Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'I wrote this on my flight home from f.ounders & web summit in Dublin, Ireland late last year. I think I was too hung over to finish it, hit publish and move on. So here is attempt two now that the alcohol is mostly out of me. The Magic of the Irish. Scenes from my counter-top on my last night in Dublin. I recently returned from a 5-day visit to Ireland, my first time back in 10 years and the start of what I hope will be a more regular travel schedule there.

Conference 392

Conference Startup Web Truecar 392

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

'Creating a gerat company in a relative vacuum is an exercise in complete trust that the entrepreneur knows what’s best for the customer, perhaps even without interaction with such a customer. It’s probably happened, but not often enough to trust this method as a formula for success. So, I’ve developed the three step dance in order to help form a repeatable method of how to create a great company from an early idea.

Company 229

Company Companies Startup Ideas 229

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'We''re experimenting with a new feature for our site: quick pitches from very early, local startups who haven''t had much (or any) funding. Today''s is with Shawn Peterson , founder of Los Angeles-based Underbuilt (www.underbuilt.com), an online site providing information on properties for the building and remodeling market. Are you the founder of a very early stage startup--not yet angel or venture backed--and want to talk about your startup?

West Los Angeles 228

West Los Angeles Startup Report Design 228

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Brandon Martinez, Co-Founder and CEO of INDMusic , is helping to the change the face of online music. INDMusic has over 300 partners, and has generated over 2.5 billion views on YouTube. By their own estimation, INDMusic is the largest music network on YouTube, with over 100 million monthly views and 2 million subscribers.

Networking 217

Networking Content IP Platform 217

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

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

'Not so long ago, training to meet the press and television reporters was a realm reserved for top business executives only. Now, even the earliest stage startup can rise to visibility or be forever lost by their first media spotlight, so it behooves us all to know the rules early. Most entrepreneurs I know admit to a poor first media interaction, and many are still waiting for the instant replay.

Press 105

Press Social Media Startup Training 105

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'This interview was an exciting one for me. I’ve been an avid user of Plug.DJ’s music discovery site since early 2012, have discovered a ton of music there (which, by the way, I’m still listening to today) and originally covered their $1.25M in seed-round funding from Javelin Venture Partners. Today, I give you a glimpse into their whirlwind success.

Startup 107

Startup Product Sites Tool 107

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

'Santa Monica-based voice and text-platform provider CallFire is bolstering its executive ranks today with a new hire, saying that it has named Barbara Palmer as the company''s new Chief Revenue Officer. CallFire joins the company from The Search Agency, where she was President of the company; she also had previously been at United Online, Ameriquest Mortgage, Paramount Pictures, Planet Hollywood and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Paramount 223

Paramount Santa Monica Hollywood Platform 223

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'Looking to complete your first half marathon? San Diego-based ACTIVE Network , the provider of cloud-based sports activity and registration services, has rolled out a new mobile app for iOS specifically to help people complete their first half marathon. According to ACTIVE Network, the 13.one Half Marathon app helps runners make it to their half marathon, by providing a 12 week training plan, tracking of training, and more.

Training 219

Training Activity Networking San Diego 219

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'Goleta-based medical equipment maker Inogen has set the pricing range for its IPO, saying in a filing with the SEC that it expects its stock to price at between $16.00 and $18.00 per share. The company is offering up 3,529,411 shares of its stock, and plans to trade on the NASDAQ Global Market as INGN. Inogen is a maker of oxygen concentrators and equipment used by patients with COPD and other respiratory ailments.

Avalon 214

Avalon Pricing Acquisition Marketing 214

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'In an interesting move, Saatchi Gallery , Saatchi Art , and Google+ said they are running a new prize competition to encourage the creation of "motion photography" -- better known to you and I as animated GIFs. According to the three, they are launching the Motion Photography Prize , which will encourage photographers to participate in the "new creative art form.

Social Media 210

Social Media Google Competition Los Angeles 210

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'At The Pool , the Los Angeles startup which develops a service to help users meet new people based on their common interests, told its users over the last week that it is now in 120 countries and is covering 3,053 cities -- a dramatic growth that was driven by the launch of a set of mobile apps three months ago. The startup--which initially launched its service on the web back in 2012 --released. a new iOS application in November , allowing users to easily see who is nearby, what they''re doing

Social Network 200

Social Network Mobile Activity Networking 200

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'In a big loss for the local high tech community, computer security software developer Websense --based in San Diego--is moving its headquarters to Austin, Texas, and is taking 445 jobs with it. According to Texas Governor Rick Perry--who has been aggressively courting Southern California companies--Websense has agreed to move its headquarters and employees to Texas, after receiving a $4.5M payment from the state.

Southern California 199

Southern California San Diego High Tech Equity 199

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'Los Angeles-based online advertising technology developer Rubicon Project has filed for an IPO, saying in a filing with the SEC that it is looking to sell up to $100M in its stock in an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. The company said it is looking to trade under the symbol RUBI. The company''s IPO is being underwritten by Morgan Stanley, Goldman, Sachs, & Co., RBC Capital Markets, Needham & Company, Oppenheimer & Co, and Luma Securities.

