Etsy’s Big Leap Forward

On Wednesday, March 5th, Etsy filed to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in an IPO that could be worth as much as $100 million.  Etsy has its foundations in Brooklyn New York primarily serving as a digital bazaar.  Etsy claims that it has 1.4 million sellers and 19.8 million active buyers; an impressive market distribution.  Etsy’s net worth is about $1.7 billion and has yet to make a profit; however, their revenue has increased substantially in the past few years.  In 2012 it produced $74.6 million; 2013, $125 million; 2014, nearly $200 million.  Based on Etsy’s net loss over the past few years, is their file for an IPO premature? Or given their increasing returns, is now the optimal time for them to enter the public market in order to continue growing?

 Read about how Etsy predicts the IPO will fold out for them here 

 Non-profits Extend Internet Resources to Aid Against Ebola

A non-profit in San Francisco, California called Inveneo, embarked with a group of tech. scientists from Facebook’s data team on a research project on cellular coverage and usage in Sierra Leone.  The team is working to find the fastest and cheapest way to broaden Internet connections so aid workers can send data to international health organizations more efficiently.  The effort is part of the Ebola Response Connectivity Initiative launched by Inveneo a couple of months ago to extend internet coverage to remote Ebola treatment centers and non-profit government agencies.  The initiative has partnered with several organizations that see the economic and social benefits the Internet can have for something as simple as human health, and those who are willing and able to lend their expertise.    

 Check out more of the discussion of this project here

On Net Neutrality: A Circumstance Climax

The FCC announced last week rules regulating Internet provision; The EU has proposed legislation to the European Parliament with proposals countering FCC legislation.  The FCC has agreed that internet provision should be a level playing field for everyone, yet the EU suggests that ceteris paribus, Internet providers should have an option to allow customers of certain circumstance faster internet connection at a cost.  When certain companies or individuals are given web privileges, the integrity of net neutrality is compromised.  The EU is suggesting that there are certain situations when people have a more inelastic demand for efficient Internet quality; a hospital’s need for speedy Internet connections is more imperative than a family watching Netflix.  The argument is on what grounds do these circumstances find justice? The EU is attempting to suffice this notion so that Internet connectivity is distributed most efficiently for society. 

Check out more of the details regarding the EU’s perspective here

Happy Friday Everyone!