Megan Rose Dickey
Senior Reporter
The Latest from Megan Rose Dickey
Wheels deploys helmet-equipped e-bikes
On the heels of a $50 million funding round in October, Wheels is launching its “smart” helmet system for its pedal-less e-bikes. The helmet, which locks into the rear fender of the bike,
Away CEO is stepping down in light of reports of toxic culture
Away CEO Steph Korey is stepping down following The Verge’s report of toxic culture at the luggage startup. Taking her spot is Stuart Haselden, COO at Lululemon, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Instacart shoppers plan a series of actions in protest of company’s wage practices
Instacart shoppers are continuing to hold the grocery startup accountable with their latest set of actions. Kicking off next Monday, Instacart shoppers plan to take one action per day for six days in
Bird lays off several Scoot employees
Bird has laid off less than two dozen employees, The San Francisco Chronicle first reported. The layoffs affect employees Bird brought on board as part of its ~$25 million acquisition of Scoot earlie
Uber reveals thousands of sexual assault reports last year
Uber just released its first-ever safety report that covers sexual assault. Let’s jump right in. In 2017, Uber received 2,936 reports pertaining to sexual assault, and received 3,045 in 2018. De
Elizabeth Warren is reportedly drafting legislation to allow gig workers to unionize
A key ask from gig workers this year has been the right to unionize. Now, Senator (and presidential candidate) Elizabeth Warren is reportedly drafting a bill that would enable gig workers to do just t
Uniform Teeth raises $10 million for its teeth-straightening operations
Uniform Teeth, the teeth straightening startup that helped me figure out I needed a root canal, has just raised a $10 million round of funding led by Canaan Partners. This brings Uniform Teeth’s
GV spinout Plexo Capital closes $42.5 million fund
Plexo Capital, the fund founded by former GV partner Lo Toney, has closed its first fund of $42.5 million. The plan is to invest in both startups and emerging VC funds, with 60% to 65% of the capital
Fired Google workers will file federal complaint alleging the company wrongfully terminated them
The four ex-Google employees, also known as the “Thanksgiving Four,” who were fired right before the holiday, are planning to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. R
Google employee activist says she’s been fired
Google has terminated Rebecca Rivers, an employee activist the company put on indefinite administrative leave this month, Rivers tweeted this afternoon. Google declined to comment but confirmed an int
Lime is launching electric scooters in Cape Town
Lime will become the first major micromobility operator to launch scooters in Africa. Early next year, Lime will roll out electric scooters in Cape Town, South Africa. Unlike its model in the U.S. and
Original Content podcast: Netflix’s ‘Rhythm + Flow’ tweaks the music competition formula
“Rhythm + Flow” is Netflix’s take on a reality TV staple — the music competition show. With Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Tip “T.I.” Harris on-board as judges, the ser
Airbnb COO Belinda Johnson is leaving the company next year
Airbnb COO Belinda Johnson notified employees of her impending departure next March, CNBC first reported. Airbnb has since confirmed the news, saying Johnson will remain involved with the company on i
Google employees will rally in protest of alleged worker retaliation
Google is under fire again for its treatment of employees. Tomorrow, a group of Google employees is holding a rally and press conference to speak out against the company’s decision to place two
How Airbnb handles discrimination claims
When disability rights lawyer Haben Girma, who is blind and deaf, booked an apartment in London via Airbnb last month, she says the host cancelled her reservation after she disclosed that her guide do
Scooter maker Superpedestrian raises $20 million as it gears up to launch
Superpedestrian, the startup working with a handful of scooter operators to deploy vehicles that can perform self-diagnostics, just raised a $20 million round from Spark Capital, General Catalyst, Han
DoorDash tipping practices prompts lawsuit from DC Attorney General
DoorDash is facing a new lawsuit regarding its tipping practices. This time, it’s coming from Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine. In the suit, Racine accuses DoorDash of engaging in d
Uber’s chief product officer is stepping down
Uber Chief Product Officer Manik Gupta announced today he is leaving the company. Gupta’s last day will be December 13, he wrote in a note to Uber’s product team today. “After a few
Lyft is ceasing scooter operations in six cities and laying off 20 employees
In an industry where unit economics and rider utilization are key to running a profitable business, perhaps it’s better to cut your losses early on. Lyft notified employees today that it’s
Micromobility’s next big opportunities
Launching and operating shared bikes and scooters has lost its novelty. Worldwide, numerous companies are operating shared micromobility services — so many that the industry is well into a consolida