Among 68 health care firms that launched initial public offerings in 2019, two-thirds were trading above their IPO price by year-end. Several are biotechs that have attracted enthusiasm from investors responding to favorable clinical trials.

Startup Cerebral is providing mental health care online in an effort to make treatment accessible and to tackle stigma around mental illness. Users will receive a video visit with a doctor, medication mailed to their home and regular video check-ins with a case manager for a monthly fee.

Valuations of private tech unicorns soared in the mid-2010s, while those of public tech companies slumped, but the roles appear to have reversed as many private firms' initial public offerings have failed to perform as expected, writes Conor Sen. That could lead to startups using acquisitions to become public companies rather than going through the traditional IPO route this year, Sen writes.

Research shows that focusing too much on the bottom line can hurt employee trust and lead to disengagement, writes John Boitnott. "Instead, focus at least somewhat on employee performance around client relations, productivity and creativity," he writes.

Lily's Sweets CEO Jane Miller attributes much of her company's success -- business at the sugar-free confectionery has increased fourfold in the last year and a half -- by following the phrase "run your own race" to stay focused on inward goals. Long-term success for entrepreneurs stems from staying your own course rather than emulating competitors, she advises.

There are several factors involved in deciding how much equity to give startup employees, such as hiring date and seniority, writes Lewis Hower. Founders also can create an employee option pool to avoid "shaving off more shares with each new hire," Hower writes.

Lime, an electronic scooter startup, is cutting its workforce by 14% and shutting down operations in 12 US and foreign markets. Co-founder and CEO Brad Bao said the changes are related to the company's efforts to become profitable.