Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

I recently read a post over on VentureHacks titled, “ Top Ten Reasons Entrepreneurs Hate Lawyers &# written by Scott Walker (who blogs on legal issues for entrepreneurs ). I know that people have an allergy to lawyers out of fear of being screwed. Much of this is unfounded – some is not. If you’re a startup and you don’t have a close relationship with a few law firms you’re really missing one of the most important relationships that any entrepreneur can have.

Startup 318

Startup IP Southern California Entrepreneur 318

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2010

Hollywood-based Taltopia.com , an online social networking site for artists, said today that it is launching a new tool which aggregates casting calls and job postings in the entertainment and arts industry. The firm said the new service pulls together casting calls from around the web, as well as listing of real-time feeds of jobs and auditions. The firm said its service will allow members to search for jobs by area code or talent category.

Entertainment 202

Entertainment Hollywood Social Network Content 202

Berkonomics

JANUARY 20, 2010

This post will be perhaps a bit longer than usual, but certainly of great interest for those with interest in or have need for more capital… This stage is critical to many businesses and a passing option to others, depending upon the capital efficiency of the enterprise. Some businesses require very little capital and the founder is able to self-finance the enterprise and retain 100% of its ownership and control from ignition through liquidity event (startup through sale).

Venture Capital 174

Venture Capital Invest Class Entrepreneur 174

Eric Greenspan

JANUARY 18, 2010

Social networking at it’s finest… I’m sitting at a local brewery watching football with my wife and friends a month back and I get an email from someone who had just visited my Meetup.com site. I created the site to make new friends and to learn things. I never imagined the Food Network would find me there. Anyhow, I called the producer back and she told me, “We are looking for a meetup group to appear on the Food Network’s new show Private Chefs of Beverly Hills as

Beverly Hills 156

Beverly Hills Networking Social Network Santa Barbara 156

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

JANUARY 16, 2010

Bill Gates once famously said that people tend to overestimate the impact of technology in the 1-year timeframe and underestimate its impact in the 10-year timeframe. That’s always stuck with me. I tend not to go into heat when I hear the latest buzz on the tech blogs about the latest gadgets. But when I read thoughtful pieces on the future of technology I start to imagine where our lives will be in 10 years.

Technical Review 278

Technical Review Software Review Startup SoCal 278

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2010

Aliso Viejo-based Evolver , the online avatar software site developed by Darwin Dimensions, said Thursday that it has launched a new web site that allows end users to create avatars for social media sites like Facebook and MySpace. According to Darwin Dimensions, the new site, Avatara.com , allows social media enthusiasts to easily create and upload customized, animated avatars for their social media accounts.

Social Media 189

Social Media Sites Media Tool 189

Tech Coast Venture Network

JANUARY 17, 2010

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur 100

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 21, 2010

Recently, I have had the opportunity to try out an app that is its (very) early stages called Graphic.ly. The app, clearly made for comic-book lovers and announced at CES, is intended to be an online comic-book shop with social features. The app has also been getting some good buzz in the iFanboy community. As the app, which is being developed for Adobe AIR, Windows, and mobile platforms, is early in its development, a full review would be premature, but here are our first impressions.

Software Review 40

Software Review Social Network Screening Networking 40

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

Carlsbad-based Epics3 , a new startup focused on photo sharing through Twitter, Facebook, and other web sites, said today that it has launched its services. The new company, headed by Joe Moreno, said it will allow users to post photos to the web, and that it will share advertising revenue with users when people view their photos. Epics3 also allows users to serve up photos using their own domain names, and can link photos stored in the service with Amazon S3.

S3 189

S3 Web Advertising Sites 189

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 22, 2010

Thursday, January 28, 2010 -- Healthcare and Medical Records: Software Opportunities. SDSIC. Electronic Medical Records is making the headlines these days. In the Obama administrations stimulus plan (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) there is a provision of $19 billion to accelerate the use of computerized medical records in doctors offices.

Software 100

Software Help 100

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 19, 2010

I’m writing this post as part of my series with Advice on Raising Venture Capital but will file it under Sales Tips as well since it applies equally to both scenarios. Congratulations. You’ve found a VC partner or principal who has invited you to the Monday partners’ meeting. Or on a sales campaign you’ve finally gotten your project sponsor to take you to the “executive committee&# where decisions are made and budgets are agreed.

Venture Capital 318

Venture Capital Startup Sales Writing 318

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 21, 2010

If you're lovin' on Android and want a smartphone that integrates your communication channels and media in one place, the new Sony Xperia X10 just may be for you. TechZulu got a sneak peak of the device at CES. Here are a few highlights. Among the Xperia X10's signature applications is Timescape, which conveniently puts your communication events (Twitter, Facebook, email, etc.) in a chronological deck of cards.

