Both Sides of the Table
JULY 19, 2011
Middle Men. Middle People? They exist in all forms of work and life. They’re essential in helping us get our jobs done because they specialize in something we do not. They do a routine task over-and-over again all year long that we do only periodically. Lawyers. Recruiters. Bankers. Real Estate professionals. PR firms. You name it. And yes, VC’s, too.
socalTECH
JULY 21, 2011
With the rise of location-based check-ins from Foursquare, Gowalla, Facebook, Twitter, and others, there's suddenly lots more data that marketers want to parse through to make sense of how consumers are interacting with their brands. Los Angeles-based MomentFeed (www.momentfeed.com) is looking to sort through that data to help marketers better tap into location based, social networking.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
InfoChachkie
JULY 21, 2011
Messenger : Paige Craig, CEO BetterWorks, Angel Investor, former Marine. I implore you to listen to the interview below. Paige is a gifted communicator and my summary does not do him justice. He offers a number of worthwhile tips and tricks that I was not able to capture in the textual summary, so the 14-minute audio file is well worth your time. Play it in the background while you otherwise remain productive (or listen to it while you update your FB page, your call).
Berkonomics
JULY 19, 2011
Here’s a phrase I created in the early 1980’s to describe what I clearly saw as the last chance to make high margins on the sale of computer hardware to businesses. In the day of the mainframe and then the minicomputer, margins for manufacturers exceeded 35% and dealers were granted a 35% margin as well. Even with the usual discount of 10%, the margins on hardware were high, especially when applied to prices that exceeded $30,000 per sale. .
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.
SoCal Tech Calendar
JULY 22, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011 -- Capitalizing on IP and Government Collaboration. CommNexus. Commercial technologies frequently foster military advances, and commercial systems are increasingly incorporated into defense applications. Many military operations now depend substantially on commercial telecommunications. Indeed, the development of telecommunications systems for the military is now like development of other weapon systems.
socalTECH
JULY 18, 2011
Los Angeles-based Nimble , the contact management and tracking software firm headed by former Goldmine founder Jon Ferrara, has rolled out in the Google Apps Marketplace. Nimble develops software which allows users to track their interaction with contacts, including emails, social networking contacts, and more. Ferrara is applying his experience with developing contact management software for sales teams and others--Goldmine was among the first and top leading software programs of its day for co
Southern California Tech Central brings together the best content for technical professionals in Southern California from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Tech Zulu Event
JULY 17, 2011
TechZulu and Digital LA have a real treat for all you comic fans out there! We have actor Thomas Jane (Hung, Punisher), Marvel, Graphic.ly, Dan Fraga, Joelle Sellner, and Hal Hefner. Join the discussion with digital comics, animation and games experts for the third annual Digital Comics panel. We’ll discuss how comics and comic book characters are part of an overall entertainment franchise, including animation, games, movies, iPad apps, web series, and promotion via social media.
SoCal Tech Calendar
JULY 22, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011 -- NEXTGEN 2011. NextGen Hollywood hosted at UCLA will focus on themes of Hollywood and Technology. NextGen Hollywood brings together current rockstar and aspiring entrepreneurs, technologists, producers, and actors. Join us for a full day in Los Angeles at UCLA to learn from the very best!
socalTECH
JULY 21, 2011
Torrance-based PixelFish , which provides online video marketing products to local businesses, announced Thursday that it has raised $4M in a funding round. The round was led by Bullpen Capital, and also included Floodgate, Mack Capital, Tomorrow Ventures, 500 Startups, and Western Tech. The firm is headed by John McIntyre. PixelFish said the funding will go towards sales, marketing, and technology.
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 16, 2011
True leaders realize that, by definition, the word "leader" places one at the front and not the rear. Yet many, many executives try to lead through fear and intimidation. This isn’t really leading at all. It’s pushing. Those of you with time in the military probably understand this concept well. In startups, leading from the front means that you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, pitching in to get the job done.
Tech Zulu Event
JULY 18, 2011
I connected with Andrea Gouw , the founder of ShopperSeeks.com , on Twitter (thank you social media), when reaching out for women CEOs and founders around the country. Andrea and her team are awesome and provide such a great service for those who want the right type of shopping experience. I must say I’ve become a regular user of ShopperSeeks every since this interview.
SoCal Tech Calendar
JULY 22, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011 -- TechAmerica: The Green Economy - Trends and Opportunities. We hear a lot about the Green Economy today. Its in the news, politicians love to talk about it and its the new buzz in business. But what does it all mean? Is it real and if it is, how can you become a part of it? This presentation from Carolyn Cassavan will address:  The Green Economy  What it is.
socalTECH
JULY 18, 2011
Agoura Hills-based TouchCommerce , a provider of online chat and sales conversion services for e-commerce retailers, reports today that Virgin Mobile France has implemented the firm's live assistance solution. Size of the win was not announced. Virgin Mobile France is the fourth-largest mobile operator in the region, according to the two firms. TouchCommerce is venture backed by Sierra Ventures, Emergence Capital Partners, Hudson Ventures, Dolphin Equity Partners, and Partech International.
