Sat.Sep 17, 2016 - Fri.Sep 23, 2016

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Why I Backed a 24-Year-Old Trying to Assess Human Potential

Both Sides of the Table

Today Upfront Ventures is announcing that we’ve backed Rebecca Kantar ’s startup Imbellus , a company designed to assess human potential and ultimately change the way we teach children. We led a $4 million investment along with Thrive Capital, GLG and Sound Ventures. The news blogs will cover the what, how and how much but I want to focus on the “why” and try to be instructive of what I think makes for a great A-round startup.

Design 246
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How to avoid “death by meeting.”

Berkonomics

Imagine yourself with a calendar requiring you to be in six meetings in a day. Day after day. How long would it take to induce you to rethink your use of time – and that of the others sitting (or standing) beside you? More important, how long would it take to realize that there is something wrong with the enterprise when it takes constant meetings to get the job done?

Email 241
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Urban Airship Taps SoCal Tech Vets For Key Roles

socalTECH

Urban Airship , a startup which develops mobile analytics and engagement software, said today that it has named two executives--both of whom have had prominent roles at Santa Barbara area technology companies. The company--based in Portland--said it named Scott Allen as its CFO, and Eric Holmen as its SVP of Worldwide Sales. Allen had previously been VP and CFO of Citrix Online, which is based in Santa Barbara, in addition to current roles at Intermedia and a prior role in finance at ADP.

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Faraday Future’s Main Backer Receives $1B to Pursue Electric Cars

L.A. Business Journal

Le Holdings Co. of China, the main backer of electric car startup Faraday Future, announced on Monday that it raised $1.08 billion from a group of Chinese investors to develop an electric car. Le Holdings Co. of China, the main backer of electric car startup Faraday Future, announced on Monday that it raised $1.08 billion from a group of Chinese investors to develop an electric car.

Startup 153
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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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This Startup Hacked LinkedIn To Recruit Customers & Reduce Churn

InfoChachkie

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. Businesses typically use LinkedIn to recruit employees. However, savvy startups can leverage LinkedIn to create a customer acquisition and a churn reduction tool. In particular, one of Rincon Venture Partner’s portfolio companies, SimpleLegal, has had so much success mining LinkedIn for customers that the CEO was initially reluctant for me to name his company in this article, fearing his competitors will mimic their common sense, yet cleve

Customer 122
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TCVN Fireside Chat with Scott Jarus

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, September 29, 2016 -- Crowd-funding – Tales from the trenches: Observations from a combatant. TCVN. Much has been anticipated about crowd-funding and its impact on capital formation. Come hear serial entrepreneur and transformational leader, Scott Jarus, share his experiences and perspective of raising capital as a CEO of both public and privately-held companies.

TCVN 119

More Trending

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Van Toffler’s Digital Studio Gunpowder & Sky Acquires FilmBuff.

L.A. Business Journal

Gunpowder & Sky, Van Toffler and Floris Bauer’s recently launched digital content studio, announced today that it has acquired independent content sales and distribution company, FilmBuff. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Content 132
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Colorado’s Webroot Buys CyberFlow Analytics, Expands in San Diego

Xconomy

Not long after ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT ) acquired San Diego-based LonoCloud in 2013 , former LonoCloud executives Tom Caldwell and Hossein Eslambolchi met for coffee at the Specialty’s Café and Bakery in University City. Eslambolchi, who had served as a LonoCloud advisor and CEO, told Caldwell he had an idea for a cybersecurity startup that would use analytic software and machine learning technology to monitor the data flowing in and out of networks for anything that looks out of the ordinary.

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Biocom Welcome Reception and Fireside Chat with Dr. Ric Kaner of UCLA

SoCal Tech Calendar

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 -- Biocom Welcome Reception and Fireside Chat with Dr. Ric Kaner of UCLA. Fireside Chat with Ric Kaner, UCLA Kaner Lab AND Welcome Reception for Biocom Los Angeles! See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sam-and-biocom-present-fireside-chat-with-dr-ric-kaner-of-uclas-kaner-lab-tickets-27555165241.

UCLA 117
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Tinder Backs Vina's Female Networking App

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based dating app developer Tinder said this morning that it has made an investment in Hey! VINA , the developer of a Tinder-like mobile app to help women find friends. Tinder participated as part of a $1.4M, seed funding round, which also included Greylock Partners, New Enterprise Associates, and Wildcat Venture Partners. Tinder said it would help share "best practices" to help Hey!

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Silicon Beach Report Sept. 23: SpaceX Rocket Explosion Investigation Makes Some Progress.

L.A. Business Journal

SpaceX rocket explosion investigation makes some progress, IGN launches channel to cover virtual reality, and Gamblit Gaming adds racing game to casino floors.

