The past week in technology and startup news was filled with various developments and announcements. Insurance giant Prudential announced the shutdown of Assurance IQ, a tech startup it acquired five years ago for $2.35 billion. DoorDash took a stance against controversial minimum wage laws for delivery drivers in Seattle and New York City during their first-quarter earnings report. Amazon also reported its first-quarter earnings, exceeding expectations with $143.3 billion in revenue and $0.98 earnings per share.
Microsoft made changes to its security practices, organizational structure, and executive compensation in response to recent security breaches. Mason, a Seattle startup specializing in hardware-software platforms for managing device fleets, appointed Webb Stevens as CEO and John Thimsen as CTO. Amazon announced plans to allow non-developers to create apps using natural language through a new feature for Amazon Q, its AI assistant.
A Vancouver-based startup that produces biodegradable plastics from wood pulp raised up to $5 million from Brazil’s Suzano Ventures, a manufacturing company specializing in farmed eucalyptus trees. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sent an internal memo to employees discussing the company’s new security initiatives, elaborating on a blog post by Microsoft Security leader Charlie Bell. Overall, the week was filled with significant developments and announcements from various tech companies and startups.
