Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Whew! We’ve been dying to tell you all for a while that we had raised a new venture capital fund and of course given SEC filing requirements the story was somewhat already scooped by the always-in-the-know Dan Primack a few weeks ago. We raised $280 million. Our last fund was $200 million but as you may already know since we raised that fund we added new partners Greg Bettinelli and Kara Nortman and Venture Partner Hamet Watt – all of whom are busy looking at new deals for the firm

Venture Capital 396

Venture Capital Funding Technical Review Startup 396

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'Santa Monica-based DogVacay , the online marketplace which helps dog owners find someone to watch their pet when they are away, has added a brand new feature to its iPhone app. According to DogVacay, it has added the ability to send and receive 15-second videos of pets via its free app, which hosts using the service use to give owners updates on their pets.

Mobile 207

Mobile Santa Monica Help Services 207

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Standing on the courthouse steps, moments after receiving his permanent residency Green Card, John Lennon was asked if he harbored a grudge against the Nixon Administration for tapping his phone, putting him under surveillance and mounting a multi-year attempt to deport him. Without missing a beat, John smiled and said, “Time wounds all heels.”.

Entrepreneur 189

Entrepreneur Sales Writing Custom 189

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'There is a simple way to define the responsibilities of the chief financial officer. And it extends beyond the usual interpretation of the CFO position in many companies. If it can be counted, the CFO owns the responsibility for controlling it. The CFO should question and control the number of anything , including the number of chairs to be ordered.

Email 179

Email Metrics Venture Capital Startup 179

Advertiser: Aggregage

Office leases are one of companies’ largest expenses, and if your whole team is working from home with no clear end in sight, you may be wondering what to do about your lease.

Company

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 14, 2014

'Accelerators have had quite a good run the past 5+ years. Not just Y Combinator and TechStars but a host of other accelerators across the country. I have been involved with a high profile one in Los Angeles – Launchpad LA – and we’ve decided to make a shift so I thought this was a good time for reflection. My good friend Adam Lilling and I started Launchpad more than 5 years ago .

Venture Capital 290

Venture Capital Startup Idealab Funding 290

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'Miss our big technology and media industry holiday party last week, the Digital Family Reunion ? Here are some photos from the event, which brought together over 800 people from the industry to rub elbows, meet old friends, network with others, and honor the socalTECH 50 for 2014. Highlights included a panel discussion led by our own Ben Kuo and featuring Abhi Nemani, Oded Noy, Erik Rannala, Matt Kozlov and Chet Pipkin, which inspired our audience with insights into where LA tech is headed in 2

SoCalTech 185

SoCalTech Conference Media Networking 185

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Continuing on the path of consumer focused audio gear we’d like to introduce you to the Cynaps Mint. It’s a revolutionary device that we’ve watch grow from its early stages of prototype into a product that we think everyone should own. The Cynaps mint is the world’s first 3D printed Bone Conduction Headset. It works like Lego and looks like a mint, just please try not to eat it.

News 105

News Startup Mobile Resource 105

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'One of the highest profile startup accelerators in Los Angeles, LaunchpadLA , is officially shifting its model and getting out of the startup accelerator market--handing over its space to General Assembly, with its various partners embarking on different activities. According to a blog post from Mark Suster, one of the founders of LaunchpadLA, the decision to shift away from being an accelerator came after the startup accelerator either had to decide to "triple down and raise another fund" to p

Venture Capital 178

Venture Capital Blogging Los Angeles Activity 178

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'Los Angeles-based streaming television site Hulu has rolled out a fun new tool to help you channel your holiday spirit (or lack of holiday spirit) into an animated GIF, with a new service called the Hulu Perfect GIF Generator. The new tool lets users share animated GIFs--all clips from Hulu''s extensive video library--to help express their holiday feelings, whether a user really loves the holidays, or even if the user really doesn''t like holidays at all.

Hulu 171

Hulu Hollywood Social Network Tool 171

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Los Angeles-based ChowNow , which develops tablet-driven, online and smartphone ordering apps for restaurants, has tied its product into Apple Py. According to the company, it is the first online ordering platform to integrate with Apple''s new payment system. ChowNow is led by Chris Webb. According to ChowNow, the move allows thousands of local restaurants to accept Apple Pay for purchases.

Mobile 164

Mobile Los Angeles Platform Capital 164

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'Irvine-based Broadcom rolled out a new set of networking chips this morning, used for physical layer transceivers on 2.5G and 5G Ethernet. Broadcom said its new physical layer transceivers (PHYs) provide a 2.5X to 5X data rate increase over Gigabit Ethernet, using existing cabling. Broadcom said the new chips are based on the open, royalty free MGBASE-T alliance standard, and built on 28 nanometer process technology.

Networking 164

Networking Sample Technology Company 164

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Santa Monica-based CARD.com , the prepaid, branded MasterCard provider led by Ben Katz, has inked a deal to bring a line of Strawberry Shortcake-themed, prepaid MasterCards to market, the company said this week. CARD.com said the new cards come thanks to a strategic partnership with AG Properties , the licensing division of American Greetings Corporation.

