Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

Many startup businesses – tech or otherwise – fail. In our industry we applaud the efforts for entrepreneurs to have tried and we know that today’s failure can bring the experience for tomorrow’s success. We also know that even though many of us who are experienced in startup successes & failures look at businesses and say, “That will never work” (as many people said about Uber) or “You can’t make any money in that business” (as many said

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Berkonomics

MARCH 31, 2016

There are many roads to Rio, so they say. But there is one overwhelming method of appraising the effectiveness of a business leader. Outcomes. We can invent lots of metrics to measure progress for a leader, including revenue, profit, employee satisfaction, cost containment, percentage of available market, and more. But these are all individual roads to Rio – which is the stated goal for the organization.

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socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2016

Is there a way to fix both shopping cart abandonment--and also boost your online store's social reach? A new, Los Angeles-based startup, Gatsby , thinks so, with the launch of a new tool to both improve conversions--and get some social exposure, at the same time. Gatsby said it has launched a new partnership and customer in Helix Sleep , an online personalized mattress company, to launch its product.

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InfoChachkie

MARCH 24, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Fanstasy sports sites DraftKings’ and FanDuel’s popularity has spurred a new-breed of political betting sites. Unlike sites of the past that were deemed illegal, the current crop of election sites appear to well positioned to exploit the unprecedented focus Americans are applying to the 2016 election cycle.

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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

TechCrunch LA

MARCH 9, 2016

Santa Monica-based Mucker Capital has raised $45 million for its third fund, Mucker III. The Silicon Beach firm said that it will continue to invest in software and services startups and continue to focus on the greater Los Angeles area. In addition, it will invest in seed and pre-seed stage companies through MuckerLab, a new accelerator program. “We are founders, just like the… Read More.

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Tech.Co

MARCH 22, 2016

Over two days, you’ll learn to build online products that are more motivating, usable, and persuasive, by harnessing digital psychology. Though this workshop is all based on science, the content is presented at a practical level, through clear visual examples and hands-on exercises, designed to reinforce your understanding and to help you develop new skills.

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Berkonomics

MARCH 24, 2016

Dave’s note: This week we welcome guest author, David Friedman, to tell us about his favorite startup CEO, and his take after interviewing her – asking for her list of attributes for startup success. . By David Friedman. I met Kirsten Mangers several years ago after she successfully sold her startup, Webvisible. Kirsten is the founder of ChickLabs , an incubator that focuses on helping primarily women entrepreneurs.

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socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2016

NASA has announced the next date for a resupply mission from Hawthorne-based SpaceX , and is targeting an April 8th launch of the SpaceX Dragon from Cape Canaveral. NASA said the launch, targeted for 4:43 p.m. EDT on April 8th, will carry science research, crew supplies and hardware to the orbiting laboratory in support of the Expedition 47 and 48 crews.

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InfoChachkie

MARCH 16, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Car companies spend a significant amount of money on superficial design features, including the timbre of the sound emitted when a car door is shut. Why? Because many consumers value design features over those which impact performance. Even less time is spent on developing the aspects of a car that become evident long after the purchase is completed.

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TechCrunch LA

MARCH 1, 2016

Scrolling through the @shopboxfox Instagram account is enough to notice the clean-cut aesthetic: feminine, driven, artistic. However, the ladies behind LA’s BOXFOX, Chelsea Moore, Sabena Suri and Jenni Olivero, are channeling much more than their social media accounts let on; they are enhancing strategy and technology to make one of life’s favorite moments, gift giving, easier and… Read More.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2016

As an entrepreneur looking for professional investors, one of the quickest ways to lose credibility and get rejected is to start with a ridiculously high pre-money valuation. I see it happen often in my angel investment group, and you can see it happen almost every week on the Shark Tank TV show. It’s like trying to sell a home still being built at next year’s dream market price.

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Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2016

In 2006 I started using Facebook and most of my friends & colleagues thought I was strange. They thought it was like MySpace and why did I need a MySpace page? In 2007 I started using Twitter and most of my friends & colleagues wondered why people would care what I ate for lunch. In 2008 I started VC blogging. I had blogged when I was an entrepreneur.

