Get All Access for $5/mo

Jay-Z Invests in a Bail Reform Startup Plus, Amazon may buy some Toys 'R' Us locations and a smart sprinkler raises $10 million.

By Venturer

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Amazon might buy some Toys 'R' Us stores to grow its brick-and-mortar presence. Toys 'R' Us filed for bankruptcy protection last year and since then has been closing its U.S. store locations. Rumor has it that if Amazon does take over, it would not keep the Toys 'R' Us brand name.

First Capital and Jay-Z's Roc Nation invested $3 million in a bail reform startup. Promise is a de-carceration startup that supports and helps low-risk people get out of jail. Promise is currently part of Y-Combinator's bundle of startups and provides a cost-effective and more humane alternative to incarceration.

Rachio, a startup that builds Wi-Fi controllers for your garden sprinklers, raised $10 million dollars in a series B round. The user-friendly system takes the guesswork out of watering your plants and creates a custom schedule that automatically adjusts to your local weather. Rachio also integrates with your smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest and SmartThings.

Venturer is the millennial brand of Business Rockstars. We create content for the young entrepreneur who is taking risks and starting a venture of their own. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Venturer

Amazon Live Launched Its New-and-Improved Live Shopping Stream

There's a New App That Makes Hanging Out With Your Friends Easier

This TV Rolls Itself Up When You Don't Need It

Right Hand Robotics Raises $23 Million in Funding

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

A Former Corporate Lawyer Now Makes Six Figures on YouTube — Here's How She Does It

Here are the secrets to starting and growing a successful YouTube channel, according to a YouTuber with millions of subscribers.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growing a Business

How to Determine The Ideal Length of Your Marketing Emails Your Customers Will Actually Read

Wondering how long your marketing emails should be? Here's what consumers say — so you can send them exactly what they like.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.