The future work is changing and the freelance economy is thriving. Though for freelancers, getting paid is still a constant problem. Willa has built a payment platform specifically for freelancers that is more popular than Paypal, Quickbooks, or other invoicing platforms. CEO and Cofounder Kristofer Sommestad shares some on the state of the fintech market, how the needs of freelancers have not been addressed, and the company’s recent funding round led by EQT Ventures.
Angel/Seed
Treehouse Games $2.6M for its Gaming Studio Focused on Collective Experiences
With video games immersive and interactive experiences captivating audiences like never, Treehouse Games announced the launch of its gaming studio that designs interactive, cooperative games instead of narrative-based single-player games. Treehouse Games is currently building its first game and the team is hard at work to translate the feeling of doing something with/for others into the gameplay. At a time where society is longing for social connections, even if virtual, and with American video game usage increased by 75 percent during the quarantine, Treehouse Games is poised to make an impact.
CEO Michael Chu tells us more about building games that focus on cooperation rather than competition, the challenge of fundraising during COVID-19, and the company’s upcoming plans.
The LA TechWatch June 2020 LA Venture Capital Funding Report
Datch Raises $3.2M for its Voice Assistant Technology Platform for Industry
No more canary in a coal mine. Datch is the AI-powered voice assistant for the mining, manufacturing, and utility sectors. Mark Fosdike, a first-time founder and CEO of Datch, walks us through the practical application of Datch’s technology in industry, raising as a first-time founder in a new country, and the company’s recent funding round from investors that include Plug and Play Ventures, Stage Venture Partners, Acceleprise, Tuhua Ventures, and Predictive Venture Partners.
Outer Raises $4.3M to Bring Style and Sustainability to Outdoor Furniture
With COVID-19 spreading rapidly throughout the nation, summer travel plans have been halted and people are planning to spend more time at home and in their backyards. The demand for outdoor furniture, grills, and patio heaters is surging. Outer is an innovative direct-to-consumer outdoor furniture brand that’s meeting this demand. CEO and Cofounder Jiake Liu walks us through how the brand is adapting to the pandemic, the company’s plan to expand its line, and latest funding round from prominent LA investors and operators that include Mucker Capital, Wavemaker, George Ruan, Eddy Lu, Nick Green, Ariel Kaye, and Mark Geller.
Cake Raises $1.435M for Its All-Inclusive Sexual Wellness Brand
Cake, a direct-to-consumer startup, is taking on the sexual wellness product. Its first product, a line of lubricants, is available for delivery straight to your door, eliminating the awkwardness of visiting the drug store to get confusing, outdated, and intimidating products that in no way are designed for modern sexuality. CEO and Cofounder Hunter Morris shares more on the company’s inspiration, future plans, and recent funding round from investors that include Brand Foundry Ventures, Finn Capital, and several notable angels.
Whatifi Raises $10M to Bring Interactive Movies to Your Phone
Through what it calls “storyhacking”, Whatifi offers numerous plotlines, character arcs, and endings, and even critical points where the watch party is faced with a problem and the movie cannot continue until everyone unanimously decides what decision to make. Using methodology from interactive theater, Cofounders Hardi Meybaum and Jaanus Juss are putting social audiences in the Director’s seat from their phones. The duo shared some insight into the company’s engaging platform for developing movies, future plans, and recent funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz.
The LA TechWatch May 2020 LA Venture Capital Funding Report
Vampr Raises $424K for its Professional Social Network for Creatives and Musicians
We live in an era where we are all creatives. Smart-phone technology and social networks have turned us all into producers and consumers of content. Josh Simons, CEO and Cofounder of Vampr, is on a mission to build the professional network that allows creatives and musicians to flourish, gather, network, and grow.
ettitude Raises $1.6M to for its Super Soft Line of Bedding Essentials Made with Bamboo
ettitude is a sustainable lifestyle brand offering home essentials that are soft on your skin and gentle on our planet using its proprietary CleanBamboo fabric. Cofounders Phoebe Yu and Kat Dey share their experience on raising capital in the midst of the pandemic, the company’s future plans, and direct-to-consumer offering.
Rogue Games, Inc. Raises Another $2M to Help Indie Game Developers Bring Games to Market
Gaming is a popular entertainment outlet, especially during the pandemic. In fact, DeLaet states, “Games are also actively supporting the WHO and CDC by encouraging players to stay home and support social distancing recommendations to help flatten the curve”. LA TechWatch sat down with Rogue Games, Inc. CEO Mike DeLaet to learn about how Rogue helps independent game developers push their titles to market.