Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Every year at Upfront we try to analyze the venture markets. We try to look at the sources of capital, the valuations, exits and trends. We use this try to draw some context that informs our funding decisions. Of course we fund companies in good markets and bad. In venture our goal is to fund companies over a 10-year+ time horizon, which is the time it takes to build truly transformational companies.

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Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Wouldn’t it be magic if we could find one (unique to us) question to ask people passing the booth or table as they pass in the aisle of the trade show? I asked a number of exhibitors that question recently, and received some surprising responses, along with tips for “reeling them in…”. “Is your mom OK?” was offered by one who said it always worked for him.

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Tips Sales Help Email 156

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Professional investors do not fund great ideas. Instead, they fund proven businesses. The reality is that most venture capitalists are not very venturesome. Thus, it is incumbent on entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses before seeking venture funding. Entrepreneurs Are Never Stuck.

Entrepreneur 140

Entrepreneur Ideas Seed Funding Capital 140

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center , a medical center in the Los Angeles area, has been unable to use their computers for more than a week , due to "ransomware" placed on those computers by hackers. According to reports, those hackers have demanded $3.6 million in ransom to allow the hospital to access its data. The hospital has apparently reverted to using paper, fax mahcines, and telephones, and has had to divert patients away from its emergency room.

Hollywood 138

Hollywood News Demand Los Angeles 138

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

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

There is much talk these days that startup valuations have decreased and may continue to do so and that the amount of time it takes to fund raise may take longer. As I have pointed out in previous posts , 91% of VCs surveyed believe prices are declining (30% believe substantially) and 77% believe that funding will take longer than it has in the past.

Startup 222

Startup Capital Funding Invest 222

TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

“The theme of LA is diversity.” That is what DoorDash’s Kevin Huang told me in our conversation about how expanding on-demand marketplaces into LA differs from other markets. As an LA-based enterprise and marketplace investor, one of the most common questions I get from entrepreneurs is how to expand marketplaces into LA. While this includes all the usual difficulties of… Read More.

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Demand Entrepreneur Marketing Los Angeles 100

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

The head of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center , the Los Angeles area hospital which has been grappling with a ransomware attack on its systems which nearly shut down the hospital, said in a notice posted to its website that it has paid $17,000 in Bitcoin, in order to access its computer systems and data. According to the hospital, it paid 40 Bitcoins, or approximately $17,000, in order to access the encrypted files and restore access to the hospital's files.

Hollywood 133

Hollywood Demand Email Los Angeles 133

Tech.Co

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Digital Summit Los Angeles is a premier digital strategies forum transforming the future of the digital commerce ecosystem – including Marketing, UX & Design, Search, Content, Mobile, and more. Every company with a customer base faces the same challenge – how do we keep up with our competition amidst the myriad of digital channels and peer-to-peer communication available to consumers?

Los Angeles 70

Los Angeles Angel Commerce Competition 70

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Is it time for a new router for your office, home business, or work area? A little research will turn up news of something called “HaLow” or a 900MHz standard. A new Wi-Fi standard is always exciting – we are already expecting great things from MU-MIMO – but what does this 900MHz capability even mean? Let’s take a look. Defining the New Standard: What Does It Mean?

Mobile 56

Mobile Research Networking Activity 56

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Investors will tell you that they love to put money into startups that are scalable, and ready to scale. But what does that really mean? Simply stated, it means that your business has the potential to multiply revenue with minimal incremental cost. Ready to scale is when you have a proven product and a proven business model, about to expand to new geographies and markets.

Funding 67

Funding Startup Outsource Ideas 67

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Santa Monica-based OpenHouse has launched a new site which helps home buyers get personalized, real estate recommendations and information on neighborhoods, the company said today. The startup, led by Mazen Fawaz, said that it uses social media and demographic data to recommend the best homes, neighborhoods, and real estate agents based on a users' needs.

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Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

There is much discussion online and also in small, private groups, about why the price of technology companies – public and private – are falling. Valuing any company can be difficult because it requires a degree of forecasting future growth & competition and ultimately the profits of the organization. And two big changes have happened that are widely known – in the past quarter the value of some very high profile companies such as LinkedIn and Twitter have fallen substanti

Startup 240

Startup Company Companies Venture Capital 240

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Streaming services are designed to be easy – open an app, hit play, and you’re pretty much just where you want to be. But the latest range of streaming services also offer a lot of customization options…even if they are hidden from view. Here are the top tips for getting the most out of your streamer of choice. Netflix. Netflix has both quantity and quality.but isn’t very timely.

