Sexual harassment suit filed against Riot Games; SpaceX chosen for Kazakh rocket launch; HyreCar goes national
Riot Games Hit With Harassment Suit
Riot Games Inc. was sued in LA County Superior Court Nov. 6 by one current and one former employee, both of whom allege sexism and sexual harassment, and violations of the California Equal Pay Act within the Sawtelle-based game developer. Following a report issued in August 2018 outlining a “culture of sexism,” Riot Games issued an apology later that month, but did not fire any problematic employees. The LA Times reports the lawsuit alleges Riot Games habitually pays women less, denies them high-level positions within the company, and its male employees regularly engage in sexually explicit and harassing company-wide emails about female “rioters.”
SpaceX to Launch Kazakhstan Satellite; Needs $750 Million
The Republic of Kazakhstan announced Nov. 6 it chose Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp. to launch two scientific satellites into orbit. ArsTechnica reports SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket caught the Kazakhstan space program’s eye because it’s the most affordable option, and the satellites will be launched by Nov. 19 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Also, SpaceX reported Nov. 7 it plans to raise a $750 million debt financing round led by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, SpaceX’s first foray into the institutional debt market.
HyreCar Offers Nationwide Rentals
Downtown LA-based HyreCar Inc. announced Nov. 7 it has extended its car-sharing platform to all 50 United States, Socaltech reports. HyreCar operates an online marketplace that connects carless prospective ride-share drivers with dealers who can lease them temporary vehicles and expects the expansion to add “at least 25 percent” to 2019 revenue figures. In June 2018, HyreCar filed for a $14.5 million IPO, and as of market close Nov. 4, its stock was trading up 9.7 percent to $2.60 per share.
See related story HyreCar Set for $14.5 Million IPO
Tech reporter Samson Amore can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8335. Follow him on Twitter @samsonamore.
