The Information

Binary Capital partner Justin Caldbeck. Photo by Peter DaSilva.

Silicon Valley Women Tell of VC’s Unwanted Advances

By Reed Albergotti · Jun 22, 2017 7:01am PDT · 9 comments

Half a dozen women working in the tech industry say they have faced unwanted and inappropriate advances from a well-connected Silicon Valley venture capitalist while discussing business. The allegations have come to light as the technology industry grapples with criticism over long-standing gender inequality and bias.The women say they faced... Half a dozen women working in the tech industry say they have faced unwanted and inappropriate...

Uber board director and shareholder Bill Gurley. Photo by Bloomberg.

Why Uber’s Investors Ousted Travis Kalanick

By Alfred Lee and Amir Efrati · Jun 21, 2017 10:54am PDT · 8 comments

The Uber power struggle that culminated in the resignation of CEO Travis Kalanick on Tuesday night was largely motivated by shareholders’ concerns that Mr. Kalanick wouldn’t be able to hire a “CEO-caliber” executive as chief operating officer who would stabilize the company and keep Mr. Kalanick in check, according to a... The Uber power struggle that culminated in the resignation of CEO Travis Kalanick on Tuesday...

Los Angeles Chargers first-round draft pick Mike Williams records video for Snapchat in April. Photo by AP.

Snap Eyeing Maps in Battle for Location

By Tom Dotan · Jun 19, 2017 3:25pm PDT · 1 comment

The latest mission in social media isn’t just about connecting you to your friends. It’s about connecting you to people nearby, showing you what they are seeing.Snap is expected to release a feature along those lines in the coming weeks, said a person familiar with the matter. The company has been working on a function that lets... The latest mission in social media isn’t just about connecting you to your friends....

Angry Birds toys in display in Finland. Photo by Bloomberg

Tencent Explores Acquisition of Angry Birds Maker Rovio

By Serena Saitto and Juro Osawa · Jun 15, 2017 10:53am PDT · 1 comment

Angry Birds toys in display in Finland. Photo by Bloomberg

Tencent Explores Acquisition of Angry Birds Maker Rovio

By Serena Saitto and Juro Osawa · Jun 15, 2017 10:53am PDT · 1 comment

China’s Tencent is pursuing an acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, the Finnish maker of the Angry Birds game, according to people briefed on the situation. Such a deal would consolidate Tencent’s stranglehold on the gaming business.Tencent is among several companies to approach Rovio about a possible purchase, one of the people said.... China’s Tencent is pursuing an acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, the Finnish maker of the...

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky at an Economic Club of New York luncheon in March. Photo by Bloomberg.

How Airbnb Put a Lid on Customer Service Costs

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 15, 2017 7:01am PDT · 11 comments

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky got some advice from Bill Gates two years ago. To be “truly great,” Mr. Gates told the Airbnb chief during a walk at the annual Sun Valley conference, the vacation rental site needed to improve its customer service, Mr. Chesky told employees in an email later.“What struck me was how simple and obvious... Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky got some advice from Bill Gates two years ago. To be “truly...

A SpaceX launch in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on June 3. Photo by Associated Press (Bill Ingalls/NASA via CNP).

Private Tech Prices Jump in Secondary Market

By Alfred Lee · Jun 13, 2017 7:02am PDT · 5 comments

Shares of many large private technology companies have seen a run-up in prices and trading activity this year on the secondary markets, brokers say, rebounding from a sluggish 2016.Fueling the surge in the secondary markets, in which employees and early investors of a private company sell their shares, is growing interest from institutional and... Shares of many large private technology companies have seen a run-up in prices and trading...

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. Art by Jeff Greco.

At Snap’s New York Clubhouse: Views, No Photos

By Tom Dotan · Jun 8, 2017 7:02am PDT · 2 comments

Last December, high above Times Square, the who’s who of the New York media world gathered for an exclusive holiday party. Betwixt an atrium-like foyer abutting a well-appointed private library, NBC “Late Night” host Seth Meyers and “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski mingled among top cable... Last December, high above Times Square, the who’s who of the New York media world gathered...