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Berkonomics

MARCH 10, 2016

Dave’s note: For the second week, we welcome my co-author of “Get Scrappy,” Kim Shepherd, to give us her answer to the oft-repeated question: “How can I trust that my virtual employees are working?” You’ll recall that Kim is an expert here, managing her company of over one hundred employees around the world literally from a post office box – with every one of them, including herself, working from home in a virtual environment.

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socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2016

Los Angeles-based Burner has rolled out a big update to the company's app, which lets users create and use temporary phone numbers on the fly. According to the company, the software now supports auto archiving of text messages and contacts into Google Sheets; VoIP calling support; connection to Slack; and new support for developers, to support connecting the app to platforms like Zapier and IFTTT.

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InfoChachkie

MARCH 9, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Entrepreneurs see the world like a cash booth from a 1950’s game show. On such shows, winners were placed in glass booth filled with money. Once the timer was started, a fan blew the money about and the contestant had a few seconds to grab all the cash they could hold onto. Once you begin seeing the world with the eyes of an entrepreneur, you realize that money-making opportunities are all around you.

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Jason Nazar

MARCH 2, 2016

You’re always going to get the same results, doing what everyone else does. Sometimes you have to know when to zig where others zag. These are some of the counterintuitive lessons I’ve learned and applied from the most successful folks I’ve met. . Pick Fights – to test others’ resolve in their own beliefs. In business you can’t turn over the reins to someone who doesn’t know how to defend their own ideas and plans.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 20, 2016

According to most definitions, an entrepreneur is one who envisions a new and different business, meaning one that is not a copy of an existing business model. Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup. Even fewer are able to grow the startup into a viable business.

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Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 1, 2016

At the Upfront Summit in early February, we had a chance to have many off-the-record conversations with Limited Partners (LPs) who fund Venture Capital (VC) funds about their views of the market. While I’m not an LP, the following post represents my discussions with more than 100 LP firms – specifically ones that do fund VCs – and full survey data from 73 firms , so I’ve tried to capture the essence of what I’ve learned.

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Berkonomics

MARCH 3, 2016

Dave’s note: I am so pleased this week to introduce my co-author of “Get Scrappy,” Kim Shepherd, CEO of Decision Toolbox. Her firm is a model of a virtual company, with over 100 employees and absolutely no office other than a post office box. Wow! You’ll enjoy her style and resonate with her message. Here’s Kim… By Kim Shepherd.

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socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2016

Santa Barbara-based real estate management software developer Yardi Software said late Wednesday that it has scored a win in Singapore, with real estate investor ZACD Group. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. ZACD Group manages 32 development projects in Singapore. READ MORE>>.

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InfoChachkie

MARCH 7, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Entrepreneurs see the world like a cash booth from a 1950’s game show. On such shows, winners were placed in glass booth filled with money. Once the timer was started, a fan blew the money about and the contestant had a few seconds to grab all the cash they could hold onto. Once you begin seeing the world with the eyes of an entrepreneur, you realize that money-making opportunities are all around you.

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Startup Ideas Santa Barbara Entrepreneur 100

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 30, 2016

When people express concern about how smartphones are damaging our young people, I laugh. This anxiety that the internet is going to ruin real human interactions is reminiscent of parents in the 50s who were worried that Elvis shaking his hips was the devil. Let’s be very clear here. Being concerned about cultural progression “damaging us as a society” always repeats itself with the current trend and will continue to play itself out again and again and again.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2016

I’ve noticed a great tendency among startup founders to ignore the essentials of business accounting in the early stages of their startup. Just because you are not profitable yet, doesn’t mean you can skip the record keeping. In fact, just the opposite is true. When you anticipate losses for the first year or two, it is more important to properly document all expenses, including tricky ones like business travel, business meals, and your home office.

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Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 25, 2016

Many startup businesses — tech or otherwise — fail.