Santa Monica 159

Santa Monica Mobile Marketing Company 159

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'A Texas theater chain''s plan to run Team America: World Police instead of The Interview , has been quashed by Paramount Pictures, according to the chain. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema had said that it would run the 2004 puppet comedy film created by South Park''s Trey Parker and Matt Stone, instead of the Interview, after hackers crippled Sony and threatened a 9-11 style attack on theater goers if the film went to market.

Paramount 157

Paramount Hollywood Content Media 157

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'Teradata , which develops big data analytics and marketing software, said Wednesday that it has acquired Hadoop startup RainStor. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. RainStor develops online, big data archiving software specifically for Hadoop. Teradata announced the acquisitin out of its San Diego offices. The company said the buy is its fourth, big-data related acquisition this year.

San Diego 153

San Diego Acquisition Software Marketing 153

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Factual said Wednesday that it has rolled out two new tools, one aimed at geofencing of data, and another for audience targeting. The company said its Geopulse Proximity Designer and Geopulse Audience Builder are specifically aimed at marketers, and use its Global Places data to help target ad campaigns. For example, Factual said marketers can specifically use thigns like business mane, merchant chain, category, or geography and a radius to target offers--for example, offering

Tool 153

Tool Examples Advertising Los Angeles 153

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'San Diego-based cyber security software developer EdgeWave has raised $2M more in a Series A funding, the company said Wednesday. The funding included $1.2M from TVC Capital, $500,000 from Northgate, and $300,000 from Bill Baumel and RWI Ventures. The company said the new funding brings its total raised in 2014 to $8M. EdgeWave is led by former U.S.

San Diego 149

San Diego Software Development Software Capital 149

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Irvine-based healthcare information systems provider Quality Systems, Inc. said this morning that it has named Zachary J. Sherburne a the company''s new Global Chief Information Officer. Sherburne was previously CIO and VP information Services at Spectrum Brands, and also served at Stanley Black & Decker, Arthur Andersen & Co., Deloitte Consulting and Computer Sciences Corp.

CIO 149

CIO Services Technology Company 149

socalTECH

DECEMBER 15, 2014

'Los Angeles-based AdRev , which provides digital rights management for large music publishers on YouTube, said Monday that it has purchased DashGo , a service that allows artists, labels, and publishers to distribute, promote, market, and license music across digital retailers, subscription services and internet radio. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed.

Google 149

Google Acquisition Los Angeles Services 149

socalTECH

DECEMBER 18, 2014

'U.S. officials have positively identified North Korea as being central to the hack on Sony Pictures , which resulted in the unprecedented cancellation of the debut of the film "The Interview" yesterday. According to a report from the New York Times, American officials have determined that North Korea was "centrally involved" in the hacking of Sony Pictures, but are debating whether or not the White House should publicly accuse North Korea of cyberterrorism.

Report 147

Report Hollywood Content Media 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Santa Barbara-based FastSpring , which operates a cloud-based, e-commerce merchandising and fulfillment service aimed at software and SaaS companies, said it has joined a new group called the ServiceSource Recurring Revenue Alliance. The group--led by ServiceSource--is developing best practices for recurring revenue businesses. FastSpring is led by Chris Lueck.

Santa Barbara 147

Santa Barbara SaaS Commerce Software 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'San Diego-based ID Analytics said today that it has named Timothy Laughlin as the company''s new Chief Financial Officer. Laughlin comes from Leap Wireless/Cricket Wireless, where he had been Acting Treasurer, and also served at H&R Block, FriendlyWorks, Inc. and Arthur Anderson LLC. ID Analytics is a provider of risk management and analytics software and is owned by LifeLock, which acquired the company back in 2012.

San Diego 147

San Diego Software Company Companies 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Los Angeles-based XPRIZE , which runs a series of multi-million dollar challenges aimed at helping to advance technology innovation, said yesterday that it has extended the deadline for the Google Lunar XPRIZE to the end of 2016. XPRIZE said the deadline for documenting a scheduled launch is now December 31, 2015, for teams to move forward in the competition.

Google 147

Google Competition Los Angeles Technology 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'San Diego-based communications provider Voxox said today that it is expanding in the area of SMS APIs, and is looking to provide wholesale access to its SMS capabilities via a web service API. Voxox said it is looking to help address the needs of businesses who are looking to SMS-enable their products, services and customer communications. VoxOx said the expansion includes inbound SMS delivery to Europe; addition of UK-based telephone numbers, among other enhancements.

San Diego 147

San Diego Web Services Custom 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'San Diego-based oncology drug developer Sorrento Therapeutics has scored a strategic investment from NantWorks , the biotech research company led by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. According to the two, the investment comes as part of a global, strategic collaboration around developing next generation immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases.

