Sat.Apr 04, 2015 - Fri.Apr 10, 2015

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George Powell – Doing Well By Having Fun

InfoChachkie

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. George Powell is proof that you can do well by having fun. Rare and fortunate is the person who successfully converts their passions into a lucrative vocation. Mr. Powell, Founder and President of Skate One is such a man. The world’s largest skateboard company, Skate One produces many of industry’s best-selling brands, including Powell•Peralta Skateboards , BONES Wheels and Mini•Logo Skateboards.

Mentor 198
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Reward success and failure. Punish only inaction.

Berkonomics

'Reward failure? That may be a difficult concept for an executive. And there are limits of course. We wouldn’t reward a failure to follow laws, or protect lives, or deliberate endangerment of the company or its people. But should we reward a research team that fails for the fourth time to find the solution to a nagging problem – on the way to a new product?

Course 192
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Lynda.com Acquired By LinkedIn For $1.5 Billion

socalTECH

'Carpinteria-based Lynda.com , the online learning site founded by Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, has been acquired by LinkedIn in a $1.5 billion deal this morning. LinkedIn said it has agreed to buy lynda.com, for approximately $1.5 billion, split between 52 percent in cash and approximately 48 percent in stock. The companies said that most of the members of lynda.com''s team are expected to join LinkedIn as part of the deal.

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Why Hollywood Needs To Make Technology A Priority

TechCrunch LA

Every day, it seems there are new headlines on the strained relationship between technology and entertainment. Variety’s recent “Broken Hollywood” story was essentially a battle cry from entertainment heavyweights sounding off on the biggest challenges they’re facing in an industry undergoing a great deal of turmoil. In 2015, when we’ll see an estimated one… Read More.

Hollywood 100
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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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5 Tips For Startups To Win With Social Media

Startup Professionals Musings

'Social media is so pervasive in today’s world that every entrepreneur believes instinctively that they know how to use it for their startup. Many soon find that what you do in a personal context doesn’t necessarily translate to your business, and measuring business value is quite different from measuring personal satisfaction. When it comes to social media for your business, expect a high learning curve, but rest assured it’s not rocket science.

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TechZulu Tech Crawl | Culver City Edition!

Tech Zulu Event

'TZ Tech Crawl is back this month and heading to Culver City! I mean, how can we not do it with such amazing weather!! Come take a tour of some of the hottest LA Tech companies located in Culver City! Starting Point. Swing by Jukin Media to pickup your name tags. The first wave of crawlers will begin promptly at 6pm. Jukin Media 6pm (5764 W. Jefferson Blvd).

More Trending

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SpaceX 4K Video Dazzles Viewers

socalTECH

'Are you a fan of Hawthorne-based SpaceX , the space rocket developer founded by Elon Musk? SpaceX has just released some impressive, 4K video of its launches on YouTube, offering up an impressive compilation of the company''s various launches in the very high resolution video format. READ MORE>>.

SpaceX 158
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SpringRole: Making Hiring Work Better, Through Referrals

socalTECH

'Anyone who has tried to hire employees for their company knows that personal referrals from employees always tend to work out much better than random job applicants. However, you quickly tap out available referrals your employee base. How do you get that same quality of hires and keep those referrals coming? Los Angeles-based SpringRole (www.springrole.com)--which is backed by Science, Inc.-- is looking to take that same, fundamental idea of personal referrals to jobs, and scale it out through

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AllSay: Using Mobile Apps To Engage Users With Decisions, with Geoff Campbell

socalTECH

'How do you combine the world of online and mobile apps with the world of community and political decisions and discourse? Geoff Campbell , the founder of Los Angeles-based AllSay (www.allsay.com), talked to us about how he''s trying to combine the worlds of digital mediahe most recently helped launch Sling TVwith his own personal, family connection to the world of politics (his family is big in Canadian politics), with the company''s new app and service, which helps users connect with decisio

Mobile 152
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MakerSquare Opens Coding School In LA

socalTECH

'MakerSquare , which operates coding camps and classes to help students get software jobs, is setting up a new location in Los Angeles, according to the Hack Reactor collective. The two said that MakerSquare will launch its first class on June 29th. The Hack Reactor said that it identified Los Angeles area a key area with growing needs for software engineers, across technology, entertainment and media companies, and also cited the growth of such companies as Microsoft, YouTube, Facebook and Goog

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Kyriba Gets $21M For Treasury Management Software

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Kyriba , which develops cloud-base financial software used by companies to manage their cash, has raised $21M in a Series C funding round. The funding came from HSBC, and also included BRED Banque Populaire, Daher Capital, Iris Capital and Upfront Ventures. Kyriba said the funds will go towards its global expansion. Kyriba is led by Jean-Luc Robert.

