INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
Santa Monica-based Bird Rides Inc. is buying Bay Area competitor Scoot Networks Inc MORE
Ever wonder what the origins were of some of the most successful local startups? Look no further than the seed round pitch deck for SendGrid , one of the biggest exits of a company founded in Orange County in recent years. SendGrid had a successful IPO in 2017 , and was acquired for $3 billion in February. One of the company's co-founders, Isaac Saldana, helped co-found the company in Anaheim. MORE
SpaceX considers bid on NASA lunar supply mission; Survios expands VR game offerings; Sunbit finds $26 million MORE
Los Angeles-based AppOnboard , which develops mobile app design and development software, has acquired Buildbox , a developer of mobile game development software. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. According to AppOnboard, Buildbox's tool have been used so far to power more than 45,000 unique games, and has seen more than 3 billion estimated downloads on app stores. Both AppOnboard and Buildbox develop tools which do not require coding to develop apps. MORE
A new report , published by startup networking organization AngelList , says that Los Angeles is losing out to such areas as the Bay Area and New York, because of failure to offer up training to newly graduating engineering graduates. According to AngelList, 72 percent of LA's engineering graduates leave the area for their first jobs--which the group attributes to a lack of recruiting of junior level engineers at local startups and high tech companies. MORE
Los Angeles-based Elevate Services , a developer of enterprise, legal management software, has received $25M in an investment round, from private equity investor Kayne Partners, according to the two companies. According to Elevate, it has now deployed almost $60M in total for its efforts. Elevate said it will use the new, minority investment to scale its operations and to enhance its software. MORE
Santa Monica-based Bird announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Scoot , a San Francisco-based scooter service--giving Bird entry back into the San Francisco market, and also helping Bird scale out its operations. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. According to Bird, Scoot will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, and also help Bird offer more vehicles featuring the latest technology advancements for the sharing market. MORE
The surge of activity by such technology giants as Google , Amazon , and Netflix is completely reshaping the Los Angeles real estate market , according to a report from the Los Angeles Times, as those tech giants are jostling to acquire real estate in LA. MORE
San Diego-based life sciences equipment maker Illumina has won a patent infringement lawsuit it filed against Ariosa Diagnostics , according to the company, in a win in the United Kingdom. According to Illumina, it received a judgement in its favor in the patent infringement suit, from the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court in the United Kingdom. MORE
Moorpark-based ERP Power , a manufacturer of power electronics for the LED lighting market, has acquired Lumenetix , a manufacturer of tunable color light engines for the lighting market. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. ERP Power--which is owned by private equity investor Angeles Equity Partners--said the move will help simplify integration by original equipment manufacturers, providing integrated driver, light engine, and digital controls. MORE
Los Angeles-based HipDot Studios , a new startup which is enabling influencers to create their own beauty brands, has raised $2.5M in a funding round and launched its platform, according to the company. The startup--founded by Jeff Sellinger, Sam Lim and Mo Winter--said the $2.5M in funding came from Founders Fund, Foundation Capital, and Ludlow Ventures. MORE
The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program, which is run out of San Diego, said it has launched a new, $1 billion program to bolster clean energy access for low-income, residential tenants. According to the SOMAH program, it has begun accepting applications for the new program, which gives property owners financial incentives for installing solar photovoltaic energy systems on housing serving low-income and disadvantaged communities throughout the state. MORE
Irvine-based Verify , a provider of supplier performance management solutions for aerospace, high-technology, and other industries, said it has established a new, European subsidiary in Hamburg, Germany. According to Verify, its new subsidiary, Verify Deutschland GmbH will provide its full suite of solutions. Verify says it has been in Europe for over 40 years, but that the new subsidiary will provide a "significant and strategic" expansion of its capabilities in Europe. READ MORE>>. MORE
