This is the web version of dot.LA’s daily newsletter. Sign up to get the latest news on Southern California’s tech, startup and venture capital scene.
As far as tech deals go, Meta’s bid to buy virtual reality startup Within Unlimited isn’t exactly a blockbuster.
The roughly $400 million that Meta would reportedly pay for the Los Angeles-based firm is certainly a ton of money. But the price tag is relatively small compared to the flurry of multibillion-dollar mergers we’ve seen this year.
Yet, Within now finds itself in the middle of the latest antitrust battle between big tech and Washington. The Federal Trade Commission has sued to block Meta from buying the local company, which is best-known for its VR fitness app Supernatural.
The FTC’s complaint is unusual since the agency typically combats mergers between competing giants in large industries. By contrast, VR is an emerging market with the ultimate winners still to be determined. An FTC victory in this case could open the door for regulators to thwart more mergers between companies that maybe aren’t rivals yet, but could be if the deals are blocked.
Founded in 2014, Within raised more than $50 million from investors as an independent VR studio and had 58 employees as of last year, according to PitchBook Data. The company’s Supernatural app lets users work out to music from Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, while placing people in stunning virtual environments like the Galapagos Islands, according to the FTC.
The FTC contends that Meta is a potential entrant in the VR fitness space, given the company’s ambition to become a player in the much-hyped metaverse—a nascent vision for the future of the internet where people could one day work, shop and socialize in 3D virtual environments. By buying Within, Meta likely won’t create its own app, harming innovation and other benefits that could come from more competition, the FTC argues.
“This acquisition poses a reasonable probability of eliminating both present and future competition,” said the FTC complaint, filed in federal court in Northern California. “Meta would be one step closer to its ultimate goal of owning the entire ‘Metaverse.’”
Antitrust experts have described the suit as “experimental” and believe the FTC has a tough hill to climb to successfully stop the deal. Indeed, the FTC’s own staff recommended against taking up this fight, according to Bloomberg. FTC Chair Lina Khan, a big tech critic, overruled the recommendation to press forward with the suit.
A statement from Khan wasn’t included in the FTC’s announcement of the lawsuit. But speaking about her plans for the agency last month, she told the New York Times: “We’re trying to be forward looking, anticipating problems and taking fast action.”
Meta says the FTC’s case is “based on ideology and speculation” instead of evidence.
“The idea that this acquisition would lead to anticompetitive outcomes in a dynamic space with as much entry and growth as online and connected fitness is simply not credible,” Nikhil Shanbhag, Meta’s vice president and associate general counsel on competition and regulatory matters, wrote in a company blog post.
But it’s easy to see why the FTC is trying a more aggressive approach after years of allowing tech giants to gobble up hot startups without much scrutiny, only to recognize problems later. The Within deal may be worth $400 million now, but that could look like a steal later. Back when Meta still called itself Facebook, the company bought a budding photo-sharing app called Instagram for $1 billion. A decade later, Instagram is worth more than $100 billion.—Christian Hetrick
A New Design Out of UCLA Aims to Revolutionize Batteries
Battery Streak’s test results show their product retains 80% of its capacity after 3,000 charge/discharge cycles. Today’s best lithium-ion batteries usually drop to 80% in about 1,000 cycles.
Nikola Acquires Romeo Power for $144M
The deal marks a logical—and maybe somewhat desperate—turning point for the companies, which were already working closely together.
Netflix Sues Over TikTok-Originated 'Bridgerton' Musical
The lawsuit claims the musical uses direct lines of dialogue and character traits from the Netflix show.
Why FaZe Clan is Expanding its Partnership With the NFL
FaZe Clan, the esports team owner and content powerhouse known for its gaming content, is looking to dominate a new area – football.
🎧 How Super73's CEO Turned a Biking Passion Into a Business
On this episode of the PCH Driven podcast, LeGrand Crewse says he's been biking for his entire life — but it wasn’t until he built his own e-bike that he found a path to “change the world.”
What We’re Reading Elsewhere...
- L.A.-based Capstone Green Energy brings their low-emission microturbine system to Malaysia.
- A look at the work of a casting director hoping to elevate video-game acting.
- Activision Blizzard continues to grow its staff despite a decrease in users.
- Elon Musk is turning some Tesla owners and potential buyers against the company.
- Bark Social launches a private dog park and social club for canines and their people in San Pedro.
----
How Are We Doing? We're working to make the newsletter more informative, with deeper analysis and more news about L.A.'s tech and startup scene. Let us know what you think in our survey, or email us!
- FTC is Suing Lockeed Martin's Purchase of Aerojet Rocketdyne - dot ... ›
- Why Is the Amazon-MGM Merger Under FTC Scrutiny? - dot.LA ›