Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 25, 2010

Chris Dixon wrote a blog post last week titled, “ Techies and Normals &# in which he defined “Techies&# as people who are not just “early adopters&# but also have more of a geeky, technical, product bent. Normals (or “Muggles&# as Catarina Fake called them) are people who, unlike Techies, don’t just use products simply because they’re infatuated with them and with showing the world how cool it is that they’re using the latest tech product.

Product 348

Product Startup Design Blogging 348

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

I’ve been having discussions with several people recently about the role of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in very early stage companies. In December 2007, I described how I commonly take on an Acting CTO Role in a Start-up. I used an image from Roger Smith that describes the varying roles of a CTO as the company matures. However, I’ve now begun questioning how and what an early-stage / startup CTO should be.

Fractional CTO 225

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire CTO Coach 225

socalTECH

JANUARY 25, 2010

J.R. Johnson , founder of Lunch.com, is an experience entrepreneur, who sold his last firm, VirtualTourist.com , to Expedia. Johnson's latest effort is Lunch.com (www.lunch.com), a web site which takes the concepts behind VirtualTourist.com beyond travel, and into lots of other subjects. We spoke with Johnson about his new startup, as well as had him fill us in on the story behind VirtualTourist, how he bootstrapped that firm, and his exit.

Content 204

Content Startup Sites Manhattan Beach 204

Berkonomics

JANUARY 27, 2010

Taking in angel or venture money requires a setting of an entrepreneur’s expectations that may come as a shock at least at first. From the moment such an investor looks seriously at your company, the investor or VC partner is thinking of the end game, the ultimate sale of the company or even of an eventual initial public offering. There is no middle ground.

Venture Capital 168

Venture Capital Sales Invest Class 168

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

JANUARY 29, 2010

This is part of my series on what makes an entrepreneur successful. I originally posted it on VentureHacks , one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs. I started the series talking about what I consider the most important attribute of an entrepreneur : Tenacity. I then covered Street Smarts , Ability to Pivot , Resiliency , Inspiration , Perspiration , Willingness to Take Risks and Detail Orientation.

Competition 296

Competition Entrepreneur Startup GRP Partners 296

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 28, 2010

Yesterday, I met with someone at the early stage of a startup. He has a great concept with some complexity to it. He was struggling to find high quality developers in Los Angeles. Just the kind of person I like to meet. :) But I was a bit surprised when he emphasized how hard it had been for them to find a web developer in Los Angeles. My flippant comment was, “If you do a Google search for Los Angeles web developer, you’ll find a LOT of people and firms.

Web Development 167

Web Development Los Angeles Web Develop 167

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 29, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010 -- GDP Talk Trends 2010. Come listen to some of LA's great minds (inc. Fast Company reporter Greg Ferenstein, CitySourced's founder Kurt Daradics and Adam Mefford of MindShare LA) present ideas about trends and realities facing today's world from education and finance to the blending of the personal and professional in the social media world.

Social Media 100

Social Media Education Ideas Report 100

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 26, 2010

This is part of my series on what makes an entrepreneur successful. I originally posted it on VentureHacks , one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs. The full list is now posted there if you want a sneak preview. I’ll try to add a few extra comments in my posts to keep in interesting. I started the series talking about what I consider the most important attribute of an entrepreneur : Tenacity.

Entrepreneur 286

Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire Sales 286

Tech Coast Venture Network

JANUARY 29, 2010

Entrepreneur Snapshots. Tags: Live Event Snapshots Video forum snapshots video.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur 113

socalTECH

JANUARY 25, 2010

The Founder Institute , the business incubation and mentoring program started by TheFunded's Adeo Ressi , is expanding into the Los Angeles area, and is accepting applications for entrepreneurs for a Spring session, the group said late last week. The Los Angeles effort is being headed by Ken Rutkowski. In an invite to an information session on the incubation program, Rutkowski said that mentors in the Los Angeles program include Alan Friel, Bill Woodward, Brock Pierce, Dan Gould, Elon Musk, Eric

Los Angeles 191

Los Angeles Orange County Angel Incubator 191

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 29, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010 -- Creating Relevant Brands. OCTANe. Defining and developing your brand  its more than just a name. When most companies, especially early stage companies, consider their brands they think about picking a really cool name and then check branding off of their to-do list. But a brand is so much more than just a name. To be valuable to customers, investors, and potential partners, your brand has to be relevant.

OCTANE 100

OCTANE Guide Custom Customer 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2010

OK, so they tell me that Bernie is safely tucked away in prison for the next 150 years, but there are clones out there who look and act just like him. See this LA Times article from last year about a likely scammer closer to startups, and an ongoing saga of events from the victim’s perspective. Most frauds are not on the scale set by Bernie, but even a few thousand dollars lost would hurt you and me as much as a few million did for some of his victims.

