DreamBox Learning acquired | Big Tech compensation data

DreamBox Learning acquired: The Bellevue, Wash.-based company founded in 2006 was acquired by Discovery Education, another edtech software provider. The deal comes amid staff shortages and growing interest in AI within the education industry. Read more. 

Amazon tweaks shipping threshold again: The e-commerce giant is raising the free shipping minimum order amount to $35 for some non-Prime subscribers. Read more. 

Big Tech compensation data: Meta and Google offer the highest pay to software engineers, as measured by both job level and experience, though Amazon pays highly for top talent. Read more. 

New self-driving tech on Seattle streets: Cruise, the GM-backed autonomous vehicle company, is testing its cars — with human drivers in them — to collect more data in hilly and often wet conditions. Read more.

Stop the spin: Seattle-area startup Starfish Space is leveraging Earth's magnetic field to solve a big problem standing in the way of its orbital demonstration of a satellite rendezvous. Read more. 

Amazon and Grubhub ready for college: The food ordering platform, which partners with hundreds of higher ed institutions, is adding Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” cashierless tech to a campus dining spot for the first time. Read more.  

Synthetic celebrities: A new startup founded by two longtime entrepreneurs with roots in Seattle is rolling out AI-powered celebrity clones that engage in text-based conversations with fans. Read more. 

Hot Links:

• “It’s probably not going to work out”: That’s what Amazon CEO Andy Jassy reportedly said to employees who don’t want to return to the office. (The Verge)

• Listen up: A personal story provides insight into the leadership of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. (Twitter)

• New iPhone: Apple’s next product event is set for Sept. 12. (9to5Mac)

• Passport on your phone: Alaska Airlines is letting travelers verify their passport via a mobile app. (Alaska blog)

• Startup ecosystem ranking: Data from Carta shows total capital raised by city in the first half of 2023. Seattle ranks in the top five for software, biotech, health-tech, medical devices, and consumer. (Carta)