Uber might have locked down a $18.2 billion valuation two weeks back, but that figure is already under scrutiny. Between increased competition, taxes, and operational costs, Aswath Damodaran, who literally wrote the book on valuations, put the number closer to $5.9 billion.

The cost of everything is on the rise in the Boomin' Bay Area—rents, salaries, coffee, gourmet toast—so it shouldn't be much surprise that a startup is now offering up a $20,000 referral bonus.