Industry Shake-ups: Wiz’s $23 Billion Decision
For those who missed it, we’re spotlighting key conversations from industry leaders like Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, and Bridgit Mendler, the Disney star turned space CEO. Plus, we've got important updates from across the tech landscape.
Wiz Turns Down $23 Billion Offer
In a surprising move, Wiz co-founder and CEO Assaf Rappaport revealed at TechCrunch Disrupt that the company declined a staggering $23 billion offer from Alphabet. Rappaport described the decision as “the toughest ever” but emphadata-sized the immense potential he sees in the cloud security market, estimating it to be a $100 billion opportunity. At the time of the offer, Wiz held a private valuation of $12 billion and had received other offers as well, though none matched Google’s.
Apple Unveils New M-Series Chips
Apple made waves this week with a series of exciting product announcements. Among the highlights was the introduction of the M4 Pro chip, launched alongside the compact new Mac mini, and the M4 Max, which will be available as an upgradeable option for the MacBook Pro lineup. Additionally, apple refreshed its desktop accessories, transitioning from Lightning to USB-C for charging—though the placement of the charging port on the Magic Mouse remains a point of contention, as it is still awkwardly positioned on the bottom.
Dropbox Announces Significant Layoffs
In a significant restructuring move, Dropbox is set to lay off 20% of its workforce, affecting 528 employees. CEO Drew Houston addressed the decision in a letter to staff, describing it as part of a “transitional period.” He noted the need to make cuts in areas where the company had “over-invested” while aiming to create a “flatter, more efficient” organizational structure.