💥 And we're back 💥
TLDR: HQ says hi, community company updates, and a bunch of new jobs.
hello from DRF!
Welcome to the new Dorm Room Fund Headquarters’ (HQ) first newsletter! In these bi-weekly updates, you can expect exciting news on community companies, content about VC and our people, and job listings.
July also marks the new HQ’s second month in action — it’s been a whirlwind so far!
Our new team features experts on content, operations, social media, community, design, and growth. We’d love to chat with you about ways to grow your audience, design your product, or scale your business.
For content submissions or requests, reach Anne (Head of Content) at annewen@dormroomfund.com. If you’re interested in serving as a mentor to community companies or speaking at a DRF event, send Melissa (Head of Community) a message at melissa@dormroomfund.com. We welcome other feedback at hq@dormroomfund.com.
news 🚀 🚀 an unusual Olympic year
Chances are your YouTube has recommended some version of NBC’s Olympic coverage. If you’re not already watching, The Washington Post explains how you can watch the Olympics for free. From the U.S.’s Suni Lee winning all-around women’s gymnastics to the Australian swimming coach’s wild reaction, Comcast has seen 54 million accounts, or 12 million more in the past four months, in growth. The media company started on rocky ground after a 36% drop in Tokyo compared to Rio, but it considers the Olympics profitable because viewers have tried its streaming platforms.
news 🚀 🚀 US and China are squeezing startups
Chinese companies can’t go public unless they make risk disclosures and report how much their government interferes in business. Why this matters: the U.S. is cracking down on Chinese companies as China does the same internally. Think China’s ride-hailing giant, Didi (think Uber), which is considering going private since the company listed in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal.
updates from our community:
congratulations are in order! 😊
Snackpass raised a $70 million series B led by CRAFT Ventures with strong participation from Adam Valkin at General Catalyst and Andrew Chen at Andreessen Horowitz. The app makes ordering food more convenient, affordable and social.
Cadoo gamifies fitness by using the prospect of winning (or losing) cold hard cash to motivate people. Cadoo has raised a $1.5 million seed from Sam & Max Altman’s Apollo VC.
Resonado Labs, which engineers and licenses streamlined speaker architecture for optimal acoustic performance, has raised a $3 million seed round.
SheFly Apparel, which makes pants designed to fit a range of bodies, prepares to launch in stores and online with Moosejaw (owned by Walmart) in April 2022.
Fulton, which creates insoles that relieve pain, opened up in their first retail location at Naked Retail in NYC. They prepare to launch five more stores nationwide.
Kona, which helps remote teams build empathy, has surpassed 100 teams and released a new web dashboard - marking all-time high engagement.
AMPAworks, IoT solutions for inventory and supply chain, was awarded the nursing innovation award by the American Nurses Association and HIMSS Healthcare.
Fractal, which builds a cloud-powered web browser on the Chromium engine, prepares to release the first version after a year and a half of building.
Expedock, which delivers data infrastructure for the global supply chain, is moving 10,000 containers internationally every month using their software.
Powerspike, which helps brands build Twitch influencer campaigns, has paid over $2 million to creators. One in every six of the top gaming streamers have now joined their platform.
Pashion Footwear, which converts high heels to flats, has averaged 72% quarter over quarter growth since Q1 2020 (the post-pandemic consumer likes comfort!)
Movley, which gives you a full-service quality control team for the cost of an inspection, has closed 221+ clients and several angel checks.
Major League Markets, the stock market for sports, is in its final stages of receiving a UK Gambling Commission betting license. Keep your eyes out for the launch of their StartEngine crowdfunding campaign.
community company jobs 💡
From our community companies shaking things up. Expect venture roles in our next mid-month newsletter.
EngineeringExpedock: Software Engineer. Expedock is reinventing global shipping and supply chains using AI and data processing. Deadline - ASAP. (Palo Alto, California with work from home)
Candelytics: Lead Software Developer. Candelytics is a LIDAR analytics startup making complex 3D data accessible, intelligent and impactful.
Sparrow: Senior full stack engineer. Sparrow is disrupting the lending market by helping people save money and get out of debt faster.
Fractal: Multiple roles in engineering. Fractal is building the world's fastest web browser, streamed from powerful data center hardware to user devices.
Pixorize: SVP of Engineering. Pixorize turns complex facts into easy-to-remember visual stories to help students gain an edge on high-stakes exams.(Contact nathan@pixorize.com).
Highlight: Back end dev and business development representative. Highlight is a market research platform helping brands build better products for all.
Finance, Marketing and OperationsGainful: Head of Finance. Gainful is a YC backed company changing the way people shop for nutrition products to achieve their fitness goals. Deadline - ASAP. (Full time in Manhattan, NY)
Solstice: Director of Operations and People Operations Manager. Solstice aims to bring affordable solar power to the 80% of Americans who cannot install a rooftop system, via enrolment in shared solar farms, financing innovations, and frictionless subscriber management software. (Full time)
Fulton: Partnerships, Influencer, and Social Media Influencer strategist. Fulton is a modern brand of arch support, producing sustainable insoles made from innovative materials. (Part time)
Kona: Content marketer. Kona helps remote teams build authentic connections and become more emotionally intelligent. (Remote)
Multiple and assorted roles Hey Jane: Head of Engineering, Founding Engineer, Head of Operations + Strategy, Brand Marketing Manager. Hey Jane is a the first digital clinic for women's health, starting with accessible abortion care. (Full time in Remote)
Fractal: Engineering and marketing. Fractal is a new cloud-powered web browser built on the Chromium engine. (Email phil@fractal.co)
Snackpass: Multiple roles in engineering, data, product sales, finance. Snackpass is the largest social commerce platform in the US, allowing you to buy anything with friends. (Remote, multiple locations)
Lura Health: Dental Lab Technician. Lura Health is changing preventative healthcare with a personal sensor that monitors health through saliva. (Contact daniel@lurahealth.com)
Resonado Labs: Office Manager. Resonado Labs designs and engineers cutting-edge proprietary audio technology for brands and manufacturers. (Chicago, IL)
behind the velvet rope 💥
Early access and sign up news from our community
for the sports lover: get early access to Major League Markets, a community company creating the stock market of sports.
who doesn’t love free credit? Sign up for the Sequin Card and start building credit without interest, debt or credit check. Apply and get $25 credit to start, plus $5 for each friend you refer.
want to try a cool new graphics-powered web browser? Fractal is looking for people to be part of its early release, completely free of charge. Email phil@fractal.co or share this opportunity around!
Want to get more involved with DRF? Email us at info@dormroomfund.com and get updates on our Twitter and website. Ready to take your startup to the next level? Apply here to be considered for an investment. Back in two weeks with another newsletter! 🚀