Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 1, 2009

In the first post in this three part series I described why I believe the VC market froze between September 2008 – April 2009. In the second post I argued that as of September 2009 the pace of VC investments has increased rapidly (at least for software / Internet investments – the only sector on which I’m competent to comment), but only for those remaining VCs who have new enough funds and aren’t plagued by “the triage problem.&# This is a direct result of innovat

Venture Capital 269

Venture Capital Startup Funding Technical Review 269

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

San Diego-based OpenCandy , which is developing products to help software publisher increase downloads and sales of their products, said Thursday that it has signed up PDF software firm PrimoPDF as a customer. According to OpenCandy, PrimoPDF is using the firm to help users discover other compelling applications when their software is being installed.

Software 188

Software San Diego Tool Sales 188

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

This is part III of a three part series. Click here for Part I and Part II. John Fitch was first. He spent the majority of his adult life fruitlessly attempting to capitalize on the novelty and uniqueness of his invention. Unable to raise funds from wealthy individuals, he solicited $300 from a hodgepodge of small businessmen, including tavern owners, grocers and physicians.

Competition 164

Competition Education Technology Entrepreneur 164

SoCal Tech Calendar

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Thursday, October 8, 2009 -- San Diego 3rd Annual Quick Pitch Competition. Announcing the third annual Quick Pitch competition, showcasing talented entrepreneurs seeking funding. Fifteen company finalists will present two-minute pitches to a blue ribbon panel of judges and an audience of over 250 leaders within the entrepreneurial community. Each pitch will be judged based upon investment potential and presentation quality.

San Diego 100

San Diego Competition Entrepreneur Invest 100

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

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

When venture capitalists scale back investing activities it can be very swift and leave many companies that are in the process of fund raising hung out to dry. Just ask anybody who was trying to close funding the fateful week of September 11, 2001 or even March 2000. I would argue that the shut-down of September 2009 was equally severe yet there are signs that this “VC Ice Age” has begun to thaw.

Venture Capital 263

Venture Capital Startup Funding Invest 263

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Los Angeles-based Alelo , which develops computer software that uses video games to teach language and culture training for Iraqi and other languages, reported late Friday that it has received a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for a handheld training system. Alelo said that the contract covers a system for teaching foreign language and culture which runs on iPhone and iPod devices.

Outsource Development 162

Outsource Development Training USC Los Angeles 162

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Los Angeles-based online publisher Break Media said today that the firm has more than tripled its branded content projects this year, and expects that it will grow 18 percent this year, despite the economy. Break, which operates a series of web sites focused on content for the young male demographic, said that it had what the company calls its "best revenue month" in the company's history in August, and is expecting revenue growth this year.

Content 159

Content Advertising Media Web 159

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Los Angeles-based Crosscut Ventures (www.crosscutventures.com) is one of the newest venture capital funds in the area, and has quietly been working on funding local companies over the last year. The fund--started by Brian Garrett and Rick Smith --has been focused on digital media investments, and so far has made investments in six companies. The fund is just celebrated its first year in business, so we thought we'd catch up with Brian to hear more about what the firm is investing in, the challen

Southern California 153

Southern California Startup Rustic Canyon Palomar 153

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

Pasadena-based Guidance Software has expanded its line of products this morning to include a new security tool. The firm said today that it has rooled out EnCase Cybersecurity, a new product for detecting malware, detecting sensitive information on corporate networks, and more. The new product augments existing antivirus, firewall, and other cybersecurity tools.

Software 150

Software Pasadena Tool Pricing 150

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Luis Villalobos , the founder of the Tech Coast Angels , the largest and arguably the most influential angel group in Southern California, has passed away. Villalobos was 72, and had been in the intensive care unit at St. Joseph's in Orange for treatment of a lung infection. Villalobos was instrumental in creating the Tech Coast Angels, which has been one of the most active groups in both investing, as well as mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs across Southern California.

Tech Coast Angels 147

Tech Coast Angels Angel Southern California Mentor 147

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Los Angeles-based music service Napster --which is now owned by Best Buy--said Friday morning that it has inked a deal with computer maker Dell to include 12 months of the service on Dell computers. According to Napster, the deal includes both systems sold through Best Buy, as well as through Dell's direct channels. Napster said the deal covers Dell Studio and Inspiron PCs, shipped from Dell in the U.S., U.K., and Germany, as well as Dell PCs sold at Best Buy in the U.S. financial details of the

Content 145

Content Los Angeles Services Angel 145

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Aliso Viejo-based Networks In Motion , a developer of location-based, wireless search software, announced today that the firm has added support for 10 additional languages and 38 countries to its NAVBuilder product, specifically to support markets in Europe and South America. NAVBuilder is the firm's platform for developing location-based wireless applications, including its OEM-branded, turn-by turn navigation applications.

