"It could be an initiative that ignites the creative community as well as small businesses."
A new citywide program will funnel over $1.5 million in funds to about 1,000 businesses over the next year, with an emphasis on those serving low-income communities. Reporter Francesca Billington looks at the effort to provide hard-hit small businesses with the tools to compete online.
Amazon is reportedly in talks to buy L.A podcast studio Wondery.
PlayStation, Xbox console shortages are taking a toll on game sales.
Discovery Plus is the latest entrant into the streaming wars.
Huntington Beach-based Surfline media company gets a $30M investment.
MSN expands its esports empire, acquiring Smash.GG tournament tool.
Singapore becomes the first country to approve sales of lab-grown meat.
Hulu launches its co-viewing WatchParty feature.
TikTok is experimenting with longer-form videos.
Space Perspective raises $7M to take tourists into the stratosphere.
From Mom & Pop to Ecommerce Shop
Los Angeles will give graphic designers, artists and others $500 grants to help them get brick-and-mortar businesses that have been harmed by the "safer-at-home" orders set up to sell their goods and services online. Read more >>
Sketchy Medical Raises $3 Million to Expand Beyond Medicine
L.A.-based Sketchy Medical is looking to shake up the $9 billion textbook industry with a $3 million infusion from Reach Capital. Read more >>
Column: The Future of Education Is Entertaining
Sketchy Medical's CEO says he's seen the future of at-home education, and it doesn't look like long, drawn-out Zoom classes and reading from online textbooks. Read more >>
Pharrell Williams Launches Black Ambition Incubator
The songwriter/producer's Black Ambition nonprofit aims to invest in Black and Latino startups, and it has begun by creating two competitions — one for recent HBCU grads and another for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Read more >>
Apple Podcast Veteran Joins QCODE
The L.A.-based podcast startup run by a former Creative Artists Agency talent agent, snagged longtime Apple podcast executive Steve Wilson. The 15-year veteran will become QCODE's chief strategy officer. Read more updates >>
How Lightspeed Ventures Gets Deals Done So Quickly
Nicole Quinn's portfolio includes Calm, Goop & Lady Gaga's House. In the latest 'LA Ventures" podcast, she outlines her approach to investing in early-stage consumer interest & fintech startups. Read more and listen here >>
Strategy Session: 2020 Year in Review
Join us Wednesday, December 16th at 11:00 a.m. PT for the closing Strategy Session of the year as we reflect on L.A.'s emerging tech trends, challenges and predictions for 2021.
Upfront Managing Partner Mark Suster and dot.LA Senior Finance Reporter Ben Bergman will kick off the event with a one-on-one conversation. More speakers to be announced. Register here - space is limited.