Sat.Apr 13, 2013 - Fri.Apr 19, 2013

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Stop Trying to Catch Lightning in a Bottle

Both Sides of the Table

'I’m sure you’ve all heard saying derived from Voltaire, “don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good” which in a way is encapsulated in the lean startup movement and the ideology of shipping a “minimum viable product” (MVP) and then learning from your customer base. Or to borrow a simple life lesson from Gretchen Rubin , “The 20-minute walk I take is better than the 3-mile run I never start.

Startup 371
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Snapchat Hit By Spam Attack

socalTECH

'Snapchat , the hot Venice-based startup which lets users send self-destructing photos to each other, has been hit by a spam attack, the firm said this morning. According to posts on Twitter, a large number of posts of a "naked lady" were sent to users on the service. Snapchat said that it believes an individual created multiple accounts and sent snaps to Snapchatters with public accounts.

Snapchat 231
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Don’t Wait for the Next Bubble to Start a Business

Startup Professionals Musings

'If you think "I better not start a startup now, because the economy is still not booming" you will be making a comparable mistake to the people who thought during the dot-com bubble "all I have to do is a startup, and I''ll be rich." In reality, what matters more is who you are, not when you do it. Like Paul Graham , of Y-Combinator fame, said a while back, I see startups succeed or fail every day based on the qualities of the founders.

Startup 99
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Live From Gov 2.0 LA | April 20th

Tech Zulu Event

'TechZulu is proud to bring you Gov 2.0 LA happening this weekend April 20th From 8am – 5pm PST! Best part of it is if you can’t make it out or are out of town have no fear TechZulu is going to bring you all the action LIVE. If you are in town and would like to attend registration is still open. Register Here. Gov 2.0 LA started as a way to bring people who are not usually together in the same room to be able to openly discuss both Government 2.0 and the technology around it as w

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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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How to Better Manage Relationships with Your VC

Both Sides of the Table

'Just back from 2 solid weeks on the road in Boston, New York & Philly. I spent countless hours with VC firms, startups & LPs (the people who invest in VC firms). I find these trips invaluable both from a relationship-building perspective as well as stretching my mind about our industry. I ask questions, test theories, debate topics of the day and then reflect upon what I’ve learned.

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Tech Coast Angels Number Two In Angel Investments Report

socalTECH

'The Tech Coast Angels , Southern California''s largest angel investment group, is ranked number two in the nation this year in terms of the number of deals the group did, according to the latest 2012 Halo Report. The report, a national survey of angel group investment activity, was released today by The Angel Resource Institute (ARI), Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and CB Insights.

More Trending

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The New Twitter | TV, Music and Blogs

Tech Zulu Event

'Twitter continues to move into new directions of social media, broadening its offerings. Today, a video partnership with the BBC was announced via (what else?) a tweet that the pair would create the first in-Tweet branded syced video to entertainment series. An interesting announcement fast on the heels of another announcement that the new Twitter #music discovery app is live today.

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How to Sell Your Roadmap Without Selling Your Soul

Both Sides of the Table

'This is my third post in a series on Enterprise Software. In part one I covered the need for early-stage enterprise software companies to build up professional services staff to ensure successful implementation projects. This goes against the conventional wisdom of VCs. In part two I talked about how to ensure that your professional services practice doesn’t take over your software company although I’m on record that there is nothing wrong with a services company as long as youR

Customer 297
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Bitium Raises $2.4M

socalTECH

'Venice Beach-based Bitium , a new startup out of LA''s Amplify accelerator, announced this morning that it has raised $2.4M in a seed funding round. The new startup--founded by Scott Kriz and Erik Gustavson--said the funding was led by Mike Hirshland of Resolute VC, and also included Alex Bard (Desk.com), Michael Lazerow (Buddy Media), Hank Vigil (Microsoft), Rob Glaser (RealNetworks), Hiten Shah (KISSmetrics), Sean Ellis (Qualaroo), Double M Partners , Social Leverage , and Karlin Ventures.

