AcquiredMarch 1, 2017

Episode 31: The Uber - Didi Chuxing Merger with Brad Stone, author of The Upstarts & The Everything Store

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Audio URL: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/media.transistor.fm/ca71a7d2/27ac15f7.mp3

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Guest: Brad Stone, author of The Upstarts & The Everything Store

Topics covered include: The global surge in 2012 of entrepreneurs starting ridesharing companies, nowhere moreso than China Didi CEO Cheng Wei and investor Wang Gang’s backgrounds at Alibaba, first entrepreneurial effort in Momo, and Momo’s pivot to Didi Dache The culling of the ridesharing herd in China down to Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache through brutal competition and involvement of the “big three” Chinese internet companies Rise of the Chinese messaging apps and associated mobile payments, and their impact on ridesharing The 2015 merger between Didi and Kuaidi, brokered in part by Russian VC Yuri Milner Uber’s decision to enter the Chinese market, and early success with investment and support from Baidu The first meeting between Uber CEO Travis Kalanick and Cheng Wei in 2015— which does not go well Subsequent “scorched earth” competition between Didi and Uber throughout 2015-16 Negotiating an armistice: Uber’s agreement to sell its Chinese operations to Didi in late 2016 End of the war, or just the beginning? January 2017: Didi invests $100M in Brazilian Uber competitor 99 Sustainable growth, and building moats versus scorching earth

6 book mentions in this episode.

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Books Mentioned

The Everything Store

Brad Stone

“Brad is the author a few years back of the canonical history of Amazon, the everything store, which as listeners know, we have discussed a lot on this show.”

Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: history of Amazon

For: Listeners interested in technology and business history

Key quote: “It's just a great book that we can't recommend enough.”

The host mentioned 'The Everything Store' as a significant work that has influenced their understanding of Amazon's impact on the tech industry. They emphasize its importance by stating it is a great book that they can't recommend enough.

ASIN: B00FJFJOLC

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Airbnb

“Brad mentioned in his book that Airbnb defined its mission and values very early and Uber didn't really, their mission and values were just keep going and win.”

Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: history of Airbnb

For: Listeners interested in technology and business history

Key quote: “If you like this show and history and analysis of kind of waves of technology companies, you're going to love this book.”

The host mentioned the book 'The Upstarts' because it provides a comprehensive history of new internet companies, including Airbnb. They believe it offers valuable insights into the evolution of these businesses and their impact on the market.

ASIN: B0GH8XDRYT

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Taming the Mammoth

null

“I read a whole bunch of WAITBUTWHY. And the, um, this one from 2014 that I really love is why you should stop carrying what other people think taming the mammoth.”

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: evolutionary advantages of social acceptance

For: Individuals interested in psychology and social behavior

Key quote: “he brings up. There's really great idea. Um, that, you know, you shouldn't care what other people think, but it's, it's, it's deeper than just like this, this thing that we.”

The host mentions 'Taming the Mammoth' to highlight the evolutionary perspective on why people care about others' opinions. This book provides a deeper understanding of the biological and social factors that influence our behavior as people pleasers.

ASIN: N/A

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Sapiens

Yuval Noah Harari

“The book Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari was seminal for so many people. He's got a new book out that I'm just starting, but enjoying very much.”

Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: caring what others think

For: Readers interested in human evolution and societal dynamics

Key quote: “I just find his writing to be mesmerizing.”

The host mentions 'Sapiens' to highlight its significant impact on understanding human behavior and societal evolution. They appreciate Harari's ability to connect historical insights with contemporary issues, making his work relevant for today's readers.

ASIN: B0741F3M7C

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Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

Yuval Noah Harari

“He's got a new book out that I'm just starting, but enjoying very much. Homo Deus, I think is how you pronounce it. A Brief History of Tomorrow, which, you know, is him kind of looking at the future and automation and the future of humanity.”

Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: future of humanity

For: Readers interested in future studies and automation

Key quote: “Homo Deus, I think is how you pronounce it.”

The host mentions 'Homo Deus' as a new book they are starting and enjoying. The book explores themes of the future, automation, and humanity's trajectory.

ASIN: B01MYZ4OUW

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The Upstarts

null

“Go read the upstarts. It's fantastic.”

Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: new generation companies

For: listeners interested in technology and business history

Key quote: “Ben and I both read it. It's great. We highly recommend it.”

The host mentioned 'The Upstarts' as it provides a comprehensive history of influential internet companies like Airbnb and Uber. They believe the book is essential for understanding the evolution of technology companies and their impact on the market.

ASIN: B01MT1FHD8

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