Software 143
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ScoreStream Nabs $2M For Local Sports Crowdsourcing

socalTECH

'Wish you had someplace you could get real time updates on local and high school sports? San Diego-based ScoreStream said today that it has raised $2M in a seed financing round, to bring scores, pictures, and other information about high school and local sports online. The startup--led by technology startup vet Derrick Oien--said the funding was led by Sinclair Digital Ventures, a division of Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Avalon 143
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Rubicon Projects Hit One Year Mark After IPO

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based online advertising technology developer Rubicon Project has apparently just hits its one year anniversary on the public markets, saying today that it will be ringing the NYSE closing bell this afternoon. Rubicon Project--which trades as RUBI on the NYSE--said CEO, Founder, and Chief Product Architect Frank Addante will ring the bell at 4:00 p.m.

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Snapchat Reports Hundreds Of Subpoenas, No National Security Requests

socalTECH

'Venice-based instant messaging service Snapchat released its first transparency report , detailing all of the legal and government demands for information from its systems, showing that the company fielded more then 375 U.S. criminal legal requests for information--via subpoenas, court orders, search warrants, and emergency orders--from November of 2014 until February of this year.

Snapchat 138
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Cohu Loses Board Member

socalTECH

'Poway-based Cohu , which provides semiconductor test and inspection equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing, said late Tuesday that Harry L. Casari has resigned from the company''s board. Cohu said that Casari--who has been on the company''s board for over 20 years--is resigning for health reasons. Cohu did not say if it is planing on replacing Casari on the board.

Company 135
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Sonos Now Streams 60 Different Music Services

socalTECH

'Want to stream music from your favorite, online music streaming service to your house? That apparently is no problem if you own the whole home music systems from Santa Barbara-based Sonos , which says it is now up to a total of 60 different music streaming services that connect to its hardware. Sonos said tha latest five streaming services to connect to its products are Deezer Elite, TIDAL, 22tracks, Mixcloud, and Saavn.

Services 135
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aTyr Pharma Files For IPO

socalTECH

'San Diego-based biopharmacetuicals firm aTyr Pharma has filed for an IPO, saying in a filing with the SEC that it is looking to raise up to $86.25M in an public offering on the NASDAQ Global Market as LIFE. The company''s IPO is being underwritten by J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, BMO Capital Markets, and William Blair. The company is venture backed by CHP, Polaris Venture Management, Alta Partners, Domain PArtners, Fidelity, Sofinnova Ventures, Baker Brothers Life Sciences, and others. aTyr Pharma is

San Diego 135
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Dreamhost, Rincon Back Akanda's OpenStack Efforts

socalTECH

'A couple of Southern California investors-- os Angeles-based DreamHost and Rincon Venture Partners --have backed a new OpenStack software startup called Akanda. Akanda announced Monday that it has raised a round of seed funding, from New Dream Network (Dreamhost), The Fabric, Double M Partners, Rincon Venture Partners, Simon Anderson (CEO of Dreamhost), and Matt Ocko.

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ChowNow Connects Into Google Wallet

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based online ordering and marketing software developer ChowNow , which is led by Chris Webb, said this morning that it has partnered with Google to add support for Google Wallet to its platform. ChowNow said it has updated all of its client ordering apps to include Google Wallet, at no additional cost to its restaurant clients. ChowNow develops software which makes it easy for restaurants to take orders from their website, Facebook, and custom iOS and Android apps.

Google 135
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Mojix Finds $14M More For RFID Technology

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Mojix , a developer of long range, RFID-based sensor network technology, said this morning that it has raised $14M in a Series D financing round. The funding was led by OMERS Ventures, and also included Mercury Ventures, plus Oak Investment Partners and the company''s other prior investors. As part of the funding, Mercury''s Rainier Busch, OMERS'' Kent Thexton, and Oak Investment Partners'' Bandel Carano join the company''s board.

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24i Gets $2M For TV Apps

socalTECH

'24i , a Dutch developer of over-the-top TV applications, which has its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles announced today that it has raised $2M in a funding round. The funding came from Newion Investments. 24i is based in Amsterdam. The company said the funding will help it expand in the United States, and follows the opening of its American office in Los Angeles.

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Quality Systems Buys Gennius

socalTECH

'Irvine-based Quality Systems said this morning that it has acquired Gennius , a healthcare data analytics provider. Financial details of the acquisition deal were not disclosed. Quality Systems said the acquisition will help enhance its enterprise analytics and business intelligence capabilities for its subsidiary, Mirth. Genius is based in Cambridge, Mass., and was founded in 2002.

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Conversion Logic Gets $4M For Media Attribution Software

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Conversion Logic , a new startup in the cross-channel, media attribution area, said Wednesday that it has raised $4M in a seed funding round. The funding was led by Rincon Venture Partners, and also included Crosscut Ventures, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, TenOneTen, Founder Collective and Raptor Ventures. The startup said the funding comes on top of an earlier, $1.1M in angel funding from Brian Baumgart (Gradient X), Kim Perell (Adconion Direct), Evan Rifkin (Burstly), and Clark La

Media 131
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HAIL Acquired By Reserve

socalTECH

'Santa Monica-based HAIL , a developer of mobile apps that help restaurant diners split and pay for meals with friends, has been acquired by restaurant reservations service a href="[link]. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. HAIL was co-founded by Dan Anderson and Chris Hopkins. Reserve said it would incorporate HAIL''s bill splitting technology into its own apps.

