clubhouse, Cameo, Linktree, Substack

Hunter Walk wrote a great piece here:

The Only Thing Which Has Failed About The ‘Creator Economy’ Thus Far Is Venture Capital’s Attempts to Get Their Piece. Why There’s Never Been a Better Time to Be a Creator.

I judge the health of the creator economy by one single controversial factor: ease of access and probability of survival for its participants. That is, if you are someone who wishes to earn a minim…

Meanwhile…according to Goldman Sachs, the creator economy is expected to grow to HALF A TRILLION (!!) dollars by 2027.

The Creator Economy Could Approach Half-a-Trillion Dollars by 2027

Here’s how I think about the phases of ‘Creator Economy’ and the opportunity ahead:

Phase 1: Free Distribution across mediums (Youtube, Google, IG)

Phase 2: Better Monetization (Patreon, Substack)

-Today-

Phase 3: Easier Discovery (TikTok, Symphony, Beehiiv)

Phase 4: Cheaper Content Creation (Glif, Wombo, Midjourney…endless AI tools)

2) Crypto investment products saw inflows of $346M last week 👀

AUM for digital asset funds reached $45.3 billion, the highest since early 2022

Volume 159: Digital Asset Fund Flows Weekly Report

ETF Anticipation Fuelling the Largest Surge in Inflows Since Late 2021

3) Channels are back

We got so used to our information bubbles that scrolling through Netflix to find something to watch is a chore. Curation is King.

Expect more channels, magazines, and bundling.

Roku understands this trend. They just smashed earnings:

Roku stock soars 30% on third-quarter revenue beat, solid outlook

Roku revenue grew 20% year over year in the third quarter and beat Wall Street's expectations.

4) CARI is sick.

This website lists out every aesthetic design trend ever:

CARI | Aesthetics

5) AI Predictions from CEO of Hugging Face

6) RHONY Blackstone Creative Directors?

RHONY Star Jenna Lyons joins Blackstone’s new spinout - as Creative Director.

Bloomberg calls it an “Unusual Team”

Blackstone Executive Spins Out Brand Group, Hires Ex-J. Crew President Jenna Lyons

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Check out Bonside.com - they help finance fast growing brick & mortar businesses and give investors passive monthly income.

(Disclaimer: I'm an angel investor in Bonside and investor on the platform!)

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Nothing there? Email [email protected] your resume and what you are looking for in next role and we will try to help!