Tips 54

Tips Netflix Services Hulu 54

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

The average length of a funding pitch to Angel investors is ten minutes. Even if you have booked an hour with a VC, you should plan to talk only for the first fifteen minutes. The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation.

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Startup Slides Technical Review Research 64

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Cross Campus , the coworking space operator which is home to many of LA's startups, told its customers today that it is planning to open up a new location in Downtown LA starting in April. The coworking operator already has locations in Old Pasadena and Santa Monica. The company expanded into Old Pasadena a year ago. Cross Campus offers up shared coworking space, dedicated desks, 2-person offices, and even dedicated 3 to 15 people offices at its locations.

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Santa Monica Startup Pasadena Customer 126

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Santa Monica-based Dollar Shave Club has filed a lawsuit against razor giant Gillette , in the U.S. District Court in Delaware, to counter an earlier lawsuit filed by Gillette against the company on December 17th. Gillette claims Dollar Shave Club has infringed on one of its patents for self cleaning razors. Dollar Shave said "we are not intimidated" by the attempt to "thwart competition with litigation.

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Dollar Shave Club Santa Monica Patents Competition 126

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Irvine-based cybersecurity software developer Cylance said today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with In-Q-Tel , the investment arm of the U.S. intelligence community. Financial details of the strategic partnership were not announced. The company said the agreement will support further development of its artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.

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Artificial Inteligence Funding Software Development Invest 126

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Google disclosed on Wednesday that it is expanding its Google Express service to include fresh groceries in Los Angeles and San Francisco, at least in parts of those cities, as part of an expansion of the same day delivery service. Google already offers up delivery of nonperishable goods from such local supermarkets as Whole Foods, Costco, and Smart and Final, but the new expansion also adds produce, meat, and eggs to the mix.

Los Angeles 122

Los Angeles Google Angel Services 122

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Los Angeles-based Chrome River , the fast growing developer of expense management and invoice processing software, said Thrusday that it has named Daniel Machock as its new Chief Financial Officer. Machock was most recently CFO at Outspoken, and also has served at DexOne, Business.com, uBid.com, Aleri Software, and Ernst & Young. Chrome River has been LA's fastest growing companies, and recently raised a big $100M funding round to help continue that growth rate; the company is one of a numbe

Cornerstone OnDemand 116

Cornerstone OnDemand Los Angeles Software Angel 116

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

San Diego-based automotive telematics provider Lytx has been acquired by private equity investor GTCR , in a deal worth more than $500M in cash, the two said this morning. Lytx was founded in 1998, and offers up a video-based, driver safety and telematics system used for tracking driving fleets, encouraging safer driving, and capturing accidents and other events on cameras for fleet managers.

Equity 116

Equity Carson Acquisition San Diego 116

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Los Angeles-based video streaming site Hulu has acquired Vhoto , a developer of computer vision and machine learning software, according to reports. Financial details of the deal were not announced. Vhoto CEO and founder Noah Heller has joined Hulu as Vice President of Audience Development, according to Heller's LinkedIn profile. The deal apparently occurred sometime in late 2015.

Hulu 116

Hulu Artificial Inteligence News Acquisition 116

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Agoura Hills-based cloud infrastructure and service provider Key Information Systems said today that it has completed an independent examination of its data center and services for HIPAA and HITECH compliance. The company said the examination was conducted by BrightLine CPAs and Associates. The company said the exam indciates that it meets the requirements for both the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Security Rule of 2003 (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Econ

Agoura Hills 116

Agoura Hills Agoura Services Technology 116

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Los Angeles-based programmatic advertising technology and marketplace operator OpenX has added media company Intermarkets as a customer, the company said last week. OpenX said that InterMarkets is using its OpenX Ad Server technology platform to manage its digital advertising inventory. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. Intermarkets serves advertising to such sites as Drudge Report, CNSNews.com and The Political Insider, along with Headline Politics, Tell Me Now, Creators, Newsbuste

OpenX 116

OpenX Advertising Los Angeles Platform 116

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Los Angeles-based Flipagram , which develops a popular app which lets users create video slideshows set in time to their favorite music, said over the weekend that it has added direct messaging for its users. The new feature allows users to share and chat about their "Flips" directly and privately with their friends and followers. Flipagram's app lets users create video slideshows with up to 60 seconds of free, licensed music.

