InfoChachkie

JANUARY 9, 2012

Note: This is an installment in the Iconic Advice series. Other installments include: Jeff Bezos , Steve Jobs and Richard Branson. 1. Pressure Helps You Break Through Your Breakdowns. "Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner." If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for. free we

Tips 277

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Entertainment 277

socalTECH

JANUARY 10, 2012

Los Angeles-based Phorus , the startup headed by former PhatNoise founder Dannie Lau, has unveiled its first products at CES, a new, wireless audio streaming speaker which ties directly into Android devices. Phorus said its PlayCast product connects to Android phones or tablets, and allows users to stream lossless audio-quality music over Wi-Fi. The new product--aiming at the popularity of similar systems from Sonos--can be linked together to stream audio to multiple rooms.

Los Angeles 211

Los Angeles Product Funding Startup 211

Berkonomics

JANUARY 12, 2012

Professional investors want to live by this rule. With the first round of funding, there should be milestones to be achieved. If they are not achieved within the expected time, the reasons must be analyzed and acted upon to avoid loss of capital beyond plan or expectation. And if the vision of the entrepreneur is flawed, or the product impossible to create within cost and time expectations, or the demand impossible to quantify, or revenues never close to plan, then it is time to rethink the pla

Incubator 149

Incubator Venture Capital Invest Entrepreneur 149

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 13, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012 -- MongoLA. Mongo Los Angeles is an annual one-day conference in Los Angeles, CA dedicated to the open source, non-relational database MongoDB.

Conference 124

Conference Los Angeles Angel 124

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

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 12, 2012

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Blank, author of Four Steps To The Epiphany , Stanford Professor and noted entrepreneur. Steve was very generous with his time, allowing us to cover a variety of topics during our Skype conversation. The subject discussed in the video below is Steve’s belief that Venture Capitalists should begin their careers as operational entrepreneurs.

Venture Capital 239

Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur SaaS 239

socalTECH

JANUARY 9, 2012

What do you do when a new industry, which serves the same customers as you do, suddenly appears and starts to grow astronomically? In the case of Los Angeles-based SkuLoop (www.skuloop.com), what you do is you shift your focus to that new industry--in this case, flash sales and daily deals--and figure out how to apply your technical know-how to that rapidly growing market.

Startup 208

Startup Custom Customer Commerce 208

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 11, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 -- Digital Down Under. Featuring keynotes highlighting the growing connection between the two "Silicon Coasts", Australia and Los Angeles. Speakers include Ross Levinsohn, Yahoo!, and Michael Jones, Science Inc.

Yahoo 113

Yahoo Los Angeles Angel 113

Jason Nazar

JANUARY 9, 2012

Don’t take for granted your life, even if you think it’s filled with strife. Don’t take for granted your health, it can’t be replaced any amount of wealth. Don’t take for granted your friends, they may be all you have in the end. Don’t take for granted your kin, for they love you in spite of your sins. Don’t take for granted your dad, he may get mad when you’re bad but his love is no fad.

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socalTECH

JANUARY 13, 2012

San Diego-based Telcentris , which develops voice-over-IP and other voice systems for business, said this week that it has named Cliff Rees as President of the firm. Rees was most recently at Leading Edge Communications, XCast Labs, GlobalTouch Telecom, as well as Telegroup. The firm said Rees will oversee operations, sales, business development, and product management.

IP 189

IP San Diego Sales Product 189

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2012

Whether it’s a business or personal interaction, multiple studies show that as much as 50-65% of the communication is nonverbal. That means that people who are addicted to text messaging and email may be sending only half the message, and receivers often misinterpret even that half. Yet the use of text messaging for business purposes continues to grow, in concert with more of Gen-Y entering the workplace, and a continuing increase in the global rate of texting by everyone.

Layoffs 100

Layoffs Statistics Email Tool 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 11, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 -- CES 2012 Recap. CommNexus. Plan to attend the CommNexus Headliner Consumer Electronics SIG event on January 17th here in San Diego. It will surely be one of our most exciting ever. We are fortunate to have noted technology journalist Harry McCracken in person who will be discussion the Consumer Electronic Show and what we can expect in 2012.

San Diego 113

San Diego Technology 113

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 11, 2012

We’ve all become witness to the ever-growing 3D television industry and the expansion of theatrical movies being produced in 3D. Now the next progression is live 3D telecast by individual networks. Heaven help us when the Food Network signs on, it’ll be an evil temptation. This week at CES, ESPN Networks is broadcasting LIVE in 3D from the showroom floor.

Networking 72

Networking Mobile Email Help 72

socalTECH

JANUARY 10, 2012

Santa Barbara-based RinvRevenue , the provider of pay-per-call marketing technology, said today that it has partnered with mobile ad network firm Tapjoy. The two said they partnership will deliver advertisers with more customers through inbound calls. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. RingRevenue's technology helps track the source of inbound calls from affiliate networks.