Screening 40

Screening Email Organization Media 40

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2010

The University of Southern California is reporting today that spinouts out of the school have raised $148m in the last two calendar years (2008-2009), and that there are now at least 24 USC spinouts currently in business. The school--which has been actively encouraging startup activity based on its research in recent years--said that 16 USC startups raised $148M, in a combination of new startup funding and additional rounds of financing for those companies.

USC 178

USC Southern California Activity Venture Capital 178

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 22, 2010

Thursday, January 28, 2010 -- 2010 TECH BREW MEGA MIXER. TECH BREW for almost three decades,the premier Santa Barbara region networking business event,fostering collaborations, business development, professional services and resources, employment connections and dialogs for sustainable economic development. Join many hundreds of attendees from business execs to technology enterprises, entrepreneurs, innovators, non profits,and government, for the first large scale networking /mixer event for 201

Santa Barbara 100

Santa Barbara Resource Networking Entrepreneur 100

SoCal Delicious

JANUARY 20, 2010

On CBS MoneyWatch: Why Debit Cards Are Dangerous BNET Business Network: BNET TechRepublic ZDNet ZDNet Members login Newsletters Site Assistance RSS Feeds Home News & Blogs Videos White Papers Downloads Reviews Popular Enterprise Web 2.0 Dion Hinchcliffe Get Enterprise Web 2.0 via: Mobile RSS Email Alerts Bios: Dion’s Bio January 20th, 2010 The social Web in 2010: The emerging standards and technologies to watch Posted by Dion Hinchcliffe @ 10:38 am Categories: ATOM , Badges , Blogs , Co

Web 29

Web Technical Review Web 2.0 Social Media 29

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 19, 2010

You know those times when you're at the airport and your smartphone dies right when you're typing that last message? You look around for a charging station or free outlet, but of course none are in sight. Ya, we've all been there. Well, at CES, Case-Mate cut the cables and offered TechZulu a Hug. A new wireless charging system, the Hug is similar to the Powermat , but at half the price (retailing at $89.99 online).

Course 40

Course Pricing Organization Technology 40

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2010

Beverly Hills-based Hydra Media , the cost-per-action (CPA) advertising network, has new funding in hand and legal issues behind it, and is now looking upmarket, the firm told socalTECH in an interview Thursday. The ad network--which announced a restructuring and buyout by an investment group led by founder Zac Brandenberg earlier this week--is now looking to court more major advertisers and large brands.

Beverly Hills 165

Beverly Hills Funding Advertising SoCalTech 165

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 22, 2010

Thursday, January 28, 2010 -- Grow Your Network in 2010 at a Santa Monica Hot Spot. SoCal AMA. The economy is starting to heat up. The job market is beginning to thaw. What better way to turn up the temperature on your career or business then to attend our first mixer of 2010? This sizzling event is appropriately being held at the red hot WOKCANO in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica 100

Santa Monica AMA SoCal Southern California 100

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2010

Santa Monica-based CODA Automotive , a startup manufacturer of electric cars, announced today that it has hired on a GM vet, Michael A. Jackson, as its Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Distribution. According to CODA, Jackson was most recently at Sarkissian Mason, and also served as CEO of SPEEDSHAPE. He was previously VP of Marketing and Advertising at GM North America, in addition to serving in a number of other sales and marketing positions throughout GM.

Sales 165

Sales Santa Monica Advertising Marketing 165

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2010

Los Angeles-based Total Immersion. a developer of augmented reality software which superimposes computer generated images onto live video feeds and PC webcam images, announced today that the firm's technology has been used with a number of major DVD releases. According to the company, its technology was used in releases of Paramount's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; Star Trek; and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

Paramount 165

Paramount Los Angeles Content Software 165

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2010

Los Angeles-based EA Mobile , the mobile game publishing arm of Electronic Arts, has set its sights on a new platform for its mobile games: Amazon's Kindle. According to Amazon.com, it is launching an effort to allow developers to create their own, active content on the electronic reader, including games, Internet-linked content, word games, and puzzles.

Electronic Arts 157

Electronic Arts Mobile Los Angeles Content 157

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

Los Angele-based Leads360 , a developer of web-based, lead management software, is powering a new feature in Google's Adwords program, the firm said Tuesday. According to Leads360, it is working with Google to help power the new AdWords Comparison Ads feature, which allows users of Google's search engine to find and compare mortgage quotes from lenders.

Rustic Canyon 157

Rustic Canyon Google Web Los Angeles 157

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2010

Santa Barbara-based Rightsignature , a developer of online, electronic signature software-as-a-service, reported Friday that the firm has signed on a healthcare staffing technology firm as a customer. According to RightSignature, Amistaff Healthcare Technology has selected the firm's electronic signature products to complete its various software. Financial impact of the new customer was not disclosed.

Technology 154

Technology Santa Barbara SaaS Web 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2010

The latest numbers from the MoneyTree Report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), based on data from Thomson Reuters, were released this morning, finding that there was $587.8M invested in Southern California in Q4. Those numbers were up from both Q3, when $506.9M was invested in Southern California, as well as Q4 of last year, when $508.2M was invested in the region.

