Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

'A shortened, better edited and with nicer pictures version of this post first appeared on TechCrunch. But if you want it in it’s full V1 glory read on … You’ve never been a CEO but might like to be one some day. But how? Nobody sees you as a CEO since you’ve never been one? I wrote this conundrum and the need to take charge of how the market define your skills in my much-read blog post on “ personal branding.” If you don’t create the message about your

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Startup Venture Capital IP 273

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'When we accept the work commitment from a person we hire, we make a pact with the new employee that often stops at agreeing to pay for service rendered and to provide a safe working environment. There should be more than that. With some people you hire, you know you are just renting their services as they pass through your organization, aimed at a higher calling.

Help 157

Help Statistics Organization Email 157

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Los Angeles-based audio enhancement and processing software developer DTS said this morning that it is in a partnership with Culver City-based M-GO , the provider of video-on-demand and streaming movie services. According to DTS, M-GO will use it DTS-HD multi-channel surround sound as part of its video on demand service. Financial details of the licensing deal were not announced.

Culver City 125

Culver City Technology Demand Software Development 125

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

'A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. In 1862, Charles Darwin predicted that an insect with an extraordinary tongue must exist by observing an orchid which stores its nectar at bottom of long stem. Darwin surmised the anatomical structure of the phantom insect based on the mechanics required to pollinate the flower. 130-years later, scientists discovered X. morganii praedicta, a moth with a freakishly long tongue which fed on the orchid’s pollen.

Examples 192

Examples Startup Press Entrepreneur 192

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

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

'Even though I love technology, I always cringe when an entrepreneur starts his investor pitch to me by touting his new technology. They have forgotten that new technologies are perceived by most customers as causing more pain than the problems they eliminate. I chastise these startups to highlight the solution created by the technology, rather than highlighting the technology.

Technology 109

Technology Entrepreneur Custom Customer 109

Tech Coast Venture Network

FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Saturday, November 14th From 4:00PM to 9:00PM at The Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – UCIrvine.

100

100

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 19, 2015

'Empowering your direct reports with the reasons for your orders gives them incentive to act, motivation to accept authority, and purpose behind action. I try to teach this with the simple phrase that is the headline of this insight. Think of the last time someone above you in your business or personal life gave you an order to do something that seemed either illogical or of low priority – to you.

Report 142

Report Sales Email Tool 142

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'San Clemente-based software developer DealerSocket has acquired web-based, auto dealership software maker FEX DMS , the company said Thursday. Financial details of the buy were not disclosed. FEX DMS develops automotive dealer management systems aimed at independent dealers, handling inventory management, deal processing, loan servicing, electronic payments, and other functions for those dealers.

Software 143

Software Software Development Acquisition Web 143

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 2, 2015

'A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. Underdogs have a romantic appeal. Western societies relish fables which celebrate the victories of those who were expected to lose. Sophisticated entrepreneurs harness the power of their venture''s underdog status, driving their teams to be unabashedly passionate risk takers who refuse to acknowledge failure as an option.

Entertainment 172

Entertainment Startup Entrepreneur Customer 172

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 2, 2015

'Intuitively, many entrepreneurs and businesses believe that the key to faster growth and success is more products, features, and markets. Since we all have limited resources, and can’t add more hours to the day, the result is usually more things done poorly, rather than a few key things done better than anyone else. The message here is focus , reiterated by every advisor and investor.

Startup 109

Startup Resource Entrepreneur Metrics 109

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Without a doubt, when looking to technology, one can see it has changed the way we do business. Even thinking back 20 years, you can see that businesses have changed, for the better. While true, many entrepreneurs don’t take advantage of this or understand why technology is so crucial to helping one achieve higher profits and find more clients. With this in mind, it’s wise to consider technology’s role in supply chains, and here are five things to think about with regards to this important subj

Email 63

Email Technology Software Product 63

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 16, 2015

'*. I recently wrote a post talking about how some VCs meddle in operating company decisions or some executive teams are too reliant on VCs to jump in and make hard calls for them. Fred Wilson also wrote on a similar topic in his usual more succinct manner , with a great quote being: “One thing I know for sure is that those who advise and invest in startups cannot and should not meddle in the day to day decision making.

Startup 276

Startup Sales CTO Coach Course 276

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 12, 2015

'Unless your job is to teach, attempting to tell your direct reports HOW to do the job you’ve asked or ordered them to do will be a disincentive, will remove some of the authority you’ve delegated, and definitely reduce their motivation to act and lead. Think for a moment of sometime in the past where someone directed you to do a job, then launched into a lengthy explanation of how you should do it.

