Sat.Apr 19, 2014 - Fri.Apr 25, 2014

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You Are Never Too Old To Learn To Surf (aka: Don’t Be Afraid To Suck)

InfoChachkie

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. I have a confession: I used to quickly become frustrated whenever I tried something new and I didn''t quickly excel. Rather than attempting to master the new activity, I would moved on to another task, seeking a gentler learning curve. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles!

Activity 275
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Aspiring LA Web Developer's Dream To Go To Coding Camp, Pay It Forward

socalTECH

'What do you do if you''d like to become a web developer, but can''t afford to pay for the courses to learn those skills? One aspiring Los Angeles web developer has come up with a unique idea, an Indiegogo campaign to help raise money for a coding camp --in exchange for donating 10 percent of his income for the next two years to scholarships. Lex Alexander says he wants to launch the Code It Forward Scholarship by raising $9,000 to help him pay for coding boot camp at General Assembly, and wants

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10 Key Traits Of An Ideal Entrepreneur Partner

Startup Professionals Musings

'A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ For a Startup, Two Heads are Always Better Than One ”. The feedback was good, but some readers asked me to be a bit more specific on attributes that might indicate an ideal startup partner. Even if you are looking in all the right places, it helps to know what you are looking for. In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.

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LA Hacks: Making LA the Tech Hub of the World

Tech Zulu Event

'When you think technology, you probably think Silicon Valley. But have you ever seen a stadium filled with 1500 student programmers in Silicon Valley? Los Angeles is the only place in the US with a collegiate hackathon, an event where programmers spend hours together programming and building, of that scale and the LA Hacks team from UCLA made sure it was awesome.

UCLA 108
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Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19

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.

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Accelerators: a recent and positive trend

Berkonomics

'Often I see executive summaries from entrepreneurs who have never managed any form of business, or even managed employees in their past life, and who don’t know the first thing about business formation and managing for growth. I used to tell them to find a partner with knowledge in business creation and management. Although that is still a good idea in many cases, there is a recent alternative available to some entrepreneurs on a competitive basis that seems most attractive and positive.

Coach 250
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Airwolf 3D Adds Nylon 3D Printing Support

socalTECH

'Costa Mesa-based Airwolf 3D , a developer of 3D printers, said today that it has begun shipping a product that allows its 3D printers to print using materials like polycarbonate, Bridge nylon, and Nylon 645. According to the company, the support make it possible to print engineering-grade parts, allowing its "prosumer" grade 3D printers to print parts which previously would require expensive, high end industrial 3D printers.

Product 226

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The Synthesis of Technology, Art & Music | Moogfest 2014 Live

Tech Zulu Event

'Live from Asheville, North Carolina from April 23-27, 2014 TechZulu will be onsite helping to produce the very first Moogfest Live. For over 50 years, Bob Moog and his company Moog Music have pioneered technology that has advanced popular music and culture, and ushered in a new era of artistic expression through sound and experimentation. It was in this very spirit that Moogfest was born.

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Taxi Magic Looks To LA Market With Free Rides

socalTECH

'Look out, Uber--another, smartphone-driven ride service, Taxi Magic , is looking to get into the Los Angeles market, saying that it will offer up free rides to people in Los Angeles who need a ride, starting on Tuesday (April 22nd) and running until Friday, April 25th. According to Ride Charge, the Virginia company behind the Taxi Magic app, everyone in Los Angeles who books a ride with the app for the rest of the week will ride free, as long as they include a special code (TAXIBACK) in their b

Marketing 217
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Report: LA Should Emulate San Francisco, NYC For Startup, Tech Efforts

socalTECH

'A new report, released over the weekend, says that Los Angeles should look towards New York and San Francisco and what they have done to help strengthen the community here for technology startups. The L.A. Tech Agenda report, edited by David C. Murphy, says that although LA''s tech community "is on fire", the community could learn from those other markets, by addressing funding shortages, retaining engineering talent from loca luniversities, building closer ties with the community, and by addre

Report 198
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LaunchpadLA Grad Preact Raises $4.6M

socalTECH

'Preact , a developer of software to help software companies reduce churn in their subscription customers which came out of Los Angeles-based startup incubator/accelerator Launchpad LA , has raised $4.6M in a funding round. The company said the funding came from Trinity Ventures. Preact--which was formerly known as FolioHD--was founded by Christopher Gooley and Cory Watilo.

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Bullet Proof iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S 5? Ask Pelican

socalTECH

'Cell phone cases seem to be a dime a dozen nowadays, however, a new set of cases Friday by Torrance-based Pelican Products are worth mentioning. Pelican--known for their lineup of very tough, protective cases used by police, fire, military, and outdoor enthusiasts--said it has launched a set of rugged phone cases for the Apple iPhone 5/5S and Samsung Galaxy S 5.

Torrance 194
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StudyMode Takes On Student Spelling

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based StudyMode , which develops online, educational tools and apps, said today that it has released a new online game aimed at helping students practice spelling. The company said that its new game, Stellar Speller, is an extension of its flashcard site Cram.com. The new software is free, and also is accessible via mobile platforms. StudyMode said the new came is the second online game released by the company''s Cram.com website.

