Wild times in the markets: Chipmakers hit record highs, and BP’s profits have doubled, while Meta and Microsoft cut 20,000 jobs. Meanwhile SpaceX’s US$1.75t IPO casts an ever larger shadow on everything. Will crypto-verified equity research will save us? Or is it time to start posting and raising a pre seed round yourself? Today’s issue covers all of this, plus Milan’s best coffee, a lovely Wyoming ranch, San Francisco’s hottest peptide club, and more.
-Asli Onur and Jon Kallus

🔼 Intel. The chipmaker’s stock surged to an all time high »»

🔽 Silicon valley headcounts. Meta and Microsoft are shedding 20,000 jobs »» Meanwhile: Top tech execs are quitting to found their own AI startups »»

🤖 Vouch API is a brand new startup promising “institutional-grade equity research.” The app “self-certifies” its own reporting to be correct, thanks to cryptography »»

✈️ “Fifteen seconds on Ponza and I’m spellbound.” The Italian island is all but ignored by international tourists, but it’s been a hot spot for Romans for centuries »»

👗 Armani/Archivio is reissuing some of Giorgio Armani’s most iconic pieces »»

💬 “Brace yourself for breathless hyperbole.” SpaceX has yet to formally unveil details of its ⁠upcoming IPO, but it’s said to be looking for a US$1.75t valuation »»

British staycation bookings are approaching Covid-era levels »» Blame tight jet fuel supply »»

Meanwhile: BP’s profits have doubled »»

Also: this salty gin “distilled by the sea” makes a superb “dirty G&T” »»

Why rest alone doesn’t restore energy »»

Go on an insider food tour of Hong Kong with chef Vicky Cheng »»

M&A has become unrecognizable »»

Is this Paris’s chicest crash pad? »»

AI optimism surges in Asia. In America, not so much »»

India hit a record high demand for power »»

Sabastian Sawe became the first athlete ever to finish a competitive marathon in sub 2 hours. 11 seconds later, Yomif Kejelcha did the same »»

For young founders, selfies are as vital as funding »»

And: Inside San Francisco’s hottest peptide club »»

Sun Pharmaceutical, India’s largest drugmaker, is buying the American pharma firm Organon for US$11.75b »»

Here’s a US$1,850 jewellery box from Rimowa »»

And: US$450,000 Bang and Olufsen speakers »»

A new brand called Béis is selling luggage that connects, so your multiple bags roll together »»

Milan’s best coffee »»

What US$37.5m gets you in Jackson Hole »»

A new generation of ‘post-medium’ artists rises at the Venice Biennale »»

This newsletter’s editor owns shares in Intel, Meta, and Microsoft