SpaceX 131
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Tech Transforms the Election Experience, From VR to Voter Registration

Xconomy

My friend Eileen and I are planning to “phone-watch” the first presidential debate together on Monday. Just by calling her number in Louisiana from my couch in the Bay Area, I’ll hear hilarious commentary on the Clinton-Trump exchange from Eileen, a terrific reporter who’s wittier than most standup comics. I found another name for this low-tech form of long distance TV show sharing in the New York Times: “sync-watching.

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First Time Entrepreneur Workshop

SoCal Tech Calendar

Saturday, September 24, 2016 -- First Time Entrepreneur Workshop. LAVA. Matt Crowley from Crowley Corporate Legal Strategy is teaching another great First Time Entrepreneur Workshop with the LA Venture Association (LAVA) on Saturday September 24th in Encino. He will be teaching about valuation, dilution, intellectual property rights, working with co-founders, and a variety of other topics that are critical for startup founders to master.

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Fika Ventures Seeks $50M For New Venture Fund

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Fika Ventures , founded by Tx Zhuo and Eva Ho , is looking to raise a total of $50M for a new investment fund, according to a pair of regulatory filings by the firm in the last week. The new firm has two separate filings for a $38.5M fund, Fika Ventures LP, and $11.5M for Fika Ventures - A LP. The firm has not detailed any plans on the new investment fund or its focus.

Funding 155
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Silicon Beach Report Sept. 22: SGN Renames Itself Jam City, Acquires Rights to ‘Peanuts’ Franchise

L.A. Business Journal

SGN renames itself Jam City as well as acquires rights to ‘Peanuts’ franchise, ULA sends Pentagon letter criticizing SpaceX explosions, Tinder invests in Hey Vina!, and more.

SpaceX 117
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Push Marketing Has Been Replaced By Pull Marketing

Startup Professionals Musings

Entrepreneurs have always believed that their product or service must show real value to customers, but today the smart ones are even able to make their marketing valuable. The days are gone when marketing was all “pushing product.” Now customers seek out people who are willing and able to add value, with expertise and insight, even before they have a product.

Marketing 100
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First Time Entrepreneur Workshop

SoCal Tech Calendar

Saturday, September 24, 2016 -- First Time Entrepreneur Workshop. LAVA. Join us for our next First Time Entrepreneur Workshop! Matt Crowley from Crowley Corporate Legal Strategy is teaching another great workshop with the LA Venture Association (LAVA) on Saturday September 24th in Encino. He will be teaching about valuation, dilution, intellectual property rights, working with co-founders, and a variety of other topics that are critical for startup founders to master.

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DTS Acquired By Tessera Technologies For $850M

socalTECH

Calabasas-based audio technology developer DTS is being acquired by San Jose-based Tessera Technologies , in a deal worth approximately $850M in cash, the companies announced today. According to the two companies, Tessera will acquire DTS by paying $42.50 per share in cash, which is a 28 percent premium to the 30-day volume weighted average price of DTS.

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Silicon Beach Report Sept. 21: Faraday Future’s Main Backer Receives $1B to Pursue Electric Cars

L.A. Business Journal

Faraday Future’s main backer receives $1 billion to pursue electric cars, Hulu orders two virtual reality shows, job candidate screening startup Imbellus raises $4 million, and more.

Hulu 110
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5 Engagement Principles Now Drive Business Leadership

Startup Professionals Musings

The days of leadership without engagement are gone. With interactive social media and video everywhere, everyone needs to feel they have a relationship with their leaders, and every brand needs leader personification for customers to relate. Soon you won’t be able to name a business as one of your favorites if you can’t personally visualize and relate to company leadership.

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Valley Hackathon II

SoCal Tech Calendar

Friday, September 23, 2016 -- Valley Hackathon II. The Valley Economic Alliance is hosting Valley Hackathon II on Friday, September 23 from 9am-5pm at Cal State University, Northridge's Grand Salon. Valley Hackathon II is a technology focused event that brings in students from 9th to 12th grade and college who are interested in computer science, web and app development/design, public policy, marketing, government and political science.

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Triton Digital Wins Bloomberg Media

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based streaming media delivery provider Triton Digital has won the business of Bloomberg Media , the consumer facing arm of Bloomberg L.P., as part of a delivery, monetization, and measurement deal. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. The two companies said that Bloomberg Media is using Triton's technology to delivery financial information and news audio listeners, including using Triton's digital advertising platform and analytics software.

Media 153
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Silicon Beach Report Sept. 20: TX Zhuo and Eva Ho Raising $50M for Fika Ventures

L.A. Business Journal

TX Zhuo and Eva Ho raising $50M for Fika Ventures, Gamblit Gaming to add gambling to virtual reality game, Tinder adds music matching from Spotify to profiles, and more.

