Special-purpose acquisition company Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II will take Rigetti Computing, a startup that develops quantum computing hardware, public through a merger. The transaction gives Rigetti a $1.5 billion valuation.

Marketing software startup Alembic, which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to extract customer insight from activity, has gained $9.5 million in its seed round. The software can track years of media posts and provides Google Analytics integration.

As work shifts to remote and hybrid strategies, it is important that corporate culture adapt to accommodate these changes. Tips for creating a supportive environment include running team-building events and encouraging open conversations.

Starting a business or becoming a CEO without immediately thinking about succession is like "skydiving without a will," writes Steve McKee, co-founder of McKee Wallwork + Co. "Beginning formal planning seven or more years in advance of your anticipated exit is ideal, because it provides the most flexibility and opportunity to ensure that your succession plan -- and the company itself -- fires on all cylinders at the correct time," he writes.

Fast growth is a vital quality in startups looking to raise funding and compete in the marketplace, but the "move-fast-and-break-things" approach can be detrimental to product quality and long-term success, Contractbook CEO Niels Martin Brochner writes. "You need more of an artist's perfectionism and less of a manufacturer's efficiency when you go from expanding a product in size to improving the user experience," Brochner writes.

Text marketing that complies with regulations not only reduces the risk of fines but also delivers relevant, timely messages on the most used smartphone app, Mobivity CEO Dennis Becker writes. Five practices -- ranging from securing consent to fulfilling opt-out requests and paying attention to time zones -- build a positive digital experience, Becker notes.

New entrepreneurs and small-business owners tend to make some of the same mistakes when it comes to money matters within the first year of business. The good news is, with careful planning, errors can be avoided by taking steps such as separating your personal and business finances, hiring professional financial advisors and setting prices for goods and services at a stronger baseline.

In observance of Columbus Day in the US and in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, SmartBrief will not publish Monday. Publication will resume Tuesday.