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cover of episode How 23andMe went from a $6 billion valuation to trading for pennies

How 23andMe went from a $6 billion valuation to trading for pennies

2024/8/7
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Most Innovative Companies
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A
Ainsley Harris
E
Edward Norton
J
Josh Christensen
Y
Yasmin Gagne
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Ainsley Harris: 23andMe 成立之初的目标是通过直接面向消费者的基因检测服务来改变医疗体系，但其业务发展面临诸多挑战。检测需求量下降，产品属于一次性消费品，市场逐渐饱和；基因信息数据不再具有独特的竞争优势，面临日益激烈的市场竞争；公司曾遭受黑客攻击，损害了用户对数据安全的信任；试图转型为远程医疗平台，但效果不佳；始终坚持直接面向消费者，未与医疗系统整合，这限制了其业务发展；基因信息并非改善健康的最佳信息来源，公司定位存在矛盾；曾因夸大检测结果的医学意义而受罚；即使能够准确告知消费者风险评估结果，这些信息对消费者而言也缺乏实际价值。要成为一家市值60亿美元的公司，需要进行重大转型，但消费者业务发展受阻，数据业务也面临激烈竞争。 Josh Christensen: 基因检测结果缺乏实用性，例如只告知一些已知信息。 Yasmin Gagne: Sergey Brin 通过 23andMe 的检测发现了自己患帕金森病的倾向，这在一定程度上验证了公司的理念，但也预示了公司未来的挑战；人们对基因检测结果的兴趣可能因家庭成员已进行检测而降低。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The chapter discusses the decline of 23andMe, a once highly valued DNA testing startup, exploring factors such as reduced demand, increased competition, data breaches, and the limitations of genetic testing in providing medically actionable insights.

Shownotes Transcript

Cofounder and CEO of 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki, wants to take the public company private. Founded in 2006, the DNA-testing startup was valued at $6 billion in 2021. Now, it’s trading for less than a dollar. So what happened? ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris breaks down 23andMe’s history, and why the company faces an uncertain future.

Also, actor Edward Norton chats with ‘Fast Company’ staff writer David Salazar about his startup, Zeck. After decades of serving on nonprofit and corporate boards, as well as working with boards as a founder, Norton realized that modern, streamlined tools could vastly improve boardroom communication. His company aims to change the dynamics of boards and company management by reducing repetitive tasks and facilitating better collaboration.

And heads up, our show will be shifting to publish on Thursdays starting August 22!