TechCrunch LA

JULY 19, 2022

Josh Kaplan and Dee Murthy, both founder and co-CEO of the Los Angeles–based company, started Ghost in 2021 after previously working together at Four Five Group, a men’s apparel business. Ghost itself closed on a Series A equity round of $13 million, along with $7 million in debt, in June. Syrup Tech bags $6.3M

Product 191

Product Funding Technical Review Equity 191

socalTECH

MAY 19, 2020

Los Angeles-based Assembly , a developer of e-commerce tools and software, has received what it says is a "significant investment" from private equity investor Providence Strategic Growth. According to Assembly, the new funding will go to both build and acquire e-commerce software and services.

Invest 113

Invest Commerce Equity Software 113

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Santa Barbara-based FastSpring , which develops e-commerce software for subscription-based software businesses, has been acquired by private equity investor Accel-KKR. According to FastSpring, Accel-KKR has made a majority equity investment in the firm, to provide capital and resources for its technology and go-to-market initiatives.

Santa Barbara 124

Santa Barbara Equity Commerce Resource 124

socalTECH

MARCH 2, 2018

Los Angeles-based venture capital investment firm First Beverage Ventures , which specializes in investing in beverage brands, has made an investment in vitamin-infused coffee and tea company VitaCup. Size of the equity funding was not announced. READ MORE>>.

Commerce 113

Commerce Venture Capital Equity Los Angeles 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Los Angeles-based private equity investor Atar Capital said this morning that it has acquired Canadian technology distributor Microcel.

Capital 140

Capital Belkin Technology Commerce 140

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2014

Los Angeles-based private equity investor Gores Group said Thursday that it has invested in Tweddle , a major provider of publishing and technology for the automotive OEM and supplier market. tweddle gores group venture capital private equity automotive auto information systems manual data product service' READ MORE>>.

Invest 147

Invest Equity Commerce Venture Capital 147

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over twice as many companies, according to a classic Crunchbase article. Individual angel investors and crowdfunding have been adding to the momentum, some say exceeding VCs in total amount invested.

Guide 136

Guide Venture Capital Funding Class 136

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2010

Los Angeles-based Magento Commerce , a developer of open source, e-commerce software tools, has raised $22.5M in an equity funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Tags: magento venture capital commerce ecommerce software shopping open source. Source of the new funding was not disclosed.

Commerce 173

Commerce Venture Capital Equity Los Angeles 173

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Los Angeles-based e-commerce software developer Assembly has joined the ranks of the local unicorn startups, according to the company, after getting a "significant capital injection" from Advent International. The company said it now surpasses $1 billion in valuation after the round.

Invest 113

Invest Commerce Software Development Los Angeles 113

TechCrunch LA

OCTOBER 28, 2020

The investment firms and executive teams behind the Los Angeles-based delivery liquor delivery company, Saucey , along with Inception Companies, the backer of marijuana distribution company, Emjay , have formed Pacific Consolidated to merge their two companies and build what’s likely the largest “vice” company in the world.

Company 188

Company Companies Los Angeles San Diego 188

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2014

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over 60 times as many companies, according the Center for Venture Research. Individual angel investors have been filling the gap, and now match VCs in total amount invested.

Angel 104

Angel Funding Startup Venture Capital 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Only one-third make it past their tenth anniversary. Join a startup incubator.

Startup 136

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 136

socalTECH

JULY 11, 2013

Los Angeles-based comparison shopping site Shopzilla said this morning that it has acquired Zappli , a developer of mobile applications. Zappli develops a mobile app called InstaBuy, which helps e-commerce sites with quick online checkout via phone, as well as myShopanion, a social shopping app for mobie users. READ MORE>>.

Commerce 153

Commerce Mobile Equity Sites 153

socalTECH

OCTOBER 7, 2020

Los Angeles-based business advisory and financial services company B. Riley Financial has made a strategic investment in a developer of software for the financial industry, IQvestment Holdings , the company announced this morning. Size of the investment was not announced. According to B.

Commerce 124

Commerce Los Angeles Pricing Invest 124

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 10, 2011

The Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) held its annual awards event last night, honoring former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, as well as local, venture backed companies in a banquet last night at the Luxe hotel in Los Angeles. Other finalists were Clicker.com , Truecar , and Zumbox. Other finalists included Ad.ly

LAVA 166

LAVA Zumbox Technology ReachLocal 166

TechCrunch LA

MAY 25, 2019

Liquid Death has attracted nearly $2 million in funding from angel investors like Away co-founder Jen Rubio and Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. Shopify quietly acquires Handshake, an e-commerce platform for B2B wholesale purchasing . If you enjoy this newsletter, be sure to check out TechCrunch’s venture-focused podcast, Equity.

Startup 223

Startup Venture Capital Newsletter Tips 223

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 21, 2019

Last week, I profiled an e-commerce startup Part & Parcel. million round led by Los Angeles firm Upfront Ventures, with participation from Mucker Capital and Matchstick Ventures. billion in a round led by the private equity firm GPI Capital this week. Before I jump into today’s topic, let’s catch up a bit.

Services 207

Services Startup Venture Capital Redpoint 207

socalTECH

JULY 28, 2011

Los Angeles-based Luxury Link said Wednesday that it has added Terry Jones, the founder of Travelocity, to its board of directors. He currently sits on the boards of Kayak.com, Rearden Commerce, and Smart Destinations, and is a special venture partner at General Catalyst Partners. Luxury Link is headed by Drew Marich. READ MORE>>.

