socalTECH

OCTOBER 6, 2008

Santa Monica-based Zag, which is developing software for auto buying programs, has signed on another AAA group as a customer. Zag is headed by former CarsDirect CEO Scott Painter, and is venture backed by Anthem Venture Partners, Capital One Auto Finance, GRP Partners, Arcturus Capital, Callaway Cars and the Skoll Fund.

Zag 100

Zag CarsDirect Arcturus GRP Partners 100

socalTECH

JANUARY 28, 2009

When we got funded, we worked harder to put together a product which was longer lasting, and not just a beta attempt like what we had done before. I started as a tester, but in six months, I had risen to assistant project manager at CarsDirect. We understand you've gotten some angel funding? in architectural technology.

Patents 179

Patents CarsDirect Sites Pomona 179

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

I’ve heard it many founders of VC backed companies in LA who tell me that in their NorCal VC meetings they are told, “we might be interested but we’d want you to relocate to the Bay Area if we funded you.&#. Funding is different outside of Silicon Valley. As a result many funds are OK with big bets.

Venture Capital 313

Venture Capital Southern California Google Startup 313