"Entrepreneurship's hard.... A lot [of artists] in danger of not being able to make a living."
The Weeknd is set to perform live on TikTok tonight. The R&B icon — and the L.A.-based company that will animate him as an avatar on the virtual stage — have found themselves in a tricky spot at a uncertain time. Reporter Sam Blake talks to Wave's CEO about how artists are weathering the storms.
Quibi rolls out an ad-supported, free service to viewers Down Under.
Netflix now supports Hindi.
TenCent's stock drops 10% after Trump's executive order.
U.S. TikTok competitors are growing rapidly as the Trump administration clamps down.
Three top executives are out at WarnerMedia.
Headspace grows, even as scientific evidence on whether it works is scarce.
Hollywood studios can once again own theaters.
Join us for Tuesday's Strategy Session on the future of California's cannabis industry: "Is the Green Rush Over?" Register here. It's free!
The Weeknd, TikTok and the Hunger for Virtual Audiences
TikTok's reach — over 800 million users — makes it an attractive partner for advertisers and artists, but the possibility of a ban could mean they're building audience on unstable ground. Read more >>
Catch Up On This Week's Startup News
The L.A. tech and startup community was active as ever this week. dot.LA chief host and correspondent Kelly O'Grady takes you through the key points of the top five headlines:
* Green Rush: The Incredible Rise and Fall of L.A.'s Genius Fund (Parts one, two and three)
* President Trump Signs Order Banning TikTok Unless it Sells to U.S. Company
* Curative Inc is Bringing COVID-19 Test Kiosks to L.A.
* dot.LA x Pitchbook: L.A.'s 50 Hottest Startups - Who Made It?
* Investing Round-Up: Syntiant, GoodRx and Alive Ventures
SideCar's Approach to Healthcare Transparency
Patrick Quigley, the chief executive of Sidecar Health, wants Americans to know the real cost of health care. Sidecar users can compare doctor pricing in their area to their "benefit amount," which varies depending on the plan. Read more >>
Bringing 'Olympian-Level' Nutrition to Market
How do you differentiate yourself in a health and wellness market where companies promise consumers the world? According to Vejo CEO Christoph Bertsch, the answer is data. Read more >>
Our Next Strategy Session: Is the Green Rush Over?
Join us at 11:00am PST Tuesday, August 11th for a Strategy Session looking at the current and future marijuana marketplace in California, with experts from Galen Diligence and Rowe Policy Media. Register here >>
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"They didn't try to do one thing. They tried to do everything."
Cannabis kiosks that required users to wait in-store for a delivery. Sparkling CBD water that strained to reach compliance. CBD candles that never sold. In part 3 of our Green Rush series, senior reporter Tami Abdollah looks at Genius Fund's troubled product line and questionable financial practices. Read stories one and two here.
NBCUniversal cuts ties with NBC Entertainment Chairman Paul Telegdy after reports of racist and sexist behavior.
AMC Theatres' revenue is down $561 million, nearly 100%.
L.A.'s first Lyft driver station opens.
TikTok announces it's building a data center in Europe.
Microsoft is reportedly looking to buy TikTok's entire global business.
Sweetgreen's COO joins Hilton's board of directors.
We added two panelists to Tuesday's Strategy Session on the future of California's cannabis industry: Business law attorney Hilary Bricken and Andrew Freeman, co-founder of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting. Register here. It's free!
A Line of Questionable Cannabis Products
Among Genius Fund's products: Kiosks where customers could place orders, but they then had wait roughly 20 minutes for their cannabis to be delivered by car, former employees told dotLA. Read more >>
Curative Brings COVID-19 Testing Kiosks to LA
COVID-19 test kiosks are coming to Los Angeles later this month, targeting those most at-risk and without a car. Each aims to process 500 tests a day and deliver results within 24-48 hours. Read more >>
Unagi Launches LA E-Scooter Subscription Service
Betting city dwellers will not want to touch a shared e-scooter in the age of COVID-19, Unagi will launch a monthly subscription service in Bird's backyard. Read more >>
Zedge Expands Into LA
"I think they could be a tremendous acquirer of businesses." Activist Artists Management co-founder Greg Suess has been added to Zedge's board as they seek to add more short-form storytelling. Read more >>
Age Of Learning Supplements Schooling
As parents brace for another season of remote learning, dot.LA cofounder Spencer Rascoff talks with Age of Learning's chief strategy officer about the company's plans to educate during the pandemic. Listen here >>
Snap Releases Voting Apps
The closure of campuses across the U.S. could have a major impact on voting by young people. In response, Snap launched two "mini" apps to register voters and provide them with election info. Read more updates >>
Our Next Strategy Session: Is the Green Rush Over?
Join us at 11:00am PST Tuesday, August 11th for a Strategy Session looking at the current and future marijuana marketplace in California, with experts from Galen Diligence and Rowe Policy Media. Register here >>
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"They ended up with all this hemp they couldn't sell or give away."
In early 2019, "two young city kids" with zero agricultural experience ran an operation to grow 1.7 million cannabis plants. The operation raised concerns with authorities and was riddled with "flagrant" violations, but it nearly succeeded. Read part two of senior reporter Tami Abdollah's investigation into L.A.'s Genius Fund — and catch up on Part One here.
The story behind Netflix's audio theme is more interesting than you might think.
A prototype of SpaceX's Mars 'Starship' vehicle clears a key test.
Snapchat has a new sticker that features.... your face.
Riot Games gives employees next week off.
Join us for our next Strategy Session on the future of California's cannabis industry, featuring experts on the business and state regulations. Register here!
How 'California's Largest Pot Farm' ‘Exploded Like Fireworks’
In part 2 of our investigation into the collapse of Genius Fund, we look at one of the cannabis startup's ambitious growing operations that prompted Plumas County's sheriff to call for a moratorium on hemp grows. Read more >>
VENN Launches 'MTV For the Gaming Generation'
Featuring gaming industry royalty and financed by a who's who of gaming investors, the Video Game Entertainment and News Network (VENN) launched today. Read more >>
L.A. Film Production Is Still Mostly Paused
Film and television production remains largely at a standstill in Los Angeles, two months after the county lifted production restrictions. Read more >>>
Instagram Launches TikTok Competitor
Reels, the Instagram video-sharing product to rival TikTok and Triller, launched today in 50 countries, including the U.S. Read more >>
Our Next Strategy Session: Is the Green Rush Over?
Join us at 11:00am PST Tuesday, August 11th for a Strategy Session looking at the current and future marijuana marketplace in California, with experts from Galen Diligence and Rowe Policy Media. Register here >>
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