Rebecca Bellan joined TechCrunch as a senior reporter focused on the intersection of mobility and policy. She focuses on the retail investor perspective and the new, changing investment landscape, including coverage on delayed IPOs (initial public offerings). Bellan, known for her insights into Tesla and Elon Musk’s empire, focuses on autonomy, artificial intelligence, electrification, gig work platforms, and regulatory scrutiny of Big Tech.
In last week’s episode of our Equity podcast, Bellan joined forces with Jared Carmel of Manhattan Venture Partners. Together, they delved into the most thrilling new trends. Carmel is keen on the idea that by involving retail investors in secondaries, it closes the feedback loop. We have estimated that this loop might increase IPO timelines by as much as 20 years. This development points to the reality that firms will need to look disproportionately toward secondary markets for funding, not through typical IPO paths.
Bellan emphasized the increasing influence of retail investors in this development. In Q4 2024, data from platforms like EquityZen indicated that 86% of total transaction volume was generated by retail participants. This increase is indicative of a larger demographic trend towards different investment practices. Now, individual investors are making a comeback, becoming more active participants in the capital markets.
Theresa Loconsolo, an audio producer at TechCrunch and a key member of the Equity team, emphasized the importance of understanding this market shift. Loconsolo, who is a New Jersey resident, has a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Monmouth University. She focuses her knowledge on the flagship podcast, which has developed a loyal following across social media channels including X (Twitter) and Threads.
In particular, Carmel pointed out the growing power of retail investors exacerbates what he calls “informational asymmetry.” This loophole, or phenomenon, further exposes the wide knowledge divide between everyday retail investors and institutional players. This gap can distort market competition and make IPO timelines protracted well beyond average.
Bellan’s newcomer story into Ethereum investment reflects her longstanding personal pursuit of transforming financial paradigms. Her techno-financial imaginings, as she calls them, provide a refreshing clarity. They showcase how retail investors are breaking down historic investment barriers.
The equity landscape in the Transportation Sector is changing fast. It’s important to continue holding the line on IPOs and greater power of retail investors, so go on. Seasoned reporters like Bellan are paired with industry experts like Carmel. Collectively, they shed incredible light on adapting to this transition.