Jay Z-backed private jet startup, JetSmarter, plans to expand flights out of NYC
JetSmarter, a private jet startup backed by investors including rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z, plans to expand its aviation service in the coming months. Backed by $55 million in investor funding, the startup plans to allow its users and members to book on-demand and scheduled flights on private jets between New York City and Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. It currently offers more than 20 routes including London to Geneva, Paris to Nice, Kuwait to Dubai, New York to Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles. [New York Business Journal]
Virtual reality is breaking into the global world of tennis for the first time
This week, ATP Media, the broadcast arm of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) announced that the company will be collaborating with New York-based VR startup
Fullstack Academy acquires Chicago’s The Starter League
On Tuesday, The Starter League — a pioneer of the coding bootcamp education model that has since spread its roots nationwide — announced it will merge with New York-based Fullstack Academy, who will be heading to Chicago to set up shop. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. [Built In NYC]
Etsy announces new PTO policy
This week, Etsy announced that, starting in April, every employee will be eligible for 26 weeks of fully paid leave when they give birth or adopt a child. That perk is valid regardless of the employee’s gender, country of residence or family circumstance, and can be used at any time over two years. [Built In NYC]
Verizon opens a coworking space in New York
Verizon is partnering with the coworking company Grind to open a new space across from One World Trade Center. The new space, which was designed by the architecture and design firm Gensler, will hold around 120 people, and features typical coworking space amenities, such as open workspace, team rooms, conference rooms and meeting spaces. [Built In NYC]
Goldman Sachs buys Austin-based Honest Dollar
Goldman Sachs announced an agreement to buy Austin-based fintech startup Honest Dollar in a deal set to close in the second quarter of this year. Since launching at SXSW almost a year ago to the day, Honest Dollar has raised $3 million to offer alternative, streamlined retirement savings plans directly to workers. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. [Built In NYC]
Justworks raises $33M
The benefits and payroll company picked up $33 million in Series C funding this week, bringing the total amount the company has raised to $53 million. Redpoint Ventures led the round and had participation from existing investors Bain Capital Ventures, Thrive Capital and Index Ventures. [Wall Street Journal]
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