Commerce 165

Commerce Equity Los Angeles Services 165

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Tips 104

Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2020

Venture capitalists (VCs) have long been seen as the top of the pyramid for startup funding sources, but in fact angel investors now fund over twice as many companies, according the Crunchbase. Individual angel investors and crowdfunding have been adding to the momentum, some say exceeding VCs in total amount invested.

Funding 125

Funding Venture Capital Startup Class 125

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2012

Los Angeles-based Hello Music , an online marketplace aimed at musicians, said this week that it now has over 225,000 members. Elevator itself is backed by private equity firm KGC Capital. READ MORE>>.

Incubator 145

Incubator Commerce Equity Los Angeles 145

socalTECH

OCTOBER 27, 2009

Irvine-based MyPrint , a provider of print and promotional marketing programs, as well as related e-commerce tecnology, has been acquired by Los Angeles private equity firm Triton Pacific Capital Partners , Triton said Tuesday. Triton Pacific said it acquired a majority interest in MyPrint, but did not provide financial details.

Commerce 140

Commerce Equity Los Angeles Acquisition 140

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

Los Angeles-based ShoeDazzle.com , an online, e-commerce site focused on shoe fashions, has raised $7.0M in equity funding, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. No details on the source of the funding were disclosed.

Commerce 140

Commerce Venture Capital Equity Los Angeles 140

socalTECH

MARCH 12, 2018

In recent years, Los Angeles has become the capital of subscription, consumer-focused "box" businesses, where consumers sign up for monthly deliveries based on a subscription. Love Goodly recently launched its own crowd equity funding campaign. Photo: On left, Justine Lassoff, on right, Katie Bogue Miller. What is Love Goodly?

Startup 157

Startup Commerce Los Angeles Product 157

socalTECH

JUNE 29, 2017

Those local funds are on top of a massive injection of funding from out of area venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, and strategic investors. Fund size: $250M growth fund Los Angeles Partners: Dana Settle, Mark Terbeek, Dylan Pearce, Paul Bricault, Jon Goldman. List ordered by fund size). Upfront Ventures.

Southern California 178

Southern California Venture Capital Artificial Inteligence Capital 178

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than early projections and product development. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Only one-third make it past their tenth anniversary. Join a startup incubator.

Startup 128

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 128

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 30, 2011

The panel is comprised of Southern California’s Top VC’s, Angels, and Startup Accelerator founders. Mike has over 18 years of strategic, operational and senior management experience in businesses ranging from early stage start-ups to private equity backed assets and from mid-stage business to large turn-around operations.

Tech Coast Angels 105

Tech Coast Angels Startup Angel Southern California 105

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2019

Los Angeles-based Retina is using machine learning and artificial intelligence to figure out customer lifetime value (CLV) for such businesses as Dollar Shave Club. We were acquired in 2014 by Summit Partners, and I ended up in private equity, post-acquisition at Summit Partners. That's where I saw the problem we are solving at Retina.

Dollar Shave Club 113

Dollar Shave Club Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom 113

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

I think from the perspective of real credibility, what we need is venture capital in the private equity marketplace. If you look at the trend lines, I think about it as commerce which is what ultimately business is all about. Commerce to me, involves a lot of advertising spend. Are there any other problems LA needs to fix?

Los Angeles 84

Los Angeles Media Invest Startup 84

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2009

Los Angeles-based CyberDefender , a developer of PC security and antivirus software, announced Thursday that the firm has raised $2.0M in equity from marketing firm Guthy-Renker. READ MORE>>.

Commerce 100

Commerce Invest Equity Los Angeles 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capitalists) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Startup 87

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 87

socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

So, it was a surprise when a number of smart, insider angels -- including Roy Rubin (founder of Magento, which he sold to eBay), and Dan Rose (VP of Partnerships at Facebook)--put their money behind TaxJar (www.taxjar.com), a San Diego startup developing sales tax compliance software. Sales tax compliance is not a typical sexy startup area.

Sales 149

Sales Software Startup Commerce 149

Xconomy

AUGUST 30, 2016

Petco, the privately held pet supplies company based in San Diego, said today it led a $10 million Series A financing in Los Angeles-based Petnet, a three-year-old startup developing technology-enabled pet feeders and pet food delivery service. The startup does its R&D and design in Los Angeles.

San Diego 52

San Diego Los Angeles Mobile Equity 52

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 20, 2014

WordPress, by way of $15M via North Bridge Growth Equity in WPEngine. The afternoon, with Tech Wildcatters ‘ Gabriella Draney and a handful of still-stealth eCommerce ventures, solidified that the industry of commerce is in Texas. eCommerce, as Volusion wraps up $35M with Silicon Valley Bank. Though, I’m glad that I did.

Technical Review 71

Technical Review Commerce Yahoo Web 71

socalTECH

MARCH 21, 2012

If you're looking get your startup off the ground in Los Angeles, it always helps to have help from folks with connections to the venture and angel community. The standard model for an accelerator is, they provide a tranche of equity, along with a suite of services that varies by different accelerator.

Startup 254

Startup Los Angeles Entrepreneur Media 254

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The problem is that professional investors (Angels and Venture Capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. The positives are that you give up no equity, and these apply to the early startup stages, but they do take time and much effort to win.

Startup 123

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2015

The problem is that professional investors (angels and venture capital) want a proven business model before they invest, ready to scale, rather than the more risky research and development efforts. Nevertheless, it’s an option that doesn’t cost you equity. Solicit funds from friends and family. Use crowd funding to build reserves.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Equity 105