Mobile 182

Mobile Networking GRP Partners Santa Barbara 182

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2012

I’ve always said that startups are all about execution. Sometimes I encounter self-proclaimed entrepreneurs who have been “thinking” about a concept for many years, and haven’t started yet. Some of these may be visionaries, but none are real entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs live by the principles discussed by Leonard A. Schlesinger, President of Babson College, in his book titled “ Action Trumps Everything ” which he wrote in conjunction with friends Charlie Kiefer and Paul Brown.

Startup 97

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Pricing 97

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 11, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 -- Innovation vs. Invention: How can a new enabling technology position itself as a standard platform for machine learning applications? A case presentation with. ai-one inc. MIT Enterprise Forum SD.

Enterprise Forum 113

Enterprise Forum Artificial Inteligence Platform Technology 113

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 10, 2012

Kyle here LIVE from the Consumer Electronic Show (#CES) in Las Vegas ladies and gentleman. This year’s 2012 International CES is my very first, and will not be my last. What an amazing show. The press room has been loaded all day with people sharing details about this year’s some 20,000 new products being launched and over 37 football fields worth of exhibit space featuring some of the top companies.

Press 72

Press Technology Product Design 72

socalTECH

JANUARY 12, 2012

Santa Monica-based JewelMint , the jewelry service run by former MySpace co-founder Josh Berman and Diego Berdakin, said Thursday that it is launching an online "fashion film" series featuring Kate Bosworth , along with a national television commercial campaign. JewelMint said the new film, "The Look" features JewelMint co-founder and actress Kate Bosworth, and was filmed by Michael Polish.

Santa Monica 180

Santa Monica Commerce Sites Services 180

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

Los Angeles-based Mobile Roadie , the mobile app developer, is powering a new mobile app from hotel and nightlife operator Sbe , the firm reported today. Sbe--which is owned by Sam Nazarian and operates hotels and nighclubs in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and is expanding into New York, Miami, Houston, and Las Vegas--is using Mobile Roadie's app to connect with its customers in combination with a big billboard advertising campaign.

Mobile 178

Mobile Los Angeles Advertising Report 178

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

Camarillo-based Cool Planet Biofuels , the cellulosic biofuels developer backed by BP, Shea Ventures, General Electric, Google Ventures, ConocoPhillips, NRG and North Bridge Venture Partners, announced today that it has received approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to begin fleet-testing its low carbon gasoline. Cool Planet is developing a process to convert low-grade biomass such as grass and woodchips, into gasoline.

Google 178

Google Resource Develop Development 178

socalTECH

JANUARY 10, 2012

Social entertainment site Myspace , which is now owned by Irvine-based Specific Media, is making a big push this week at CES, and launched a new, social TV service with Panasonic Monday. In a launch event which featured Justin Timberlake, Panasonic and Myspace said they are launching a new service called MySpace TV, which allows television viewers to discover, share, and comment on television programs.

Services 178

Services Social Network Entertainment News 178

socalTECH

JANUARY 12, 2012

Los Angeles-based Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said Thursday afternoon that the company brought in approximately $420M in revenues in 2011, up 60 percent from 2010, and now has more than 1.5 million paying subscribers to Hulu Plus. According to Kilar, the firm now expects that Hulu Plus will account for more than half of the site's overall business by later this year.

Hulu 171

Hulu Advertising Content Blogging 171

socalTECH

JANUARY 10, 2012

Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive has just added another, $110M in its Series D-1 financing, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week, taking its total raised to somewhere North of $876M. The electric auto company has not detailed the newest investment in the firm, which is a part of an ongoing fundraising effort by the company. The filing indicates the total amount of capital targeted in the round is $300M; the firm had earlier raised around $133M as part of the same round.

Funding 171

Funding Capital Invest Company 171

socalTECH

JANUARY 13, 2012

Los Angeles-based Rubicon Project , the online advertising optimization technology provider headed by Frank Addante, said this morning that it has named Brian Barnum as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, as well as appointed Mark Torres as Senior Vice President of People and Culture. Barnum was the COO and CFO at Business.com when it was acquired by Dex One, and also has served at Transaction Network Service and Rent.com.

Ticketmaster 164

Ticketmaster Clearstone Advertising News 164

socalTECH

JANUARY 9, 2012

San Diego-based MicroPower Technologies , the developer of wireless video products used for the video surveillance market, has scored a strategic investment from Motorola Solutions Venture Capital. According to Motorola, the funding came as part of a $6.5M funding round for MicroPower, its first institutional round. MicroPower said the funding will go towards promoting its surveillance devices in new and current markets.

Tech Coast Angels 162

Tech Coast Angels Funding San Diego Venture Capital 162

socalTECH

JANUARY 9, 2012

Carlsbad-based SkinMedica , a venture backed cosmaceuticals firm developing skin care products, said Monday that it has acquired Colorescience , a makeup company developing science-based mineral makeups. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Skinmedica is venture backed by Apax Partners, Domain Associates, EuclidSR Partners, HealthCare Ventures, Montagu Newhall Associates, Montreux Equity Partners, Perseus-Soros BioPharmaceutical Fund, Split Rock Partners, and St.

