Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 19, 2015

Business leaders have many tasks to accomplish and prioritizing stuff can be hard. Yesterday I wrote about the need to “ do fewer things, more often ” in which I described that frenzied world we live in and why the shiny objects and distractions stop us from living up to our true potential. Today I’d like to give that advice in more tangible terms and with a framework to think about your tasks – the funnel.

Startup 329

Startup Framework Sales Venture Capital 329

Berkonomics

JUNE 18, 2015

If you could predict a crisis within your business before its occurrence, wouldn’t you move to prevent or reduce its impact? Making such predictions is a skill that can be developed, and here’s one method of doing so. There are five basic kinds of internal risks than a business faces over time. Of course, there are external risks that cannot be controlled or predicted, but can be planned for as well –. natural disasters, sudden political or economic events that rattle the entire economy, and mo

Competition 216

Competition Marketing Class Product 216

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Santa Monica-based online pet sitting marketplace DogVacay said Monday that it has named Deborah Sharkey as the company's n ew Chief Operating Officer. Sharkey was most recently VP of Local Marketplaces at eBay, where she had spent more than a decade. The company also said it has added Jason Finger and Bob Antin to its board; Finger is at Oxygen Capital, and Antin is the Chairman and CEO of pet health care services provider VCA.

Santa Monica 200

Santa Monica Services Capital Company 200

InfoChachkie

JUNE 15, 2015

A version of this article previously appeared in the Wall Street Journal. During my 15-years as a startup executive, I relished being proven wrong. Knowing that I was had made a mistake empowered me to make the correct decision. Being wrong is much preferred to erroneously thinking you are right and relentlessly executing a losing strategy. Effective entrepreneurs reject dogmatism and embrace doubt.

Entrepreneur 199

Entrepreneur Pricing Course Journal 199

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

JUNE 18, 2015

We are experiencing a frenetic time. I rarely talk to any startup entrepreneur or VC who doesn’t feel it and somehow long for simpler times despite the benefits we all enjoy from increased enthusiasm for our sector. For entrepreneurs there’s too much money sloshing around. One would think entrepreneurs would never want less available cash – until such time as their competitors ridiculously and unnecessarily all raise $50 million in the name of a “land grab” thus mak

Software Review 315

Software Review Startup Venture Capital Invest 315

Eric Greenspan

JUNE 18, 2015

I know you aren’t feeling well. I know you’re bored in that hospital bed. I know you are on meds. I know it hurts. I know she broke your heart. I know you failed. I know you got rained on. I know you hate that. I know you are tired and your kids are bugging you. I know you have challenges. I know you’re broke. I know you missed your flight.

Social Media 157

Social Media News Media Help 157

Tech.Co

JUNE 17, 2015

I don’t like when people say: “I’m just not creative”. It doesn’t make me mad, but that’s my least favorite phrase in the world because I think it’s a cop out. I’m here to tell all of you out there who think creativity is some grand, innate talent that it’s not: it’s entirely learnable, and you’re all creative – you just don’t know it yet. There’s a team of Los Angeles entrepreneurs who would agree with me on that, and they launched their platform Kadenze to help people tap their creativity.

Education 125

Education Course Platform Design 125

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2015

Entrepreneurs and startups often ask if they should select only social media for marketing, or stick with digital media, or just count on traditional media. The answer is yes to all, and the challenge is how to choose how much of each, and how to integrate them for maximum impact and the least cost. None should be considered competitive mutually exclusive to any other.

Social Media 108

Social Media Media Marketing Resource 108

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 15, 2015

Santa-Monica based Tapiture has grown in traffic by 300%, monetized from year one and raised $2.25 million in seed funding since its founding in 2012. If Pinterest is catnip for girls, Tapiture was founded to go after the men, but quickly evolved into a more sophisticated artistic social media community. The curated design and photography-driven entertainment site is where GIFs and memes intermingle with stunning photography, video and the ability to purchase in app.

Seed Funding 65

Seed Funding Funding Commerce Social Media 65

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2015

Disney/ABC Television , which had planned to replace about 35 information technology workers split between its New York and Burbank offices with imported H-1B workers from an outsourcer, has abruptly cancelled those plans. Disney had told its workers in May that it would be replacing them with workers--imported from India--from outsourcer Cognizant.

Burbank 166

Burbank Layoffs Outsource Southern California 166

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2015

What if searching for people to recruit to your company was as easy as running a search in Google? That's the idea behind Connectifier (www.connectifier.com), an Orange County-based startup led by John Jersin --whose founders and many of its employees have come from Google, Amazon, and other companies where search is a part of their DNA. The company recently announced a funding round, led by True Ventures, so we thought we'd talk with John about what the company is doing, and why he believes sea

Technology 162

Technology Google Startup Orange County 162

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Calabasas-based network testing equipment and software developer Ixia has appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer today, saying that it has named Marie Hattar to the position. Hattar was previously Chief Marketing Officer at Check Point Software, and also served at Cisco in a number of executive positions, with a total of over 20 years of experience in the security and networking industry.