Clearstone 198

Clearstone Advertising News Los Angeles 198

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'SRCH2 , the software developer developing advanced, instant search tools which is backed by TenOneTen Ventures, Data Collective, and others, says that its search engine is the fastest search engine now available for Android. According to the company, its software runs more than 400 times faster than other options--including other commercial software providers and the open source Lucene search engine--on local data.

Tool 190

Tool Software Google Resource 190

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Unitas Global , a new, cloud services company founded by infrastructure veteran Grant Kirkwood, said today that it has raised a new funding round, from MK Capital and Azure Capital. Size of the funding round was not announced. Unitas Global provides cloud-based infrastructure to businesses, including enterprise private cloud, disaster recovery, data center management services, and other related offerings.

Funding 185

Funding Capital Los Angeles Sales 185

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'Venice, California-based Snapchat , the developer of the popular social media app, has added $4.5M in venture funding--and three new investors--as part of its Series C funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the company today. Details on the new funding were not announced by the company. Snapchat had raised the initial $50M in its Series C back in December, from Coatue Management; the company''s has previously raised funding from Institutional Venture Partners, General Catalyst, Benc

Snapchat 178

Snapchat Social Media Venice Venture Capital 178

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'In an email to the company''s supporters and fans, Sonos , the developer of the easy-to-use, wireless whole home music systems, said that the company is looking to bring its vision--to fill every home with music and make listening a valued experience again--to the world via its Super Bowl ad , which debuted Sunday during the big game. The ad looks to be a major milestone for the company, which was founded in 2002, introducing its first systems in 2004, and has since grown to become one of the l

Redpoint 174

Redpoint Southern California Advertising Email 174

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Prodege , the company which runs the Swagbucks rewards site, reported today that the firm passed $50M in revenue in 2013, is profitable, and has expanded its executive team to include a new Executive Chairman, Chuck Davis, the former CEO of Shopzilla and Fandango; a new CFO, Brad Kates; and a new CTO, Shane O''Neill. Kates was CFO of both Shopzilla.com and Bizrate.com, and O''Neill was CTo of Fandango and the Synapse Group.

Fandango 173

Fandango Web Los Angeles Report 173

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

'San Diego-based cloud communications service developer Voxox said Thursday that it has acquired PokeTALK , an international calling service, rom E-Mobile. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Voxox said the move would elp expand its global fotprint. Voxox operates both consumer and business communications services; PokeTALK provides international phone call applications for iOS and Android, as well as via OEM desktop software.

San Diego 170

San Diego Mobile Services Acquisition 170

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'Two, Southern California startups -- whole home music system developer Sonos , and streaming music service Beats Music -- made their Super Bowl commercial debuts yesterday, an unusual occasion for the startup community here. A 30-second, Super Bowl commercial spot this year cost $4 million, not including the cost of creating and filming a commercial.

Culver City 170

Culver City Hulu Southern California High Tech 170

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'Los Angeles-based mobile advertising firm Airpush , and Pasadena-based ad exchange and ad technology provider OpenX said Monday that the two companies are in a partnership to launch a new, private mobile ad exchange. The two said the new exchange--billed AirX --will provide real-time bidding on Airpush''s ad network, which offers up advertising via more than 120,000 Android apps.

OpenX 168

OpenX Mobile Advertising Pasadena 168

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'Is Los Angeles becoming the capital of mobile dating and flirting apps? Truly Social Apps , a UK-based mobile app development firm, launched its new flirting app for singles here today, saying that its new apps-- Flirt Planet Meet and Flirt Planet Play --are targeted at helping people practice their flirting skills. It''s unclear if the London company has any other links to LA, which is the home of such companies as Snapchat , Tinder , Spark.com , and eHarmony.

Snapchat 168

Snapchat eHarmony Mobile Los Angeles 168

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'Action sports camera maker GoPro --which has operations in San Diego--said Friday that it plans to conduct a registered, initial public offering of its stock. The company, which has headquarters in San Mateo, said it made a confidential submission of its draft registration statement Friday to the SEC. Those documents are typically made public until after SEC review, under the new SEC confidential IPO filing rules.

Steamboat Ventures 164

Steamboat Ventures San Diego Technical Review Southern California 164

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Laudville , the online, social sharing service led by Phoebe B. Scott, said this week that it has launched out of beta, letting users share and discover movies, TV shows, music, and books. According to the startup, it has launched a new version which includes such features as links to Twitter, ability to find other friends using the service, a history of bookmarks and opinions, and much more.