SaaS 208
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Don’t Hurt Friends and Family Investors Who Love You

Startup Professionals Musings

'In their passion to succeed, too many entrepreneurs treat friends and family investments as “low-hanging” fruit, only to find out later, after a stumble, that the pain of lost relationships is greater than the loss of their beloved startup. Other entrepreneurs never start their adventure, because they can’t face the prospect of even approaching friends and family for an investment kick-start.

Startup 92
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Ken Rutkowski Launches Business Rockstars Academy

Tech Zulu Event

'From Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur. If you’ve new to the startup world and have never launched a company, this event is for you. On May 2 from 7-10pm, join experienced CEOs and mentors for the premiere Business Rockstars Academy at the ROC Center in Santa Monica. Created by KFWB News Talk 980 Radio host Ken Rutkowski, this power-packed event will feature the founders of Atari, Chucky Cheese, Premiere Radio Networks, Roxio & Enplug, who will share: How Nolan Bushnell (recently named &

Startup 74
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Equity Compensation: A 6 Point Primer on Creative Service Fees

From the Venture Trenches

'A willingness to accept equity as part of your agency or law firm’s fees can bring in more work that stimulates your team and exposes you to disruptive opportunities that are potentially very lucrative. However, there are a number of considerations to explore before agreeing to accepting equity as a portion of your firm’s payment. If you are considering a proposal from a wide-eyed entrepreneur who is looking to hire a design agency and is trying to preserve their cash here are six consideration

Equity 40
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Quincy Jones' New Playground Sessions Targets Music Education

socalTECH

'Can the web teach you how to play the piano? Quincy Jones --the famed composer and record producer--thinks so, and has co-founded a new company aimed at helping anyone learn to play the piano on their home computer. Jones--who lives in Bel Air--is behind Playground Sessions , which is hoping to make music education available to anyone willing to sign up for a monthly membership.

Education 203
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10 Winning Steps for Finding a Job or a Partner

Startup Professionals Musings

'These days I see a surge of new startups as the economy seems to be recovering. If you are not starting one yourself, the next best thing is joining one as a partner, or as an early employee. It takes much the same preparation to make you the best entrepreneur, or the best job candidate. Of course experience is the best teacher, but you need to get the job to get the experience.

Startup 89
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Contractors must really be independent!

Berkonomics

'How many of us have “hired” independent contractors over the years, a bit worried over the gray area between employee and contractor as defined by the IRS? I’ve experienced the results of a wrong decision, and the IRS and state agencies are not forgiving in their pursuit of penalties, interest and most damaging, assessing a company with the on both employer and employee taxes when reclassifying the person as an employee.

Tool 235
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Equity Compensation: A 6 Point Primer on Creative Service Fees

From the Venture Trenches

'A willingness to accept equity as part of your agency or law firm’s fees can bring in more work that stimulates your team and exposes you to disruptive opportunities that are potentially very lucrative. However, there are a number of considerations to explore before agreeing to accepting equity as a portion of your firm’s payment. If you are considering a proposal from a wide-eyed entrepreneur who is looking to hire a design agency and is trying to preserve their cash here are six consideration

Equity 40
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Report: Hulu Hires Guggenheim Partners To Sell Company

socalTECH

'A report Wednesday afternoon says that Los Angeles-based streaming media site Hulu has hired investment banking firm Guggenheim Partners, to advise the firm on a sale. The report from Reuters , citing three sources with knowledge of the matter, said there''s an ongoing auction process for Hulu. Guggenheim is the same firm that attempted to sell Hulu in 2011.

Hulu 189
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7 Entrepreneur Attributes Imply Execution Ability

Startup Professionals Musings

'After the idea, it’s all about execution. In fact, it’s not clear that even the idea is all that important. Most investors tell me that an A entrepreneur with a B idea is much more fundable than a B entrepreneur with an A idea. It’s great to be a visionary, inventor, thinker, or a dreamer, but none of these matter in the business world if you are not also a do-er.