Marketing 162

Marketing Calabasas Software Development Report 162

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2015

Orange County-based Connectifier , a sttup founded by ex-Googlers, and which is developing search-powered recruiting software, has raised $6M in a Series A. According to Connectifier, the funding was led by True Ventures, and also included Galeo Ventures, Okapi Ventures, and angels, including Sean Ellis, Andrew Chen, Jonathan Downey, and James Hong.

Orange County 157

Orange County Software Downey Google 157

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2015

Los Angeles-based StackSocial , which offers up online technology sales and deals on software and other products, is in a major expansion, saying yesterday that it has launched a new Health & Fitness category. The new business line for StackSocial features health and fitness gadgets, like fitness bands, headphones, heart rate monitors, Bluetooth speakers, and more.

Draper 155

Draper Sales Los Angeles Software 155

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2015

San Diego-based KFx Medical said late Wednesday that it has received $35M in a payment, related to the company's patent infringement suite against Arthrex. The payment is related to a jury award which found that Arthrex had infringed upon a patent owned by KFx. That patent infringement lawsuit was filed in 2011, but only recently completed its journey through the legal system.

Patents 152

Patents San Diego Equity Develop 152

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2015

Los Angeles-based Evolve Media , the online lifestyle publisher, is expanding out its empire again, saying late last night that it has acquired Martini Media , which focuses on content for reaching and engaging the affluent online. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Evolve Media said it will run Martini Media as a separate division. Evolve explained that the deal will allow it to expand into a new vertical, partner with luxury brands, and help market to affluent customers online.

Media 149

Media Content Los Angeles Customer 149

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2015

Los Angeles-based StartEngine , which was launched back in 2013 as a startup incubator, has pivoted its model, and has become an online equity crowdfunding platform called StartEngine Crowdfunding. According to the company, it will allow individuals to invest in private companies, and in particular, is looking to help connect aspiring, Millenial investors with what it says are the "progressive companies of tomorrow".

Platform 148

Platform Santa Monica Incubator Equity 148

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2015

San Luis Obispo-based REC Solar has acquired solar provider Stellar Energy , in an asset purchase, the company announced this morning. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to REC Solar, the move will help it expand in the commercial business market. Stellar Energy had provided solar power systems exclusively to commercial businesses.

Acquisition 143

Acquisition Help Marketing Company 143

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Los Angeles-based apartment search startup RadPad > said today that it has hired on Activision veteran Mike Pelletier as its first Vice President of Marketing, the company said this morninng. Pelletier had previously been head of Activision's Call of Duty franchise, and also had been at Dell. He was last in charge of marketing Call of Duty Advanced Warfare at Activision.

Activision 143

Activision Marketing Los Angeles Invest 143

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Playa Vista-based WeMo , the home automation brand of Belkin, launched a new set of connected, LED lighting products with OSRAM SYLVANIA this morning, including a set of color changing LED lights. According to the two companies, the new lighting starter sets all include Wemo's ZigBee-to-Wi-Fi bridge, allowing those LED lights to be controlled by a smartphone or computer.

Belkin 139

Belkin Product Company Companies 139

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

San Diego-based Avalon Ventures said this morning that it has launched and funded three, new companies as part of its deal with GSK. Avalon Venturs said that Adrenergics , CadheRx Therapeutics , and Calporta Therapeutics have all received $10M in Series A funding, and will receive R&D support from Avalon Ventures and GSK. All three companies are based in San Diego, and will be colocated at COI Pharmaceuticals.

Avalon 138

Avalon San Diego Startup Funding 138

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2015

Pasadena-based venture investor California Technology Ventures has put its funding behind a medical device maker, which is trying to prevent muscle atrophy after orthopedic surgery. According to Scottsdale, Arizona-based CyMedica Orthopedics , it has raised $11.5M in a Series A funding led by Research Corporation Technologies, which included Pasadena's California Technology Ventures, along with Aphelion Capital.

Technology 132

Technology Pasadena Research Capital 132

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2015

Irvine-based YouMail , the enhanced voicemail service provider led by Alex Quilici, has rolled out an upgraded robocall blocking app on iPhone, the company said Thursday. The company--whose cloud-based voicemail service is aimed at both consumers and small businesses--says its app automatically detects robocalls, so those callers actually think a user's number has been disconnected.

Services 131

Services Company Companies 131

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2015

San Luis Obispo-based MINDBODY priced its IPO last night at $14.00 per share, at the midpoint of its initial estimated trading range of $13.00 to $15.00 per share. MINDBODY said it will sell 7,150,000 shares of its common stock, and will begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Market this morning as MB. MINDBODY is venture backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Catalyst Investors, Institutional Venture Partners, W Capital Partners, and J.P.

Pricing 131

Pricing Tech Coast Angels Pasadena Angels Pasadena 131

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2015

Irvine-based Visage , which offers up a service aimed at online marketers to help create infographics, said this morning that it has raised $2.15M in a seed funding. The funding was led by Venture51, and also included K5 Ventures and Kima Ventures, along with angels Robin Pimentel and Dan Martell. The startup, led by Jason Lankow, says it can help marketers create data graphics in just three minutes, and save on what normally is a very high cost and long production time for professional designs.

