MakeSpace raises $30M, reveals plans to expand to LA
MakeSpace, an NYC-based startup that picks up, stores and even returns their customers' things, announced the company had raised $30 million this week. The company also revealed it would be expanding its services to LA. [TechCrunch]
Digital Domain releases end-to-end VR production suite
Digital Domain, one of the leaders in creating visual effects and immersive experiences, released a full suite of products to help immersive content producers capture, produce and distribute their content. In addition to the platform, the company has built out its hardware capabilities as well, offering a new spherical camera and advanced livestreaming capabilities. [Press Release]
LA ranks highest for foreign real estate investors
Everyone wants a part of LA. Then again, you probably already knew that. According to the LA Times, however, it's not just the tech community or the awesome weather that is attracting people to the area, it's also the real estate. LA ranked number one in the US, joining London and Sydney as the top places where real estate investors are turning to. [LA Times]
Aspiration launches tool to let users see their 'sustainability footprints'
Aspiration, a Marina Del Rey-based socially conscious fintech firm, announced the launch of a new feature that would allow users to see exactly what good their money is doing. Utilizing thousands of data points to generate scores for and rate thousands of businesses, users will be assigned an Aspiration Impact Measurement (AIM) score, showing them how well the companies they patronize treat their employees or what environmental initiatives they support. [Aspiration]
Ozobot announces key staff additions, partnership with Marvel
Ozobot, an edtech startup that teaches kids robotics and coding through social games, had some big news to share this week. The company revealed it had hired two of LA tech's brightest to join the Redondo Beach-based startup. Kim Salzer, formerly the Chief Marketing Officer at Hyperloop One, joins the company in the same role, while Joby Otero of Anki comes to LA from the Bay Area to take over as Chief Product Officer. Additionally, the company announced it had partnered with Marvel to create new products. [Ozobot]
Fundings of the Week
It was a big week for tech fundings in LA. Three local startups — Science 37, Sense360 and recently launched Dave combined to bring in a very respectable $39 million. Investors in the three rounds included, Mark Cuban and Diplo, in addition to traditional VCs like Upfront Ventures. [Built In LA]
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