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Report: Goodreads' Acquisition By Amazon Derailed Apple Deal

socalTECH

'Goodreads , the online book review and social networking site which started in Santa Monica, represents the heart of a battle between giants Amazon.com and Apple , according to a report Thursday: who will become the keeper of your digital goods? The WSJ says that Goodreads was on the brink of a partnership with Apple, to add the site''s book reviews to iTunes; a deal which apparently was called off when Amazon.com acquired Goodreads.

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Oversee.net's Latest: AirportParking.com

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Oversee.net has launched another, consumer facing website--this one aimed at airport parking. The firm said today that its website, AirportParking.com , allows consumers to find and compare rates on airport parking, see consumer reviews, and book reservations and gain discounted rates on those airport parking spots. The site is one of the latest online consumer travel businesses started by Oversee.net, which also runs sites such as LowFares.com (airline tickets).

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Music Mastermind Nabs $11.3M As It Launches Music Creation App

socalTECH

'Calabasas-based Music Mastermind , the interactive entertainment firm headed by Matt Serletic, has raised $11.3M, as it has inked a deal with mobile games publisher Chillingo to publish a new music creation game called Zya. Music Mastermind said the funding came from Intel Capital and Liberty Global. Music Mastermind''s new Zya music creation game allows users to create songs, mash up hits, and create what the firm says is "studio-quality" music.

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Cornerstone OnDemand Backs Disaster Relief Readiness Effort

socalTECH

'Santa Monica-based talent and human resources management software developer Cornerstone OnDemand said today that its non-profit arm, the Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation, has launched a new effort called DisasterReady.org. According to Cornerstone OnDemand, the new, online training resource is aimed at helping assist relief workers in the area of disaster readiness and response.

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iRise Launches Loyalty Program

socalTECH

'El Segundo-based enterprise visualization software developer iRise is looking to its most loyal users to spread the word about the company''s software, which is used for prototyping and visualizing enterprise apps, by giving those users free, lifetime, personal access to the company''s software. According to iRise, the new iRise for Life program will give certified iRise users lifetime, personal access to its tools, as well as "test-drive" licenses for their employer.

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Hollywood Insiders Back Social Shopping Site The Hunt

socalTECH

'In a turn from the usual formula of Silicon Valley investors backing a Hollywood, celebrity-driven startup, a Silicon Valley startup has scored the backing of a group of Hollywood insiders. San Francisco-based The Hunt said this week that it has raised a seed funding round worth $2.7M, from such Hollywood insiders as Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary''s AGR-ade Investments, Rohan Oza (Vitamin Water, Pop Chips), RedOne (producer for Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez), Keli Lee (EVP of Casting for ABC Ent

Hollywood 164
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Ebyline Ties With Crowdsourced Photo, Video Site

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Ebyline , the online marketplace which connects publishers with freelance writers, has inked a new content partnership with Scoopshot , a provider of crowdsourced photos and videos. According to the two, they will package together Scootshot''s photos and videos alongside the written content produced by Ebyline. Financial details of the strategic alliance were not disclosed.

Sites 159
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How The Deal Between Synthetic Genomics, Exxon Fell Part

socalTECH

'It all looked good at the time: oil company Exxon needed to develop a more earth-friendly way to produce oil, and San Diego startup Synthetic Genomics needed funding to get its technology off the ground. But then, ExxonMobil cut back its original investment--worth up to $600M--in Synthetic Genomics. What happened? According to Bloomberg , after Synthetic Genomics failed to perform on a milestone, ExxonMobil pulled back on its contract, leading to layoffs of more than half of Synthetic Genomics'

Layoffs 159
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Fullscreen Taps CAA Vet As Exec

socalTECH

'Culver City-based independent YouTube network Fullscreen has tapped a CAA veteran as its new Head of Talent, the firm said today. Fullscreen--which is led by former Googler George Strompolos--said it has named Larry Shapiro to the new position. Shapiro will manage Fullscreen''s talent department. Former Head of Talent Sami Kreigstein moves to VP of Talent Integration.

