iOS 15 and Apple Health: A Milestone in Health Tech
Daily Crunch: Extra Crunch Takes the Helm
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Through an unexpected turn of events, coupled with the assistance of editor Annie Saunders and a generous supply of coffee, the Extra Crunch team is currently managing today’s Daily Crunch publication.
Regular service will be resumed promptly upon the return of Henry Pickavet or Alex Wilhelm from vacation, whichever happens sooner.
Identifying Top Growth Marketers
Having been given the opportunity to lead this edition, we are actively seeking to pinpoint the most impactful growth marketers who are instrumental in the development of startup ventures. To this end, Managing Editor Eric Eldon conducted an interview with Susan Su, presently the head of portfolio strategy at Sound Ventures, regarding the importance of founders cultivating a growth-focused perspective as the economy recovers.
Su emphasizes that founders don’t require exhaustive knowledge of advertising platforms, but must possess a solid understanding of identifying opportunities for improvement. “They need to be familiar and comfortable with the core work of gap-finding,” she stated.
A delegation of growth responsibilities to others is a recipe for failure, according to Su. The founder’s primary role is to provide direction and insight, attracting and empowering skilled professionals to execute and realize a creative vision.
We welcome your recommendations of exceptional growth experts you have collaborated with. Please reach out and share your insights.
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Walter Thompson
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@yourprotagonist
TechCrunch's Leading Three Stories
While Apple may not currently be considered a leading brand in personal health alongside companies like Procter & Gamble, Peloton, or Fitbit, its position may not necessitate such ranking. The scope of Apple’s health-focused products and services allows it to intersect with these and numerous other organizations.
Kevin Lynch, Apple’s Vice President of Technology, was recently interviewed by Darrell Etherington, who explored the company’s evolution in its user-centric methodology for developing hardware, software, and data handling protocols concerning personal health.
Lynch explained, “The initial impetus stemmed from the Apple Watch, where heart rate data was being collected for activity and calorie expenditure calculations, specifically for the [Activity] ring completion. A dedicated repository for this heart rate data was therefore required.” This led to the creation of the Health app as a central data storage solution.
Spotify’s launch of Greenroom, a new live audio application built upon the foundation of Locker Room’s code, was covered by Sarah Perez today. This development followed Spotify’s acquisition of Betty Labs, the creators of Locker Room, in March.
Spotify, primarily recognized for its music streaming service, has been expanding its operations to become a more comprehensive media entity in recent years. Greenroom will enable users to participate in and host audio conversations, with the option to convert these discussions into podcasts, as Sarah detailed.
The term “impressions” for advertising units is fitting, as CPG companies aim to maximize visibility and directly engage consumers.
Consequently, it’s logical that Facebook has announced its intention to begin testing advertisements on its Oculus platform, initially in a limited release. According to a company blog post, “this is currently a trial phase involving a select number of applications.”
Startup Funding News
BrowserStack, a leading software testing platform, has revealed a new funding injection of $200 million in a Series B round. This investment brings the company’s valuation to $4 billion. BOND spearheaded the round, with contributions also coming from Insight Partners and Accel.
Templafy, a competitor in the document creation space alongside PandaDoc, has successfully secured $60 million in Series D funding. The Denmark-based business document platform has now raised a total of $125 million since its inception.
A $25 million Series C round was completed just 14 months prior to this latest announcement.
Bringg Reaches Unicorn Status
Bringg, a last-mile delivery platform, has achieved a $1 billion valuation following a $100 million Series E funding round. Accel partners led this significant investment.
According to CEO Guy Bloch, the newly acquired capital will be strategically allocated to accelerate growth initiatives. These include expanding operational capabilities and onboarding a larger customer base.
Bloch emphasized the critical need for their services, stating, “Companies are in urgent need of solutions to optimize their delivery processes.”
The funds will enable Bringg to address this demand and further solidify its position in the market.
- BrowserStack: $200M Series B, $4B valuation
- Templafy: $60M Series D, $125M total funding
- Bringg: $100M Series E, $1B valuation
SaaS Guidance Counselors Attracting Edtech Investment
Initial predictions following the pandemic, suggesting a decline in higher education once vaccinations became widespread and travel resumed, may not fully materialize.
A new wave of edtech SaaS companies, effectively operating as digital guidance counselors, is gaining traction. These startups assist students with a range of needs, from exploring international study programs to identifying suitable colleges.
Natasha Mascarenhas highlights this emerging trend, noting that investors are increasingly interested in companies that streamline the complexities of educational institutions.
This shift is occurring as demand for individualized, virtual learning experiences continues to rise among students.
These platforms aim to maximize the value students derive from their education by simplifying bureaucratic processes.
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Big Tech Inc.
Facebook has introduced a suite of new functionalities designed for Facebook Group administrators. These tools are intended to provide enhanced management capabilities over their respective online communities.
The aim is also to proactively mitigate potentially disruptive or negative interactions within these groups. A particularly noteworthy addition is a feature leveraging machine learning.
This feature functions by notifying administrators when conversations within their group exhibit signs of becoming unhealthy. Furthermore, administrators now have the ability to regulate the speed of rapidly escalating discussions.
This control is achieved by limiting the frequency with which group members are permitted to post. The principle behind this is simple: encourage more thoughtful communication.
Google's Online Safety Initiatives
Google has recently revised and broadened its digital safety educational program, Be Internet Awesome. This curriculum provides resources for both parents and educators.
The updated program focuses on crucial topics such as responsible online gaming, the prevention of cyberbullying, and the cultivation of online empathy. The hope is to foster a more positive online environment.
Waymo Secures Funding for Expansion
Waymo, the self-driving technology division of Alphabet, has successfully secured $2.5 billion in funding. This represents the company’s second external funding round.
The capital infusion will be allocated towards the continued development of Waymo Driver, its autonomous driving platform, and the expansion of its workforce. Currently, Waymo One, the company’s commercial ride-hailing service, is operational in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area.
Additionally, Waymo announced earlier this month its intention to initiate a pilot program for its trucking and cargo transportation services in collaboration with J.B. Hunt.
- Facebook: New admin tools for group management and conversation moderation.
- Google: Updated "Be Internet Awesome" curriculum focusing on online safety.
- Waymo: $2.5 billion funding round to expand autonomous driving technology.
These developments highlight ongoing efforts within the tech industry to address issues related to online community management, digital citizenship, and the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology.
