Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

This is part of my series with Advice on Raising Venture Capital. I recently wrote a post on how to Deal with your Elephants in the Room during your VC meetings. Elephants being big issues that the VC will be thinking whether you bring it to his/her attention or not. My advice with Elephants was that you need to take them head on in your first VC meeting because the VC is already thinking about the issue whether you bring it up or not.

Venture Capital 311

Venture Capital Technical Review Startup Examples 311

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Santa Monica-based Boingo Wireless is behind a big promotion announced today by search engine giant Google , where Google will be offering free Wi-Fi to travelers at airports across the country. Google said today that it will offer free wireless at 47 airports, including Las Vegas, San Jose, Boston, Baltimore, Burbank, Houston, Indianapolis, Seattle, Miami, Ft.

Google 203

Google Burbank Santa Monica Networking 203

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

I've known Farida for quite a while. Maybe ten years. She is a go to person for me when I have questions around technology or early stage marketing and branding. I hadn't talked to her in a while and then because of a presentation I did around Social Media for Service Professionals she and I reconnected. It has been fun to get to know her again. And I'm looking forward to more interaction now that she's blogging.

Marketing 150

Marketing Social Media Blogging Media 150

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

First, my thanks to Tim Draper for allowing me to use his song in my entrepreneur presentations at UCLA, Anderson School of Business and USC, Marshall School of Business. This song is the heart of soul of many entrepreneurs like me and I love sharing it. I’m actually working (per Tim’s request) on a new version of his song. Stay tuned for that, but here’s the lyrics from Tim’s version along with a link to the actual song itself.

Draper 169

Draper USC UCLA Press 169

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

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

This is part of my series on Raising Venture Capital. There’s an old saying that if I’m talking with you and I start the conversation by saying, “whatever you do, DO NOT think about Elephants &# then you can’t help but thinking about elephants while we’re speaking. It’s called “The Elephant in the Room&# and there’s a lot of truth in this adage.

Venture Capital 264

Venture Capital Startup Training Sales 264

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Los Angeles-based Buzzmedia , which operates Buzznet, Celebuzz, and other pop culture web sites, said today that it has hired Chris George, former Vice President of Integrated Marketing at MySpace, as its Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Operations. Buzzmedia said that George will manage all apsects of its revenue and sales for Buzzmedia.

Buzznet 160

Buzznet Entertainment Web Los Angeles 160

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the December event in LA, I will be working with a group of social media folk including the conference creator @jeffpulver for the LA Meetup in December (date tbd). Please add me on Facebook if you wish to be involved and message me. My email addy is on FB as well. Tags: eric david greenspan.

Social Media 133

Social Media Conference Email Media 133

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 -- The Quality of Life Forum Presents Ben Sherwood. The Santa Monica Public Library is pleased to present the Quality of Life Forum, a monthly series of discussions led by Kit Cooper, in which featured guests share the things they do and the perspectives they live by that help them live more enjoyable, purposeful and contented lives.

Santa Monica 100

Santa Monica Content Help 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

Burbank-based Youbet.com , an online site focused on horse racing wagering and content, has been acquired by Churchill Downs Incorporated in a deal worth $126.8M. Churchill Downs operates thoroughbred racing events such as the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs said late Wednesday it would pay 0.0598 shares of its common stock, plus $0.97 in cash for each share of Youbet common stock.

Burbank 154

Burbank Acquisition Content Sites 154

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

I recently had a conversation with an pre-launch startup where they discussed how SEO was going to be really important for them. They went on to describe a fairly common type of site that has some original content, but not much. They are in a space where there is lots of search traffic, but they didn't have anything particularly interesting to say about how they were going to get ranked.

SEO 150

SEO Startup Search Engine Optimization Google 150

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Last year my son Jacob was in sixth grade at Montecito Union Elementary School. One day I get an email from Ms. B, the school’s principal asking me to come into her office. I was a little wary as Jacob has never been in any trouble. I was surprised to learn that the reason she asked me to come see her was to help the school with a problem with sexting, Facebook/Myspace and cyber-bullying.

Google 115

Google .Net Santa Barbara Email 115

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 -- Technology Outlook; A Panel of CIOs Discusses Major Trends, How They're Leveraging New Technologies, and How They're Making their Firms More Competitive. The Panel incudes: Alex Godelman -- VP/Technology Gorillanation.com; Howard Kolodny -- VP Information Technology, Z Gallerie; Jim Rogers -- VP and CIO, LifeCare Assurance Company; Andy Grinberg -- Moderator It is rare to have an opportunity to hear directly from CIOs of major Southland corporations.

