Sector Spotlight

Below is a collection of every Sector Spotlight article by The Information.
Eric Giler, board member and former CEO of WiTricity. Photo by Bloomberg.
Sector Spotlight

Wireless Power Poised for Takeoff Despite Standards Fight

By Eric Newcomer · Aug 11, 2014 2:36pm PDT · 2 comments
More than a century after Nikola Tesla showed the world that he could light up a phosphorescent lamp without using any wires, even the most cutting-edge consumer electronics products remain tethered to their power cords. Wireless cellphone charging pads from companies like Samsung and Duracell have been around for a few years, but those... More than a century after Nikola Tesla showed the world that he could light up a phosphorescent...
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. Photo by Bloomberg.
Sector Spotlight

Emerging Bitcoin Industry Gets Crowded Fast

By Eric Newcomer · Jul 28, 2014 8:09am PDT · 8 comments
When the San Francisco-based Bitcoin startup Coinbase closed a $25 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz last December, it marked a coming of age for the digital currency. The price of a bitcoin had hit $1,000, and a fledgling industry that had long been populated with libertarian true-believers, a few committed techies and some... When the San Francisco-based Bitcoin startup Coinbase closed a $25 million funding round led by...
Wealthfront CEO Adam Nash. Photo by Bloomberg.
Sector Spotlight

Startup Money-Managers Banking on the ‘Mass Affluent’

By Katie Benner · Jul 22, 2014 7:51am PDT · 1 comment
It’s easy to understand why banking is often described as “ripe for disruption.” The industry is slow, complicated and known for hidden fees, fine print and rules that seemingly favor Wall Street at the expense of Main Street. While payments companies and Bitcoin-related businesses try to improve financial services, a new breed... It’s easy to understand why banking is often described as “ripe for...