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 Data Center Supply Crunch

🔦 Spotlight

Happy Friday Los Angeles!

The Los Angeles data center market is experiencing a significant supply crunch, ranking 12th in growth among top markets since 2020 with only 265 megawatts of colocation inventory (data centers where businesses rent space to store their computing hardware and servers). Despite this, demand is surging, driven by AI, cloud, and hyperscaler needs, with AI accounting for 20% of new data center demand nationally. This scarcity is creating a highly competitive environment, with vacancy rates at a record low 3% and asking rents rising 13-37% year-over-year. For Los Angeles, this presents both challenges and opportunities in the big picture. The city's strategic position as a global entertainment hub and its connectivity to international markets through subsea cables make it an attractive location for data centers. However, the limited inventory and rising costs could potentially hinder growth and innovation in the tech sector. To maintain its competitive edge, Los Angeles will need to address these constraints through new developments, such as GI Partners' 16 MW addition at One Wilshire, and by focusing on high-connectivity, high-power capacity submarkets. The city's tech community should prepare for a landscape of increased competition for quality data center space, higher costs, and the need for innovative solutions to meet growing demand, particularly in AI and cloud services. While Los Angeles faces a challenging data center supply crunch, its strategic advantages and ongoing developments offer a promising path forward.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Daisy, a one-year-old startup that designs and installs smart home and office technology systems, raised a $7M Series B co-led by Goldcrest and Bungalow, with previous investors Bullish and Burst Capital also stepping up. The company has raised a total of $13.3 million. - learn more

LA Venture Funds


    ✨ Featured Event ✨

    LA TECH CEO SUMMIT

    LA’s tech leadership is set to reunite after a long break! This two day summit will focus on building strong connections, sharing insights, and fortifying the local tech community.

    Learn More Here

    Register Here


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    🌐Decentralizing Data & Vacations: Sony's Web3 Leap and Sensible Weather's KOA Partnership

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Long Weekend Los Angeles!

    Sony Group is making a significant push into the blockchain and Web3 space, leveraging its Sony Pictures and Sony Music divisions along with a new global incubator. The company has developed the Soneium blockchain through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture aimed at accelerating Web3 innovation. Sony is launching the "Soneium Minato" public testnet and a developer incubation program called "Soneium Spark" to foster ecosystem growth and adoption. The initiative includes strategic partnerships with Web3 companies such as Astar Network, Circle, and Optimism. Sony aims to create a fan community centered on creators and connect diverse values through Soneium, with the ultimate goal of integrating Web3 services into people's daily lives. While the company acknowledges the challenges faced by Web3, including limited user adoption and the need for mainstream use cases, it remains committed to decentralizing the concentrated power of the current internet landscape.

    In completely unrelated and more digestible news Sensible Weather, a leading weather protection provider that we’ve featured many times, has partnered with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) to offer Weather Guarantees at over 450 KOA Campgrounds across the United States. This collaboration allows campers to purchase weather protection for their outdoor experiences, providing peace of mind and potential reimbursements of up to 100% of their nightly rate if weather conditions exceed predefined parameters. The partnership comes at an opportune time, as camping has seen a significant increase in popularity, with active campers growing by 68% over the past decade. If you are looking to do some camping this fall make sure you look into Sensible Weather protections to ensure that unpredictable weather won't dampen (nailed it) your camping experience.


    🤝 Venture Deals

    LA Companies

    • Space and Time, a blockchain data warehouse developer, raised a $20M Series A led by Framework Ventures. - learn more
    • Miris, a provider of spatial content streaming solutions, raised a $26M Seed Round led by IAG Capital Partners. - learn more

    LA Venture Funds

    • Fika Ventures led a $4.55M Seed Round for Revenew, a San Francisco startup that aims to help digital platforms and marketplaces manage their payments and optimize financial operations. - learn more
    • Bonfire Ventures participated in a $25M Series A for Supio, an AI platform for personal injury law firms. - learn more
    • Amplify LA participated in a $2M Seed Round for Pryzm, a startup that provides tools and data to help businesses navigate government contracting more efficiently. - learn more

      ✨ Featured Event ✨

      LA TECH CEO SUMMIT

      LA’s tech leadership is set to reunite after a long break! This two day summit will focus on building strong connections, sharing insights, and fortifying the local tech community.

      Learn More Here

      Register Here


      Download the dot.LA App

      Personality Assessments Improving Workplace Dynamics

      Misunderstandings can have significant and sometimes severe impacts, far beyond the hilarious cake pictured above. Many organizations are increasingly using personality assessments to improve team dynamics and productivity. Tests like the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and DISC assessment are valuable tools for developing existing teams in addition to hiring new employees. These assessments provide insights into team members' motivations, communication styles, and work preferences, helping colleagues understand each other better. By highlighting the different personalities within a team, these tests can enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and optimize task assignments based on individual strengths. As companies aim for greater efficiency and collaboration, the Enneagram, MBTI, and DISC assessments are becoming essential for transforming established teams into more effective and cohesive units.


      Image Source: iEQ9

      Enneagram

      The Enneagram test is a sophisticated personality assessment that categorizes individuals into nine distinct personality types, each defined by unique motivations, fears,and behavioral patterns. This holistic approach enhances team dynamics in a business setting by fostering self-awareness, improving communication, and facilitating conflict resolution among team members. By understanding different personality types, teams can optimize their composition, tailor professional development, and create a more empathetic and collaborative environment. This framework not only helps leaders adapt their styles to better support diverse team members but also promotes inclusivity and effective collaboration, ultimately leading to improved team performance, productivity, and retention.

      Resources:iEQ9. We recommend getting an Enneagram coach to get the most out of the results.

      Key Features: Focus on core motivations. Accounts for personality shifts under stress or growth. Offers practical, actionable guidance for personal growth. Uses a dynamic, adaptive questioning approach. Claims 95% accuracy rate through advanced techniques.


      Image Source: DiSC Profile

      DiSC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness)

      The DiSC assessment is a widely used behavioral analysis tool that categorizes individuals into four primary personality types: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. For businesses, DiSC provides valuable insights into employees' communication styles, work preferences, and motivations. By understanding these behavioral tendencies, teams can improve collaboration, reduce conflicts, and enhance overall productivity. Implementing DiSC in a business setting can lead to more effective leadership, tailored communication strategies, and optimized task allocation based on individual strengths.

      Resources:DiSC Profile.

      Key Features: Designed specifically for workplace applications. Focuses on observable behaviors rather than psychological traits. Widely researched and validated over 40+ years. Provides practical strategies for improving interactions.


      Image Source: The Myers-Briggs Company

      The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

      The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals into 16 distinct personality types based on four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. For businesses, the MBTI provides valuable insights into employees' communication styles, decision-making processes, and work preferences.This helps promote a more productive workplace, and enables employees to become involved in more meaningful ways, all while leveraging everyone’s unique strengths.

      Resources:The Myers-Briggs Company.

      Key Features: Focuses on preferences rather than traits. Focuses on how people perceive and judge information. Widely used in business and career counseling


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