CIO 100

CIO Technology Competition Networking 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Los Angeles-based Stamps.com is furthering its focus on online stories, saying today that it has linked its product to the e-commerce payment systems for Amazon.com Pro Merchant, Yahoo Merchant, Google Checkout, and Paypal. The new additions come on top of an existing push by Stamps.com to cater to eBay merchants. According to Stamps.com, the firm's software now allows web store managers to process, manage, and ship orders from "virtually any" e-commerce source.

Commerce 150

Commerce Yahoo Google Web 150

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

L.A. Tech Week held at the Business Technology Center in Altadena is one of the gems of tech events held in Southern California in my opinion. Why a gem? Well for one its held in Altadena and two it's a fresh change of scenery. TechZulu has been attending the L.A. Tech Week event going on 2 years now. For those past two years it was consistently a new crowd of folks that you wouldn't consider being part of the "L.A.

Altadena 66

Altadena Electronic Arts Southern California Screening 66

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Today I met with Jason Spievak, CEO of Ring Revenue. Jason is another local Santa Barbara CEO and we had a great chat about Make It Work, Ring Revenue, Affiliate Marketing and life in SB. He’s a great guy and taught me a bunch of new things about affiliate marketing and his company. I will share what I’ve learned about affiliate marketing in the past few days with you now.

Santa Barbara 106

Santa Barbara PPC Blogging Google 106

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 -- How To Do Business in Japan. Discussion will explore the particular opportunities and challenges companies face when expanding into this complex and competitive market. Our discussion will also feature practical tips for managing existing operations. Hosted by High Street Partners and Silicon Valley Bank. Email mmoreno@hsp.com.

Tips 100

Tips Email Competition Marketing 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

San Juan Capistrano-based OptionEase , a developer of software-as-a-service for options accounting, announced today that Pasadena-based Central Desktop , a provider of software-as-a-service for project management and collaboration, has signed on as a customer. Financial details of the win were not disclosd. OptionEase said that Central Desktop will use the firm for equity administration, valuation, and compliance.

Equity 150

Equity Pasadena Software Services 150

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

If you have more then one twitter account and want to see some how much ROI you are getting from them, HootSuite might be something you may want to take a look at. There are tons of applications that can help you monitor you twitter account but HootSuite is focused mainly on the power-user and corporate-user. HootSuite brings a whole slew of features that can help explain what exactly twitter is doing for you or your customers.

Statistics 40

Statistics Screening Mobile Conference 40

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 7, 2009

My actual results from using this product. If you want to add Twitter followers fast, get this application (just click on the image above and buy and download online or click here )! I am a REAL customer and I love this product. With a few clicks, you will be adding hundreds of new Twitter followers fast. It’s easy and it really works. I’ve added 1500 followers in a few days and it just keeps growing and growing.

Customer 106

Customer Custom Product 106

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 -- CEO Confessions. TCVN. Entrepreneurship is commonly mistaken for cruising your way towards financial freedom. The truth of the matter is that entrepreneurship is hard work, sleepless nights, 80 hour weeks, taking risks, wearing multiple hats, and much more. Now let's couple all that with the enormous number of mistakes that entrepreneurs make during their careers.

TCVN 100

TCVN Statistics Entrepreneur Startup 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Westlake Village-based Zumbox , a startup developing a service to help companies sent electronic notices based on physical, postal addresses, reported today that it has signed on Mother Earth News as a customer. Zumbox said that Ogden Publications, parent of Mother Earth News, is giving its subscribers the ability to get renweal notices and to renew their subscriptions through Zumbox.

Zumbox 150

Zumbox News Westlake Village Report 150

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 11, 2009

Guest post by Caroline Graeff of Imagine Marketing Agency. This is a highlight video from the event, to view the full discussion click here : “Where’s Waldo”, a social media discussion featuring great panelists, experts in the social media craze: - Jonathan Rosen, Lucky NY. - Cameron Olthius, 5ones.com. - Scott Tilton, loopd.com. - Emily Goligoski, Federatedmedia.net. - Jonathan Nafarrete, JonathanNafarrete.com. - Greg Cargill, bigMETHOD.com.

Social Media 40

Social Media Blogging Media Writing 40

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Ever have a game changing day? After 20+ Poogling seminars in Socal, we were approached by a concerned parent and the Santa Barbara Education Foundation to do a Poogling Seminar (teaching parents about child Internet safety) city-wide. Of course, we agreed to do it. I had no idea that the Superintendent of the Santa Barbara Public Schools Brian Sarvis and Salud Carbajal, First District Supervisor would jump in with both feet as well.

