Top Tech Journalists Shaping LA’s Tech Scene in 2024

Christian Hetrick

Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.

Top Tech Journalists Shaping LA’s Tech Scene in 2024
Washington Post

🔦 Spotlight

Image Source: Business Insider

BEN BERGMAN

Ben is currently a senior correspondent at Business Insider, where he covers the intersection of technology and business. Based in Los Angeles, Ben writes in depth pieces on the latest trends in the tech industry, particularly focusing on startups and venture capital. Prior to joining Business Insider, Ben worked at dot.LA and was a reporter at KPCC, Southern California's largest public radio station. Ben Bergman's insightful reporting has positioned him as a trusted authority on the swiftly evolving tech landscape, not only in Los Angeles but also on a national scale.

Social Channels:Twitter and LinkedIn

Recent Stories: '2024 will be the year of the zombie VC reckoning.' The first wave of walking-dead venture firms is here and it's already causing headaches for tech founders.

Adam Neumann is now in the publishing business, with his residential real estate company buying a quirky Montauk surfing magazine

Image Source: The Verge

ALEX HEATH

Alex is the Deputy Editor for The Verge and the author of Command Line, a newsletter with interviews and coverage of tech’s most influential players. He is known for breaking major stories about companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. His deep connections within the industry allow him to provide exclusive insights and scoops. Alex's work has been featured in several high-profile publications, and he is a frequent guest on tech podcasts and panels. He regularly appears as an expert voice on programs like CNBC, NPR, BBC, and CNN.

Social Channels:Twitter and LinkedIn

Recent Stories: Google and OpenAI are racing to rewire the internet

Meta is quietly winning the AI wearable race

Image Source: Muck Rack

KATIE ROOF

Katie is a senior writer at Bloomberg, focusing on technology and venture capital. Katie has a reputation for her thorough and analytical reporting on tech startups and investment trends. She previously worked at TechCrunch and The Wall Street Journal, where she honed her skills in covering the tech industry. Katie's articles often provide a deep dive into the financial aspects of tech companies, making her a respected voice in the field.

Social Channels:Twitter and LinkedIn

Recent Stories: Wearable AI Startup Humane Explores Potential Sale, Sources Say

Musk’s xAI Nears Close of Deal Valuing Startup at $24 Billion

Image Source: The Washington Post

TAYLOR LORENZ

Taylor is a technology columnist at The Washington Post, where she covers internet culture and the impact of social media on society. Taylor is known for her in-depth reporting on influencers, online trends, and the digital economy. Her work has been instrumental in highlighting the cultural shifts driven by social media platforms. Taylor's articles often explore the human side of technology, making her a unique voice in tech journalism. She also has a youtube channel and a podcast, Power User, that similarly explore the impact of technology.

Social Channels:Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

Recent Stories: Twitch streamers become go-to news source for campus protest coverage

TikTok creators sue U.S. government over potential ban

Image Source: The New York Times

RYAN MAC

Ryan is a tech reporter at The New York Times, where he covers the intersection of technology, business, and policy. Based in Los Angeles, Ryan has a knack for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, particularly those involving major tech companies and their impact on society. Before joining The New York Times, he was a senior reporter at BuzzFeed News. Ryan's investigative reporting has earned him numerous accolades and a loyal readership.

Social Channels:Twitter and LinkedIn

Recent Stories: Elon Musk’s Diplomacy: Woo Right-Wing World Leaders. Then Benefit.

Elon Musk Ramps Up Anti-Biden Posts on X

Image Source: NPR

BOBBY ALLYN

Bobby is a tech reporter at NPR, where he covers technology and its impact on society. Based in Los Angeles, Bobby's reporting spans a wide range of topics, from cybersecurity to the gig economy. He previously worked at WHYY in Philadelphia and has contributed to several national outlets. Bobby's storytelling ability and his knack for explaining complex tech issues in an accessible way make him a standout journalist in the field.

Social Channels:Twitter and LinkedIn

Recent Stories: Scarlett Johansson says she is 'shocked, angered' over new ChatGPT voice

Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

LA Venture Funds

LA Exits

  • AuditBoard, a startup that has built a cloud-based risk management platform to manage audit, risk, compliance, and ESG management, was acquired by Hg, a private equity firm, in a deal valued at $3 billion. - learn more
LA’s Upgrade in Travel and NBA Viewing
Image Source: Los Angeles World Airports

🔦 Spotlight

Exciting developments are underway for Los Angeles as the city prepares for major upgrades in both travel and entertainment. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved an additional $400 million for the Automated People Mover (APM) at LAX, increasing its total budget to $3.34 billion. This boost ensures the elevated train’s completion by December 8, 2025, with service starting in January 2026. For Angelenos, this means a significant improvement in travel convenience. The APM will streamline connections between parking, rental car facilities, and the new Metro transit station, drastically cutting traffic congestion around the airport. Imagine a future without the dreaded 30-minute traffic delays at LAX! The APM will operate 24/7, reducing airport traffic by 42 million vehicle miles annually and carrying 30 million passengers each year, while also creating thousands of local jobs and supporting small businesses.

