Just days away from its initial public offering, Rivian is facing a gender discrimination lawsuit brought forward by a former executive who says the company has a "toxic bro culture." Laura Schwab, the previous VP of Sales and Marketing at Rivian, said Thursday in a post on Medium that she was ignored by male colleagues, shut out of meetings and dismissed after reporting the problem to human resources.
Here's what else we're reading in the news:
- Snap has donated $5 million to Cal State Dominguez Hills to address equity gaps in computing education.
- SimplyCodes, an L.A.-based digital coupon company, has launched a new mobile tool that helps shoppers apply coupon codes online.
- Healthvana has delivered more than 25 million COVID-19 test results and vaccination records in 21 states, a new milestone for the L.A.-based health tech company.
- ViacomCBS gained 4.3 million global streaming subscribers in Q3 thanks to its Paramount Plus streaming app.
- Infusion for Health, a Thousand Oaks-based ambulatory infusion company, has raised $50 million in funding.
- Zillow is winding down its home-buying unit and has announced layoffs of nearly 25% of its workforce.
'Rivian's Toxic Bro Culture'
In her post, Laura Schwab, the previous VP of Sales and Marketing at Rivian, alleges she was fired in retaliation two days after going to HR with a discrimination complaint. She said the Chief Operating Officer would not communicate with her. In the article titled "Life Outside the Boys Club: Why I spoke Up About Rivian's Toxic Bro Culture and Got Fired" she said the culture at Rivian was unlike anything she had seen in her two decade career in the auto industry.
One Solution to Help Californians Save Water: Satellites
California has a persistent drought problem — and it's a challenge that even tech startups are taking head on. Reporter Hilary Achauer identifies six of the most promising new water conservation technologies, ranging from satellite imagery tech to cloud-seeding drones.
Fernish Rentable Furniture Service Gets $13.6 Million
Fernish is one of several startups targeting young adults with a monthly subscription to modern home and home-office decor. The startup that rents and sells furniture made by brands like Crate and Barrel and CB2 raised at least $13.6 million in a recent funding round.
Mythical Games Raises $150 Million
Sherman Oaks-based Mythical Games raised $150 million, bringing the company's valuation to $1.25 billion. The injection of cash announced on Thursday will give the company, which has yet to release a game, the funds it needs to develop its "Mythical Platform," where game players can trade NFTs.