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Rideshare Startup HopSkipDrive Bounces Back Amid School Bus Driver Shortage

Rideshare Startup HopSkipDrive Bounces Back Amid School Bus Driver Shortage

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Rideshare startup HopSkipDrive is emerging from the pandemic as a stronger company thanks to its raise of $25 million in new funding from a Series C cash infusion from four firms: Energy Impact Partners, Keyframe Capital, FirstMark Capital and 1776 Ventures. The company says it plans to use the new funds toward vehicle electrification and to "continue reshaping school transportation."

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🚙 Irvine-based EV automaker Rivian is in talks to build a $5 billion factory in Texas.

⚡️ L.A.-based EVgo Inc. said its revenue went up in this year's second quarter to $4.8 million, compared to $4.1 million in the first quarter.

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📝 SaaS accelerator TinySeed is seeking applicants for its one-year program by August 22.

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If you recall, HopSkipDrive laid off more than half of its workers exactly one year ago when the pandemic forced students to stay home, essentially halting the company's rideshare services. With schools back to in-class sessions this fall, HopSkipDrive is planning a comeback that expands its services from 16 to 30 markets.

Trust, a Santa Monica-based startup launched by a group of former Snap employees, has raised $9 million to make the advertising process friendlier to smaller ecommerce companies and direct-to-consumer brands.

Arcadia-based Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, or EVCS, is revamping nearly four dozen stations along the West Coast Electric Highway, a corridor that extends from British Columbia through Southern California.

Motional's self-driving cars are coming to Los Angeles. The company says it will start testing vehicles in the city as it gears up to offer driverless ride hailing cars in the next two years. As part of its West Coast expansion, the company also plans to double its staff.

Los Angeles-based Upscribe, which is coming out of stealth after nearly two years, thinks the subscription model is the future of ecommerce. This week, the company secured a $4 million seed round led by Uncork Capital.

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