Over 66 SPACs were raised in 2020, according to PitchBook, up from 30 in 2019, amid a year of uncertainty that opened tech companies' eyes to an IPO alternative (Shakeel Hashim/Protocol)

Shakeel Hashim / Protocol: Over 66 SPACs were raised in 2020, according to PitchBook, up from 30 in 2019, amid a year of uncertainty that opened tech companies' eyes to an IPO alternative — For many in the tech industry, 2020 was a year of two acronyms. There was COVID, obviously. And then there were SPACs.
https://bit.ly/3hukDBV

Google opens its second hardware office in New Taipei City, as VP of Engineering Elmer Peng says "Taiwan is Google's largest hardware R&D hub outside of the US" (Nikkei Asia)

Nikkei Asia: Google opens its second hardware office in New Taipei City, as VP of Engineering Elmer Peng says “Taiwan is Google's largest hardware R&D hub outside of the US” — Search engine giant ‘serious’ about beefing up equipment and software ecosystem http://www.techmeme.com/240427/p1?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger#a240427p1

Researchers: an ex-Florida deputy sheriff who received asylum in Russia has built a network of 160+ fake news sites with the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools (Steven Lee Myers/New York Times)

Steven Lee Myers / New York Times: Researchers: an ex-Florida deputy sheriff who received asylum in Russia has built a network of 160+ fake news sites with the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools — In 2016, Russia used an army of trolls to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. This year, an American given asylum … http://www.techmeme.com/240529/p37?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger#a240529p37

Profile of Vishal Garg, CEO of Better.com, who is fighting lawsuits that accuse him of fraud and misappropriation of funds at previous business ventures (Forbes)

Forbes: Profile of Vishal Garg, CEO of Better.com, who is fighting lawsuits that accuse him of fraud and misappropriation of funds at previous business ventures — The $4 billion fintech startup is hurtling towards an IPO. But its volatile leader is fighting multiple lawsuits that could complicate his ambitions. https://bit.ly/395ykoI

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