Venture Capital 159

Venture Capital Equity Capital Help 159

socalTECH

JANUARY 12, 2012

Santa Monica-based Rent.com , which is now part of eBay, has hired on a new Head of Product. According to recruiting firm NeoHire, Amanda McConnell has been hired as Head of Product for Rent.com, joining the company from ReachLocal, where she was Director of User Experience and Product Management. McConnell has also previously served at Buzz Media, Tag World, and Oversee.net.

ReachLocal 157

ReachLocal Product Oversee.net Santa Monica 157

socalTECH

JANUARY 12, 2012

In our Insights and Opinions section this morning, we turn again to angel investor Dave Berkus , who tells entrepreneurs: Fail fast. Professional investors want to live by this rule. With the first round of funding, there should be milestones to be achieved. If they are not achieved within the expected time, the reasons must be analyzed and acted upon to avoid loss of capital beyond plan or expectation.

Demand 157

Demand Entrepreneur Product Capital 157

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

Los Angeles-based Payoff.com , the online personal finance site headed by Scott Saunders, has confirmed it has raised $2.0M in a venture round today, upping its total raised for the company to $5.8M. The funding came from Anthemis Group, Firstmark Capital, Great Oaks Venture Capital, and others. Payoff.com uses social networking and gamification to help users pay off debt and improve their finances.

Funding 157

Funding Social Network Venture Capital Startup 157

socalTECH

JANUARY 9, 2012

Tustin-based Uptake Medical , the developer of treatments for emphysema led by R. King Nelson, announced today that it has raised a Series C funding round. Size of the round was not announced. The round was led by Crescent Point Group (Singapore), along with existing investors Maverick Capital, ONSET Ventures, GBS Venture Partners, WRF Capital, Arboretum Ventures and Affinity Capital.

Capital 157

Capital Funding Develop Development 157

socalTECH

JANUARY 12, 2012

Irvine-based Local Corporation , the online local business guide operator headed by Health Clarke, said this morning that it had "record" fourth quarter 2011 search traffic. The firm said it is now seeing 93.7 million monthly unique visitors to its network of sites, up from 91.9M monthly unique visitors in Q3. The firm did not say what is driving that traffic, however, the company launched its own, daily deal service called Spreebird back in May, and a rich media ad platform called Rovion in Nov

Guide 154

Guide Platform Sites Media 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

Fullerton-based HipGeo , the location tracking and social sharing software developer headed by Rich Rygg, has launched a new iPhone app, looking to help users track, document, and share their travels. HipGeo said its new app is a "complete redesign" of its platform, and is aimed at letting mobile phone users post text, places, and photos of their travels.

Blogging 154

Blogging eHarmony Journal Seed Funding 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

Manhattan Beach-based CapLinked has scored another $500,000 in angel funding, for the firm's online software for managing capital raising activities. The new funding came from angels Clark Landry , Lok Lee , Stephan Paternot , Jason Portnoy , Alexsis de Raddt-St. James, and Chris Yeh. CapLinked is headed by Eric Jackson and Christopher Grey. The firm recently announced it has just topped $12 billion in deals hosted.

Manhattan Beach 154

Manhattan Beach Activity Capital Software 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

Los Angeles-based PriceGrabber has launched a new app for the iPhone this morning, looking to help consumers sort through the huge pile of local daily deals out there. PriceGrabber said the new, free app--DealGrabber--allows users to find deals from such sites as Groupon, LivingSocial, Restaurant.com, Gilt.com, along with other local deal sites. The new app allows users to browse for deals via a map, lists, or by category and expiration date.

Pricing 153

Pricing Sites Los Angeles Help 153

socalTECH

JANUARY 12, 2012

Calabasas-based SpotlightTMS , the developer of software-as-a-service for managing luxury suites at sporting and entertainment venues, said today that the Baltimore Ravens has selected the firm's product to offer to its luxury suite owners. SpotlightTMS said that the Ravens will offer Spotlight's service as a value-added feature to its luxury suite owners.

Calabasas 150

Calabasas Entertainment Software Services 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 11, 2012

San Diego-based Tealium , a startup developing software which automatically loads tags onto web pages, said Tuesday that it has raised $1.1M in its Series A financing. The round came from angels Jeff Lunsford (Limelight Networks), Jim MacIntyre (Visual Sciences/WebSideStory), Joe Apprendi (Collective), John Vincent (EyeWonder), and Thomas Falk (eValue Group).

San Diego 150

San Diego Web Commerce Sites 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 10, 2012

Santa Barbara-based RightScale , the developer of cloud computing management software, said Tuesday that it has linked with a Korean company to distribute its products in Korea. RightScale said that the Korean Internet Neutral eXchange (KINX) will resell its software for managing public, private, and hybrid clouds. The new distributor is part of an Asia Pacific expansion for the company, which now has offices in Japan and Singapore, plus a number of other resellers in the region.

Cloud Computing 150

Cloud Computing Santa Barbara Software Capital 150