116 Santa Ana-based Iteris , which provides data analysis in the areas of traffic, roads, weather, water, soil and crops, says that it has acquired Albeck Gerken , a provider of traffic operations engineering services. Albeck Gerken was based in Tampa, Florida. Accordin to Iteris, it will pay $10.7M for Albeck Gerken, split between cash and stock, and also another $2.3M in incentives paid out over the next three years. Albeck Gerken had revneues of $8.1M for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. MORE
Los Angeles-based consulting giant AECOM said this morning that it plans to spin off its government services business, in a deal that it expects will be complete in the second half of fiscal 2020. MORE
I know, I don’t even know you. Here’s the thing. Let’s say Melanie is an early-stage investor. If she placed a bet blindly for every startup that thinks they’re ready to raise, her chips would fall on the “not ready to raise” words written in fancy script on the soft green felt of the betting table. MORE
A new, philanthropic education effort-- Coding Our Future LA --announced on Tuesday that it is sending 200, South LA students to summertime "tech camps", as part of a philanthropic and educational effort to increase opportunities for underserved youth in the technology space. MORE
Monday, June 24, 2019 -- UC Irvine Summer Academies in the Arts. UC Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts presents Summer Academies in the Arts - college and career preparatory intensives in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Technology for students ages 8-22 years old. Classes run through August 16, 2019. Scholarships and financial aid are available! See [link] (more MORE
Irvine-based online equipment rental marketplace BigRentz announced this morning that it has launched a $10,000 scholarship effort, where it will provide two students with $5,000 scholarships to cover educational expenses towards attending a vocational trade school. According to BigRentz, the new scholarship is available to high school seniors planning on vocational training and students currently enrolled in a trade school. MORE
El Segundo-based toy maker Mattel has linked with Apple to launch a new, "connected" toy around its Hot Wheels cars, the company said Friday. According to Mattel, its new Hot Wheel Race Portal is a digital accessory which connects into existing Hot Wheels tracks, and allows users to track their vehicles, track speeds and lap counts, and interact with their information via a companion app. MORE
If you're an avid video game player, how to you improve your game? Once you've exhausted looking online for tips, Los Angeles-based ProGuides (www.proguides.com) offers up professional, instructional content to help you improve your skills at such popular titles as League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Fortnite. We spoke with ProGuides founder Sam Wang to better understand what the company does, and why users are joining its service and using its marketplace to find professional video game coaches. MORE
Santa Monica-based private equity investor Clearlake Capital Group has acquired Dude Solutions , a developer of operations management software, which was based in Cary, North Carolina. Financial details of the acquisition were not annoucned. Clearlake Capital acquired Dude Solutions from another private equity firm, Warburg Pincus. MORE
The worrying that always precedes a change. When a new CEO or manager is hired into a company, for a while lots of energy flows from the top and new ideas seem to be generated daily. MORE
San Diego-based ZeaKal >, a startup developing plant genetics technology to increase photosynthesis, improve plant yield and enhance nutritional profiles for a variety of agricultural crops, has raised $10M in a funding round, which came from investor Canopy Rivers. According to Canopy Rivers, which announced the investment, it now owns approximately 8.7 percent of ZeaKal. As part of the funding, it will take an observer seat on ZeaKal's board of directors. MORE
California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing has launched an investigation into Sawtelle-based Riot Games for alleged gender bias and other discriminatory conduct MORE
130 Los Angeles-based Spring Labs , a startup developing a blockchain-based platform for sharing of financial information, has raised $23M in a Series A funding. According to Spring Labs, the funding was led by GreatPoint Ventures, and also included August Capital, as well as General Motors Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of General Motors, RRE Ventures, Galaxy Digital, Multicoin Capital, The Pritzker Group, and CardWorks. MORE
San Diego-based Atlazo , a startup developing systems-on-a-chip (SoC) semiconductors aimed at used in healthcare and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, has raised $3.4M in a seed funding round. The funding round was led by the Tech Coast Angels, and the TCA's San Diego chapter. According to the TCA, its angel network members invested $2.5M in the round. MORE
socalTECH
JUNE 19, 2019
Santa Monica-based private equity investor Clearlake Capital Group has acquired Dude Solutions , a developer of operations management software, which was based in Cary, North Carolina. Financial details of the acquisition were not annoucned. Clearlake Capital acquired Dude Solutions from another private equity firm, Warburg Pincus.