Networking 145

Networking Mobile Platform Software 145

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Irvine-based Autobytel , which provides an online marketing and lead generation service for automotive dealers, announced today that it has re-launched an email marketing program. The firm said that its Email Manager program is targeted at interact with car buyers in a "lengthening purchase cycle." Autobytel's Email Manager program sends emails to potential buyers of cars 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days after a customer submits a lead to the site, and lets dealers know when customer click on

Email 145

Email Pricing Marketing Sites 145

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

One of the co-founders of Oversee.net , the successful Los Angeles domain name monetization firm, has surfaced in Seattle with a new startup, AppBank.com. Fred Hsu, who co-founded Oversee.net along with Lawrence Ng, has started AppBank to allow users to create and share Facebook quizzes and other applications. AppBank will provide advertising revenue share to users to create their own quizzes, polls, and other applications through its service.

Oversee.net 145

Oversee.net Startup Los Angeles Advertising 145

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

HP said today that it has named Christopher Morgan as Senior Vice President of the firm's Graphics Solutions global business unit, which is part of its Imaging and Printing Group, the firm said this morning. Morgan will be based in San Diego, which is also the headquarters of the firm's Imaging and Printing Group (IPG), where the firm has a couple thousand workers.

San Diego 145

San Diego 145

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Irvine-based Local.com , which runs a local business search site and network, reported this morning that it was the victim of a bogus press release last night, claiming that the firm had been acquired by Microsoft. According to Local.com, "The company has not been acquired, nor is it in discussions with Microsoft about a potential acquisition." The false release came from site WiredPRNews.com and showed up on Google News.

Press 140

Press Acquisition News Google 140

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

A quick analysis by socalTECH of our tracking of venture capital deals in Southern California finds that there was around $879M in venture funding activity here in Q3. The information--gleaned from funding announcements, regulatory filings, and other sources--are not far off from socalTECH's totals from last quarter, which totaled up around $932M in investment activity.

Southern California 140

Southern California Venture Capital Northridge Tech Coast Angels 140

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Los Angeles-based StyleSpot.com said this morning that it has launched a new, celebrity fashion website, focused on providing photos of celebrity events and sightings along with shopping information to styles. The new site was created by Alex Amin and Rafi Gordon, who most recently were the founders of FilmTracker, which is now owned by the New York Times.

Sites 140

Sites Los Angeles Startup Angel 140

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

San Diego-based Astute Networks , a developer of rackmount, edge storage devices aimed at blade servers, has raised $3.6M in a new round of funding, according to a regulatory filing from the firm today. No details of the funding have yet been released by the firm. It appears, based on information in the filing, that the new funding round is a Series A-1, and includes Keynote Ventures, Sevin Rosen, and Tallwood Venture Capital.

Networking 140

Networking Venture Capital San Diego Capital 140

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

According to a report in paidContent Monday afternoon, WPP's lawsuit against Spot Runner has been dismissed. The report cited an un-named source close to the lawsuit. Spot Runner was sued by WPP, an investor in the advertising firm, in April. WPP had claimed that Spot Runner used the firm as part of a "pump and dump" scheme to attract other investors, and that it had breached legal agreements with WPP.

Report 140

Report Advertising 140

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

Costa Mesa-based Emulex said today that the firm's embedded switches and bridges have been selected by LSI Corporation. According to Emulex, the firm's InSpeed SOC 422 Embedded Storage Switch and BR-2401 bridge products will be used in LSI's new Engenio DE96900 disk enclosures. Financial impact of the design win was not disclosed. READ MORE>>. Tags: emulex fibre channel switch disk drive storage.

Design 140

Design Product 140

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

Westlake Village-based Inphi , a developer of high speed analog semiconductors for the networking industry, has responded to a patent lawsuit filed against the firm last week by Netlist. According to the firm, it will "vigorously defend" itself against what it calls a "nuisance" lawsuit. Inphi said it has not yet received communication from Netlist on the matter, and has not yet been served the complaint, but has examined the patent in question and believes there is no infringement.

Patents 140

Patents Westlake Village Networking Develop 140

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Torrance-based Knowledge Adventure , which owns the JumpStart brand of educational software titles, said Thursday that it has launched a new virtual world targeted at 5 to 8 year olds. According to the firm, the world--called MarineLand--is an extension of its existing JumpStart 3D Virtual World. JumpStart has been building up a portfolio of online, virtual worlds targeted at various age groups, including one for 3-5 year olds, another for 5-8 year olds called AdventureLand, and also has plans f

Torrance 133

Torrance Education Content Software 133

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Los Angeles-based RotoHog , developer of online fantasy sports games headed by Kelly Perdew, has confirmed that the firm's recently $2M funding came from Mission Ventures. In an open letter to customers earlier this week, Perdew said the funding from Mission will help the company grow as a brand. RotoHog currently has deals to provide white-labeled fantasy football games to Sporting News, NBA.com, Military.com, the Los Angeles Times, ProFootballWeekly, and others.

