Blank check company Qell Acquisition ($QELLU) is concluding its first week trading on the Nasdaq and will be focusing on companies working in next-generation mobility, transportation, and sustainable industry technology sectors. The company's founder and CEO Barry Engle told Cheddar it can be beneficial for a company to go public via increasingly popular special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) instead of a traditional IPO or a direct listing.
"In periods of volatility like we're seeing now, a SPAC becomes an excellent alternative. It's a quicker, faster route to market," he said.
Engle stressed the stability that a SPAC provides over other options. "Because of the nature of the SPAC, you're able to agree with the target company in advance what the price is. In contrast with a traditional IPO — where, depending on the day you launch, maybe you get lucky, maybe it's a bad day in the market — all of that uncertainty can be removed with a SPAC."
Now that Qell Acquisition is trading on the public market, it will be able to engage with potential targets. When it comes to businesses in industries such as next-generation mobility and transportation, Engle says his team is looking for, "companies in these spaces that are growing, that have winning technologies, and have the opportunity to take advantage of some of these large secular trends." Engle specifically pointed to a move towards electric vehicles and away from internal combustion engines.
Above all, Engle said that it's about the potential these companies have, both on Wall Street and in their particular sectors. With their technologies "these companies will have the opportunity to grow and post extraordinary growth versus the market and versus other companies."
Starbucks’ decision to restrict its restrooms to paying customers has flushed out a wider problem: a patchwork of restroom use policies that varies by state and city. Starbucks announced last week a new code of conduct that says people need to make a purchase if they want to hang out or use the restroom. The coffee chain's policy change for bathroom privileges has left Americans confused and divided over who gets to go and when. The American Restroom Association, a public toilet advocacy group, was among the critics. Rules about restroom access in restaurants vary by state, city and county. The National Retail Federation says private businesses have a right to limit restroom use.
President Donald Trump is talking up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout of data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI.
Chris Ruder, Spikeball Founder and CEO, explains how he and his friends put roundnet on the global map, plus, how Spikeball helps people "find their circle."
J.W. Roth, CEO of Venu Holding Corporation, discusses the company's IPO and plans to redefine live music entertainment with their fan founded, fan-owned model.
Variety's Clayton Davis discusses why more than just the 1% are struggling after the LA fires. Plus, how awards shows will pivot to help victims. Watch!
Emily Hosie, CEO of Rebelstork, explains the concept of Returns Recommerce, plus how her company raised $18M to address the industry-wide issue of returns.
