L.A. Business Journal

JANUARY 31, 2020

BYD Motors Inc., the downtown-based electric bus manufacturer, delivered two vehicles to the Toronto Transit Commission, Canada’s largest transit operator, as the first part of a 10-bus order.

130

130

socalTECH

JANUARY 31, 2020

Los Angeles-based advertising exchange operator Rubicon Project and advertising software developer Telaria said on Thursday afternoon that the two have filed joint proxy statement and proxies, for their previously announced stock-for-stock merger. The companies said the move comes after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 on January 14th.

Advertising 113

Advertising Software Development Los Angeles Software 113

L.A. Business Journal

JANUARY 31, 2020

Venture capital and private equity investment firm Draper Goren Holm has made its first investment since a major management move in December, leading a seed round for Costa Mesa-based LunarCrush Inc.

Draper 130

Draper Venture Capital Equity Invest 130

socalTECH

JANUARY 31, 2020

The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) said this week a proposed modification to the Volcker Rule would allow commercial banks to once again invest in venture capital funds as limited partners (LPs), which it says would allow more capital to be available for venture firms to invest in startups. According to the NVCA, the current prohibition on financial institution investment into venture capital creates an "unnecessary roadblock for capital formation, particularly in underserved areas

Venture Capital 113

Venture Capital Invest Funding Capital 113

Advertiser: Aggregage

Office leases are one of companies’ largest expenses, and if your whole team is working from home with no clear end in sight, you may be wondering what to do about your lease.

Company

L.A. Business Journal

JANUARY 31, 2020

Santa Monica-based game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. signed several high-profile sponsors for its new “Call of Duty” League, two weeks after launching the professional esports competition.

Activision 130

Activision Santa Monica Competition 130

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2020

In my work with new startups, I often find people who believe that the terms “ entrepreneur ” and “ inventor ” are interchangeable. Yet I find a big difference between “starting a new business” and “creating a new product.” In my experience, most successful entrepreneurs have indeed created a new product, but most people who claim to be inventors have a hard time starting a business.

Startup 124

Startup Entrepreneur Customer Custom 124

Xconomy

JANUARY 31, 2020

An Aimmune Therapeutics drug developed to treat peanut allergy won FDA approval late Friday—the first time the agency has approved an oral immunotherapy for a food allergy. The Aimmune (NASDAQ: AIMT ) drug, Palforzia, was developed to desensitize patients to peanuts. The FDA decision covers patients between the ages of 4 and 17 who have a confirmed peanut allergy diagnosis.

Develop 115

Develop Development San Diego Blogging 115

L.A. Business Journal

JANUARY 31, 2020

Adam Bierman will step down in February from the cannabis company he helped establish in 2010.

Help 130

Help Company Companies 130

Xconomy

JANUARY 31, 2020

Arcutis Biotherapeutics raised about $159 million from its IPO, offering 1.6 million more shares than anticipated and pricing at the high end of its planned range. The Westlake Village, CA-based biotech sold about 9.4 million of its shares at $17 apiece. Arcutis (NASDAQ: ARQT ) shares began trading Friday. The stock price closed at $21.80, up 28 percent.

Westlake Village 114

Westlake Village Pricing Develop Development 114

Xconomy

JANUARY 31, 2020

If this week is any indication, the steady march of life science companies to Wall Street will continue in 2020. Black Diamond Therapeutics is leading the way, having raised $201 million from its IPO. In its first day of trading, the cancer drug developer watched its shares soar more than 108 percent. Black Diamond’s stock price rise shows that investors continue to be interested in companies developing kinase inhibitors for solid tumors, according to IPO research firm Renaissance Capital.

Research 51

Research Pricing Activity Capital 51