Tech News Roundup: February 19, 2021

Recent developments include Uber facing a setback in a driver classification lawsuit, insights from mobility investors, and encouraging news regarding the transport of the COVID-19 vaccine. This summarizes the key updates in today’s Daily Crunch.

Uber's UK Legal Challenge Outcome

Uber has experienced a legal defeat concerning the classification of its drivers. The UK Supreme Court has upheld previous decisions, confirming that drivers involved in the 2016 case are considered workers, not independent contractors.

The court stated that drivers operate under conditions of subordination and dependency, limiting their ability to improve earnings through skill or entrepreneurship. Increasing income is largely tied to longer working hours and consistently meeting Uber’s performance metrics.

While acknowledging the ruling, Uber clarified that its application is limited to the specific drivers who initiated the legal action, with many no longer utilizing the app.

Startup Funding and Venture Capital Activity

A new venture capital fund has been announced by an ex-General Catalyst and General Atlantic VC. Avid Ventures is launching with a $68 million debut fund, based in New York.

Promise has secured $20 million in Series A funding to provide greater financial flexibility for payments to government and utility services. The platform integrates with existing systems to offer more manageable terms for outstanding fees and debts.

Acast is expanding its reach through the acquisition of podcasting startup RadioPublic, which originated as a spin-off from public radio marketplace PRX in 2016.

Expert Insights from Extra Crunch

Ten investors foresee Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), on-demand delivery, and electric vehicles (EVs) as the dominant forces shaping the future of transportation post-pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities and revealed opportunities within the industry.

A small segment of users is responsible for the significant growth observed at Robinhood. Analysis focuses on payment for order flow, a practice where Robinhood receives compensation from market makers for trade execution.

Fractl marketing director Amanda Milligan offers three strategies for enhancing brand authority throughout 2021.

(Extra Crunch is a membership program designed to support founders and startup teams. Sign-ups are available here.)

Additional News Highlights

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine now benefits from improved transport and distribution capabilities. New stability data, submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, supports these advancements.

A striking image released by NASA depicts the Perseverance rover during its descent to Mars, vividly illustrating the challenging “seven minutes of terror.”

The recent winter disaster in Texas raises questions about the continued influx of technology companies to the state. The full extent of the storm’s impact – including loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption – is still being assessed.

The Daily Crunch provides a concise overview of TechCrunch’s most significant stories. Subscribe here to receive daily updates around 3pm Pacific time.