Funding Sources

Imagine a startup raising money — by tapping into a web of interconnected funding sources that Byrne Hobart calls 'epicycles.' These aren’t just simple investments; they’re complex loops of capital, often used to mask true valuation or create the illusion of momentum. Hobart points out that such tactics aren’t new, but they're getting trickier with network effects that amplify these cycles, making it harder for outsiders to see what’s real. And here’s where it gets wild — some firms even short their own stock or use hacks to manipulate perception, all to attract more funding or keep their valuation inflated. According to Hobart, this tangled web of financial engineering is partly driven by the need for hot stock tips and quick wins, which fuels a cycle of hype that’s tough to break. So what does this mean for you? Watch for signals of these echo chambers in startup funding — because today’s hype can easily turn into tomorrow’s crash. That shift is subtle now, but it’s exactly the kind of thing that often signals the next big shakeout.