Invest 147

Invest San Diego Venture Capital Research 147

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2014

'Santa Barbara-based real estate and housing management software developer Yardi has appointed a new Vice President, focused on the affordable housing industry, the company said this week. Yardi said that it has named Boone Atkins as the company''s new Vice President of Affordable Housing and PHA Sales. Atkins has previously served at Ernst & Young and RealFoundations, as well as CompassRock Real Estate and Milestone Management.

Santa Barbara 138

Santa Barbara Software Development Software Sales 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2014

'Camarillo-based analog and mixed signal semiconductor developer Semtech said this morning that it has partnered with wireless product company Link Labs , on a radio transceiver modules. According to the company, Link Labs has launched a low power, bidirectional radio modules for the 915 MHz ISM band and 868 MHz frequency band, which uses Semtech''s LoRa long distance radio transceiver technology.

Networking 138

Networking Technology Marketing Product 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2014

'Mojave-based suborbital spacecraft developer XCOR Aerospace claims it is making progress in bringing the company''s spacecraft to market, saying it is moving towards its first flight. XCOR said it is making "rapid progress" towards final assembly of it spacecraft, and has attached what it says is a key part of its aircraft--the carry-through spar--to the rear-end of the Lynx fuselage.

Marketing 138

Marketing Develop Development Company 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 19, 2014

'Lake Forest-based door lock maker Kwikset which has recently launched into the smartphone-connected door lock market with its Kevo smart lock--said Thursday that it has connected its door lock with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Kwikset said that users can now download a beta, Kevo app through Google Play, which allows users to control the lock via their smartphone. the company said it will continue to enhance performance and functionality of its official app, but will supply the new software for Androi

Google 138

Google Software Marketing Company 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Venice-based instant messaging app developer Snapchat is the latest victim of the hacking of Sony Pictures by a hacking group, which is believed to be backed by North Korea. Snapchat''s Evan Spiegel posted a note on Twitter entitled Keeping Secrets , bemoaning the exposure of the company''s business plan due to hacked emails which have been covered by many publications.

Snapchat 138

Snapchat Venice Press Email 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'San Diego-based CUBIC said late Tuesday that it has acquired DTECH LABS , a provider of modular networking and baseband communications equipment. CUBIC said it will pay up to $114.5M for DTECH, which it said it will use to bolster its secure communications business. DTECH supplies networking and communications products used by the military, for portable, secure operations, and supplies customers such as the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the U.S.

San Diego 138

San Diego Networking Acquisition Customer 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Los Angeles-based streaming television provider Hulu is bolstering its premium content lineup, with a new deal with Disney-ABC Television. Hulu said yesterday that it is in a new licensing agreement which brings video-on-demand rights to Resurrection, Mistresses, and Lifetime''s Devious Maids. Financial details of the license deal were not disclosed.

Hulu 138

Hulu Content Hollywood Demand 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Los Angeles- and New York-based video advertising company TrueX has been acquired by 21st Century Fox , according to a report from the WSJ this morning. The deal is reported to be worth $200M. TrueX Media offers up interactive, video advertising technology, and is led by Joe Marchese. TrueX was previously known as SocialVibe, and is venture backed by Jafco, Norwest Venture Partners, Pinnacle Ventures, and Redpoint Ventures.

Report 138

Report Media Redpoint Advertising 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 17, 2014

'Pasadena-based people search engine provider Spokeo is up to 150 employees in its Pasadena headquarters, almost double the number of employees it had in 2012, the company said today. The site--which is led by Harrison Tang--said the growth compaes as it saw 159 percent revenue growth between 2012 and 2014. Financials were not released by the privately held firm.

Pasadena 138

Pasadena Report Email Sites 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Pasadena-based forensics investigation software developer Guidance Software named Jay Ackerman as its new Chief Revenue Officer this morning. Ackerman joins the company from ServiceSource, and also had served at WNS North America and Exult. Guidance said that Ackerman had been head of worldwide sales and customer success for ServiceSource, heading up those efforts as that company grew from $25M to $285M in revenues, and through that company''s IPO in 2011.

Software 138

Software Pasadena Software Development Sales 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Thousand Oaks-based agricultural biotechnology and seed developer Ceres said Monday that it has named a new member of its board of directors. The company said Aflalo Guimaraes has joined the company, replacing existing board member Raymond Debbane. Guimaraes is managing director of The Invus Group, which is an affiliate of Ceres'' stockholder Artal Luxembourg.

Thousand Oaks 138

Thousand Oaks Develop Development Company 138

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2014

'Los Angeles-based mobile games developer SGN , which is led by former MySpace founder Chris DeWolfe, said today that it is in a licensing deal with NetEase , to distribute SGN''s popular mobile puzzle game Cookie Jam in China. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. SGN said NetEase will tailor and optimize the Cookie Jam title to appeal to the international market.

Mobile 138

Mobile Los Angeles Marketing Develop 138