Seed Funding 131

Seed Funding Funding Design Marketing 131

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2015

Westlake Vilage-based KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals , the develoepr of aesthetic medicine products, is being acquired by Allergan in a deal worth $2.1 billion, the two companies said this morning. Allergan said it will pay $75 per KYTHERA share, split between 80 percent in cash and 20 percent in Allergan shares. Kythera is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel prescription products for the aesthetic medicine market.

Product 131

Product Marketing Develop Development 131

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Los Angeles-based Looklist , an online site which lets users browse curated fashion and hairstyle photos, disclosed today that it has raised $174,000 in a seed funding round. The funding came via AngelList, led by investor Foundry Group, via its FGAngel syndicate. Looklist, led by Shaz Sedighzadeh, provides a Pinterest-like site which can be browsed to see different fashions and hair styles, and also links to e-commmerce site featuring those fashions.

Sites 131

Sites Seed Funding Los Angeles Funding 131

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Laguna Hills-based Glaukos Corporation , which is developing medical devices for treating glaucoma, said this morning that it has formally launched its IPO, and is now looking to sell 5,358,000 shares of its common stock at between $13.00 and $15.00 per share. Glaukos said it has applied to list on the New York Stock Exchange as GKOS. Glaukos had filed for its IPO in May, but by setting a pricing range, is one step closer to the market.

Pricing 131

Pricing Marketing Develop Development 131

socalTECH

JUNE 15, 2015

Los Angeles-based online real estate funding marketplace RealtyMogul.com said Friday that it has copelted an equity capital raise for a multi-tenant medical office building in Texas. Size of the transaction was not announced. RealtyMogul, which is led by Jilliene Helman, operates a peer-to-peer, crowdfunded marketplace which helps real estate developer raise funding from accredited investors.

Equity 130

Equity Los Angeles Funding Capital 130

socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2015

Westlake Village-based Cynvenio Biosystems said Thursday that it has linked with Cure Forward , a provider of web-based paltforms for patients to share genetic testing results, to help cancer patients with their treatments. According to the two, the deal will help patients and physiciansleverage results from Cynvenio's ClearID genomic test, which uses whole blood draw to profile cancer tumor cells.

Westlake Village 125

Westlake Village Web Help Funding 125

socalTECH

JUNE 18, 2015

Thousand Oaks-based Teledyne Technologies said this morning that it has added Bob Malone, the Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Sonora Bancshares, to its board of directors. Malone was previously Executive Vice President of BP, and also had served as Chairman and President of BP America. Malone is currently also on the boards of Halliburton Company, Peabody Energy Corporation, First Sonora Bancshares, and INTERA Incorporate.

Thousand Oaks 125

Thousand Oaks Technology Company Companies 125

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2015

Westlake Village-based Cynvenio Biosystems said Wednesday that it has raised $25.5M in a Series B funding round. The developer of life sciences equipment, used to profile cancer cells circulating in whole blood, came from Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, along with Greenwoods Private Equity Funds and Syno Capital. Cynvenio is led by Andre de Fusco. Cynvenio said the deal includes an agreement o set up a Chinese joint venture with Livzon Pharmaceutical Group.

Westlake Village 125

Westlake Village Equity Capital Funding 125

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2015

Los Angeles-based Triton Digital , a provider of services to help radio stations and others stream digital audio and insert ads into their audio content, reported a win Tuesday with Emmis Radio. Financial impact of the win were not disclosed. Triton Digital says its technology will go towards monetizing content across 19 Fm and 4 AM radio stations owned by Emmis Radio.

Content 125

Content Los Angeles Report Capital 125

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2015

Los Angeles-based digital invitations service Evite , which is owned by Liberty Interactive, said it has just send out its 2 billionth event invitation, which is says is a major milestone for the company. As a celebration of the 2 billionth event invitation, the company said it sprung a surprise party for the host of that event, a mother in Northern California, ramping up the event with a $25,000 party featuring carnival tents and performers, midway games, photo booth, catered lunch, and much, m

Evite 125

Evite Los Angeles Services Help 125

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2015

Los Angeles-based ProProfs , a developer of online quiz, tools, learning, and other software, has acquired knowledge base software developer HelpIQ , according to the company. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. HelpIQ develops cloud-based software for managing online documentation and help, and is used to create online knowledge bases.

Knowledge Base 125

Knowledge Base Software Development Acquisition Los Angeles 125

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2015

Santa Monica-based Rayton Solar , a startup developing solar industry manufacturing technology, announced this morning that it has raised $1M in seed funding, and is looking for another $1.2M. The startup--which is utilizing laser technology from UCLA--said it has created a process which uses 1/50 to 1/100 less silicon to manufacture solar panels, which uses laser beams to deposit silicon on those panels, dramatically reducing the cost of those panels to manufacture.

UCLA 125

UCLA Santa Monica Seed Funding Startup 125