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These D.C. sisters started a kids’ activity kit biz. Now they’re taking it to QVC.

By Washington Business Journal

Key story highlights:

The D.C. entrepreneurs behind children’s activities startup Surprise Ride are preparing to go live on QVC, following appearances on “Shark Tank” and “The View.”
Sister co-founders Donna and Rosy Khalife have created more than 50 kits — art projects and games to keep kids engaged sans the iPad — under a subscription box service structure. Now they’re expanding into retail.
Surprise Ride has raised $4.2 million to date and expects to double annual revenue this year.

First it was “Shark Tank.” Then came “The View.” And, now, the D.C. entrepreneurs behind children’s activities startup Surprise Ride are preparing to conquer their next TV spotlight — on QVC.

Sister co-founders Donna and Rosy Khalife have scored an upcoming slot for their business on “Wonderful Discoveries,” a weekly hourlong show hosted by Kevin O’Leary, the celebrity investor affectionately known as “Mr. Wonderful” backing Surprise Ride as one of his portfolio…

Read the full story from the Washington Business Journal.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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