Report 157

Report Tool Email Help 157

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Los Angeles-based i.am+ , the smart watch maker founded by will.i.am , said Thursday that it has named Phil Molyneux as the company''s new President and Chief Operating Officer. Molyneux was most recently President and Chief Operating Officer of Sony Electronics Inc.-USA. Molyneux also spent a significant time at Sony in Europe, managing a number of the firm''s various operations. i.am+ is developing its own, smart watch called the PULS; the company said it now has over 80 employees spread betw

Los Angeles 116

Los Angeles Startup Angel Develop 116

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

'A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. Rose Broome, Founder of HandUp is rocking the non-profit world. HandUp allows donors to hyper-focus their donations to individuals with specific needs. This is a game changer for the homeless. Rather than panhandling for spare change, HandUp, with the help of its partners, allows people in need to create a video which tells their story.

Platform 180

Platform Startup Tips Help 180

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2015

'Even if you ignore all the hype around crowdfunding, there can be no doubt that it is a real alternative for entrepreneurs to achieve visibility and funding today. According to articles on Entrepreneur last year, there are now almost 1,000 crowdfunding platforms in existence, currently estimated to add more than $65 billion and 270,000 jobs to the economy.

Venture Capital 108

Venture Capital Angel Equity Satisfaction 108

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'A series of reports are circling the web regarding a new top secret project being performed by Apple. This project has been confirmed to be focused on the building of a self-driving car. The project is officially known as Titan. No reports have indicated as of yet as to whether Apple’s new project will have similarities to other auto projects currently being undertaken by companies such as Google and Tesla.

Google 66

Google Design Patents Report 66

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 12, 2015

'*. Shervin Pishevar. Many of the articles I’ve read about him over the last several years have a listing of his biggest successes – mostly Uber – and a tinge of cynicism about his close connections with celebrities or self promotion. Not this one. I’m going to write a pure admiration piece. A “hats off” (see what I did there?

Startup 281

Startup Conference Ideas Writing 281

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

'Ever had a manager above you who said one thing and did another? At least once? Or in a pattern of repeats? Well, you’re not alone. Did you think less of that person for it? Would you follow that manager to the ends of the earth? Well, almost everyone has had multiple such experiences with a senior manager. And most people think less of that person than before.

Examples 150

Examples Class Email Company 150

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Los Angeles-based j2 Global said this morning that it has again extended its tender offer for all of the shares of Carbonite , until March 30th. j2 Global--which launched a hostile bid for Carbonite in December , said that so far, 5,602,174 shares of Carbonite''s shares have been tendered. j2 said it is awaiting a move from Carbonite''s board of directors, to avoid triggering a recently adopted preferred share rights agreement (aka "poison pill"), and is in discussions with Carbonite over invol

Acquisition 125

Acquisition Los Angeles Services Sales 125

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Some of the all-time greatest business deals involve entrepreneurs who viewed the scope of their negotiations in terms of decades, rather than years. Too often, entrepreneurs negotiate deals which consider a relatively short-term time horizon. This tendency is understandable, as most business negotiations address near-term objectives, such as driving incremental revenue or acquiring customers.

Miramar 183

Miramar .Net Sales Entrepreneur 183

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

'Early-stage entrepreneurs rightly keep their focus on creating an innovative product or service. After celebrating success at that level, they often find themselves ill-prepared to move to the next stage, for scaling their business into a high-performing enterprise. That’s where I see too much entrepreneur burnout, growth plateaus, and founders being replaced, to their chagrin.

Startup 108

Startup Sales Metrics Entrepreneur 108

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 19, 2015

'In a world that is becoming increasingly knowledge-based, products are becoming highly digitized. A recent study of IT professionals reported that over 30% of their workplace environment is virtualized. We’ve even created an acronym for these kinds of services: software as a service (SAAS). Usually, a company provides subscription based access to subscribers allowing these subscribers to use software in the cloud.

SaaS 58

SaaS Networking Company Companies 58

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 10, 2015

'*. Phone calls. Millennials are allergic to them. I have this conversation Sofa King often that I’m sure each reader who has met me will think I’m talking specifically about you. I’m not. Well, I am. But not only you. Email is efficient. You can crank out asynchronous thoughts, orders, questions, commands and comments. I email often.

Startup 263

Startup Email Writing Course 263

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Los Angeles-based Demand Media has sold its social media software arm, Pluck , to New York-based Sprinklr , the companies said Thursday. Financial details of the sale were not announced. Pluck, which is based in Austin, was founded in 2003, and had been acquired by Demand Media in 2008 in a deal worth $56.3M. READ MORE>>.