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ecoATM Hits One Million Recycled Electronic Devices

socalTECH

'San Diego-based ecoATM , the startup led by Tom Tullie which develops kiosks for recycling used mobile phones, MP3 players, and tablets, reported yesterday that it has now recycled more than one million electronic devices. EcoATM develops self serve kiosks which pay users cash when they trade in their electronic devices. The firm was part of the EvoNexus incubator, and is venture backed by Claremont Creek Ventures, Coinstar, and Tao Venture Capital Partners.

Claremont 157
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Novatel Wireless In Portuguese Telematics Deal

socalTECH

'San Diego-based wireless module provider Novatel Wireless said this morning that one of its products, its MT 3050 device, has been selected by a Portuguese systems integrator, Quatenus. According to Novatel, the device is being integrated into an application platform for Optimus, one of Portugal''s largest mobile operators. The new product is being used as part of a an insurance telematics and fleet management application.

San Diego 157
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Phone.com Expands In Poway

socalTECH

'Voice-over-IP phone service provider Phone.com , which is based in Newark, New Jersey, said this week that it has expanded its presence in San Diego, by opening up new offices in Poway. Phone.com said it now has 25 employees working in network operations, customer support and developing new services and features at the location. The company also says it expects to add more employees in the facility this year to accommodate growth.

IP 157
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PriceGrabber Updates iPhone App

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based online shopping comparison site PriceGrabber said earlier this week that it has upgraded its mobile shopping app for the iPhone. The company said it has increased the speed of access for the apps; larger images through the app; new product pages with added details and features; and better product searches. PriceGrabber said the app can also scan barcodes, provides product and expert reviews, and more.

Mobile 153
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j2 Global Buys Dutch Backup Service Firm

socalTECH

'j2 Global , the operator of both a cloud services business and online publishing business, has made another acquisition, this time of Netherlands-based online backup provider Backup Connect BV. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. According to j2, the move will expand its online backup business to five countries on three continents. j2 said it now provides online backup in the US, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and The Netherlands, all with local infrastructure, sales teams, and support. j2

Services 153
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Booker Raises $27.5M, As Irvine Office Grows

socalTECH

'Booker , the developer of a cloud-based system for autmating operations and marketing for small and medium sized businesses and others, has raised $27.5M in a funding round, the firm announced this morning. The company--which has a substantial office in Irvine--said the funding was led by Bain Capital Ventures, and also included Revolution Ventures, Grotech Ventures, TDF, and Vital Financial.

Capital 153
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RPost, Zix Settle Patent Lawsuit

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based RPost , the developer of email encryption, proof-of-delivery, and electronic signature services, and email encryption provider Zix Corporation announced this morning that the two have settled a lawsuit that RPost had filed against ZixCorp, alleging patent infringement. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed by the companies. RPost has a number of patent infringement lawsuits filed against different providers of electronic signature and email encryption services.

Patents 153
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WD Rolls Backup Software With Dropbox Integration

socalTECH

'Irvine-based WD has launched a new software tool today, which integrates file backup on its drives with Dropbox. WD said its new WD SmartWare Pro software lets users back up files to any USB external hard drive or directly through a Dropbox account. The new software tool is aimed at users of WD''s hard drives, such as its My Passport and WD Elements hard drives; the company also said the tool works with other, external USB hard drives from other manufacturers.

Software 153
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Fandango Extends Deal With Regal Entertainment

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based online and mobile movie ticketing and information service Fandango announced today that it has extended a current ticketing contract it has with Regal Entertainment Group. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Fandango said the move will allow it to continue to provide its online and mobile ticketing service to Regal Entertainment for an additional five years.

Fandango 153