Meanwhile, the NBA is also making waves with its new broadcasting deals. The league has signed multi-year agreements with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, marking a notable shift in media partnerships. ESPN will maintain its long-standing role, NBC returns as a network broadcaster after years away, and Amazon Prime Video will provide NBA games through its streaming platform. Starting with the 2025-2026 season, these deals will enhance the league's reach and revenue, aligning with the NBA's goal to expand its audience and adapt to evolving viewing habits. Whether you're catching the action on TV or streaming online, these changes promise to elevate the fan experience and bring more basketball excitement to Los Angeles.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Pearl, a startup that makes AI-powered software that assists dentists in identifying cavities, gum disease, and other dental conditions, raised a $58M Series B funding led by Left Lane Capital with Smash Capital, and others also participating. - learn more

LA Venture Funds

  • Fulcrum Venture Group participated in a prior $3.5M Pre-Seed Round for Code Metal, a developer tools startup. - learn more
  • B Capital co-led a $12.5M Seed Round for Star Catcher, a startup that aims to develop a space-based grid that captures solar energy in space and distributes it to satellites and other space assets. - learn more
  • Mantis VC and Amplify participated in a $140M Series C for Chainguard, an open source security startup. - learn more
  • Prominent LA venture capitalist, Carter Reum and wife, Paris Hilton, participated in a $14M Seed/Series A for W, the men’s personal care brand from Jake Paul. - learn more

LA Exits


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🤫 The Secret to Staying Fit at Your Desk: 6 Essential Under-Desk Exercise Machines

Health experts are sounding the alarm: our sedentary jobs are slowly killing us, yet we can't abandon our desks if we want to keep the lights on. It feels like we're caught between a rock and a hard place. Enter under-desk exercise machines – the overlooked heroes (albeit kind of goofy looking) of the modern workspace. These devices let tech professionals stay active, enhance their health, and increase their productivity, all without stepping away from their screens. Here are 6 fantastic options that will enhance the way you work and workout simultaneously.

DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser

This bike has nearly ten thousand five-star reviews on amazon. It works with nearly any desk/chair setup. It is quiet, sturdy and allows up to 40 pounds of resistance. If you are looking for an under-desk bike this is a fantastic option.

Type: Under-Desk Bike

Price: $180 - $200


Sunny Health & Fitness Dual Function Under Desk Pedal Exerciser

This under-desk bike is extremely quiet due to the magnetic resistance making it an ideal option if you work in a shared space. It doesn’t slip, has eight levels of resistance, and the option to work legs and arms. It’s about half the price of the DeskCycle bike making it a solid mid-range option for those looking to increase their daily activity.

Type: Under-Desk Bike

Price: $100 - $110


Sunny Health & Fitness Sitting Under Desk Elliptical

This under-desk elliptical comes in multiple colors if you really want to underscore that you are a quirky individual, in case an under-desk elliptical isn’t enough. This model is a bit heavy (very sturdy), has eight different resistance levels, and has more than nine thousand 5-star reviews.

Type: Under-Desk Elliptical

Price: $120 - $230


DeskCycle Ellipse Leg Exerciser

This under-desk elliptical is another great option. It is a bit pricey but it’s quiet, well-made and has eight resistance levels. It also syncs with your apple watch or fitbit which is a very large perk for those office-wide “step” challenges. Get ready to win.

Type: Under-Desk Elliptical

Price: $220 - $230


Daeyegim Quiet LED Remote Treadmill

If you have a standing desk and are looking to walk and work this is a fantastic option. This walking-only treadmill allows you to walk between 0.5 to 5 mph (or jog unless you have the stride length of an NBA forward). It is very quiet, which is perfect if you want to use it near others or during a meeting. You can’t change the incline or fold it in half but it is great for simply getting in some extra steps during the work day.

Type: Under-Desk Treadmill

Price: $220 - $230


Sunny Health & Fitness Foldable Manual Treadmill

This under-desk treadmill isn’t the most premium model but it is affordable and has an impressive array of features. It is a manual treadmill meaning it doesn’t need to be plugged in; it is foldable and offers an incline up to 13%. I personally can’t imagine working and walking up a 13% incline but if that sounds like your cup of tea, then I truly respect the hustle.

Type: Under-Desk Treadmill

Price: $150 - $200




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🤠Musk Picks Texas and 🔥Tinder AI Picks Your Profile Pictures

🔦 Spotlight

Tinder is altering dating profile creation with its new AI-powered Photo Selector feature, designed to help users choose their most appealing dating profile pictures. This innovative tool employs facial recognition technology to curate a set of up to 10 photos from the user's device, streamlining the often time-consuming process of profile setup. To use the feature, users simply take a selfie within the Tinder app and grant access to their camera roll. The AI then analyzes the photos based on factors like lighting and composition, drawing from Tinder's research on what makes an effective profile picture.

The selection process occurs entirely on the user's device, ensuring privacy and data security. Tinder doesn't collect or store any biometric data or photos beyond those chosen for the profile, and the facial recognition data is deleted once the user exits the feature. This new tool addresses a common pain point for users, as Tinder's research shows that young singles typically spend about 25 to 33 minutes selecting a profile picture. By automating this process, Tinder aims to reduce profile creation time and allow users to focus more on making meaningful connections.

In wholly unrelated news, Elon Musk has announced plans to relocate the headquarters of X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX from California to Texas. SpaceX will move from Hawthorne to Starbase, while X will shift from San Francisco to Austin. Musk cited concerns about aggressive drug users near X's current headquarters and a new California law regarding gender identity notification in schools as reasons for the move. This decision follows Musk's previous relocation of Tesla's headquarters to Texas in 2021.

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

LA Venture Funds

LA Exits

  • Penguin Random House agreed to acquire comic book publisher Boom! Studios from backers like Walt Disney Co. - learn more

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