Report 109
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Reflections Of A Retired Senior Manager

Startup Professionals Musings

By Ernst Gemassmer, Chairman, Startup Professionals I am a retired executive with ample time to reflect on my personal and business life. My career, in several companies, included management consulting, different positions in many functional areas, heading up international operations and eventually leading to several positions as interim CEO. I have worked in the US, Germany and Holland in addition to travelling the world extensively either developing, managing or turning around different busine

Mentor 97
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CyberTech Opens New “Entrepreneur in Residence” Program to 8 Teams

Xconomy

Darin Andersen, the busy-bee creator of San Diego’s Cyberhive, iHive, and xHive startup programs, says eight early stage tech companies have joined the co-working space he has been building out in Bankers Hill under a new “Entrepreneur in Residence” program. Andersen created the program under the auspices of CyberTech , a membership organization he created to provide networking, resources, and programs focused on cybersecurity, Internet of Things, and related technologies.

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Certona Scores $30M In Growth Funding

socalTECH

San Diego-based Certona , a developer of personalization software which uses machine learning and predictive algorithms, has raised $30M in a combined growth investment and minority recapitalization. The funding came from private equity investor Primus Capital. Certona said the funding will go towards growing market share, product development, and expanding services and support.

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SGN Renames Itself Jam City, Acquires ‘Peanuts’ Franchise

L.A. Business Journal

SGN has renamed itself Jam City in a rebranding effort aimed at better reflecting its portfolio of games.

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Walk In The Shoes Of Your Boss To Excel In Business

Startup Professionals Musings

One of the things I’ve learned in working with aspiring entrepreneurs is that managing and leading a team is a scary venture into the unknown for many people, even if they have worked as a business professional for years. Having worked in my own career on both sides of the fence at various times, I recommend that everyone practice thinking like the boss in every role to prepare.

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Pharmaceutical Price Controls Might Be Closer Than You Think

Xconomy

Amid the hue and cry over the Mylan EpiPen pricing debacle , Hillary Clinton unveiled her “ Plan to Respond to Unjustified Price Hikes for Long-Available Drugs. ” Clinton’s plan calls for “dedicated oversight to protect consumers.” To that end she would “convene representatives of federal agencies…to create a dedicated group charged with protecting consumers from outlier price increases.

Pricing 78
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NantHealth Deploys Cancer Treatment Tool In Orange County

socalTECH

Culver City-based personalized medicine technology developer NantHealth said yesterday that it has deploed its GPS Cancer product--which is used to help idenity personalized treatments for cancer patients--at the Children's Hospital of Orange County. NantHealth said its personalized medicine and molecular testing product will allow physicians to identify personalized treatments for children with rare, refractory or recurrent cancers for whom conventional approaches have proven unsuccessful.

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Silicon Beach Report Sept. 19: Elon Musk Says Spacecraft Could Go Beyond Mars

L.A. Business Journal

Elon Musk announces spacecraft could go beyond mars, Beats Electronics lawsuit continues, and Riot Unveils college League of Legends competition.

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Fueling Extremism in a Wired World [ LOS ANGELES ]

Tech.Co

Nazis used radio; today’s extremists use social media. Then as now, new technology provides extremists with unchecked ability to spread hate and prey upon disenfranchised audiences to realize their deadly agenda. This event will explore the tension between protecting free speech and limiting incendiary propaganda. What responsibility do technology companies, governments, and individuals have to limit uses of technology to keep our world safe?

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In Turnaround Saga, Ignyta Nears Crucial Phase in Cancer Drug Trial

Xconomy

Biotech CEO Jonathan Lim co-founded Ignyta in 2011 to commercialize a new approach to diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis, based on discoveries that showed how changes in methyl group molecules associated with the human genome could change the way genes function. Instead, Lim may end up showing how to breathe new life into a life sciences company that was flat-lining, at least in terms of developing new technology.

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Esri To Power Maps For Ocean XPRIZE

socalTECH

Redlands-based Esri , the developer of mapping and GIS tools, has linked up with Marina Del Rey-based prize competition operator the XPRIZE Foundation , to use its tools as part of the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE. The two said that Esri has donated its ArcGIS software for use in mapping efforts in the prize, which is aimed at creating autonomous, deep-sea mapping technology.

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Mark Zuckerberg Surprise Visit to Nigeria | FB’s Largest African Market

Tech Zulu Event

Mark Zuckerberg made an unannounced visit to Lagos, Nigeria last week on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. His arrival was a much appreciated surprise to the tech leaders in the booming African country as it is still in its early yet thriving stages of creating a successful tech and entrepreneurial hub. His first visit was at Creation Hub (Cchub) innovation center in Lagos where he engaged with kids at a summer coding camp as well as other entrepreneurs visiting the center to build and launch their apps

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How To Stretch Your Comfort Zone For Business Success

Startup Professionals Musings

As an entrepreneur looking for an idea, it makes sense to explore problem areas within your knowledge comfort zone, but when you are building a business with the solution, you have to stretch your comfort zone to keep up with the market and stay ahead of competitors. I haven’t found a successful and satisfying venture yet that was a comfortable and easy win.