Tim Culpan, Columnist

Here’s How Saudi Cash Could Bring on the Global VC Crash

If startups and investors balk at the kingdom’s money, funding could grind to a halt. Just the possibility is powerful enough to end the party.

Masa and MBS. BFF?

Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg
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Numerous column inches have been devoted to wagging a finger at the relationship between the iron-fisted Saudi monarchy and the dozens of global companies wanting to make the world a better place.

Rather than rehash that outrage, let me instead walk you through the possibility that the murder of a Saudi writer could dry up the flow of money in Silicon Valley. Whether or not it happens, concern alone about ties to the kingdom could be enough to deflate a VC bubble.