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Frank Addante

MARCH 1, 2016

As a serial entrepreneur and founder of 6 companies, I’ve found one of the most important ingredients for innovation to be something I call “ whitespace ”. Whitespace is time you set aside to refresh your thinking, strategize, reflect on your primary goals and gain perspective. To me, whitespace is the lifeblood of the innovator, and an absolute must for any creative person.

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Activity Tool Ideas Entrepreneur 40

socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2016

Camarillo-based analog and mixed signal semiconductor developer Semtech says it has scored a design win with in a "smart agriculture" application, with its LoRa wireless RF technology. According to Semtech, its technology has been selected by Quantified Ag, as part of a system for tracking cattle on feedlots. Financial impact of the win was not announced.

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Berkonomics

MARCH 17, 2016

Dave’s note: This week, let’s welcome an expert in employment background checks, Chris Dyer, CEO of PeopleG2, to help us explore one dicey subject that gets lots of entrepreneurs and managers into trouble by being completely unaware of what they cannot ask a candidate in an employment interview. Here’s Chris… By Chris Dyer.

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Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 24, 2016

For new businesses, social media marketing may seem a bit overwhelming. However, with a good set of rules to frame your communication, you will quickly become comfortable presenting quality content that reflects the voice of your brand and appeals to your audience. Here are four steps to help you get started building a great social media presence. Invest in a professional brand.

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Social Media Media Content Guide 43

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2016

Angel investors are still the lifeblood of early-stage startups, despite the surge of activity in crowdfunding and an increasing early interest from venture capitalists. According to the Angel Capital Association , at least 300,000 people have made angel investments in the last two years, totaling $24 billion in the U.S. alone. These are all accredited investors who risk their own money.

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Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2016

$30 million. That’s how much Invoca raised and we’re announcing it today.

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Frank Addante

MARCH 1, 2016

As a serial entrepreneur and founder of 6 companies, I’ve found one of the most important ingredients for innovation to be something I call “ whitespace ”. Whitespace is time you set aside to refresh your thinking, strategize, reflect on your primary goals and gain perspective. To me, whitespace is the lifeblood of the innovator, and an absolute must for any creative person.

Activity 40

Activity Tool Ideas Entrepreneur 40

socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2016

Los Angeles-based expense management and invoice processing software developer Chrome River is expanding its footprint in the EMEA, with a new alliance with a London-based consulting firm, Meridian Global Services. Chrome River said the alliance will help its in growth across the EMEA. Meridian Global Services provides international VAT and travel and expense compliance and consulting services, and serves over 15,000 clients, according to Chrome River.

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socalTECH

MARCH 30, 2016

Weestlake Village-based data storage and high efficiency power supply maker Qualstar said Wednesday that it is looking at "strategic alternatives", including "mergers, acquisitions and divestures", and also will make "personnel adjustments" to help it reduce operating expenses. Qualstar also said it will be consolidating its administrative and data storage team into its Simi Valley facility, and sublease its Westlake Village office, in order to reduce rent expenses.

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socalTECH

MARCH 30, 2016

Los Angeles-based Fullscreen is getting set to launch its own video streaming service, starting next month, and will charge $4.99 a month for streaming access to both original and licensed content. Fullscreen, which detailed its plans today for the service, had announced plans for the streaming service in September. The new service is expected to debut on April 26th.

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socalTECH

MARCH 30, 2016

Online shopping giant Amazon.com is opening up a new fulfillment center in San Bernardino, the company said on Wednesday, which will be the e-commerce giant's seventh facility in California. Amazon said the new, 1.1 million square foot center will pick, pack, and ship smaller customer items, such as books, electronics and toys, and will create more than 1,000 full time positions.

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socalTECH

MARCH 30, 2016

The LA Dodgers Sports and Entertainment Accelerator has opened up applications for a new class of startups, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and R/GA Venture said they plan to run another startup accelerator class. According to the LA Dodgers and R/GA, it will select five to seven startups in this new class, giving them access to both the executive leadership team of the Dodgers and its business units, plus access to marketing, branding, design, and technology services.

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