Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 4, 2009

This is part of my ongoing series Startup Advice. Many entrepreneurs who start technology companies are product people, technologists or savvy business people who worked previously for a larger company. Most start-up entrepreneurs have little or no sales experience. I know I didn’t.

Sales 319

Sales Startup Platform Tips 319

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2022

A question that I still hear debated often is whether a new online platform startup growth strategy should focus on user count or profits. Most startups and investors I know don’t have unlimited funds, so the first question they should ask and do ask today, is “When is your company going to be profitable (self-sustaining)?”

Platform 118

Platform Snapchat Startup Course 118

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

If you're a web publisher, or even a brand developing your own outreach to customers through a newsletter or microsite, how do you efficiently gather and curate all of the news and information out there? Prior to starting PublishThis, I was the General Manager for Edmunds.com, the automotive site here in Santa Monica.

Web 237

Web Newsletter Content Startup 237

socalTECH

AUGUST 7, 2014

Newport Beach-based BuildFire said yesterday that it has released a new platform, aimed at helping businesses and nonprofits to easily create native smartphone, tablet, and web apps. The new startup was co-founded by Ian Blair and Nathan Keating. The new startup was co-founded by Ian Blair and Nathan Keating. READ MORE>>.

Platform 149

Platform Mobile Commerce Resource 149

socalTECH

JULY 8, 2019

Los Angeles-based health messaging startup Curogram , a new startup developing a web-based, SMS app for the healthcare market, has been selected as a finalist for the Publicis Health Media Disruption Garage Competition, according to the company. READ MORE>>.

Competition 113

Competition Startup Advertising Web 113

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 17, 2010

Thursday night was the unveiling of the newest batch of Launchpad LA companies. The VC’s & executives were then asked to make “commitments&# (in writing) to 3-5 of the companies that they felt they could make some sort of contribution to. Have a look at the companies below.

Company 276

Company Companies Startup Southern California 276

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 19, 2011

In it he asserts that the web is dying and in its ashes will see the rise of the “App Internet.” The web is dying and will be replaced by “the App Internet.” Things got so bad on one project that we ended up doing split shifts with teams of people programming from 8pm-6am and the next team arriving at 8am.

Web 355

Web HTML Mobile Social Network 355

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 8, 2019

Responding to Elizabeth Warren’s call to regulate and break up some of the nation’s largest technology companies, the venture capitalists that invest in technology companies are advising the presidential hopeful to move slowly and not break anything. This too shall pass.” — Balaji S. — Balaji S.

Technical Review 144

Technical Review Startup Chief Technology Officer Social Media 144

Tech.Co

JULY 13, 2023

Despite a packed schedule of obnoxious tweeting, lawsuits, and organizing a cage match with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk has found time to launch a new AI company called xAI. Subscribe xAI: What We Know so far xAI, as the company’s website states, has been set up to “understand the true nature of the Universe”.

Artificial Inteligence 115

Artificial Inteligence ChatGPT Generative AI Technical Review 115

socalTECH

MAY 19, 2017

In today's world of web application development, speed is everything. Venice Beach-based Signal Sciences (www.signalsciences.com) has created sofdtware designed for those application developers to help protect those web applications. How did you start the company? In that world, the risk of security holes is huge.

Web 138

Web Startup Southern California Software 138

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

I had a really fun 20-minute interview with Howard Lindzon of Stock Twits as part of a 5-part series on whether the web is dead. The topic of whether the web is dead was kicked off by Chris Andersen of Wired Magazine in this article. The Internet existed long before the World Wide Web and web browsers were created.

Web 300

Web HTML SMTP Google 300

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2021

Today you can start a new web site business for as little as $100, produce cheap smart phone apps, or lead the effort to tap the multitude of opportunities brought by capitalizing on our concern for dwindling natural resources. Consider the startup MarkForged , which takes carbon-fiber to a 3D printer.

Startup 162

Startup Resource Entrepreneur Social Media 162

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 5, 2011

Some really great stuff in 2010 that aims to help startups around product, technology, business models, etc. 500 Hats , February 1, 2010 When to Use Facebook Connect – Twitter Oauth – Google Friend Connect for Authentication? 500 Hats , February 1, 2010 When to Use Facebook Connect – Twitter Oauth – Google Friend Connect for Authentication?