Demand 135

Demand Media Social Media Los Angeles 135

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Los Angeles-based online fashion retailer Nasty Gal has raised $12.7M, as part of an ongoing venture funding targeted at $16M, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week. Source of the new funding was not announced. The new funding brings the company''s total raised to $61.7M. Nasty Gal has previously raised funds from Index Ventures. Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso recently stepped down as CEO , and the company had some major layoffs last September.

Layoffs 125

Layoffs Venture Capital Los Angeles Funding 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

'Despite the widespread impact of software today on our lives, there are a number of areas of computer science research which have had a difficult time in being translated into practical, every day usage. One of those areas is game theory--the use of computer simulations to predict the behavior of multiple people or entities, and how they will behave together, most famously depicted in that 1980''s movie, War Games.

Research 196

Research Patents USC Software 196

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'INVST , a Westlake Village-based startup which offers up an online platform to help alternative investment funds find accredited investors, has signed up three new clients for its service, the company said this week. The startup--founded and led by Alon Goren--said it has signed up Sperry Van Ness, DealPoint Merrill; Canyon Creek Capital; and Benhamou Global Ventures as clients of the company.

Westlake Village 142

Westlake Village Invest Venture Capital Tool 142

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'Santa Ana-based Iteris , which provides traffic management technology, said its CEO and president, Abbas Mohaddes, has resigned. The company said Mohaddes resigned from both his position and the company''s board to "pursue other opportunities". The company has appointed Kevin Daly--who was on the company''s board--as interim CEO until the company finds a replacement.

Technology 125

Technology Company Companies 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'Irvine-based Western Digital said today that it has rolled out a new set of network attached storage devices, aimed at the creative professional and small business market. The company said it launched four new products in its My Cloud line including two- and four-bay network attached storage systems, with versions aimed at the prosumer market, and parallel models aimed at small business customers.

Networking 125

Networking Startup Marketing Custom 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'Irvine-based laser marketing technology developer TherMark Holdings has been acquired by Cleveland-based Ferro Corporation , in a deal worth $5.5M, the two said late Wednesday afternoon. TherMark develops laser marking technology used to permanently fuse marking materials to metals, ceramics, glass, and other surfaces. Ferro had been the supplier of those marking materials to TherMark.

Tech Coast Angels 125

Tech Coast Angels Pasadena Pasadena Angels Acquisition 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'San Diego-based pharmaceuticals firm Meritage Pharma has been acquired by Shire plc , Shire announced this week in a deal worth $70M upfront plus unspecified earnout. Shire said the deal gives it the global rights to Meritage''s Oral Budesonide Suspension (OBS), which is being targeted at the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a rare, chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal (GI) disease.

San Diego 125

San Diego Acquisition 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'Need some serious bling on your new Apple Watch? Los Angeles-based design firm Brikk is bringing on some serious bling to the Apple Watch, saying this morning that it is launching 30 models of the Apple Watch availablegold, platinum, and studded with diamonds. The company said the models range from $7,495 to $69,995 for its versions of the Apple Watch, with its high end model, the Lux Watch Omni, wrapped with over 12 carats of diamonds.

Los Angeles 125

Los Angeles Design Angel Company 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'Luxe Valet , the on-demand valet parking app provider which launched into LA in January , has reportedly raised $20M in a new financing. The funding came from Redpoint and Venrock, and also included the company''s prior investors, including Google Ventures, Sherpa Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Foundation Capital, and Data Collective, according to the report.

Redpoint 125

Redpoint Venture Capital Report Demand 125

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'Marina Del Rey-based Twenty20 is taking aim at the stock photography market, announcing this morning that it has raised $20M in a Series A funding and launched its commercial image catalog out of beta. The startup--led by Matt Munson--said the funding was led by Canaan Partners, and also included First Round Capital, Bullpen Capital, and VersionOne Ventures.

Marina Del Rey 109

Marina Del Rey Mobile Venture Capital Advertising 109

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2015

'3D Robotics , the unmanned aerial vehicle maker behind the IRIS, X8, and many other drone vehicles, said Thursday that it has raised $50M in a Series C venture funding round. The funding was led by Qualcomm Ventures. The company--which has major operations in San Diego--said the deal comes along with a partnership with Qualcomm, where it will use Qualcomm''s Snapdragon processors in its design. 3D Robotics not only sells drone hardware, it also makes all of its technology available through open

Technology 139

Technology San Diego Venture Capital Design 139