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AppFolio Buys RentLinx

socalTECH

'Santa Barbara-based AppFolio , which develops cloud-based business management software, has acquired RentLinx , a developer of software to help syndicate rental housing listings to apartment search websites. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. RentLinx also runs the apartment rental search site Show Me The Rent. AppFolio said it will use the buy to expand the company''s property management service offerings.

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UCSD Gets $100M For Business School

socalTECH

'The University of California San Diego said today that it has received a commitment for a $100M donation, to benefit its business school, the Rady School of Management , from the Ernst Rady and the Rady Family Foundation. Rady is a billionaire who made his fortune in auto finance. Rady had been behind the establishment of UCSD''s business school in 2004.

UCSD 131
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USC Marshall Launches Online MBA Program

socalTECH

'The USC Marshall School of Business said Monday that it is launching itself into the online world, with a new, online MBA program. USC said the new program will focus on emerging online business topics such as internet analytics, social media, virtual teams, and entrepreneurial thinking. USC said the program runs for 21 months, and will primarily be conducted online, with seminars via webcam, plus a one-time, one-week on-campus event.

USC 131
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ZEFR Links Into SoundCloud

socalTECH

'Venice-based ZEFR , the provider of rights management services for YouTube, said today that it has linked up with SoundCloud , to help ZEFR''s music partners better understand sharing of content on SoundCloud. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. SoundCloud said that the link will help bolster its On SoundCloud program, which allows music creators to be paid for their work through advertising revenue share, if they allow tracks to be shared through SoundCloud.

Venice 125
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Dealstruck Gets $58M For Small Business Lending Site

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Dealstruck , the small business lending site led by Ethan Senturia, has raised $58M in a combination of debt and equity, the company said this morning. Dealstruck said that it raised $50M in a credit facility from Brevet Capital management, and $8.3M in equity funding from Trinity Ventures, for its small business loan marketplace. Dealstruck offers up crowdsourced loans to small businesses, who often have issues getting approval on growth financing and expansion loans from banks

Sites 125
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FilmTrack Backs Content ID Effort

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based content and rights management software developer FilmTrack said late Tuesday that it is backing a new metadata standard for the media and entertainment industry. FilmTrack said it has linked with EIDR, an organization developing a new content identifier system for the movie and television industry. FilmTrack said the integration means that users can auto-populate an EIDR number--which is a unique, content identifier which is shared across the industry--into their projects.

Content 125
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Microsemi Passes Antitrust Hurdle In Vitesse Acquisition

socalTECH

'Aliso Viiejo-based Microsemi reported this morning that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 has expired, for the company''s acquisition of Camarillo-based Vitesse Semiconductor. The regulatory hurdle means that U.S. regulators do not intend to conduct any kind of review of the transaction. Microsemi said on March 18th that it would pay approximately $389M, or $5.28 per share, for Vitesse.

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AssetAvenue Raises $11M

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based commercial real estate loan funding marketplace AssetAvenue has raised $11.0M in a Series A funding, according to the company. The funding was led by DCM Ventures. Other investors in the round included NetEase and Matrix Partners, along with others. AssetAvenue, which is led by David Manshoory, said the new funding round will go towards further investment in its technology and platform, hiring, and sales and marketing.

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j2 Global Buys Another Nine Companies

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based j2 Global continues to have a ravenous appetite for acquiring companies, saying this morning that it has acquired nine companies in the first quarter of 2015. The company said it acquired RTE (Fax, France); SpamSoap (Security, USA); EmailDirect (Marketing, USA); SugarSync (Backup, USA); Dobson (Backup, USA); Omnis (Backup, Iceland); Opin (Backup, Iceland); iDrift (Backup, Norway); and BackupSystems (Backup, Denmark), all in the last quarter.

Company 125
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Events.com Aims To Connect Event Organizers, Consumers

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Events.com --founded by one of the co-founders of The Active Network--is hoping to make it easier for event organizers and event goers better plan and find events, the company said this week. The startup, led by Gregg Parise, said Wednesday that it has launched a brand new, mobile-first cloud application which helps market events through social media, monetize events with ticketing, and much more.

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TEN Buys TORQUE.TV

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based automotive video publisher TEN: The Enthusiast Network , said Monday that it has acquired TORQUE.TV , and launched a new channel called Motor Trend OnDemand. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. As part of the deal, Roger Werner--who had been the major backer behind TorqueTV, and had founded the Speed Channel cable TV network--will join TEN''s board of directors.

Content 116
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5 Ways To Boost Productivity And Minimize Negativity

Startup Professionals Musings

'Throughout my career in small companies and large, I’ve always been appalled by the number of people who have a negative attitude or complain all of the time. These people don’t seem to realize that they are hurting themselves, as well as other people’s productivity, and jeopardize the future of the company they are working for. I’ve always thought that I might be overly sensitive, until I saw a classic survey done by badbossoloy.com , which claims that many employees spend 10 hours a month com

Product 103