Sphero rolls out BOLT robot to teach kids STEAM skills through play
Earlier this year, Sphero made a significant pivot toward the education space, restructuring the company and raising $12 million in funding to support the effort. This week that effort came to fruition with the release of its first education-focused product: the Sphero BOLT. The new ball-shaped robot aims to help kids learn STEAM skills through interactive play. The robot is accompanied by the Sphero Edu app, which provides educators, parents and children with a platform to share curriculum, projects, games and learnings. [Read more]
OverWatchID nabs $2.5M in fresh funding
On Monday, identity security startup OverWatchID closed a $2.5 million round of financing, bringing its total funding to $4.5 million. The round was led by WestWave Capital and Silicon Valley Data Capital, with participation from IrishAngels Ventures, OCA Ventures, Rockies Venture Club and Copper River Advisors. The new capital will help the business grow into its brand new office space and double down on its R&D investments for its converged identity security platform. [Read more]
Carbon Black officially opens new office in Boulder
Endpoint security provider Carbon Black made its expansion into Boulder official this week with the opening of its new office on the Pearl Street Mall. The company — which is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. — has been growing its team in Colorado for the last several months, transferring 40 employees from its headquarters and adding 44 additional team members. The new office will hold as many as 120 people, with roles divided among sales, engineering, R&D and threat research. [Read more]
Welltok acquires interactive health messaging company Wellpass
Denver-based healthtech company Welltok announced yesterday the acquisition of Wellpass, a company that offers interactive, text-based wellness programs that help people manage and improve their health. The acquisition complements Welltok’s own SaaS-based health optimization platform, enabling the company to expand its presence in the managed Medicaid and government markets and add new text messaging capabilities to its offerings. [Read more]
Lyft to launch its own electric scooters — starting in Denver
Lyft is making its move into the electric scooter-sharing game and has announced that Denver will be its first market. Though late to the scene — behind startups like Bird and Lime — Lyft hopes to catch up by playing nice with city officials. The company plans to roll out 350 scooters to start, though it was awarded permits for both electric bikes and scooters by Denver’s public works agency. Scooters will only be available to rent from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will offer prices comparable to other local competitors. [Read more]