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Re:Alibaba acquires Berlin-based data Artisans for $103M by thecleaner on Tuesday January 08, 2019 @04:45AM (#18854458)
> Many people are afraid that big software companies will steal and abuse their personal data

Cant say they are wrong. But its also a business concern for enterprise companies everywhere - US or EU so you cant really say this is an issue here. More of a requirement.

>exploit small family businesses, and just make money on mistreating normal people.

Most of the people who think so are being very stupid.

Re:Alibaba acquires Berlin-based data Artisans for $103M by jondubois on Tuesday January 08, 2019 @11:09AM (#18856553)
> Most of the people who think so are being very stupid.

VCs make a profit by selling startups to big corporations or big investors via IPO. Most startups have negative cash flow and make negative profits by the time they are acquired by a corporation or investors. This means that VCs make a profit by creating negative value. Most VC-funded startups with a successful exit never become profitable. Those few startups that do manage to IPO and eventually become profitable are usually those who happen to have a monopoly over some industry; in other words, they are only profitable because consumers have no other alternatives to choose from; so they get to set the price. Believing that VCs create negative value is not stupid. Not seeing that it might be the case is what's stupid.

Re:Alibaba acquires Berlin-based data Artisans for $103M by thecleaner on Thursday January 10, 2019 @02:58AM (#18872283)
I see what you mean. But the actual point was about exploiting family businesses and mistreating people. I am not sure what it has to do with your negative value argument.
Re:Alibaba acquires Berlin-based data Artisans for $103M by devdimi on Tuesday January 08, 2019 @04:52AM (#18854482)
Sure. I did not want to discuss if it is right or wrong. I just wanted to state some widespread beliefs that are hostile for tech startups.