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Flipagram Los Angeles Startup Angel 116

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

West Hollywood-based Attn: , a company which publishes an online news site focused on social topics like economic mobility, civil rights, education, criminal justice, and the environment, has raised $18.5M in a funding round, the company disclosed on Friday. According to the LABJ, the funding came from Evolution Media Partners, Marc Rowan, RTS Ventures, Paul Wachter, Main Street Advisors, Seacrest Global Group, Cash Warren and Ross Levinsohn.

News 109

News Sites West Hollywood Hollywood 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Amazon Studios , the content production arm of Amazon.com which is based in the Los Angeles area, said Thursday that it has acquired the latest film from director Woody Allen. The as-yet-unnamed romantic comedy is expected to debut this summer in theatrical release. Details on the deal were not announced, however, Amazon said that the film will have a traditional, nationwide theatrical release, but then only be available to Amazon Prime subscribers through Prime Video.

Content 109

Content Los Angeles Product Angel 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Santa Monica-based online auto pricing and sales site TrueCar said it is l‌ooking to improve services to dealers and strengthen relationships with its dealers, through the appointment of a new executive. TrueCar said it has named Brian Skutta as its new Executive Vice President of Dealer Sales and Service. Skutta was most recently at Irvine's AutoAlert, where he had been CEO since 2014; he also has served at AutoTrader.com and VINSolutions.

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Truecar Sales Services Santa Monica 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Mojave-based Virgin Galactic , the commercial spaceflight company backed by Sir Richard Branson, is set to unveil its new SpaceShipTwo aircraft today, as part of a relaunch of the company towards space. The company--which had a major setback in 2014, when its spacecraft broke apart in testing, killing a pilot of the craft--is announcing the move today in Mojave.

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Company Companies 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

San Diego-based eFFECTOR Therapeutics , which is developing gene translation technology to help in the treatment of cancer, has boosted its Series B funding to $56M, the company said Friday. The company--which raised $40M in the round back in December--said the new funding came from Sectoral Asset Management. Maha Katabi, Ph.D., CFA at Sectoral has joined the company's board as part of the funding.

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San Diego Funding Capital Help 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Goleta-based radio frequency filter developer Resonant Inc. said late Thursday that it has appointed Michael Fox, CEO of Park City Capital, to its board of directors. Park City Capital is a major shareholder in the publicly held company. Resonant says the addition brings its total board members to seven. Fox founded Park City Capital in 2008, and prior to that served at J.P.

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Capital Mobile Develop Development 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Truven Health Analtyics , a cloud-based healthcare data provider which has an office in Santa Barbara, has been acquired by IBM Watson Health for $2.6 billion. Truven has its headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. IBM said that the acquisition will bring more than 8,500 clients to its portfolio. Truven was backed by Veritas Capital. READ MORE>>.

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Santa Barbara IBM IBM Acquisition 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

San Diego-based Qualcomm and Chinese electronics developer Lenovo said Thursday that the two are in a 3G and 4G patent license agreement in China. The license will allow Lenovo to develop, manufacture, and sell 3G (WCDMA and CDMA2000) and 4G (LTE-TDD, TD-SCDMA and GSM) devices in the country. Financial details of the agreement were not announced. READ MORE>>.

Patents 109

Patents San Diego Develop Development 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Los Angeles-based online electronics retailer Newegg has reached a deal to sponsor the Wizard World comic con and gaming events for the next year, the company said this week, as part of its marketing efforts. Newegg said it will sponsor a total of 17 events in major cities aross the United States as part of the deal. The first event starts today in Portland, Oregon.

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NewEgg Los Angeles Marketing Technology 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Los Angeles-based Telesign , which provides mobile identification and fraud prevention tools, has signed an agreement with telecom giant Orange , to provide mobile identity and fraud prevention services. Financial details of the deal were not announced. Telesign said its technology and service will be used to increase security around online account creation and ongoing account access.

Mobile 109

Mobile Los Angeles Tool Services 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Los Angeles�as the center of the entertainment industry�has begun to adopt a new role as the center of online video in recent years�and has also with the e-commerce industry and expertise here from the technology industry. One of the companies at that intersection of video and e-commerce is IPSY (www.ipsy.com), a subscription beauty products company which uses video as a core piece of its monthly beauty products business.

Commerce 109

Commerce Content Sample Yahoo 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Camarillo-based Zindagi Games , a mobile games developer known for its title Crazy Kitchen, has quietly been acquired by San Francisco-based Zynga. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The acquisition had been announced as part of Zynga's earnings last week. Zindagi was founded by Umrao Mayer and George Simmons. Zynga said it plans to release a new game, Zindagi's Crazy Cake Swap sometime in the first half of this year.

Acquisition 109

Acquisition Mobile Develop Development 109