Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

Since selling Matt has gone on to become one of the smartest angels I have seen operate. He is very hands-on and helpful – especially for any company looking into customer acquisition. o CPM model gave him control over the information in the acquisition cycle so he focused on that. - He told them it was now or never.

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Startup Customer Custom 304

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. The reality is that angel investors are humans, and personal traits often make or break the relationship, even before the investment is considered. Listens before answering questions.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Angel Technical Review Course 96

TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Mogul Millennial — this Dallas-based company is a digital media platform for black entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. Nuggetverse — Los Angeles-based Nuggetverse is creating a children’s media business based on its marquee character, Tubby Nugget. -based professional digital community built for blue-collar workers.

Artificial Inteligence 331

Artificial Inteligence Social Network Los Angeles Snapchat 331

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Los Angeles-based social video sharing app Triller announced this morning that it has acquired Thuzio, which runs business-to-business premium influencer events and experiences. According to Triller, it will use the acquisition to grow its live event programming. Financial terms of the buy were not announced.

Entertainment 113

Entertainment Acquisition Los Angeles Sales 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2020

Officially, the investment banks mission is to raise money for companies by issuing and selling securities in the capital markets, and providing advice on transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. Investment banks normally charge fees consisting of three components.

Invest 144

Invest Entrepreneur Venture Capital Funding 144

socalTECH

OCTOBER 17, 2016

Los Angeles-based Science Inc. www.science-inc.com), the startup �studio� led by former MySpace CEO and technology veteran Mike Jones , just saw its third acquisition out of its portfolio this year�the acquisition of FameBit by Google/Youtube. What made these three companies successful acquisitions out of all your companies?

Dollar Shave Club 100

Dollar Shave Club Entrepreneur Startup Google 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 99

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2010

Startup Killer: the Cost of Customer Acquisition | For Entrepreneurs , February 2, 2010 Looks at the critical equation around customer acquisition cost vs. customer lifetime value similar to what I discussed in Startup Metrics but in more depth. They now have a cool new way to get intros to these angels: StartupList.

Pricing 150

Pricing Acquisition Customer Custom 150

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

This is the fourth article in a series on what it takes to be a great angel investor (and why this should matter to entrepreneurs). Markets like these are very kind to angel investors because you get taken out early and see a nice pop on your investment. This is the same with angel investing. This is actually the norm.

Invest 283

Invest Angel Startup Marketing 283

socalTECH

AUGUST 18, 2010

For today's Insights and Opinions section, where we feature insights and analysis from the local technology community, we have an article from Jeff Cohn , an entrepreneur and veteran of the angel and VC investment community here in Southern California. Read the rest of Jeff's post on on angel and venture capital shareholder liquidity.

Venture Capital 145

Venture Capital Capital Tech Coast Angels Angel 145

socalTECH

OCTOBER 14, 2019

Los Angeles- and Atlanta-based Mighty Oak Entertainment , which produces sports clips for traditional, digital, and streaming, has received an investment from former MGM Television President John Bryan and entrepreneur and KDOCTV (Los Angeles) owner Bert Ellis, Jr., the company said last week.

Entertainment 113

Entertainment Invest Los Angeles Content 113

TechCrunch LA

JANUARY 13, 2017

coming up, the future’s so bright entrepreneurs might want to wear… Spectacles. Last year saw the city reap windfall exits from the acquisition of companies like Dollar Shave Club, and has a number of promising e-commerce companies… Read More.

Dollar Shave Club 80

Dollar Shave Club Los Angeles Company Companies 80

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2015

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. There is no substitute for knowing your business.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 106

socalTECH

JULY 23, 2012

There's been a surge in startup accelerator activity in Los Angeles in the last year, as interest in starting a company in the region has grown, and a wide range of experienced entrepreneurs and investors have pitched in to help companies get to the next level. Of that, $97.47 in companies associated with digital studio Science Inc.

Los Angeles 234

Los Angeles Angel Report Startup 234

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

socalTECH

AUGUST 16, 2012

ViSalus , a nutritional supplements maker co-founded by Los Angeles-based, technology entrepreneur Ryan Blair, has filed for an IPO, saying that it is looking to raise up to $175M in an IPO. Blair is CEO, and remains in Los Angeles. ViSalus is based in Troy, Michigan. READ MORE>>.

Entrepreneur 164

Entrepreneur Social Network Los Angeles Sites 164

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2014

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. Don’t forget a viable financial model of costs, margins, customer acquisition, and break-even. It’s time for a new startup model. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Customer 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Los Angeles-based HAAWK , a new startup focused on rights management, copyright enforcement, and content monetization, has raised $2.5M The startup, led by serial entrepreneur Ryan Born, said it also acquired a range of assets from Dart Music. Financial details of the Dart Music acquisition was not announced.

Startup 177

Startup Venture Capital Content Google 177

socalTECH

DECEMBER 22, 2017

E-commerce giant Amazon has acquired wireless camera maker Blink , one of the competitors to Los Angeles-based video doorbell maker Ring , Blink said Friday. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced.

Commerce 124

Commerce Acquisition Los Angeles Entrepreneur 124

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. The reality is that angel investors are humans, and personal traits often make or break the relationship, even before the investment is considered. Listens before answering questions.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Technical Review Course Patents 117

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

Is another, Los Angeles consumer startup-- The Honest Company --about to be acquired by Unilever ? An unconfirmed report Thursday afternoon, from TechCrunch, says that Unilever is in early talks to acquire the company, founded by Jessica Alba and SoCal serial entrepreneur Brian Lee. READ MORE>>.