Offshore 70

Offshore Tips Satisfaction Invest 70

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 26, 2010

The stereotype of most programmers is a guy sitting in a dark room with nothing but the glow of a monitor screen keeping him company. However, that is certainly not the case with the participants of Super Happy Dev House (SHDH). Last weekend I attended the 36th Super Happy Dev House held at Microsoft Mountain View Office. What originally started as just a couple of guys getting together at a home to get help or swap ideas on a few projects they had going on, has grown to over a 400+ person eve

Tips 70

Tips Screening Startup Google 70

socalTECH

JANUARY 25, 2010

Los Angeles-based MySpace is in a deal with SoundExchange , which collects music royalties, to help deliver unclaimed royalties to artists, MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta said over the weekend at the MIDEM conference in Cannes. According to Van Natta, SoundExchange has placed $14M of unclaimed royalties in escrow, and will help the social networking site find the 25,000 artists owed those royalties.

Social Network 186

Social Network Conference Content Los Angeles 186

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 28, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 -- Win an SBIR / STTR Award. Presented by the TriTech SBDC. Presented by the TriTech SBDC SBIR and STTR programs are designed to help launch technology companies towards success by providing initial or supplemental research capital. The proposal process is extremely competitive and only the best of the best proposals get funded.

Email 100

Email Competition Research Design 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2010

I’ve long believed that entrepreneurs are different. We all know successful entrepreneurs who dropped out of school, and people with high IQs that cannot manage a business. I used to call this “street smarts,” but recently I found a better explanation, called multiple intelligences. Successful entrepreneurs always seem to have several good intelligences.

Entrepreneur 49

Entrepreneur Writing Activity Design 49

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 29, 2010

We want to give a huge thanks to our sponsors for making TechZulu possible. Our valued sponsors are: Mobile Roadie, GDP Wealth, Will You Trend?, and AudioMicro. . Mobile Roadie is a simple and inexpensive way for anyone to build and manage their own iPhone App. In Minutes. This provides a powerful connection between you and your biggest supporters. .

Stickam 40

Stickam Draper Technical Review Venture Capital 40

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2010

Santa Monica-based The Search Agency joins a number of privately held, Southern California firms this week reporting strong growth in 2009. According to the company, which provides search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and other related online marketing services, it had revenue growth of 37% in 2009, and hired more than 40 additional employees.

Search Engine Optimization 185

Search Engine Optimization SEM Southern California SEO 185

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 27, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 -- Can the Flu Become a Pandemic? IEEE Buenaventura EMBS. Pjoin us as Barbara Spraktes-Wilkins, MPH, Sr. Epidemiologist and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Coordinator with the Ventura County Public Health Department will explore whether The Flu Can Become a Pandemic. In addition, Barbara acts as a bioterrorism subject matter expert and planner for public health and law enforcement.

Ventura 100

Ventura 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2010

Many people, especially those who have spent years struggling up the corporate ladder, dream of jumping ship and becoming an entrepreneur. But every job move is fraught with risk, and the move from employee to entrepreneur is on the high end of the risk curve. This is a big jump, so do your homework first on this one. According to a recent article in the Harvard Business Review, “ Five Ways to Bungle a Job Change ” there are at least five common missteps that executives make when moving to a new

Entrepreneur 48

Entrepreneur Startup Statistics Mentor 48

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 27, 2010

Today at 3pm PST is the final time for you to grab your Twiistup tickets at the $397 rate. After 3pm it will jump to the $497 rate. They have also released their final agenda shown below: Twiistup 007 Agenda. Wednesday January 27th Korn Hall UCLA. 6:00 – 6:30 PM: Leila Janah, founder and CEO of Samasource.org – Using the Web to Change the World. 6:30-9:00 PM: New Company “Wildcard” Demos on stage. 9:00 PM – Midnight: Opening Night Reception at the W Hotel 930 Hilgard, Westwood.

Twiistup 40

Twiistup Startup UCLA Metrics 40

socalTECH

JANUARY 28, 2010

Irvine-based VIZIO announced this morning that it has tapped Beyonce Knowles as the spokesperson for the firm, and will launch a Super Bowl spot featuring the artist during Super Bowl XLIV. According to VIZIO, a major manufacturer of high definition TVs, the firm's Super Bowl ad will run during CBS in-game coverage of the game, and that it will also be the exclusive HD sponsor of the CBS Super Bowl Pre-Game Show.

Advertising 184

Advertising 184

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 27, 2010

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 -- The Art of the Start-Up. SDSIC. An interactive workshop and panel discussion focusing on practical issues to business, legal, and fund raising choices. See [link] (more).

Startup 100

Startup Funding 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2010

Many entrepreneurs send me invitations and accolades for their latest Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies, and others tell me how much they hate these things. It’s hard to find neutrals on this subject. I’m simply annoyed that their pervasive use of social networks like Twitter and Facebook devalue that medium for all businesses. I know there are a few companies, like Amway and Mary Kay, who have a generally positive image, but there are many more, often built around some investment scheme, wh

Marketing 48

Marketing Networking Social Network Startup 48

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 25, 2010

This year at CES , Sony was kind enough to allow TechZulu the opportunity to use and review their Bloggie Camera CM5, a flip-view hand-held HD-video camera. First impression of this device was, "Who named this thing?", and even worse, "Why would they plaster that awful name on the device where everyone can see?". Perhaps I'm just particular, but the product name isn't professional, and even worse - it's plastered to the front of the device when you open it.