Santa Barbara 100

Santa Barbara Google SoCal Southern California 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 -- South Bay Tech Group Happy Hour. Strengthen your "Starbucks network" close to home by getting to know neighbors who are involved in the technology and media industry in the South Bay. Join us for a very casual free networking group for technology entrepreneurs and executives who live and/or work in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance and Palos Verdes area.

Hermosa Beach 100

Hermosa Beach Redondo Beach El Segundo Manhattan Beach 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Santa Barbara-based D2 Technologies , a developer of embedded IP communications and VoIP software, said today that it is linking into an effort to push Google Android as a platform for embedded IP and voice-over-IP. The firm said it has joined the Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF), which helps further adoption of Google's Android platform for use in applications beyond mobile phones.

IP 150

IP Santa Barbara Google Platform 150

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Looking for a place to get your feet wet on blogging and social media? The Bloggers Bulletin might be the place for you. Focused specifically on the business community they have over 45 contributors to help get you started with facebook, Twitter, to even creating a WordPress blog for your company. They have only been around for about 3 months, however are gaining a lot of traction.

Social Media 40

Social Media Blogging Media Content 40

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

I watched a webinar the other day from the King of Video Marketing, Perry Lawrence with guests Sean Malarkey and Lewis Howes called “Mastering YouTube and Video Marketing.&# From it, I learned about the Flip MinoHD video camera that I can carry around and video my life. I began videoing right away ( here’s my first video , it ain’t much, but it is getting a lot of hits).

Social Media 100

Social Media Blogging News Course 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 -- "Competing With Free: Can Digital Distribution Reduce Piracy?" USC Marshall School Institute for Communication Technology Management Presents Speak and Spark Luncheon Discussion. New digital distribution channels have raised a host of questions the television, movie, and music industries: To what degree will these channels cannibalize sales in higher margin physical channels?

USC 100

USC Research Email Tool 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Pasadena-based Cogent Systems , a developer of fingerprint readers and other biometric identification equipment, announced this morning that its handheld, mobile identification devices have been certified compliant with a FBI effort. The certification covers its Cogent Fusion, Mobile Ident II, and Mobile Ident III products. Cogent said the testing was part of the FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) Initiatives and Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) Image Qualit

Pasadena 147

Pasadena Mobile Product Develop 147

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Aggregation seems to be the magic word for 2009. Here is one company I believe is doing best. News aggregating company Thoora gives you all your media news, social and traditional, in one place. Thoora has recently come out of private beta offering their free service of breaking news that is based off of millions of blogs, thousands of traditional media outlets and Twitter.

News 40

News Blogging Social Media Media 40

Eric Greenspan

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

[link]. Tags: eric david greenspan facebook.

Blogging 100

Blogging 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 -- The Security SIG Presents. The Nexus Between Law Enforcement and You The World of Cyber Law Enforcement. This fascinating event will feature representatives from the multi-faceted world of "cyber law enforcement," to include representatives from the FBI, United States Attorney's Office, and the San Diego District Attorney's Office.

San Diego 100

San Diego 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

West Hollywood-based family tree site Geni.com said Friday that the firm has made a number of updates to the firm's services. Among the changes, the firm said that it has made two of the firm's "Pro" features--Statistics and Lists--free to all of its users. Other updates include the ability to export address books to CSV files, and better matching on its profiles.

Geni 145

Geni West Hollywood Services Statistics 145

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 7, 2009

This is part of my series on Raising Venture Capital. I’m sure I’ll spark the ire of some VC’s for saying so, but there is certainly such a thing as black-out days in venture capital. It’s worth you knowing this so you don’t waste your time. It’s also very important to understand so that you can properly plan when you raise money.

Venture Capital 304

Venture Capital Funding Startup Capital 304

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

San Diego-based NextWave Wireless , a provider of software for the mobile market and owner of wireless spectrum, said Thursday that it has added Carl Vogel to its board of directors. Vogel is a Senior Advisor and a member of the board of Dish Network Corporation, and a partner at SCP Worldwide, owner of the NHL's St. Louis Blues and Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake.

San Diego 145

San Diego Networking Mobile Media 145

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Platinum Equity said Thursday afternoon that it has completed its acquisition of Pomeroy IT Solutions , a Kentucky-based provider of information technology solutions and services. The deal takes Pomeroy private, and was worth $6.50 per share of Pomeroy, or approximately $61.3M. Pomeroy has around 2000 employees, and provides hardware, software, staffing, and other IT services.

Equity 145

Equity Technology Acquisition Los Angeles 145