SpaceX wins NASA deal to measure earth's oceans
Hawthorne-based SpaceX, the Elon Musk space transportation startup which was named to Inc's Top 15 Companies of the Year yesterday, won a contract from NASA to map the earth's surface water and take high-resolution measurements. The mission is slated to begin in April 2021. [Press Release]
Pritzker Group Venture Capital doubles down on LA
Pritzker Group Venture Capital (PGVC), the Chicago-based venture capital group, announced this week the opening of its first LA office. Moving out from Chicago are veterans Gabe Greenbaum and Peter Liu. Though this will be the group's first office in LA, PGVC has made several noteworthy investments in LA tech, including Dollar Shave Club, Honest Company and Airmap. [Press Release]
LA Clippers turn to analytics to help shooters
The LA Clippers, who currently sit 2.5 games back of the heavily favored Golden State Warriors in the NBA's Western Conference, might have a reason for their hot start: technology. Earlier this week it was revealed the team had partnered with Alabama-based Noahlytics Data Service to help them track shots from the practice facility to improve shooting percentages. The team, long known as LA's "other team" (as well as the team Kobe Bryant threatened to join at one point) is currently 7.5 games up on the struggling Lakers. [Press Release]
Local colleges get $6M grant to support Latinos in STEM
Four LA community colleges have received grants from the U.S. Department of Education to support Latinos in STEM. The five-year deal will help students in predominately Hispanic areas to transition from high school to college. [KPCC]
SnackNation launches direct to consumer initiative
SnackNation, the Culver City-based snack service designed to help companies offer their employees healthier foods, announced this week a direct to consumer program. Subscribers will now be able to enjoy the healthy food delivery service at home, marking the first time the eight-year-old startup has done business outside of the B2B space. [SnackNation]
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