Jana CEO Nathan Eagle in 2016. Photo: Collision Conf

Verizon-Backed Jana Lays Off 19% of Staff

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 7, 2017 2:17pm PDT · 1 comment

Jana CEO Nathan Eagle in 2016. Photo: Collision Conf

Verizon-Backed Jana Lays Off 19% of Staff

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 7, 2017 2:17pm PDT · 1 comment

Jana, a mobile advertising startup focused on providing internet access to people in developing countries, laid off 13 employees this week, as the company planned to shut down what had been its flagship product.The cuts, confirmed by CEO Nathan Eagle, underline Jana’s ups and downs, as it fired sales and marketing employees that had worked... Jana, a mobile advertising startup focused on providing internet access to people in developing...

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Credit: LeWeb Conference via Flickr

After Revolt, Uber Changes Employee Compensation

By Amir Efrati · Jun 7, 2017 7:01am PDT · 5 comments

In mid-2015, Uber Chairman Garrett Camp and Uber investor Bill Gurley, who were part of the board of directors’ compensation committee, expressed concern to company leaders that Uber was doling out so much equity compensation to new hires that it was quickly diluting existing shareholders.So CEO Travis Kalanick, who owned more than 30% of... In mid-2015, Uber Chairman Garrett Camp and Uber investor Bill Gurley, who were part of the board...

An attendee at Facebook’s F8 developers conference last year. Photo by Bloomberg.

Facebook Preps New Teen App, With a Nod Toward Parents

By Cory Weinberg · Jun 1, 2017 10:01am PDT · 2 comments

Facebook is trying to find more ways to get younger people to use its apps, potentially by creating a teen-oriented messaging service that gives parents more control over whom their kids can contact.Code inside the main Facebook app points to an unreleased messaging app aimed at young teens called “Talk,” which hasn’t been... Facebook is trying to find more ways to get younger people to use its apps, potentially by...

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Photo by Bloomberg.

What Uber’s Next CFO Is Up Against

By Amir Efrati · Jun 1, 2017 7:01am PDT · 1 comment

Uber’s plans to recruit a new chief financial officer come as the ride-hailing company’s financial team grapples with a host of challenges ahead of a possible IPO.Those tests include helping figure out a path to turn a multibillion-dollar loss last year into a profit, lowering per-trip costs, and dealing with standard regulatory... Uber’s plans to recruit a new chief financial officer come as the ride-hailing...

Jared Kushner. Photo by Bloomberg.

Kushner’s Cadre Raising $65M at More Than $800M Value

By Alfred Lee and Serena Saitto · May 31, 2017 6:01pm PDT · 1 comment

Jared Kushner. Photo by Bloomberg.

Kushner’s Cadre Raising $65M at More Than $800M Value

By Alfred Lee and Serena Saitto · May 31, 2017 6:01pm PDT · 1 comment

Cadre, a New York-based real estate startup partly owned by Jared Kushner, is seeking to raise about $65 million, at a valuation of more than $800 million, according to a corporate filing and a person familiar with the fundraising efforts.The company came under the spotlight earlier this month when the Wall Street Journal reported that Jared... Cadre, a New York-based real estate startup partly owned by Jared Kushner, is seeking to raise...

Photo by Flickr/Merri

On Demand Food Service Sprig To Shut Down

By Reed Albergotti and Tom Dotan · May 26, 2017 9:23am PDT · 2 comments

On-demand meal delivery service Sprig is preparing to shut down, said a person familiar with the matter, and will announce the decision later Friday. The closure of the business is the latest sign of challenges for on-demand delivery services which blossomed a couple of years ago but have run into problems making money.Sprig, which prepared and... On-demand meal delivery service Sprig is preparing to shut down, said a person familiar with the...

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. Photo by Bloomberg.

