Apple forever changed the game when it updated its privacy rules in April 2021, requiring that companies get permission before collecting user data online. Since then, digital brands have been scrambling to find new avenues to amass information about shoppers. Prodege is betting that the answer to retailers' data woes lies in online surveys—and a new contract with consumers.
Here’s what else we're reading in the news:
- Rihanna's Savage X Fenty lingerie brand is opening its first physical stores.
- The Central Valley town of Huron's experiment with electric vehicle infrastructure is getting noticed in D.C.
- GM belatedly acknowledges California's authority to set fuel standards under the Clean Air Act.
- Caltech is among dozens of universities being sued for allegedly colluding to withhold student financial aid.
- Slingshot Aerospace secured a $2 million contract with the U.S. Space Force to develop technology to detect and mitigate GPS and radio-frequencies for U.S. space assets.
- Gaming company Take-Two Interactive is buying mobile game developer Zynga.
Prodege Hits Unicorn Status Amid a Changing Privacy Landscape
The El Segundo-based company rewards users for completing questionnaires and making purchases, then sells information about shoppers’ habits and preferences back to market research firms and retail clients. “We get the member—the consumer—to give us their permission to have a quid pro quo,” said its CEO.
Hadrian Raises $36M to Make Autonomous Aerospace Factories
The startup develops automated manufacturing plants for the aerospace and defense industries. As automated aerospace manufacturing rises, Hadrian hopes to court newer space players such as Long Beach-based Relativity Space and Rocket Lab to use its robot-staffed factories.
Whatnot Teams With UFC Fighter Masvidal to Sell Sports Collectibles
The worlds of collectibles and mixed martial arts are coming together. UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal is launching his own shopping channel on Whatnot to auction off UFC trading cards and merchandise. The livestream e-commerce platform got its start selling Pokémon cards and Funko Pops, and the partnership marks a move toward sports fans.
mPulse Mobile Expands As Health Care Embraces Chatbots
AI healthcare startup mPulse Mobile has acquired communications platform HealthCrowd. The deal follows a trend in health care to leverage chatbots to cut down on tedious administrative procedures and lower costs.
🎧 Listen up: 75 and Sunny’s Wil Chockley on How to Pitch Your Startup
On this episode of the PCH Driven podcast, 75 and Sunny venture firm partner Wil Chockley shares his thoughts on the skills early-stage founders need and advice on how to produce the best pitch possible.