Why does the NYC Subway suck?

Some of you might know that New York City is an essential part of Slidebean’s history. We have our offices there, but it also put me through the test in my earliest days as a startup founder and the city changes you, for better or for worse. New York City has it all. As the cliché goes, it never sleeps, and I love that, being a night owl myself. From bars to meetups, you can find anything here, but part of what makes this city so unique actually runs underneath it. 

The New York City subway is a massive system of tunnels that carry millions of people daily. It’s the most extensive network in the western hemisphere, with 472 stations, and it is one of the oldest network, existing for more than 120 years. It runs 24/7, which is excellent for me! (Although, it did close once). From an engineering standpoint, it’s a fascinating feat. There’s no imagining this city without it. In fact, I don’t think it would have existed at all. 

As I picked up where I left off with my traveling before the pandemic, I rode it again. Immediately, I fell back into this love/hate relationship I have with it. I’m sure I’m not the only one. As we try to push the pandemic behind us, more and more people are using it every day. In fact, the numbers are well on their way to reaching pre-pandemic levels, and it’s back to its old ways. 

Ride it more than once, and chances are that you’ll run into the unpredictable, the hilarious, and sometimes (unfortunately) the dangerous. It’s a part of life in this city. That’s how it has been for years, even as the system has made strides to stay updated. So, a question kept surging in my head. Why does the NYC subway suck? Answering this question wasn’t easy. My research took me beyond the trains and stations. I dove into a history of politics, corruption, and downright hatred for public transportation. 

Plus, what I found out told me more about the city than I could’ve ever imagined. New York City built itself on top of this system and has relied on it for decades. There were tough times, and some were a bit better. These trains and turnstiles have survived a lot. By the looks of it, this system will try to continue to do so for decades, but can it?

Is Canada the next big bet?

Venture capital in Canada broke records in 2021 and the US had a big say in it. US-based VC reached a record $13.6 billion, doubling the amount in 2019. Moreover, the average deal size in a Canadian startup also grew, now averaging $15.5 million. 

While the nation historically has struggled to raise capital outside its borders, many factors have contributed to Canada getting more attention in recent years. It’s not only the big names, such as Google and Intel but also an increase in a key aspect that the US has lost throughout the years.

National policies have also been a great magnet for investment. Not only does the nation have a lower cost of living, but it has also had a more proactive approach toward remote work. All these factors mean Canada is no longer the nation that lags. Now, it could make a name for itself, as the new up and comer in the startup world. 

The perfect pitch deck template in 2022

What is a pitch deck? What is the purpose of a pitch deck? Who should write an investor pitch deck? Do I need a pitch deck to get funding in 2022? How long should a pitch deck be? What should be included in a pitch deck?

These are some of the most common questions that I get asked about pitch decks but I wanted to make sure that all the answers are in one place.

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Thread of the Week

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Why does the NY Subway system SUCK?

New York has a special place in my heart. It's where I've lived so many adventures, both good and bad. But, the subway? Not so much. The challenging thing to explain in this video is that there's no one reason why the NYC subway is in such a condition. 

This startup wants to challenge Amazon

Amazon has spoiled us with one-day delivery at a low cost, but it’s hard to get such service with other logistic providers. One startup wants to change that. Shipium helps mid-size e-commerce companies solve challenges that come with providing the cheapest or fastest delivery solution. 

Jason Murray, Shipium’s CEO, spent two decades at Amazon, working precisely on the topic of supply chains. Such experience has given him not only plenty of experience but also the confidence in investors to bet on his startup. The company has just landed $27 million in funding, which it plans to fuel growth for its software.

Shipium has processed 10 million shipments since its inception in 2019. That’s a mere fraction of what Amazon faces, as it has 200 million Prime customers, but the startup isn’t deterred. In fact, the recent supply chain chaos has helped Shipium, as customers look for other solutions. Now, the challenge is convincing more people that they have the solution. 

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