Dollar Shave Club 100

Dollar Shave Club Report Company Companies 100

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Los Angeles-based mobile video sharing and creation company Flipagram , let by Farhad Mohit, has beenacquired by Chinese company Toutiao , the companies said this morning. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. Toutiao said it will use the acquisition to help expand into the U.S.

Flipagram 100

Flipagram Company Companies Los Angeles 100

socalTECH

OCTOBER 16, 2013

Desktone , the developer of virtual desktop software which had been founded by Los Angeles entrepreneur Eric Pulier, has been acquired by VMware. VMware announced the acquisition yesterday, but did not disclose financial details of the acquisition. desktone vmware eric pulier merger acquisition virtualization desktop'

Acquisition 153

Acquisition Los Angeles Software Capital 153

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Greathouse: Your collective experiences have clearly made bootstrapping a viable option for you, more so than might be the case for a typical, younger entrepreneur who needs more direction, doesn’t have cash discipline, etc. Metrics related to customer acquisition, lifetime value and churn. It was a viable option for us.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

socalTECH

APRIL 23, 2018

Simi Valley-based Xavient Digital , a provider of IT solutions and software services, said it is in a major hiring push in the region, and plans to hire 250 people in the next few months in Los Angeles, San Diego, as well as other locations across the US. Xavient had been founded by longtime area entrepreneur Rajeev Tandon.

San Diego 100

San Diego Acquisition Los Angeles Services 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2010

Non-organic growth would include OEM relationships, finding strategic partners, “coopetition,” as well as acquisitions. Even mergers and acquisitions (M&A) came early. Entrepreneurs, while partnering with or acquiring a new business, must check for compatibility and strategic fit. Marty Zwilling.

Acquisition 85

Acquisition Startup Organization Competition 85

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. Don’t forget a viable financial model of costs, margins, customer acquisition, and break-even. It’s time for a new startup model.

Technical Review 143

Technical Review Customer Custom Entrepreneur 143

socalTECH

APRIL 24, 2013

Ecomom , the onetime Los Angeles green products e-retailer, which had been led by entrepreneur Jody Sherman until his untimely death earlier this year, has been acquired by fellow green products e-retailer GreenCupboards. As part of the acquisition, GreenCupboards said it will rename itself etailz, Inc. READ MORE>>.

Social Media 159

Social Media Acquisition Los Angeles Entrepreneur 159

Berkonomics

JUNE 29, 2017

If you have been following our recent insights, you’ll be up to speed knowing that professional investors negotiate tough terms, from provisions of control over asset acquisition, eventual sale of the company, future investments, forced co-sale when others attempt to sell their shares and more. Trust works both ways.

Invest 243

Invest Entrepreneur Sales Startup 243

socalTECH

MAY 23, 2016

Los Angeles-based in-home tech support startup HelloTech , which is led by Richard Wolpert, said this morning that it has merged with Geekatoo , a fellow in-home tech support company. The new company will be known as HelloTech, and continue to be led by Wolpert, who is a well known startup advisor and serial entrepreneur in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles 124

Los Angeles Acquisition Startup Networking 124

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 24, 2014

Los Angeles-based Burstly , the developer of app analytics and testing software, has quietly been acquired by Apple. The acquisition is not a surprise to Apple app developers, who have widely adopted the company''s tools. Rifkin is a serial entrepreneurs, having succesfully sold his prior firm --TagWorld/Social Project--to MTV.

GRP Partners 147

GRP Partners Tool Acquisition Mobile 147

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. There is no substitute for knowing your business.

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 127

socalTECH

OCTOBER 15, 2014

Among the announcements at the demo day were the funding of smartphone toy company SnowShoe , and an acquisition of Smart Toy , a developer of an interactive toy. The Disney Accelerator said that Smart Toy was acquired by Los Angeles-based children''s product firm Cartwheel Kids, and that SnowShoe raised $2.2M READ MORE>>.

Class 185

Class Startup Seed Funding Entertainment 185

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

The acquisition of Los Angeles-based in-flight Wi-Fi equipment provider Row 44 has been approved by the stockholders of acquiring firm Global Eagle Acquisition Corp. Guidon and LaValle are serial entrepreneurs, whose last firm, ComCore Semiconductor, was acquired by National Semiconductor. Golden Eagle said Thursday.

Entertainment 145

Entertainment Acquisition Los Angeles Entrepreneur 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 15, 2014

In another boost to the reputation of Los Angeles for financial technology startups, Common Assets LLC , a financial technology startup focused on investment platforms for individual investment in solar power technology, has been acquired by SolarCity. Common Asset was backed by Los Angeles private equity investor U.S. READ MORE>>.

Southern California 138

Southern California Los Angeles Acquisition Equity 138

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

With the current volatile economy, as an active startup mentor, I’m seeing a new surge of entrepreneurs and startups, with the commensurate scramble for funding. There just aren’t enough angel investors and VCs to go around. This approach is thus not viable for entrepreneurs already out of money. Marty Zwilling.

Funding 104

Funding Summary Entrepreneur Acquisition 104

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Los Angeles-based Telesign, which is headed by serial entrepreneur Steve Jillings, said that the acquisition will help it improve its fraud prevention services. Telesign , the provider of Internet security and authentication services and tools, said today that it has acquired global SMS provider Routo Telecommunications.

Commerce 213

Commerce Acquisition Mobile Los Angeles 213