Co-working unicorn WeWork picks up $3B
WeWork received a $3 billion investment from repeat investor SoftBank in the form of a warrant. The move gives SoftBank the opportunity to buy shares in WeWork at a price of $110 or higher, so long as they close the purchase before September 2019. The latest funding brings WeWork’s valuation to $42 billion. Casual. [Built In NYC]
Get excited: NYC is Amazon’s new HQ2
After long debate and numerous bids, Amazon decided on not one, but two locations for its second home: Long Island City and Arlington, Virginia. The LIC location will occupy 4 million square feet and create 25,000 new open jobs in tech. Amazon is investing $2.5 billion in NYC and plans to provide the community with a new tech startup incubator, a public school and some additional green spaces in the nearby neighborhood. [Built In NYC]
SpotX one of the best places to work in NYC
Video advertising platform SpotX was recently named one of Crain’s New York Business’ 2018 Best Places to Work in New York City, which took into account both employee and employer survey responses. The company is headquartered in Denver and has a growing NYC office, which opened in 2013. The company’s unlimited PTO policy, paid time off for community service activities and charity gift matching program contributed to its win. [Press release]
The Trade Desk moves to Midtown
Adtech company The Trade Desk is packing up and moving to a different location in NYC to accommodate its growing team. It will occupy the top three floors of the Grace Building, located at 1114 Avenue of the Americas in the heart of Midtown. The company signed a 10-year lease for 95,580 square feet, which is about double the size of its current spot. [Commercial Observer]
AdSwerve expands to NYC, hires new executives
Google Marketing Platform Partner AdSwerve is opening a local office. The Denver-based company now has three locations across Denver, Seattle and now NYC. In addition to the new office, the company welcomed new executives to the team: Kristina Yarrington as vice president of marketing and JB Sugar, vice president of sales. These announcements come on the heels of the company’s acquisition of Analytics Pros. [Press release]
Healthtech company Ezra launches
Healthtech company Ezra just launched in private beta and raised $4 million in seed funding. The round was led by Accomplice, with participation from Founders Future, Credo Ventures, Seedcamp, Esther Dyson and startup founders and angel investors. The company, which uses AI to screen for cancer, launched a direct-to-consumer membership that lets men get a prostate MRI scan and have it analyzed by radiologists. [Press release]
