The Weekly Spill (In Shorts)
Welcome to The Weekly Spill—Silicon Bay Partners’ regularly scheduled download of thoughts, takes, and the occasional side-eye at the world as it actually is (not just as it’s pitched in a deck). Each week, we sift through the noise across current events, politics, startups, and financial markets to bring you what matters—and what’s just pretending to.
We aim to keep things light, even when the topics aren’t. That means a bit of satire where it’s earned, a bit of skepticism where it’s called for, and a commitment to staying grounded in facts even when opinions sneak in through the side door. We won’t always be non-judgmental—but we will always try to be clear-eyed.
Think of this as your informed, occasionally irreverent briefing for the week ahead. Read it for insight, stay for perspective, and feel free to disagree—that’s o.k. too. Fair warning: Sometimes we spill more than once a week!
Sweetly, Weird?
Snickers and Adidas are teaming up on a limited-edition pair of football cleats and a candy bar. To ring in the start of NFL season and Halloween, the Adizero Electric II cleats borrow Snickers’ deep chocolate-brown shades with a green insole, a bedazzled “S,” and yellow text reading “Go Nuts” on the heel flap. Maybe we’ll wait for whenever Reese’s drops slippers.
The Smell Test
If you live in Boston — take a whiff. The city topped the list of the best-smelling cities in America, according to online casino McLuck. The analysis scored cities on cleanliness, air quality, green space, and “garbage disposal satisfaction,” as well as the amount of candle stores, bakeries, florists, and perfumeries. Washington, San Francisco, Seattle, and Philadelphia rounded out the top five, and SF’s 19.8 bakery score is proof chocolate chip cookies do fix everything.
Fancy Sharing A Jet?
You hop off your jet, step into the private terminal, and see — oh no — your friend from back home just arrived too. You could’ve flown together. Man. A startup called FlyWith aims to fix that when its invitation-only private jet-sharing app debuts next month. The goal: filling up empty seats with vetted, cost-sharing friends headed in the same direction. Finally.
What’s Your Fantasy?
Tech consultant Justin Kersey ditched his day job to fulfill a fantasy: building fantasy-themed vacation rentals inspired by Harry Potter. Full of fantastical details like potion cabinets, sorting hats, and fairy villages, each cottage cost $700k to build. The properties rent for $200 to $700/night and average 90% occupancy — Kersey expects the three cottages to gross $375k this year. Muggles are welcome but no guarantees of a house-elf cleaning up after your stay.