In an era when autonomous vehicle transportation for cars and trucks is inevitable, the merger of locally operated Luminar Technologies with Nasdaq-listed Gores Metropoulos is noteworthy. Luminar, through the vision of CEO Austin Russell, CTO Jason Eichenholz and CBO Scott Faris, has become a leading player in autonomous driving technology. The merger will not only give Luminar a visible berth on Nasdaq, but it will also provide ample cash and immediate financing. Luminar’s influence on Central Florida and the industry has already been felt; however, with public exposure and the capital markets, it could well become dominant.
Originally posted for the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100.