L.A. Business Journal
JUNE 18, 2019
HipDot finds $2.5 million; Bird hopes to migrate to NYC; Elevate raises $25 million venture round
Berkonomics
JUNE 13, 2019
The worrying that always precedes a change. When a new CEO or manager is hired into a company, for a while lots of energy flows from the top and new ideas seem to be generated daily.
Xconomy
JUNE 13, 2019
I know, I don’t even know you. Here’s the thing. Let’s say Melanie is an early-stage investor. If she placed a bet blindly for every startup that thinks they’re ready to raise, her chips would fall on the “not ready to raise” words written in fancy script on the soft green felt of the betting table.
L.A. Business Journal
JUNE 17, 2019
SpaceX considers bid on NASA lunar supply mission; Survios expands VR game offerings; Sunbit finds $26 million
Southern California Tech Central brings together the best content for technical professionals in Southern California from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
socalTECH
JUNE 19, 2019
A new, philanthropic education effort-- Coding Our Future LA --announced on Tuesday that it is sending 200, South LA students to summertime "tech camps", as part of a philanthropic and educational effort to increase opportunities for underserved youth in the technology space.
socalTECH
JUNE 19, 2019
Irvine-based online equipment rental marketplace BigRentz announced this morning that it has launched a $10,000 scholarship effort, where it will provide two students with $5,000 scholarships to cover educational expenses towards attending a vocational trade school. According to BigRentz, the new scholarship is available to high school seniors planning on vocational training and students currently enrolled in a trade school.
socalTECH
JUNE 19, 2019
If you're an avid video game player, how to you improve your game? Once you've exhausted looking online for tips, Los Angeles-based ProGuides (www.proguides.com) offers up professional, instructional content to help you improve your skills at such popular titles as League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Fortnite. We spoke with ProGuides founder Sam Wang to better understand what the company does, and why users are joining its service and using its marketplace to find professional video game coaches.
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
Los Angeles-based Elevate Services , a developer of enterprise, legal management software, has received $25M in an investment round, from private equity investor Kayne Partners, according to the two companies. According to Elevate, it has now deployed almost $60M in total for its efforts. Elevate said it will use the new, minority investment to scale its operations and to enhance its software.
L.A. Business Journal
JUNE 14, 2019
Bird, Uber tariff relief requests denied; AppOnBoard buys BuildBox; Pluto TV links with Comcast
socalTECH
JUNE 17, 2019
Irvine-based Verify , a provider of supplier performance management solutions for aerospace, high-technology, and other industries, said it has established a new, European subsidiary in Hamburg, Germany. According to Verify, its new subsidiary, Verify Deutschland GmbH will provide its full suite of solutions. Verify says it has been in Europe for over 40 years, but that the new subsidiary will provide a "significant and strategic" expansion of its capabilities in Europe. READ MORE>>.
L.A. Business Journal
JUNE 13, 2019
Bird paid $25 million for Scoot; Sure raises $23 million; Disney Plus subscriber projections
L.A. Business Journal
JUNE 13, 2019
California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing has launched an investigation into Sawtelle-based Riot Games for alleged gender bias and other discriminatory conduct
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
Ever wonder what the origins were of some of the most successful local startups? Look no further than the seed round pitch deck for SendGrid , one of the biggest exits of a company founded in Orange County in recent years. SendGrid had a successful IPO in 2017 , and was acquired for $3 billion in February. One of the company's co-founders, Isaac Saldana, helped co-found the company in Anaheim.
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
A new report , published by startup networking organization AngelList , says that Los Angeles is losing out to such areas as the Bay Area and New York, because of failure to offer up training to newly graduating engineering graduates. According to AngelList, 72 percent of LA's engineering graduates leave the area for their first jobs--which the group attributes to a lack of recruiting of junior level engineers at local startups and high tech companies.
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program, which is run out of San Diego, said it has launched a new, $1 billion program to bolster clean energy access for low-income, residential tenants. According to the SOMAH program, it has begun accepting applications for the new program, which gives property owners financial incentives for installing solar photovoltaic energy systems on housing serving low-income and disadvantaged communities throughout the state.
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
The surge of activity by such technology giants as Google , Amazon , and Netflix is completely reshaping the Los Angeles real estate market , according to a report from the Los Angeles Times, as those tech giants are jostling to acquire real estate in LA.
