Via enters the Brooklyn market
On Monday, Via, the ridesharing company competing with apps like Uber and Lyft, announced it would be expanding its service to Brooklyn. Specifically, Via is coming to Williamsburg so that Brooklynites can commute into Manhattan in an SUV with other riders. Via’s charges a flat fee, and it will cost Williamsburg dwellers $7.95 for a trip into Lower Manhattan, and $11.95 for a trip anywhere above 23rd street. [Technically Brooklyn]
Momofuku founder's food delivery startup just nabbed $7M from lineup of celebrity investors
Renowned New York restaurateur, David Chang, who is known for founding the Momofuku restaurant group, has a new endeavor. Chang launched Ando, Momofuku’s first-ever delivery-only restaurant earlier this year. This week, the company received $7 million from a group of high-profile investors, including celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Aziz Ansari. [Built In NYC]
Ex-Google executive launches business intelligence platform for sales teams
This week, former Google Product Manager David Hammer launched Emissary, a platform that provides enterprise sales teams with exclusive insights from former corporate executives. The company also announced that it raised $12 million in funding to date. [Built In NYC]
Spongecell raises $10.5M to make ads interactive
Spongecell, an ad tech platform that turns static ads into interactive ones, announced that it raised a $10.5 million funding round this week. The company plans on using the new funding for research and development for the company’s CORE platform. [Built In NYC]
Giphy clinches $72M round
On the heels of announcing that the company has 100 million daily users, Giphy announced this week that it raised $72 million in new funding. The company said it plans on using the round to launch a media studio that creates GIFs. [Built In NYC]
Wochit raises $13 million to help publishers create videos
As video content has become king among publishers, Wochit’s software can create videos with minimal human intervention. The company recently announced that it raised $13 million in new funding, bringing its total funding raised to $28 million. [Re/Code]
Airbnb and New York may be nearing compromise
Airbnb is in talks with New York City and New York state to settle a lawsuit over a new state law that curtails short-term apartment rentals. The deal would settle Airbnb’s federal lawsuit challenging this new law, which makes it illegal to advertise short-term rentals in NYC. [Wall Street Journal]
Have a news tip for us or know of a company that deserves coverage? Let us know or tweet us @builtinnewyork.
