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What Mattered in 2012: Howard Marks, StartEngine

socalTECH

2012 has been a remarkably interesting year in terms of developments in technology. I'd say the biggest lesson I learned is that entrepreneurs need to have more contact with their customers and consumers upfront to build a better assessment of needs and priorities. You have to listen to your consumers and customers.

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Just raises $8M in its effort to beat Root at the car insurance game

TechCrunch LA

Los Angeles-based Just says it uses telematics “to reward safe drivers and reduce insurer bias” by looking at factors such as how, when and where customers drive, rather than factors such as ZIP code or marital status as most traditional insurers do. There’s Metromile, which launched its personalized pay-per-mile auto insurance in 2012.

Startup 203
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Honey Acquired By PayPal For $4 Billion

socalTECH

In one of the biggest acquisitions out of Southern California's technology startup industry in recent years, Los Angeles-based Honey Science Corporation , which develops a savings discovery and price tracking tool, has been acquired by PayPal , in a deal worth approximately $4 billion. Honey was founded in 2012 by George Ruan and Ryan Hudson.

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E-commerce’s Changing Landscape | Customization

Tech Zulu Event

Up 33% this year, according to the Washington Post, online commerce is trending upwards from $175 billion in 2007 to a projection of $335 billion in 2012 (Forrester Research). As customers shift online, retailers have no choice, to not only follow suit, but to adapt to their changing demands.

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What Happens When Startups Turn from Their Innovation Stage to Operational Excellence?

Both Sides of the Table

There is nothing more pure than building a product, putting it out in the world and seeing paying customers using your product and in some cases loving it. As companies get this initial customer feedback on their product they start to have to ask harder questions about unit economics: How much does it cost us to acquire a new customer?

Startup 286
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E-commerce’s changing Landscape: Customization

Tech Zulu Event

Up 33% this year, according to the Washington Post, online commerce is trending upwards from $175 billion in 2007 to a projection of $335 billion in 2012 (Forrester Research). As customers shift online, retailers have no choice, to not only follow suit, but to adapt to their changing demands.

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Competitive Intelligence

SoCal Tech Calendar

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 -- Competitive Intelligence: 007 Market Intel. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to estimate market size, competitive market share, how many potential customers are there, and price points. PDMA SoCal. It's Monday morning. He announces, "Let's build a gold-plated widget!"