Mission Ventures 133

Mission Ventures Venture Capital Los Angeles News 133

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

San Diego and Dallas-based Liquid Environmental Solutions , a provider of non-hazardous liquid waste collection and treatment, has received $20M in an investment from Los Angeles private equity firm Craton Equity Partners. According to Craton Equity Partners, the funding will go to expand operations and geographic reach. Craton Equity is focused on clean technology investments.

Equity 133

Equity San Diego Los Angeles Invest 133

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

For our Insights and Opinions section today, we have an article from Mark Suster of GRP Ventures , who talks about the great "VC Ice Age" triggered in September of 2008, and how it's started to thaw (a little bit). When venture capitalists scale back investing activities it can be very swift and leave many companies that are in the process of fund raising hung out to dry.

Venture Capital 133

Venture Capital Activity Capital Funding 133

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Los Angeles-based Katharion , a developer of hosted email filtering services, has been acquired by GFI Software, a provider of managed web and email security services. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to GFI, the buy will allow it to offer hosted email filtering, anti-spam, and anti-virus serviecs. Tags: katharion hosted email filtering merger acquisition security.

Software 133

Software Email Acquisition Web 133

socalTECH

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Carlsbad-based ViaSat , a developer of wireless and satellite communications systems, announced this morning that it has acquired WildBlue Communications , a provider of satellite broadband services. ViaSat said it will pay $568M in cash and stock for WildBlue, as part of bid to accelerate the firm's growth. As part of the acquisition, ViaSat said that Liberty Media will add a representative to the board, and Intelsat, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperativ

Acquisition 133

Acquisition Media Capital Services 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Irvine-based WebVisible has snagged former NetZero co-founder Ronald Burr as its Chief Operating Officer, the firm said Wednesday. The firm, which helps small businesses place local online advertising, said that Burr will oversee the firm's product development, engineering, IT, media, and operations. Burr helped found NetZero, and was most recently Chief Product Officer at Los Angeles-based legal information and education firm LRN.

Advertising 133

Advertising Education Los Angeles Media 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Los Angeles-based eDivvy.com , the group gifting site which is now headed by Eden Jarrin, said today that it has opened up a new, business-to-business payment option for its application. According to the firm, the new capabilities allow all online shopping sites to use the application, which helps groups of people contribute to buy a gift for friends and family. eDivvy's site allows people to organize shared gifts for others, for such things as birthdays, baby showers, and graduations; the site

Sites 133

Sites Los Angeles Organization Help 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

San Diego-based Kyocera Wireless has sold its Indian subsidiary, Kyocera Wireless (India) Pvt. Ltd., to IT firm MindTree Ltd., MindTree said Tuesday. The deal is worth $6M in upfront payments, plus payments linked to revenue in 2010/2011, and 2011/2012. MindTree said it expects an increase of approximately $9M in revenues between October 2009 to March 2010 related to the deal.

Software Engineering 133

Software Engineering San Diego Competition Acquisition 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

The bidding war for Santa Ana-based MSC.Software continues, with the firm saying today that Symphony Technology Group has increased its purchase price to $8.40 per share in cash for the firm. The upped offer comes after a offer of $8.30 per share in cash for the firm from a group of third-party private equity firms. The firms have been locked into a bidding war for MSC.Software since July.

Software 133

Software Equity Acquisition Pricing 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

Pasadena-based LeisureLink , which develops software and services for specialty lodging suppliers, said today that one of its customers, Kees Vacation Rentals, has seen an increase in the firm's bookings by 38%, from using the firm's platform. According to LeisureLink, Kees is using the firm's booking system on a network of web sites for 22 resorts that it manages.

Custom 133

Custom Customer Pasadena Sites 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

Camarillo-based Power-One , a manufacturer of power supplies, said today that it has named Kevin Trosian as the firm's Vice President of Investor Relations. Trosian joins the company from Tower 12 Consulting, a consulting and financial advisory firm. He also has served at Wedbush Morgan Securities and Banc of America Securities, as both Senior Analyst and Vice President positions.

Company 133

Company Companies 133

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

Irvine-based Broadcom is in a licensing deal with processor firm ARM, the two companies said this morning. According to the two, Broadcom has licensed ARM's Cortex-A9 multicore processors, for use in next-generation mobile, wireless, and other consumer electronics applications. the companies did not disclose terms of the "major" licensing agreement.

Mobile 133

Mobile Company Companies 133

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Los Angeles-based RealD , which develops 3D movie projection hardware, disclosed this morning that it has installed an upgraded cinema systems at the El Capitan. Financial details of the win was not disclosed. According to RealD, the Hollywood theater has upgraded to the firm's XL Cinema System, which increases the brightness of 3D projection and is designed to support bigger movie screens.

Screening 124

Screening Hollywood Content Los Angeles 124