TechCrunch LA

APRIL 1, 2019

Defy , the early-stage venture investment firm founded by Neil Sequeira and Trae Vassallo, is putting a new twist on the venture partner model as it brings Brian Lee and Sujal Patel on board to help out with investing and guiding companies in the firm’s portfolio. Just don’t call them venture partners. Vassallo and Sequeira prefer the term “sage” to describe the folks they’re looking to bring in to help mentor their companies.

Invest 109

Invest Legalzoom Los Angeles Blogging 109

socalTECH

APRIL 2, 2019

Los Angeles-based video game startup Lucid Sight , which is combining both videogames with blockchain, has raised $6M in a funding round, the company is announcing this morning. According to the startup, the new round of funding included Salem Partners, The Galaxy EOS VC Fund, Digital Currency Group, Breakaway Growth, Frontier Venture Capital, and Animoca Brands.

Venture Capital 159

Venture Capital Los Angeles Research Capital 159

Xconomy

APRIL 2, 2019

Apple is a global icon. It was the first company in the world to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization, and it is the most valuable company in the world today. For the second year in a row, Apple ranked as the world’s most-admired company, in a Fortune survey of 3,750 business executives. PC magazine recently released its 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards and Apple finished #1 for Laptops, Desktop PCs, and Tablets.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Customer Custom Capital 61

Berkonomics

APRIL 4, 2019

Every investor wants regular information from companies taking their money. And most of us investors are frustrated by the lack of regular communication – unless of course – the company needs more money. On the other side, entrepreneurs and CEO’s usually have a natural fear of giving too much information to us investors after the initial investment is received.

Class 120

Class Course Report Competition 120

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

TechCrunch LA

APRIL 5, 2019

Snap is taking a leaf out of the Asian messaging app playbook as its social messaging service enters a new era. The company unveiled a series of new strategies that are aimed at breathing fresh life into the service which has been ruthlessly cloned by Facebook across Instagram, WhatsApp, and even its primary social network. The result? Snap has consistently lost users since going public in 2017.

Social Network 258

Social Network Platform Networking Services 258

socalTECH

APRIL 4, 2019

Los Angeles-based eTailPet , a new startup which helps pet store owners create online e-commerce sites, has received a round of seed funding, the company said this week. The seed funding was worth $800K, and led by Moonshots Capital, and also included individual angels from the pet industry. eTailPet lets pet stores create their own websites, post their catalog, accept orders for in store pickup or delivery, and more, offering up a number of templates, mobile optimization, and outsource customer

Seed Funding 222

Seed Funding Funding Template Southern California 222

Xconomy

APRIL 3, 2019

[ Editor’s note: Alex Lash co-authored this report ] The American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting is wrapping up in Atlanta today. The conference typically focuses on early research and clinical work, not the big trials that can change the way doctors practice medicine and that compete for headline space at conferences like the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

Conference 107

Conference Startup Research News 107

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2019

Image via Pixabay Most startups, and many big businesses, still don’t have a clue on how to use social media productively for marketing their business. They randomly churn for hours a day on a couple of their favorite social media platforms, with little thought given to goals, objectives, or metrics; and ultimately give up and fall back to traditional marketing approaches.

Social Media 96

Social Media Media Marketing Metrics 96

socalTECH

APRIL 5, 2019

Irvine-based Karma Automotive , the revived, startup auto maker, says it has inked an agreement with BMW AG , to use BMW's engine technology in its automobiles. According to Karma Automotive, its vehicle, the 2020 Revero luxury car, will use a BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder in-line engine. The company said the engine will be used to power an on-board electric generatorand to enhance overall vehicle performance.

Technology 166

Technology Sales Startup Company 166

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 1, 2019

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 -- Building a Mega Global Brand - Docusign. Cal Lutheran Center for Entrepreneurship. Docusign is a mainstay of the legal services market, enabling easy digital signature of legal documents. That position was earned by Cal Lutheran alum Joe Fuca and his Docusign co-founders. There were many hills to climb, among them educating a market that is slow to change, eliminating reliance on fax machines, changing legal opinions on the legitimacy of digital signatures, making the

Education 100

Education Services Marketing 100

Xconomy

APRIL 3, 2019

To succeed as a CEO means having the fortitude to make the tough decisions that all companies face. Often, that means persevering in pursuit of a mission, whether that’s proving a new class of drugs can work, turning around a company that’s facing financial difficulties, battling much larger competitors, convincing investors to back cutting-edge technology, or successfully building a company in an area that has been historically poorly funded.

San Diego 104

San Diego Class Funding Technology 104

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 5, 2019

Image via Pixabay The majority of business professionals I meet these days accept that we are now deep in the digital age, where mountains of data are gathered on everything we do, online and offline. Yet most executives are struggling with how to harness this data with artificial intelligence and machine learning, and use it to hone their intuition and improve their business leadership.

Artificial Inteligence 96

Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom Design 96

socalTECH

APRIL 3, 2019

For all the hype around the blockchain  the computer algorithms behind the popular Bitcoin cryptocurrency  there are some real, solid promise behind the technology. Los Angeles-based Lucid Sight (www.lucidsight.com) is applying that technology behind the scenes to help power video games, using the digital asset features of blockchain to build ownership and scarcity into collectible video games.