Startup 40

Startup Product 40

socalTECH

JANUARY 29, 2010

Southwest Airlines said Friday afternoon that it is officially rolling Wi-Fi out to all of its airplanes, in what is a major win for Westlake Village-based Row 44. According to Southwest, it has ended testing of Row 44's equipment, and signed an equipment purchase contract with Row 44 for all of its aircraft. Southwest said it will begin installing equipment in the second quarter of the year, installing about 15 aircraft per month.

Westlake Village 182

Westlake Village Pricing Entrepreneur Services 182

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 26, 2010

Monday, February 1, 2010 -- Patent Policy  From the Hill to the Patent Office. CONNECT. Effective intellectual property (IP) protection is essential to the survival of start-up companies. Without strong IP protection, companies will fail to raise early stage funding and will be vulnerable to opportunistic and incumbent competitors. Because the assertion of low quality patents can harm innovation by unwarranted litigation, patent policy must also ensure appropriate protections for innovators fr

Patents 100

Patents IP Startup Funding 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2010

Lack of confidence in your self, your product, and your startup is a surefire recipe for disaster. At the other extreme, too much confidence or arrogance can kill you just as fast. It’s always painful when a startup fails, but as a mentor to founders I would hope that you can learn from these failings and not stumble on the same issues: “Business plans are for dummies.

Startup 52

Startup Social Network IBM IBM 52

socalTECH

JANUARY 26, 2010

Los Angeles-based social networking site MySpace has launched a beta of a new social playlist service, My Music 2.0 , the firm said Tuesday. According to MySpace, the music playlist hub will allow users to build and manage their own social playlists from its music catalog. Among features of My Music 2.0 is the ability to include playlists on MySpace profiles, plus social discovery tools which allows users to see what recent music their friends and favorite artists have listened to recently.

Services 179

Services Social Network Content Networking 179

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2010

Los Angeles-based MySpace reported yesterday that its mail service, MySpace Mail, now has 15 million accounts. The firm launched its mail service in August of 2009, which integrates the social networking service with traditional email service. The firm attributed the rapid signup to the service as a result of its automatic reservation of email addresses based on users' vanity URLs.

Social Network 170

Social Network Email Los Angeles Networking 170

socalTECH

JANUARY 29, 2010

Venture capital firm First Round Capital , the early stage venture fund whose Managing Directors include Idealab's Howard Morgan , said last night that it has created its own startup exchange fund, a fund which allows the founders of the firm's various startups to diversify their investments and share in the success of the company's portfolio. The fund allows founders of First Round Cpaital's portfolio firms to contribute some of their equity into a central pool, and share in any exit success of

Capital 169

Capital Funding OpenX Startup 169

socalTECH

JANUARY 28, 2010

Richard Rosenblatt , the CEO of Los Angeles-based Demand Media said today at the Twiistup conference in Los Angeles, that he sees an IPO as a possible opportunity for the firm. Rosenblatt, who confirmed the firm has revenues of around $200M and is profitable, responded to a question from GigaOm's Om Malik on a panel saying that the firm is definitely thinking about an exit at some point.

Demand 168

Demand Media Web 2.0 Twiistup 168

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2010

Pasadena-based online dating site eHarmony has settled a class action lawsuit over its lack of support for gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals, the firm reported Tuesday evening. According to eHarmony, it is in an agreement to settle Carlson, et. al. v. eHarmony, Inc., which was filed in 2007. eHarmony said that as part of the settlement, all claims will be dismissed, and it will create a $2M settlement fund, with $500,000 of that fund to be designed for claims by the class, with any unclaime

eHarmony 165

eHarmony Class Pasadena Web 165

socalTECH

JANUARY 25, 2010

Los Angeles-based Break Media , the online media firm run by Keith Richman, said this morning that it is expanding into social gaming, with the launch of its own game studio. The firm said it is opening up a studio located in Shanghai, China, and has will launch its first game, MMA FightPicker , on site CagePotato.com on February 1st. MMA FightPicker is focused on mixed-martial-arts.

Content 165

Content Media Entertainment Los Angeles 165

socalTECH

JANUARY 25, 2010

Bay area venture capital firm Mayfield Fund appears to be eyeing more investments in the Los Angeles area, with the addition of Sean Moriarty , the former CEO of Ticketmaster, as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the firm. According to Mayfield, it added Sean Moriarty--along with Neopath Networks Rajeev Chawla--as an EIR at the firm, specifically to evaluate companies in the consumer, e-commerce and new mobile applications area.

Ticketmaster 165

Ticketmaster Los Angeles Angel Venture Capital 165

socalTECH

JANUARY 27, 2010

Los Angeles-based SightCine , a developer of digital overlay projection technology, told socalTECH today that the firm has raised an initial round of seed funding. Amount of the funding and source was not disclosed. According to the firm, its initial product allows movie theaters to display subtitles in multiple languages on a single screen. The firm's product allows deaf, hearing-impaired, and non-native speakers to use special glasses to see subtitles on movies, which aren't visible to other t

Seed Funding 162

Seed Funding Funding SoCalTech Screening 162