Facebook lends a hand to news outlets. At a time when the social media giant is reportedly scrambling to keep up with a surge of usage because so many of its users are suddenly working from home, the company also announced a big investment in news outlets last week. Many outlets have seen their ad revenue obliterated due to the COVID-19 crisis and the tech giant is offering $100 million to help offset those losses. The company is offering $25 million in direct grants and $75 million in marketing support. [VentureBeat]
Chime pilot speeds up stimulus checks. The digital banking startup randomly chose 1,000 of its customers to receive their $1,200 federal stimulus checks instantly — weeks ahead of when they would have received money otherwise. It was part of its Spot Me feature and is reportedly the result of a conversation between the company’s CEO, Chris Britt, and Mark Cuban. The company may soon expand the initiative. [CNBC]
Expensify provides support for SNAP recipients. The expense management software company has redirected all of its charitable support to provide immediate relief for families who rely on the federal SNAP program (also known as food stamps) by reimbursing their SNAP purchases. As of last week, the number of families applying has outnumbered the amount of funding available but it is still working to keep the effort moving forward. [Expensify]
Moscone Center is now a homeless shelter. The event venue typically hosts many of tech’s biggest annual events, such as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference and Facebook’s Global Marketing Summit. As of last Thursday, it is operating as a homeless shelter as part of the city’s effort to help its homeless population maintain social distancing while seeking shelter. [Business Insider]
Coast launches an interactive map to support restaurants. The messaging app for deskless workers has created an interactive map, called Takeout COVID, that highlights restaurants that are offering carryout and delivery. It launched in the Bay Area but now is available in six more cities, with more to come. [Built In SF]
Box’s remote cybersecurity tips: We spoke with Paul Chapman, Box’s CIO, and other cybersecurity experts to learn how they are approaching this moment in time when so many companies are now fully distributed due to the pandemic. [Built In SF]
Startups are helping smokers quit. Smokers are at a higher risk of contracting a serious case of COVID-19, and startups including SF’s Quit Genius are seeing a surge of interest amid the pandemic. The company offers an app, therapy and a breath sensor, and 80 percent of its business comes from employers who offer the company’s services as a benefit. [Pitchbook]
COVID-19 silver lining? As a result of the city’s shelter-in-place order and a deluge of colorist appointment cancellations, many women are reportedly going natural and choosing to go gray during the pandemic. [SF Chronicle]
Apple acquires Dark Sky. The popular weather app will soon only be available on Apple devices, as its Android app will be shut down on July 1. Terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed. The app launched in 2011 as part of a Kickstarter campaign. [CNN]
GiveCampus’ path to profitability: The social fundraising platform was profitable just a bit more than a year after launching, which is a rare feat for edtech startups. We spoke with the company founders to learn how they did it. [Built In SF]
