"We have always believed that there's a much bigger opportunity for what we call the competitive amateur."
PLLAY Labs Inc., a video game wagering app that lets users play Fortnite and Call of Duty against each other for money, launched in June and has a user base of 60,000. Reporter Breanna de Vera talks with co-founder Shawn Gunn about his inspiration for the company, its celebrity backers and game wagering.
Salesforce will buy Slack for $28B.
Amazon's new tools will monitor factory workers and machines.
Tiktok creators are paying brokers for certification.
Airbnb IPO seeks $35B valuation.
Bird's chief vehicle officer on why swappable batteries aren't the norm.
Kevin Mayer and other Hollywood A-listers behind $300M entertainment SPAC.
Elon Musk would consider Tesla buying a legacy carmaker.
SpaceX wants to send an uncrewed vehicle to Mars within two years.
Triller Eyes SPACs to Take It Public
TikTok competitor Triller is in advanced talks with at least three blank-check companies to go public at a valuation between $3 billion and $6 billion. Sources said the company is also seeking to acquire a strategic partner that will help monetize the app. Read more>>
Sarah Flint On Forging Destiny
Sarah Flint of the namesake luxury shoe brand talks with Behind Her Empire about her direct-to-consumer approach, influencers and how she built her design skills. Read more and listen here>>
PLLAY Lets Gamers Play for Profit
Shawn Gunn ran e-tournaments from his college dorm in the 1990s, long before esports exploded. Now he's found a way to make them profitable for average gamers like himself. Read more>>
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.