There is a lot to catch up on in the LA tech scene with news ranging from podcasting ads to investment apps and delivery robots. This is the Built In LA weekly refresh.
Acorns gained $300M. The investment app raised $300 million, which rose the company’s valuation up to $1.9 billion. Acorns’ platform allows users to invest and save. It can automatically invest spare change users get back after making everyday purchases. The funding will allow Acorns to expand its portfolio and crypto options as well as expand its team. Currently, 33 positions are available across multiple departments. [Built In LA]
Slingshot Aerospace raised $25M. Based out of El Segundo, Slingshot Aerospace gathers data to create a digital landscape of space for operators. The company raised an extra $25 million as an extension to its Series A round. The Series A-1 was co-led by Draper Associates and ATX Venture Partners. The company plans to hire 40 more team members across departments this year. [dot.LA]
These companies landed on Forbes list. Forbes released its list of America’s Best Startup Employers, which included 500 businesses founded between 2012 and 2019. Several area companies made the list with Altruist, Kinsta, Boulevard and others landing in the top 65. [Built In LA]
Serve Robotics gained $10M. Nvidia invested $10 million in Serve Robotics, the Uber spinout meant to provide sidewalk delivery services. Nvidia and Serve Robotics have a partnership history, and the startup relies on Nvidia’s Jetson edge AI platform. The funding will go toward expanding Serve beyond San Francisco and Los Angeles. [TechCrunch]
LA Tech Quote of the Week
Gumball raised $10M. Gumball is an ad-tech platform that uses “host-read” advertising, which is used in podcasts. The platform was born out of the podcasting platform, Headgum. Gumball raised $10 million in fresh funding co-led by Union Square Ventures and Good Friends. Gumball plans to expand the team throughout the year and parent company Headgum is currently hiring for several positions. [Built In LA]
Kicks Crew raised $6M. Kicks Crew is an e-commerce B2B2C platform meant to provide more access to apparel and sneakers. The company raised $6 million in a Series A funding round that will strengthen its footprint in the U.S. market, establish a headquarters in Los Angeles and grow its internal team. [PR Newswire]
