Startups Weekly: Wiz’s bet paid off in an M&A-rich week

Tech Crunch - Mar 21st, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

This week in the startup world, several major acquisitions and funding announcements have created a wave of optimism. Google has agreed to acquire cloud security startup Wiz for a record $32 billion, marking a significant exit for investors like Israel's Cyberstarts. Meanwhile, SoftBank is set to buy chip startup Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion, and Munich Re is acquiring insurtech startup Next Insurance for $2.6 billion. Nvidia's acquisition of synthetic data startup Gretel, and Klarna's new partnership with Walmart, further highlight the week's dynamic developments.

These high-profile deals indicate a positive trend in the startup ecosystem, despite previous economic uncertainties. The substantial returns for investors, like the 200x return for Cyberstarts from the Wiz acquisition, signal strong confidence in the sector. Additionally, venture capital activities show a growing appetite for innovation, with notable investments in cloud technology, AI-powered platforms, and climate initiatives. These moves could shape the future landscape of technology and innovation across various sectors, fostering an environment ripe for growth and new opportunities.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of recent activities in the startup world, focusing on significant acquisitions, funding rounds, and legal disputes. It is timely and relevant, offering insights into current trends and developments that are of interest to industry stakeholders. The story is well-structured and clear, making it accessible to readers familiar with the startup ecosystem. However, the lack of explicit source attribution and transparency regarding information gathering methods affects its credibility. While the article covers a range of perspectives, it primarily focuses on high-value transactions and major players, potentially overlooking smaller startups or less publicized developments. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the startup sector, though it could benefit from enhanced source disclosure and a broader perspective.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of recent startup activities, including acquisitions and funding rounds. The claims about major acquisitions, such as Google's acquisition of Wiz for $32 billion, are significant and require verification. The article accurately reports on the high-profile nature of these deals, but specific details, such as the exact amount of retention bonuses and the return on investment for Cyberstarts, need verification. The story mentions multiple acquisitions and partnerships, like SoftBank's acquisition of Ampere Computing and Klarna's partnership with Walmart, which are factual but need confirmation from primary sources or press releases. Overall, the article presents a truthful depiction of the startup landscape, though some precision in figures and timelines could enhance its accuracy.

7
Balance

The article covers a wide range of startup activities, from acquisitions to new ventures and legal disputes, providing a balanced view of the current startup ecosystem. It highlights both successful exits and ongoing challenges, such as lawsuits between companies. However, the focus is primarily on high-value transactions and major players, potentially overlooking smaller startups or less publicized developments. The story does not exhibit overt favoritism, but it could benefit from including perspectives from smaller startups or those in different sectors to provide a more comprehensive view of the industry.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the main events and developments in the startup sector. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the key points. The story effectively organizes information by categorizing different types of startup activities, such as acquisitions, new ventures, and funding news. While the article is clear in its presentation, it could improve by providing more context or background information on some of the companies mentioned, which would enhance comprehension for readers unfamiliar with the industry.

6
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite its sources, which affects the credibility of the information presented. While the details about acquisitions and funding rounds suggest reliance on press releases or insider information, the lack of direct attribution makes it difficult to assess the reliability of the claims. Including quotes from company representatives or references to official announcements would enhance the article's authority. The story appears to be based on reputable information, but the absence of clear source attribution limits its overall reliability.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of source disclosure and the methodology behind the information gathering. It provides an overview of significant events in the startup world but does not explain how the information was obtained or whether there are any potential conflicts of interest. The article would benefit from a clearer explanation of the basis for its claims, such as referencing specific press releases or interviews with industry experts. Greater transparency would help readers understand the context and reliability of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.businessinsider.com/google-wiz-acquisition-trump-ipo-big-tech-startups-2025-3
  2. https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/18/google-is-buying-wiz-for-32b-to-beef-up-in-cloud-security/
  3. https://blog.google/inside-google/company-announcements/google-agreement-acquire-wiz/
  4. https://www.wiz.io/blog/wiz-joining-google
  5. https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/google-announces-agreement-acquire-wiz