Roblox's big day is finally here - Chamath backs new fintech - BlackRock outlines D&I plans

Dan DeFrancesco,Jordan Parker Erb

Mar 10, 2021, 16:57 IST

Roblox's big day is finally here - Chamath backs new fintech - BlackRock outlines D&I plans

Nickolay Lamm: commissioned by MyVoucherCodes.co.uk

Good morning and welcome to Insider Finance. I'm Dan DeFrancesco, and here's what's on the agenda today:

Everything you need to know about Roblox's direct listing today
BlackRock outlined new diversity and inclusion changes
Chamath Palihapitiya and Michael Dell's investment firm MSD Capital back fintech Pipe

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Roblox delayed its public debut when IPOs were red-hot. Now it's about to launch a direct listing into choppy markets.

The video-game maker is set to go public in a direct listing today, with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America advising. It's arrival to the public markets comes after a series of hurdles and delays, and as volatility returns to tech stocks.

Click here to read the entire story.

M1 Finance just raised a $75 million Series D led by Coatue after a red-hot 2020. The fintech's CEO explains its push to digitize the private bank experience.

After three rounds in nine months, CEO Brian Barnes said M1 is "getting close" to being a unicorn. Read more here.

Assurant just inked a $1.3 billion deal to sell its prearranged funeral business as the insurer looks to lean into tech-focused coverage

CUNA Mutual Group has agreed to buy Assurant's prearranged funeral insurance business. The $1.3 billion deal signifies expansion in a well-known business for CUNA Mutual and marks an increased focus on digital offerings for Assurant. See more here.

A software company that struggled to raise money last year just nabbed $4 billion from investors - and it's a case study in the 'insatiable' appetite for risky debt deals

As debt increased for Ireland's ION Group, investors balked at its previous attempts to raise loans. Now, ION is nearing $4 billion in transactions to refinance debt held by its companies. Get the full rundown here.

A top Latham tech M&A lawyer talks mega deals, the SPAC frenzy, and keeping clients happy remotely

Luke Bergstrom, Latham & Watkin's M&A leader, walked Insider through brokering one of 2020's biggest deals and what's on the horizon for 2021. Find out more here.

Pipe, a venue for companies to get cash up front for their subscription revenue, just raised $50 million from high-profile investors like Chamath Palihapitiya and Marc Benioff

Pipe, which helps companies with recurring revenue get cash up front, just nabbed $50 million from some high-profile investors. Founder and co-CEO Harry Hurst told Insider how he'll use the capital. Read more here.

BlackRock just held a town hall to roll out its diversity and inclusion strategy after recent complaints. Here are all the details.

AP

BlackRock outlined its diversity and inclusion strategy at a company town hall on Tuesday. The asset manager has been in the spotlight after former employees alleged they experienced harassment and discrimination at the firm. See more here.