Google backs Cambridge-based Veo Robotics in $12M round
This week, GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Lux Capital led a $12 million Series A round in the company, which is developing software that would make it safer for humans to collaborate with industrial robots in the workplace, Boston Business Journal reports. Founded in 2016 by veterans of some of Massachusetts’s top robotics companies like iRobot and Rethink Robotics, Veo Robotics is on a mission to give robots “eyes and brains” so they can safely work with people. Veo Robotics currently employs around 10 people, but plans on hiring 15 more employees over the next six months. [Built In Boston]
Worcester offers $500M in property tax breaks to lure Amazon
Dozens of cities around the United States hope to lure Amazon’s second headquarters to their area, including Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts after Boston. The city announced a proposal of $500 million in local property tax breaks to the tech giant this week. The incentive package would be spread out over 20 years. Worcester hopes Amazon will take over three parcels of land totaling 98 acres along Route 20 and is posing itself as a “low-cost” alternative to Boston. [Boston Globe]
CarGurus stock price jumps 80 percent in trading debut
CarGurus’ stock price rose 80 percent above its initial public offering price of $16 per share upon entering the public markets last week. The Cambridge-based car-shopping site the first Massachusetts tech company to go public in 2017. CarGurus raised $150 million on Wednesday, despite its price being higher than the expected range of $15 to $15. The company’s debut was a big East Coast win, as consumer tech startups typically don’t find as much success as similar companies on the West Coast. [BostInno]
Wayfair gets artsy with Rose Kennedy Greenway installation
Wayfair is celebrating the Boston tech community through an art installation on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. In partnership with international street artist, Kelsey Montague, Wayfair created a 24-foot mural of a house that is built on tech. Its exterior façade was created in binary code. From now until November 6th, Bostonians are invited to attempt cracking the code. The winner will receive a $500 gift card to the e-commerce site. [Press Release]
Rapid7 considers new HQ options
Boston-based cybersecurity firm Rapid7 is thinking about moving into a new headquarters before its 2019 lease expires. The company needs up to 120,000 square feet of space to house its growing team, and there are several large-scale active construction projects within the region that could handle it, including Boston Properties’ Hub on Causeway andHYM Investment Group’s Bulfinch Crossing project. Rapid7 went public in July 2015. [Boston Business Journal]