Startup 378

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Coach 378

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

Fast forward to almost exactly one year later, and a lot has changed for the payments and software startup. Today, SpotOn said it has closed on $300 million in Series E financing that values the company at $3.15 SpotOn is paying $415 million in cash and stock for the Los Angeles-based company. Image Credits: SpotOn.

Technical Review 296

Technical Review Software Review Invest Acquisition 296

socalTECH

AUGUST 15, 2014

We recently spoke with the CEO and co-founder of Kixer, Keith Bonnici --most recently SVP of Business Operations at Scopely--about the startup, which recently announced a seed financing round. We come from the desktop publishing space, and all worked together at a prior company. Why start Kixer now, and why not stay at Scopely?

Mobile 124

Mobile Web Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 124

socalTECH

APRIL 24, 2019

The startup has developed a system which uses information from online forums, source code sharing, technical communities, and the like to help find and rank technical talent. We spoke with founder and CEO, Shane Bernstein , on why he thinks the company's system is far superior to using a resume to find technical talent.

Sites 240

Sites Startup Tool CTO Hire 240

socalTECH

JULY 5, 2012

Los Angeles-based Invested.in , the online crowdfunding service headed by Alon Goren, is shifting its focus towards helping companies raise money from accredited investors. The firm is launching BoostFunder , an online startup marketplace, with Adam Draper, which will allow startups to raise up to a million dollars from accredited investors.

Draper 174

Draper Company Companies Funding 174

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

Los Angeles-based MySpace has been among the most visible of Southern California's Internet era success stories, although the site--now owned by News Corporation--has had its own share of ups-and-downs, as well as questions about its future. Here are four startups of them, and what they're doing: Demand Media. Platform G / Mindjolt.

Startup 178

Startup Tech Coast Angels Demand News 178

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

Don Charlton’s heroic journey began with him growing up on government assistance and culminated in his founding The Resumator , one of America''s fastest growing startups. I grew up ridiculously poor. We pushed it in a corner to keep it up. Growing up. And I remember leaning back and lookin'' up at the sun.

Startup 250

Startup Entrepreneur Design Santa Barbara 250

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2021

Let me be clear – a product or consulting startup today without a blog, even with a static website, risks not being competitive in cost and time to reach and hold that critical mass of online customers. If you can’t justify both a web site and a blog, skip the old-fashioned web site, and make your blog do double duty as described below.

Blogging 135

Blogging Services Search Engine Optimization Web 135

SoCal CTO

JUNE 14, 2008

The topic is: Betting Your Company On An Internet Platform? A very interesting topic, especially for those of us involved in developing for start-ups. The basic conclusion was that it was a bit premature if you were talking about a serious, funded start-up. application services (security, integration), etc.

Platform 150

Platform EC2 Java S3 150

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

Los Angeles-based audio streaming service Vurbl , which is focused on building a platform for audio streaming, says it has raised $1.3M in a "pre-seed" funding round, the company announced on Wednesday. According to the company, it will use the funding to develop and launch its platform. READ MORE>>.

Seed Funding 113

Seed Funding Platform Web Los Angeles 113

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

I’m over-paying for every check I write into the VC ecosystem and valuations are being pushed up to absurd levels and many of these valuations and companies won’t hold in the long term. Today you have funders focused exclusively on “Day 0” startups or ones that aren’t even created yet. By definition?—?I’m dot-com bonanza.

Venture Capital 471

Venture Capital Writing Invest Pricing 471

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

Thus the rise of the “ sharing economy ,” with collaborative and peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms , including Lyft (rides), Airbnb (lodging), and WeWork (workspace). There are always opportunities to participate in existing platforms, such as becoming an Uber driver, or to start your own platform sharing your favorite hobby.

Platform 145

Platform Startup Social Media Custom 145

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2019

With the current strong economy I’m seeing a continued resurgence of entrepreneurial spirit, and more startup activity than ever before. There is additional encouraging news for aspiring entrepreneurs on many fronts, just in case you are thinking about joining the existing ranks: Valuations of successful startups have hit an all-time high.