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
San Diego-based life sciences equipment maker Illumina has won a patent infringement lawsuit it filed against Ariosa Diagnostics , according to the company, in a win in the United Kingdom. According to Illumina, it received a judgement in its favor in the patent infringement suit, from the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court in the United Kingdom.
socalTECH
JUNE 18, 2019
Moorpark-based ERP Power , a manufacturer of power electronics for the LED lighting market, has acquired Lumenetix , a manufacturer of tunable color light engines for the lighting market. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. ERP Power--which is owned by private equity investor Angeles Equity Partners--said the move will help simplify integration by original equipment manufacturers, providing integrated driver, light engine, and digital controls.
socalTECH
JUNE 17, 2019
Los Angeles-based HipDot Studios , a new startup which is enabling influencers to create their own beauty brands, has raised $2.5M in a funding round and launched its platform, according to the company. The startup--founded by Jeff Sellinger, Sam Lim and Mo Winter--said the $2.5M in funding came from Founders Fund, Foundation Capital, and Ludlow Ventures.
socalTECH
JUNE 17, 2019
El Segundo-based toy maker Mattel has linked with Apple to launch a new, "connected" toy around its Hot Wheels cars, the company said Friday. According to Mattel, its new Hot Wheel Race Portal is a digital accessory which connects into existing Hot Wheels tracks, and allows users to track their vehicles, track speeds and lap counts, and interact with their information via a companion app.
socalTECH
JUNE 17, 2019
Santa Ana-based Iteris , which provides data analysis in the areas of traffic, roads, weather, water, soil and crops, says that it has acquired Albeck Gerken , a provider of traffic operations engineering services. Albeck Gerken was based in Tampa, Florida. Accordin to Iteris, it will pay $10.7M for Albeck Gerken, split between cash and stock, and also another $2.3M in incentives paid out over the next three years. Albeck Gerken had revneues of $8.1M for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.
socalTECH
JUNE 17, 2019
Los Angeles-based consulting giant AECOM said this morning that it plans to spin off its government services business, in a deal that it expects will be complete in the second half of fiscal 2020.
socalTECH
JUNE 14, 2019
Los Angeles-based AppOnboard , which develops mobile app design and development software, has acquired Buildbox , a developer of mobile game development software. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. According to AppOnboard, Buildbox's tool have been used so far to power more than 45,000 unique games, and has seen more than 3 billion estimated downloads on app stores. Both AppOnboard and Buildbox develop tools which do not require coding to develop apps.
SoCal Tech Calendar
JUNE 18, 2019
Monday, June 24, 2019 -- UC Irvine Summer Academies in the Arts. UC Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts presents Summer Academies in the Arts - college and career preparatory intensives in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Technology for students ages 8-22 years old. Classes run through August 16, 2019. Scholarships and financial aid are available! See [link] (more
socalTECH
JUNE 13, 2019
San Diego-based Atlazo , a startup developing systems-on-a-chip (SoC) semiconductors aimed at used in healthcare and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, has raised $3.4M in a seed funding round. The funding round was led by the Tech Coast Angels, and the TCA's San Diego chapter. According to the TCA, its angel network members invested $2.5M in the round.
socalTECH
JUNE 13, 2019
Los Angeles-based Spring Labs , a startup developing a blockchain-based platform for sharing of financial information, has raised $23M in a Series A funding. According to Spring Labs, the funding was led by GreatPoint Ventures, and also included August Capital, as well as General Motors Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of General Motors, RRE Ventures, Galaxy Digital, Multicoin Capital, The Pritzker Group, and CardWorks.
socalTECH
JUNE 12, 2019
Santa Monica-based Bird announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Scoot , a San Francisco-based scooter service--giving Bird entry back into the San Francisco market, and also helping Bird scale out its operations. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. According to Bird, Scoot will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, and also help Bird offer more vehicles featuring the latest technology advancements for the sharing market.
L.A. Business Journal
JUNE 12, 2019
Santa Monica-based Bird Rides Inc. is buying Bay Area competitor Scoot Networks Inc
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