Southern California 154

Southern California Venture Capital Invest Orange County 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

Beverly Hills-based Hydra Network , an online performance-based ad network, has been restructured in a deal where an investor group, Hydra Group led by Hydra founder and CEO, Zac Bradenberg, is purchasing the assets of Hydra LLC , the original owner of the ad network. According to Hydra Group, it was formed by a group of online marketing focused investors, including Brandenberg.

Beverly Hills 154

Beverly Hills Advertising Acquisition Networking 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

Long Beach-based Molina Healthcare , a provider of health plans and managed care services, said today that it is buying the Health Information Management (HIM) business of Unisys Corporation , in a deal worth approximately $135M. The UniSys unit provides design, development, implementation, and business process outsourcing to state governments for Medicaid management.

Long Beach 154

Long Beach Outsource Development Outsource Acquisition 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2010

Los Angeles-based Mobilecause , a provider of mobile donation services for nonprofits, reported Wednesday that the firm is powering a number of mobile campaigns to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake. The firm said that cell phone users can text keywords to 85944 to donate $10 to the following charities using its service: International Medical Corps (keyword: Haiti); Causecast Foundation/Huffington Post (keywords: RESPOND, IMPACT, HUFF); Food For The Hungry (QUAKE), American Jewish J

Mobile 150

Mobile Causecast Los Angeles Report 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2010

Los Angeles-based VYCON , which manufactures high-speed, DC energy storage systems based on flywheel technology, said this morning that it has raised $13.7M in a new round of fudning. The firm said the round was led by BankInvest Group, as well as new investors, and several of its existing investors. The firm said the investment included conversion of $6.5M of its existing convertible notes and $1.1M in existing trade debt.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Los Angeles Sales Capital 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

San Diego-based OpenCandy , which develops software and services to monetize downloads of open source software, said today that it has added Joe Kraus of Google Ventures to the firm's board of directors. Kraus is the co-founder of Excite and Jotspot. OpenCandy said that Kraus was an early investor in the firm. Kraus joins James Cham of Bessemer Ventures, along with co-founder and CEO Darrius Thompson on the board.

Google 150

Google San Diego Software Services 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 18, 2010

Irvine-based Fisker Automotive , the electric car maker run by Henrik Fisker, announced Friday evening that the firm has raised an additional $115.3M in private equity funding. The firm said the new funding comes to enable it to access a $528.7M, U.S. Department of Energy loan for the Fisker Karma. Fisker Automotive said the new funding included A123 Systems, Ace Investments, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Equity Funding Capital 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2010

Santa Monica-based SharesPost , the online marketplace for buying and selling shares in private companies, told its users Friday afternoon that it is dropping its subscription fee. The firm said that it has eliminated the requirements that membres be paying subscribers to post to buy or sell shares, or engage with other members. SharesPost had previously charged $34 a month for subscription for access to the buying and selling of shares.

eHarmony 145

eHarmony Santa Monica Venture Capital Equity 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2010

Newport Beach-based semiconductor maker Conexant released its results Thursday afternoon, reporting that it had a profit of $8.3M on revenues of $61.8M, exceeding guidance it had provided at the beginning of the quarter. According to the firm, the quarter delivered the highest core operating margins in company history. The firm said it was helped by lower operating expenses.

Report 145

Report Help Company Companies 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2010

For today's Insights and Opinions piece, we have an article from Dave Berkus , an angel investor and blogger at Berkonomics , who gives a good summary and rundown of the various different places you can raise money for your business. This post will be perhaps a bit longer than usual, but certainly of great interest for those with interest in or have need for more capital.

Southern California 145

Southern California High Tech Summary Capital 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2010

Aliso Viejo-based Buy.com , the online e-commerce retailer, said today that it will provide free web site hosting of e-commerce sites as part of a new, turnkey tool for developing affiliate e-commerce sites. According to Buy.com, its new StoreBuilder tool will allow its affiliates to easily create their own customized site featuring products from the retailer.

Commerce 145

Commerce Sites Tool Web 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity has acquired OAO Technology Solutions , a provider of managed IT services and solutions based in Maryland, the firm announced this morning. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Platinum Equity said it acquired OAO Technology Solutions from an affiliate of J.F. Lehman & Company and other stockholders.

Equity 145

Equity Technology Outsource Acquisition 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2010

San Juan Capistrano-based OptionEase , the stock options tracking and accounting software firm headed by Kimberly Kovacs, reports today that it had what it calls "significant growth" in 2009. The firm said it had 60 percent growth in revenues and new clients in the year. Actual financials were not disclosed by the company. According to OptionEase, the growth came because of "strong market demand" for its software for streamlining equity administration and compliance.

Miramar 145

Miramar SaaS Demand Equity 145