Education 193
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Nexus Acquired By Dimension Data

socalTECH

'Valencia, California-based Nexus , the information technology services provider headed by Deron Pearson, has been acquired by $6 billion IT solutions provider Dimension Data , the two said this morning. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Nexus was founded in 2004, and has nineteen offices across the country. According to the companies, the buy will bolster Dimension Data''s operations in the US by 40 percent, and particularly increases the company''s presence in the West, So

Outsource 191
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Tubular Labs Finds $11M For Online Video Marketing Tools

socalTECH

'Tubular Labs , which develops online video marketing tools for AwesomenessTV, Maker Studios, and other local MCNs, said today that it has raised $11M in a Series B funding round. The company--which is based in Silicon Valley, but has some staff in Los Angeles--said the funding was led by Canaan Partners, and also included FirstMark Capital and Lerer Ventures.

Tool 183
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Hulu Makes iOS, Android Devices Into A TV Remote Control

socalTECH

'Who needs that TV remote when you can use your smartphone? Santa Monica-based television streaming site Hulu has rolled out a new feature, which lets users control what is playing on Hulu Plus on their living room device, using their iOS or Android mobile phone or tablet. Hulu said its new remote control feature--which works with Hulu Plus running on PlayStation 4, Playstation 3, and Xbox One--lets users pair their smartphones with any devices to directly control what you are watching from an a

Hulu 174
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Sizmek Bolsters Digital Advertising Staff In LA

socalTECH

'Sizmek , a developer of digital advertising technology, said this week that it has named Patrick Meehan as head of Sales in its Los Angeles office. The company--which is based in New York--has around 40 employees in Los Angeles. Meehan was previously. Director of Agency Sales and Account Management at DoubleClick. Sizmek focuses on open ad management, helping to manage online advertising campaigns for advertisers and agencies.

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Nervana Raises $600K For Artificial Intelligence Hardware

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Nervana Systems , a startup developing hardware specifically aimed at artificial intelligence software, has raised $600,000 in a funding round. The funding came from Ali and Hadi Partovi, Sam Altman, Geoff Ralston, Scott Banister, Owen Van Natta, Eric Baker, Farzad Khosrowshahi, Dara Khosrowshahi, Allen & Co., Aditya Agrawal, Ruchi Sanghvi, and SV Angels.

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Spreeify Launches Social Ad Platform

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Spreeify , the social marketing software startup led by Ruben Dua, announced this morning that it has launched a new, social advertising platform it is calling SocialActive. The company said that the new technology allows advertisers to embed social engagement options--such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other post/follow buttons--directly within IAB HTML5 advertising ads.

Platform 173
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uSamp Reports Record Quarter

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based survey and sampling provider uSamp said Tuesday that it had a record quarter, saying it saw revenues grow by 42 percent, year over year. Actual financials were not released by the company. uSamp said the growth came due to growth in Europe. uSamp''s services are used in market research efforts by companies. uSamp is venture backed by OpenView Venture Partners, Greycroft Partners, DFJ Frontier, and others.

Sample 171
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Connectivity Finds $6.35M

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Connectivity announced today that it has raised $6.35M in a Series A funding, for the company''s customer analysis software for businesses. The startup said the funding round was led by Greycroft Partners, and also included Rincon Venture Partners, Daher Capital, Double M Partners, TenOneTen Ventures, Eytan Elbaz and SLP Ventures.

Customer 170
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Verdezyne Hits Production Milestone

socalTECH

'Carlsbad-based biotechnology developer Verdezyne said this morning that it has hit a key production milestone. The company--which is developing processes for developing renewable chemicals--said it has produced more than one metric ton of bio-based dodecanedioic acid (DDDA) using its proprietary yeast platform and downstream process. DDDA is a precursor to such products as nylon, molding resins, lubricants, adhesives, and powder coatings as well as such products as toothbrushes, fishing line, a

Product 170
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SpaceX Soft Lands Falcon 9, Says Musk

socalTECH

'Hawthorne-based SpaceX successfully "soft landed" its Falcon 9 rocket last week, as part of the successful resupply mission to the International Space Station--the precursor to landing the Falcon 9 on land. According to Elon Musk, in a surprise press conference Friday, SpaceX wants to eventually land its rockets with the accuracy of a helicopter on dry land--somtehing which would enable its rockets to be recovered and reused.

SpaceX 168
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Maker Studios Ties With Viral Video Company Jukin

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Maker Studios has partnered with Jukin Media , which operates a number of YouTube channels focused on viral videos, the two companies said Thursday. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. According to the two, they will launch a standalone website for Jukin''s viral video channel, FailArmy, along with other efforts to monetize Jukin Media''s various channels.

Company 168
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Southern California Firms Raise $762.88M in Q1

socalTECH

'The latest numbers are out on venture capital investments in Southern California from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, finding that the region had nearly $762.88M invested in companies in the region during Q1 of 2014. According to the MoneyTree Report, based on data from Thomson Reuters, Los Angeles led the region with $309.9M in funding, followed by San Diego with $242.98M in investments, and $209.97M in investments in Orange County.

