As Monday morning rolls in, we’re providing TechWire readers with a quick recap of the past week’s news headlines.
The coronavirus pandemic continued to dominate news coverage last week. Triangle startups are left reeling in the wake of the crisis, but they’re also using it as an opportunity to pivot; NC could see up to 345,000 layoffs; RTP-based Cellex landed emergency FDA approval for its COVID-19 test; Durham-based SportsMedia Technology Corporation furloughed 35% of its workforce; SAS’s COO spoke to WRAL about the changes the company has had to make; and, Payroll Protection Program and small biz loan applications began on Friday, with over $3.5 billion in loans processed in a single day – here’s what you need to know.
In non-COVID news: IBM’s CEO is stepping down from her post on April 6, bringing in successor Arvind Krishna; Durham fintech startup PatientPay raised $6.15 million; Raleigh startup Pendo is hiring; women lead only 5% of 700+ biotech firms in NC – here are the top execs.
- Check out TechWire’s comprehensive resource package for Triangle startups.
And, in national news: Even as SoftBank terminated its $3 billion bailout for WeWork, the coworking giant is now offering free space to nonprofits; a new WalletHub survey found that 87% of small businesses are struggling due to COVID-19; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law; video conferencing platform Zoom is under scrutiny for its privacy and security practices; T-Mobile completed its merger with Sprint; banks are anticipating high demand for the emergency COVID loans.
Keeping with our Monday tradition, here’s a look back at 75 local, state and national headlines as reported by WRAL TechWire last week:
MONDAY | March 30 Headlines:
- 145 local meetups for tech professionals, small biz owners & startup founders
- Blue Cross names Anthem health exec as new CEO
- Charter expands free 60-day broadband, wifi for educators new to Spectrum
- Entrepreneur, tech groups appeal to feds so venture-backed startups can get loans
- Facebook is giving $25 million to news organizations, and spending $75 million more to help
- Guest opinion: Amid mayhem, making a big move
- Instacart shoppers plan strike over treatment during COVID-19
- NC biotech startup awaits FDA OK for ‘low-cost’ COVID-19 ventilator
- NC Chamber ‘supports’ governor’s stay-at-home order after initially opposing it
- NC headliners: Upcoming webinars & online events state-wide through April
- ‘Not a normal recession:’ Virus is masking true impact on economic statistics
- On the horizon: 50 events & deadlines coming up across NC in May
- Our startup guide expands with more funding sources & support for local founders
- Pitching virtually for $40K in prizes: 10 Charlotte-area nonprofits to compete in livestream event
- TechWire rewind: Disaster relief loans; internet demand; startups raise cash + 72 more headlines
- Triangle headliners: Rounding up meetups & events (mostly virtual) in April
- US unemployment to soar to 11.5% due to small business layoffs, UNC says
- Venture Connect Online: Council for Entrepreneurial Development taking conference virtual
TUESDAY | March 31 Headlines:
- Amazon fires worker for leading protest; Instacart adds 250,000 ‘shoppers’
- A social network for pets? There’s an app for that thanks to Durham startup
- Can SBA deliver emergency business loans quickly? Some experts are skeptical
- Durham fintech PatientPay cashes in on growing digital pay solutions demand, raises $6.15M
- For women, it’s ‘Equal Pay Day’ – how does your compensation stack up?
- Greensboro diagnostics firm introduces tests for COVID-19, norfentanyl
- Help wanted? Here’s advice for firms looking to hire in midst of coronarvius
- How is coronavirus affecting private equity markets? ‘Transforming’ them, report says
- SAS vs. virus: Fully operational, working at home, all hands on deck despite challenges says No. 2 exec
- Small business loan applications can begin Friday – here are details
- Triangle IBMers put tech in hands of first responders, nonprofits for COVID-19 fight
- UNC med students team with Duke, NCSU to make face shields for healthcare workers
WEDNESDAY | April 1 Headlines:
- Apple buys weather app Dark Sky; Android version to be dropped
- Beware of ‘Zoombombing’ – concerns grow about Zoom video safety
- ‘Families First’ is now law – here’s what you need to know about sick leave, job protection, more
- GE to shut FieldCore office in Wilmington, will lay off 261
- Here’s what startups, small businesses need to know about SBA loans, Payroll Protection Program
- Internet of Things group RIoT launches moonshot effort to tackle coronavirus
- Layoffs could hit up to 345,000 employees in NC, UNC expert warns
- Morrisville life science firm Syneos backs BiPAP machines to ease ventilator shortage
- NC’s Gilero uses ingenuity, 3D printing to expand COVID-19 protective equipment, ventilators
- New website helps consumers find local farmers selling meat in bulk
- Survey: 87% small businesses struggling due to virus; 70% have made or plan layoffs
- T-Mobile, Sprint complete merger; new CEO takes top job
- Will stocks rebound from first-quarter plunge? History suggests a rebound
- WarnerMedia picks founding CEO of Hulu as new leader
- Xerox drops efforts to acquire HP, citing coronavirus
THURSDAY | April 2 Headlines:
- App developed by Duke students traces contacts of coronavirus patients
- Apple change on content charges a ‘game changer,’ tech columnist says
- Despite Softbank setback, WeWork mobilizes to offer free space to nonprofits during COVID-19
- Duke launches $50M effort to see if drug can prevent COVID-19 among healthcare workers
- Feds issue more guidance on virus relief package – here’s what employers, workers need to know
- Guest opinion: City of Wilson’s gigabit internet service proves even more valuable during COVID-19
- Here To Help: Local Business Virtual Conference Series – listen in to latest in the series
- Here To Help: The lineup, topics for latest in Local Business Virtual Conference Series
- How deep will recession be? How fast will economy recover? Virus is the key
- Pendo CEO: We’re still hiring despite coronavirus, preparing for economic rebound
- Q&A: Where, how can startups, small businesses find funding in virus crisis?
- Report: GE Aviation, which has big plant in Durham, to furlough half engine manufacturing workers
- Small biz owners may face ‘chaos’ in applying for $350B in federal loans
- SoftBank terminates $3B bailout for WeWork
- Triangle drug firm lands emergency FDA approval for coronavirus test
- Top Big Blue exec in NC talks up new CEO’s ties to our state
- Triangle entrepreneur sees ‘glitch’ in emergency loan programs for small businesses
- Women lead only 5% of 700+ biotech firms in NC – here’s a list of the top execs
FRIDAY | April 3 Headlines:
- A quick rebound? In midst of virus crisis, some startups are already talking about a recovery
- Becton Dickinson partners with Morrisville-based BioMedomics for rapid coronavirus test
- Billions in loans for small businesses hurt by pandemic approved in single day
- Duke researchers use powerful microscope to search for Achilles heel in coronavirus
- Duke, UNC team up to create reusable medical face shields using 3D printing
- NC Banker CEO: Many banks not ready for virus crisis loans, demand will be ‘extraordinary’
- Raleigh-based Icagen now part of San Diego pharma firm after $15M deal
- South by Southwest Film Festival partners with Amazon to stream movie line-up
- Technology firm SportsMedia in Durham furloughs 35% of workforce
- Triangle startups are left reeling, seeking lifelines in wake of coronavirus crisis
- Video: UNC coronavirus researcher Dr. Ralph Baric discusses battle against COVID-19
- Working from home? Your boss may be spying on you