Hulu 164

Hulu Entertainment Content Los Angeles 164

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

'San Diego-based real-time marketing analytics software developer Anametrix said Wednesday that it has named Barry Parshall as its new SVP of Product Management. Parshall was most recently at iJento, where he also served at SVP of Product Management. Parshall also has served at Adobe/Omniture, WebTrends, Crystal Descisions, Business Objects, and Micro Data Base Systems.

Product 164

Product San Diego Software Development Software 164

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'City of Industry-based NewEgg , the unsung, billion dollar e-commerce giant which is among the largest online businesses in Southern California, is taking on Amazon Prime with a new program it launched this morning-- NewEgg Premier. NewEgg began offering the new program to its customers this morning, saying that customers can get free expedited shipping, exclusive deals, free returns, and dedicated customer service by joining the $49.99 per year program.

NewEgg 164

NewEgg Southern California City of Industry City of Industry 164

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'Santa Monica-based online petsitting marketplace DogVacay has bolstered its marketing and product team, saying this morning that it has named Kerry Bennett as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Jeanne Anderson as Senior Vice President of Product. Bennett joins from HauteLook, where she was SVP of Marketing, and Anderson joins from Futuredontics, where she was VP of Product Management.

Product 164

Product Marketing Santa Monica Help 164

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

'Marina del Rey-based mobile app developer textPlus , which develops apps that provides free texting and phone service, said late Tuesday morning that it has named Nanea Reeves as President of the company. Reeves is a veteran of JAMDAT, and joins JAMDAT co-founders Scott Lahman, Austin Murray and Zachary Norman at textPlus. Reeves was most recently a key executive at Machinima, and was also Chief Product & Strategy Officer over at Gaikai before it was acquired by Sony.

Marina Del Rey 159

Marina Del Rey Mobile Services Product 159

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

'Agoura Hills-based Interthinx , which develops loan quality analytics and decision support tools for the mortgage industry, has been acquired by Santa Ana-based title insurance provider First American Financial Corporation , the two said this morning. According to First American Financial, it paid $155M for Interthinx to acquire it from parent company Verisk Analytics.

Agoura Hills 157

Agoura Hills Agoura Acquisition Tool 157

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 3, 2014

'Online flower delivery startup The Bouqs Company , which is based in Los Angeles, announced today that it has launched a brand new app, which allows customers to send flowers directly from their smartphone or tablet to friends, colleages, and others. According to the company, the new app runs on both iOS and Android platforms, and provides "two click" sending of its farm-direct flowers to anyone you want.

Mobile 157

Mobile Los Angeles Platform Customer 157

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'The IPO filing by Rubicon Project is not only notable for one of Southern California''s''s fast growing Internet advertising companies: it looks to be the the first IPO filing by a venture-backed, technology startup since 2012. Although the region has had a number of IPOs in the last year, most of them have been on the biotechnology and medical devices side, with a notable drought in IPOs from the high technology side of the market here--a big contrast to the huge debuts in Silicon Valley of su

Legalzoom 157

Legalzoom OpenX SpaceX Southern California 157

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

'San Diego-based TakeLessons , the online marketplace for instructors which is run by Steve Cox, has acquired another, online lessons marketplace provider, Betterfly. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Betterfly, which was based in Chicago, provided a database of students and teachers, helping to connect them with each other. TakeLessons said the move will make it the largest, online marketplace for lessons.

San Diego 153

San Diego Coach Acquisition Help 153

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

'San Diego-based private equity investor JMI Equity is the lead in a $38M funding for project management software developer AtTask. According to AtTask, it raised $38M in the Series D growth funding for its project management software, and will add JMI Equity''s Peter Arrowsmith to its board. AtTask develops cloud-based, project management software, and has now raised $75M in funding.

Equity 153

Equity San Diego Venture Capital Software Development 153

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

'In a move that further bolster''s Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti''s reputation as LA''s "tech mayor", Garcetti has announced that he has appointed Peter Marx as the city''s first Chief Innovation Technology Officer yesterday, to help oversee the implementation of technology across LA''s city government. Garcetti said that Marx will aim to help city government work better with residents using new technology, and also partner with the LA technology industry to deploy technology and promote local

Technology 150

Technology Electronic Arts UCLA Los Angeles 150

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

'Goodbye, ValueClick , and hello, Conversant. Westlake Village-based online marketing and advertising company ValueClick said late Monday that it has rebranded itself as Conversant, with a new focus on providing an "integrated marketing personalization platform". According to ValueClick, the move will unify all five of the digital marketing companies that ValueClick has launched or acquired since 1998, including ValueClick Media, Commission Junction, Greystripe, Dotomi and Mediaplex.

Westlake Village 149

Westlake Village Advertising Platform Marketing 149

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

'San Diego-based online flower retailer ProFlowers said late Tursday that it has launched a new, mobile app for the iPhone and iPod touch. According to the company, its new ProFlowers App allows customers to select flower arrangements based on sentiments and mood, handles address importing from their phone''s address book, and lets users take a picture of their credit card to pay for their purchase.

Mobile 147

Mobile San Diego Customer Custom 147