Inside Snap’s Growth Struggles

By Tom Dotan · May 24, 2017 7:00am PDT · 6 comments

Last summer, members of Snap’s growth team presented CEO Evan Spiegel and other executives with worrying data showing user growth had slowed sharply. In one week, the company had lost 1 million daily active users, out of its total of around 150 million.The growth team spelled out to Mr. Spiegel a number of likely causes. Among the top... Last summer, members of Snap’s growth team presented CEO Evan Spiegel and other executives...

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. Photo by Bloomberg.

Spotify’s Loss Widens Despite Big Jump in Revenue

By Alfred Lee · May 18, 2017 8:09am PDT · 3 comments

Spotify’s operating loss rose significantly to between 300 million and 400 million euros last year, the music streaming company has told its investors, from 184 million euros in 2015. That’s despite a 50% increase in revenues to 2.9 billion euros ($3.1 billion), according to two people briefed on its numbers. The wider loss... Spotify’s operating loss rose significantly to between 300 million and 400 million euros...

Huawei's former chief designer of user experience Abigail Brody. Photo by Florian Brody

Huawei Loses Ex-Apple Designer Hired to Revamp Smartphone Software

By Juro Osawa · May 18, 2017 7:01am PDT

Huawei's former chief designer of user experience Abigail Brody. Photo by Florian Brody

Huawei Loses Ex-Apple Designer Hired to Revamp Smartphone Software

By Juro Osawa · May 18, 2017 7:01am PDT

A former longtime Apple designer who joined Huawei two years ago with much fanfare to help improve the oft-criticized user interface of the Chinese company’s smartphones, has recently quit. Abigail Brody’s departure highlights the risks and challenges facing Chinese technology giants as they step up their recruitment in Silicon... A former longtime Apple designer who joined Huawei two years ago with much fanfare to help...

Photo by Flickr/Ian Lamont.

Top Sales Executive Quits Dropbox

By Eugene Kim · May 17, 2017 2:28pm PDT

Dropbox’s top global sales executive, Thomas Hansen, has quit suddenly, less than two years after joining, The Information has learned.Mr. Hansen, who came from Microsoft in July 2015, oversaw the company’s effort to sell more to corporate customers. His hiring was considered a key step in Dropbox’s desire to expand out of the... Dropbox’s top global sales executive, Thomas Hansen, has quit suddenly, less than two years...

Sentient CEO Babak Hodjat. Photo by Bloomberg.

Early AI Startup Sentient Diversifies As AI Field Gets More Crowded

By Kevin McLaughlin · May 17, 2017 7:00am PDT

Sentient Technologies was an AI startup years before AI became fashionable. Now that the field has become crowded with big and small rivals, Sentient wants to diversify its business.The company, whose founders include the engineers who went on to found high-profile AI startups Siri and Viv, has been looking to raise what would be its first round... Sentient Technologies was an AI startup years before AI became fashionable. Now that the field...

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. Photo by Bloomberg.

Uber to Give Ex-Employees More Time to Exercise Options

By Amir Efrati · May 15, 2017 5:42pm PDT · 3 comments

Longtime employees of Uber will find it easier to quit the company, thanks to a change in how it deals with stock options.The ride-sharing firm is dropping the requirement that employees who quit must exercise any options they have within 30 days, or lose them, according to three people briefed on the change. Instead the departing employees will... Longtime employees of Uber will find it easier to quit the company, thanks to a change in how it...

HBO's former programming chief Michael Lombardo with Silicon Valley producer Mike Judge. Photo by AP.

Apple in Search for Programming Chief

By Tom Dotan · May 15, 2017 2:41pm PDT

HBO's former programming chief Michael Lombardo with Silicon Valley producer Mike Judge. Photo by AP.

Apple in Search for Programming Chief

By Tom Dotan · May 15, 2017 2:41pm PDT

HBO’s former programming head Michael Lombardo met with Apple executives earlier this year to discuss Apple’s video programming strategy, says a person familiar with the talks. The talks suggest Mr. Lombardo could be a candidate to run Apple’s video efforts. Apple has been looking to fill that role, said another person briefed... HBO’s former programming head Michael Lombardo met with Apple executives earlier this year...