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SONOS Swizzles Wireless Technology

socalTECH

'Santa Barbara-based whole home music system developer Sonos said late last week that it has made a big change to the way its products work, removing the need to connect one of its components to a user''s wireless router. The requirement to connect a Sonos BRIDGE or other product to your Wi-Fi router has been a requirement since the introduction of the company''s products, even though Sonos has its own, proprietary wireless mesh technology called SonosNet.

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Enplug Gets $2.5M

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Enplug , a company that develops digital displays which display real time, social media from Twittter, Facebook, Yelp, and elsewhere at retail locations, has raised $2.5M in a seed funding round. Enplug said the investment came from Larry Keele (Oaktree Capital), Rasoul Oskouv (Juniper Networks), Bill Gross (Idealab), Hossein Eslambolchi (ATT), David Cohen (Interscope), Justin Caldbeck (Lightspeed Vnture Partners), Troy Carter, Howard Marks, DominateFund, zPark Venture, and Am

Idealab 157
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Sightly Launches Video Ad Platform

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Sightly , which develops video advertising technology, said Thurday that it has launched a new platform aimed at delivering personalized, video ads from local businesses to prospective customers. Sightly--which is backed by Mack Capital, Tomorrow Ventures, and 500 Startups--said its new TargetView product is aimed at helping brands and local businesses deliver tailored, video ads based on what devices consumers are watching, and their location.

Platform 153
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Stockr Gets More Funding

socalTECH

'Santa Monica-based Stockr , the online stock-focused, social network which was founded by Vinny Jindal, Tim Symington and Brendon Crawford, has scored a new round of angel funding. The funding included STAR Angel Network, the New York City angel network founded by the NBA''s Jared Jeffries. Size of the new funding round was not disclosed. Shawn Rogers of STAR has joined the company''s board as part of the funding.

Funding 153
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Boingo Wins John Wayne Airport

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based wireless network provider Boingo Wireless has scored a win near home, saying Wednesday that it has been selected by the County of Orange to upgrade the wireless network at John Wayne Airport (SNA). Financial details of the win were not disclosed. Boingo said the deal includes both a new, Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for the airport to improve cell phone coverage and capacity at the airport, as well as an upgrade of Boingo''s existing Wi-Fi network.

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Allergan Adopts Poison Pill

socalTECH

'Irvine-based Allergan said late Tuesday evening that it has adopted a one-year, stockholder rights plan--better known to investors as a "poison pill"--after the receipt of an unsolicited bid by Valeant Pharmaceuticals to acquire the company. Allergan said its board of directors has unanimously adopted a one-year stockholder rights plan, and also declared a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of its common stock.

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Facebook Gets Clearance From FTC For Oculus VR Buy

socalTECH

'Facebook has received antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission, for its acquisition of Irvine-based Oculus VR , the FTC said today. Facebook had said it would pay $2 billion for Oculus VR back in March. Oculus VR is a maker of 3D, virtual reality goggles and hardware. Two year old Oculus VR was venture backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Formation 8, Matrix Partners, and Spark Capital.

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ViaSat Wins $283M In Patent Infringement Suit

socalTECH

'Carlsbad-based satellite and wireless networking systems and services firm ViaSat reported late last yesterday that it has been awarded $283M in damages, as part of a patent infringement and breach of contract case. ViaSat said a federal court jury awarded the damages in its case against Space Systems/Loral, finding that Space Systems/Loral infringed on three of its patents, as well as breached a non disclosure and manufacturing contract between the companies.

Patents 138
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Groundmetrics Digs Up $2.73M In Series B Funding

socalTECH

'San Diego-based GroundMetrics , a developer of electromagnetic surveying technology used by the oil and gas industry, has raised $2.73M in a Series B funding round. According to the company, the funding came from Cowboy Technology Angels, an Oklahoma-based angel group made up of oil industry executives. The funding also included Tech Coast Angels, Crescent Ridge Partners, ACE Fund, Harvard Business School Alumni Angels, and Peter Landin, former Managing Director and CEO/Americas for Barclays Gl

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Fandango Buys Movieclips From ZEFR

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Fandango has acquired the assets of MOVIECLIPS from Venice, California-based ZEFR , the two said this morning, along with the team supporting the MOVIECLIPS service. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. According to Fandango, it will use the acquisition of MOVIECLIPS to expand its product offerings in the area of video, content, and movie discovery.

Fandango 138
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Emulex Ties With IBM POWER Group

socalTECH

'Costa Mesa-based Emulex , the developer of high speed networking equipment, said yesterday that it has joined the OpenPOWER foundation, the industry group which supports IBM''s POWER hardware and software stack. Emulex said it provides its equipment for IBM POWER platforms, and the move will help improve the functionality and value of that platform.

IBM 138
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J.D. Power Buys Korrelate

socalTECH

'Westlake Village-based J.D. Power , the unit of McGraw Hill Financial which measures consumer opinions of automotive manufacturers, said Wednesday that it has acquired digital advertising company Korrelate. Korrelate was based in Orlando, Florida, and developed technology to tie consumer''s online behavior to offline purchasing of new and used vehicles.