Tesla plans its subsequent huge “gigafactory,” Google steps up efforts in opposition to COVID-19 and NEA raises a $3.6 billion fund. Right here’s your Each day Crunch for March 11, 2022.
1. Tesla is eyeing Nashville for Cybertruck gigafactory
Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted Tuesday night that the corporate is “scouting” places to construct a brand new U.S. “gigafactory” that may produce the Cybertruck and Mannequin Y crossover. Musk didn’t present additional data within the tweets, however a supply advised TechCrunch that Nashville is on a brief record of contenders.
Tesla broke floor on its first gigafactory on land close to Reno, Nev. in 2014, creating a large, 1.9 million-square-foot construction.
2. Google expands earn a living from home advice to all North American staff, establishes ‘COVID-19 fund’
Final week, Google despatched out a memo to workers recommending that Washington State-based staff work remotely, with a purpose to mitigate the potential unfold of COVID-19. Yesterday, the suggestion was dramatically expanded, according to the unfold of the virus. A brand new notice from the corporate recommends comparable motion for workers throughout North America.
3. NEA, enterprise capital’s quiet large, closes on $3.6 billion
In contrast to some corporations, the partnership at NEA hasn’t actually targeted on star-making. For the final a number of years the fund has been run by Scott Sandell, who has been with the agency since 1996 (his final tweet was in 2010).
4. Now streaming on Hotstar in India: Disney+
Disney+ has arrived in India weeks forward of its scheduled launch date. The American large revamped the Hotstar app and populated the on-demand video streaming service with the Disney+ unique catalog on Wednesday morning.
5. Why so many robotic startups fail, and what may be achieved about it
Citing a handful of high-profile examples like Rethink, Anki, Jibo and CyPhy Works, Brian Heater put the query to panelists ultimately week’s TC Classes: Robotics + AI occasion: Even with lots of funding and loads of good folks on board, why achieve this many robotic startups fail? (Further Crunch membership required.)
6. SpotOn faucets $50M to tackle Sq. and extra in funds and monetary providers for SMBs
SpotOn supplies point-of-sale fee options, alongside plenty of associated instruments resembling advertising and marketing, appointment reserving and loyalty providers. Within the final 12 months the startup says that it has grown revenues by 150%.
7. Quibi and Eko are in a authorized battle over video tech
The Wall Road Journal broke the news that interactive video firm Eko is accusing Quibi of infringing on its patented expertise. In the meantime, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Quibi (which is launching its short-form cellular video service subsequent month) has filed a grievance in California federal courtroom claiming that Eko has engaged in “a marketing campaign of threats and harassment.”
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