The pandemic has meant chaos for families and their schedules. Playa Vista-based childcare center Brella aims to give parents a tech-enabled, more flexible way to schedule childcare for their kids. Today it announced a $5 million seed round that will allow it to expand into Hollywood and Pasadena.
Here’s what else we're reading in the news:
- Kim Kardashian and Floyd Mayweather, among other celebrities, are being sued for allegedly taking part in a pump-and-dump cryptocurrency scam.
- L.A.-based Pilgrim Soul, a cannabis brand focused on "elevating creative thinking," raises a $2 million seed round.
- Mobilitie and AEG partner to bring 5G to Downtown Los Angeles’ L.A. Live and Crypto.com Arena.
- L.A. Metro partners with Santa Ana-based Iteris on the infrastructure for its NextGen bus system.
- Xbox head Phil Spencer discusses how gaming is heading into the metaverse.
- A court upholds the firing of two LAPD officers who ignored a robbery call to play Pokémon Go.
Playa Vista Childcare Center Brella Raises $5 Million
“Families' work lives are really dynamic; they're not always working this 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday kind of role.” Brella is part of a growing industry of childcare startups leveraging technology to help families find childcare solutions. Reporter Keerthi Vedantam spoke with the founders about their vision for the future.
AmazeVR Raises $15 Million to Develop Virtual Reality Concerts
Virtual reality startup AmazeVR secured $15 million in funding as the company prepares for its first commercial VR concert with Megan Thee Stallion.
Riot Games Investigating Esports Exec Amid Bullying Allegations
Esports organization TeamSoloMid's founder and CEO Andy Dinh is being investigated by Riot Games after complaints of workplace misconduct.
Jaanuu Lands $75 Million to Make Stylish Medical Scrubs
The El Segundo-based startup designs and produces scrubs and medical apparel for health care professionals. The $75 million investment comes from French private equity firm Eurazeo.
Beyond Meat Unveils Plant-Based Meat Options at KFC, Pizza Hut
Fast food chain KFC is introducing Beyond Fried Chicken in a new partnership with Beyond Meat—a sign of the fast food industry’s growing interest in vegetarian and vegan options.