Examples 157

Examples Startup Platform Venture Capital 157

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 1, 2019

Sunday, April 7, 2019 -- Startups Ventura County (April 5-7, 2019), formerly known as Startup Weekend Ventura County (SWVC), is not a typical startup weekend. Yes, it is an event where entrepreneurs can, over 54 hours, take ideas to a proof of concepts. But it is far more than that. At this event, entrepreneurs get to join forces with intrapreneurs from the two target industries, healthcare and agriculture, to address known challenges and inefficiencies.

Ventura 100

Ventura Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 100

Xconomy

APRIL 3, 2019

A 25-person startup developing advanced computing tools to speed up pathology work has raised its first institutional financing from a group of investors led by Intel Capital, the corporate investment arm of the chipmaker. The San Diego-based company, Reveal Biosciences , is among 14 early-stage companies with business plans that include artificial intelligence, a catchall term for a wide range of “intelligent” computer programs, that the tech giant recently selected to back.

Artificial Inteligence 101

Artificial Inteligence San Diego Tool Invest 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 31, 2019

Image via Flickr by Cabinet Office It’s easy to say to people on your team that they must be accountable for their actions, but it’s not so easy to tell them how to do it. It’s even harder to give them the mindset of wanting to be accountable. In fact, many business leaders forget that they are the role model for accountability, and don’t audit their own actions to make sure that they always practice what they preach.

Examples 87

Examples Organization Customer Custom 87

socalTECH

APRIL 4, 2019

Los Angeles-based eTailPet , a new startup which helps pet store owners create online e-commerce sites, has received a round of seed funding, the company said this week. Size of the funding was not announced. The funding was led by Moonshots Capital. eTailPet lets pet stores create their own websites, post their catalog, accept orders for in store pickup or delivery, and more, offering up a number of templates, mobile optimization, and outsource customer support.

Seed Funding 154

Seed Funding Funding Template Southern California 154

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 31, 2019

Saturday, April 6, 2019 -- Startups Ventura County (April 5-7, 2019), formerly known as Startup Weekend Ventura County (SWVC), is not a typical startup weekend. Yes, it is an event where entrepreneurs can, over 54 hours, take ideas to a proof of concepts. But it is far more than that. At this event, entrepreneurs get to join forces with intrapreneurs from the two target industries, healthcare and agriculture, to address known challenges and inefficiencies.

Ventura 100

Ventura Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 100

Xconomy

APRIL 5, 2019

—Mobile app startup Bitmo announced it had raised more than $3 million in seed funding from investors including Everplus Capital, Longboard Capital Advisors, and several Southern California-based family fund offices. Bitmo’s mobile app allows users to send and receive digital gift cards that can be switched between a number of stores. The company says it has about 130 national brands on the platform, including Nike, Nordstrom, and Old Navy.

San Diego 74

San Diego Seed Funding Southern California Report 74

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2019

Image via Pixabay According to The Washington Post and WSJ, the economy has been slowing down around the world, and the US will follow suit before 2019 ends. Yet if you wait for an economy bubble before starting your new business, 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.

Startup 80

Startup Advertising Social Network Ideas 80

socalTECH

APRIL 1, 2019

Santa Monica-based startup studio Science Inc. founded by Michael Jones, Peter Pham, Gregory Gilman, and Tom Dare, appears to be launching efforts to raise a new fund. The startup studio--which both incubates its own companies as well as works with startup founders to help accelerate their efforts--has backed such companies as Dollar Shave Club , DogVacay , FameBit , EventUp , August Home , Hello Society , Playhaven , and Superfly Labs.

Dollar Shave Club 140

Dollar Shave Club Venture Capital Capital Funding 140

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 30, 2019

Friday, April 5, 2019 -- Startups Ventura County (April 5-7, 2019), formerly known as Startup Weekend Ventura County (SWVC), is not a typical startup weekend. Yes, it is an event where entrepreneurs can, over 54 hours, take ideas to a proof of concepts. But it is far more than that. At this event, entrepreneurs get to join forces with intrapreneurs from the two target industries, healthcare and agriculture, to address known challenges and inefficiencies.

Ventura 100

Ventura Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 100

Xconomy

APRIL 5, 2019

Scott Gottlieb’s last day as FDA commissioner is today. His resignation announcement last month surprised some , given the earlier denials about leaving. But after two years of commuting between Connecticut, where his family remained, and the FDA’s Maryland headquarters, he decided to step down from the agency. What will Gottlieb’s legacy be? His efforts to curb teen vaping comes to mind.

Pricing 69

Pricing San Diego Research Blogging 69

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2019

Image via Flickr by Lyncconf Games Based on my own business experience of many years on both sides of the owner-employee role, I believe that one of the quickest ways to improve your employee career is to think like an owner. Conversely, the best owners are those who relate to the positions of their employees. I’m convinced that is why many great business leaders remember working their way up the ranks.