Startup 128

Startup Social Media Satisfaction Entrepreneur 128

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 18, 2011

I always try hard to make this blog a place where you can learn lessons rather than an advertisement for portfolio companies. I learned that he was originally with William Morris as a junior talent rep but wanted to be more in the business of helping digital startups. Great guy, I wonder WTF he’s up to? I still do.

Invest 303

Invest Company Companies Web 2.0 303

Southern California Edison Blog

DECEMBER 8, 2021

Malicious attackers perceive tech startups as vulnerable, valuable targets: startups often have fewer infrastructure protections and smaller IT teams than their more established counterparts, and multiple connections to larger companies with lucrative data. . Recognize the signs of malware: pop-ups and disabled programs.

Startup 96

Startup Email Networking Southern California 96

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

What's the best way to reach out and recruit diverse candidates for your technology company? we spoke with co-founder Chuka Ikokwu to learn more about the startup and how it's helping companies to recruit more diverse workers. is an HR tech platform that makes it very easy for companies to source diverse talent.

Technical Review 140

Technical Review Startup Platform Resource 140

socalTECH

JANUARY 30, 2013

StartEngine , the startup accelerator headed by Howard Marks, is launching its newest class of startups today in a private event in Santa Monica. The eight startups are pitching their investors to startups at CrossCampus in Santa Monica this afternoon. READ MORE>>.

Santa Monica 178

Santa Monica Startup Activision Commerce 178

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

What’s your role in the Coachella Valley area startup ecosystem? Hank: I am the CEO and founder of Seco Sys , which is a platform that allows water agencies, customers, and water related services to concurrently engage in water conservation at all water use endpoints. Can you tell us more about your company.

Startup 119

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 119

socalTECH

JANUARY 7, 2021

Santa Barbara-based Umbra Lab, which is developing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) microsatellites, has raised $32.38M in funding, according to a regulatory filing by the company. Details on the funding have not yet been announced by the company. The company's founders include David Langan and Gabe Dominocielo.

Santa Barbara 113

Santa Barbara Web Platform Funding 113

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2010

Burstly, a Santa Monica based company, provides an open and free ad management platform that helps mobile application developers better monetize their inventory. As I naturally get asked all the time why we invested in Company A or Company B, I thought I’d just put forth my thesis in writing.

Mobile 282

Mobile Invest Company Companies 282

Tech.Co

MAY 25, 2018

The barriers to entry when it comes to launching a company require less tension and a lot less capital. Fortunately, the Startup of the Year program aims to make it easier for founders to connect with resources. In five short years, they’ve helped build 52 companies, raised 25 million in investments and reached over 2000 founders. “[It]

Startup 140

Startup Technical Review Competition Software Review 140

socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2013

SharesPost , the private company marketplace headed by Greg Brogger, which had been incubated and started in Santa Monica via Brighthouse, the startup incubator run by Brogger and Scott Painter, is in a joint venture with NASDA OMX , the two said this morning. Brogger was at CarsDirect with Scott Painter, who heads up TrueCar.

CarsDirect 170

CarsDirect Marketing Incubator Truecar 170

socalTECH

MARCH 2, 2020

Smith , the founder of Croquet (www.croquet.io), a new Los Angeles startup which actually has its roots at the very beginning of the modern computing era. You can spin a coin, pick up an object. In the real world, you pick up an object, and you can hand it to seomeone else. For today's interview, with talked with David A.

Platform 168

Platform Startup Examples Web 168

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 6, 2017

What’s your role in the Coachella Valley area startup ecosystem? Hank: I am the CEO and founder of Seco Sys, which is a platform that allows water agencies, customers, and water related services to concurrently engage in water conservation at all water use endpoints. Can you tell us more about your company.

Startup 105

Startup Technical Review Patents Services 105

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 3, 2012

For those companies looking to venture into the mobile space, there are multiple platforms in market to help accomplish the move. However not all those platforms can provide companies with all tools needed. The company continues to shine as one of Silicon Valley’s hottest companies.

Platform 78

Platform Mobile Develop Development 78