Technical Advisors 75

Technical Advisors Startup Satisfaction Customer 75

socalTECH

APRIL 3, 2019

Los Angeles-based GIBLIB , which offers up a library of on-demand, medical content in 4K and 360-degree virtual reality, announced this morning that it has raised $2.5M in a seed funding round. The funding came from the Mayo Clinic, the Venture Reality Fund, Wavemaker 360, USC Marshall Venture Fund and Michelson 20MM. According to GIBLIB, it has created an extensive, high quality video and VR library of medical lectures and surgical videos, which covers medical topics and advanced surgical proce

Content 138

Content Education Seed Funding USC 138

SoCal Tech Calendar

APRIL 4, 2019

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 -- CIS Blockchain Technology Innovation. Conference and Expo for Blockchain Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Developers.

Conference 100

Conference Entrepreneur Technology Develop 100

Xconomy

APRIL 3, 2019

Contract research organization Charles River Labs is shutting down its San Diego-area operations, moving the work done there to one of its two Northern California sites. In a filing with California’s Employment Development Department, Wilmington, MA-based Charles River (NYSE: CRL ) said it would lay off 24 workers by May 20 in connection with the closure.

San Diego 59

San Diego Outsource Development Research Outsource 59

socalTECH

APRIL 5, 2019

Irvine-based data science and analytics software developer Alteryx has acquired ClearStory Data , a Menlo Park-based software developer developing products for managing complex and unstructured data. Financial details of the acquisition wer enot announced. Alteryx said the deal will provide it with a "talented team and compelling technology", and also help it with extension into Silicon Valley.

Software Development 133

Software Development Google Acquisition Software 133

socalTECH

APRIL 4, 2019

Los Angeles-based 3D movie technology developer RealD announced on Wednesday that the company has scored a patent win in Europe. According to the company, the European Patent Office (EPO) has upheld the validity on one of its key patents for light-doubling 3D cinema projection systems. RealD said the ruling will bolster its case against Volfoni, who the company is suing over infringement of its patents.

Patents 133

Patents Sales Los Angeles Technology 133

socalTECH

APRIL 3, 2019

Camarillo-based Semtech has scored a design win, with a Swedish systems integrator developing water leak detection systems. According to Semtech, its LoRa wireless technology is being used in a "smart home" application by iioote , a Sweden-based independent systems integrator offering Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. Semtech said its LoRa wireless devices are being used in iioote's line of humidity and temperature sensors for water leakage detection and damage prevention in the h

Design 133

Design Services Technology Develop 133

socalTECH

APRIL 3, 2019

San Diego- and Irvine-based startup incubator EvoNexus announced today that it has started accepting applications to a new startup incubation effort it is running with high tech material company EMD Performance Materials. EMD is owned by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. According to EvoNexus and EMD, it is now seeking early stage companies with emerging technologies and use cases relevant to EMD Performance Materials' core business, which includes specialty materials and technologies used for ele

Incubator 133

Incubator High Tech San Diego Startup 133

socalTECH

APRIL 2, 2019

Burbank-based Disney is backing an effort, in conjunction with learning robot developer littleBits and UC Davis , the give girls a boost in getting into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. According to the threee this morning, the have launched a new program in California, called Snap The Gap , which will help 10 year old girls learn technology and science with hands-on-learning.

Burbank 133

Burbank Technology Funding Help 133

socalTECH

APRIL 2, 2019

Fountain Valley-based videogame accessory maker HyperX said this morning that it has renewed its partnership with the NBA 2K league, ahead of the league's second season. According to HyperX, it will continue on as the "Official Gaming Headset Partner" for the league. Financial details of the deal were not announced. HyperX said it will also be partnering with the NBA 2K league teams HEAT Check Gaming, Mavs Gaming, NetsGC, T-Wolves Gaming and 76ers Gaming Club in the effort.

Activity 133

Activity Marketing Technology 133

socalTECH

APRIL 1, 2019

San Diego-based Reveal Biosciences , a startup applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to pathology, has received a round of funding from Intel Capital , the corporate venturing arm of microprocessor giant Intel. Size of the investment in Reveal Biosciences was not announced. The details on the funding came as part of an announcement by Intel Capital of its investments in 14 startups, worth a total of $117M.

Artificial Inteligence 133

Artificial Inteligence Capital Funding San Diego 133

socalTECH

APRIL 1, 2019

Irvine-based data science and analytics software developer Alteryx , and news and information tools provider Thomson Reuters said today that the two are in a strategic partnership over data analysis for tax professionals. According to the two, the two will use the Alteryx software platform to provide data prep, blending of data, and putting machine models to use to help tax professionals with automating workflows, creating repeatable processes and eliminating the need to manually import and expo

News 124

News Software Development Tool Platform 124

socalTECH

APRIL 5, 2019

San Diego-based oncology therapeutics developer Trovagene , which is publicly listed on the Nasdaq as TROV, said it has received a $1.5M, private placement. The new investment came from Lincoln Park Capital. According to Trovagene, the new funding will go towards advancing three of its clinical development programs. Lincoln Park Capital is an existing investor in the company.

San Diego 113

San Diego Capital Develop Development 113