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 17, 2011
With as many as 100 million active blogs (web logs) in English alone on the Internet, how can you find and read the ones you need to be a leader in your business domain? I’m a speed reader, but that’s a challenge for even the best of us. Yet we know keeping up with the latest trends and techniques can make all the difference in ensuring that your business stands the test of time.
Tech Zulu Event
JULY 20, 2011
On Tuesday, Google’s native iOS app for its Google+ service was released on the App Store. I downloaded the app and here are my initial impressions. You get all the basic functionality of the mobile web version but the native application adds push notifications, photo uploading and the ability to create Huddles. The Stream lets you look at everything that is posted from all your different Circles.
SoCal Tech Calendar
JULY 22, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011 -- Growth Capital Conference. Network with capital sources,advisors,deal makers and 50 entrepreneurs seeking caapital and counsel. DEAL DISPLAY showcases attractive firms needing growth capital. View products, videos, on-line demos. See [link] or phone 310-397-8899.
socalTECH
JULY 20, 2011
In another attempt by a Southern California company to attract talent, Santa Monica-based BetterWorks just became the latest firm to dangle a cash bounty to people for product or engineering hires. According to BetterWorks, it wil pay $5000 to people if the firm hires someone for one of its. product or engineering positions -- plus provide one free year of Betterworks services to that person's company or organization.
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 22, 2011
Every startup founder I know talks about the chaos of their business, which they usually attribute to that burst of growth that is required to get to positive cash flow. They envision a stable environment after that point, and may have convinced themselves that they will be safer and happier with a livable income, maintaining a loyal but flat customer base.
Both Sides of the Table
JULY 19, 2011
I recently wrote a post about the open nature of Twitter and why I’m long on its future. I know it’s easier to write “horse race&# stories about who’s signing up more users, raising more funding or who’s “hot&# lately. But something more nuanced is at hand that is worth debating – is the future of the Internet & global communications more open or more closed?
SoCal Tech Calendar
JULY 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 -- Pokerstartups #8. We invite startup types who are on the executive team-founders, biz dev, people who have raised funds, venture capitalists, and marketing/biz dev people who work for large brands.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Los Angeles-based Invested.in , the online social fundraising site run by Alon Goren, said Tuesday that it is powering a new site focused on fitness fundraising for charity. The firm said it is launching FitFunder.com , an online site focused on creating personal fitness fundraisers for charity. The firm said it is linking with fitness site RunKeeper on the site, to provide automatic monitoring of user's fitness goals by followers and donors.
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 19, 2011
Creating a startup, or managing any business, is all about problem solving. Some people are good at it and some are not – independent of their IQ or their academic credentials (there may even be an inverse relationship here). Yet I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Entrepreneurs who are great problem solvers within any business are the best prepared to solve their customers’ needs effectively as well.
socalTECH
JULY 22, 2011
In the latest rumor swirling around Los Angeles-based video streaming site Hulu , a number of reports last night say that Apple Computer is now bidding for the firm. The report came from Bloomberg, which cited "two people with knowledge of the auction". So far, Hulu apparently has been shopped to Yahoo, AT&T, Microsoft, and Google. READ MORE>>.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Agoura Hills-based videogame maker THQ has announced today that it is reviving 1980's cartoon hero Voltron , in a new video game called Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The firm said it is releasing the game in October on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network. The new game comes as a result of a deal with World Events Productions, Ltd., which owns the Voltron brand and distributes and produces children's animation.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
The latest, videogame firm looking to get into Hollywood looks to be Rovio , the maker of the popular videogame Angry Birds , according to a report today. According to publication Eurogamer, which tracks the video game industry in Europe, Rovio is hoping its game can become "multiple movies." Angry Birds is among the most popular smartphone games for both the Apple iPhone and the Android smartphone platform, and is known for its quirky, animated birds who players shoot at structures, to destroy
socalTECH
JULY 22, 2011
Looking to try out a new tablet, but not ready to shell out for one? Wireless carrier T-Mobile USA said Friday that it is partnering with the Los Angeles Angels , to rent out tablets at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim. According to T-Mobile, it will rent out tablets to Angels fans, for $10.00 a day. T-Mobile will offer up the Samsung Galaxy Tab and 4G T-Mobile G-Slate, with free access to premium Zinio magazines like ESPN, mobile TV from MobiTV, and a special "game day" program.
socalTECH
JULY 20, 2011
Earlier this month, Los Angeles-based HitFix (www.hitfix.com) an online news site focused on entertainment, announced it had raised $2M in a funding round. The firm's CEO and co-founder, Jennifer Sargent , has an interesting background, most recently serving as an executive at Variety/Reed Business Information. She also has served at DoubleClick, had a stint as an investment banker at JPMorgan, been a venture capitalist at Bertelsmann Ventures, and started with an Electrical Engineering degree b
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Culver City-based Sony Pictures Entertainment said today that its Columbia Pictures unit it tying the release of its new film, 30 Minutes or Less, into a foursquare promotion. According to Sony, it is using foursquare to create a badge-based program for the motion picture, which is being release on August 12th. The effort will award badges for checking into pizza parlors, banks, food trucks, screenings, and movie theater openings.
socalTECH
JULY 22, 2011
MXP4 , a developer of social, music games, announced Friday that it has opened up an office in Los Angeles. The venture-backed game developer is backed by Orkos Capital, Sofinnova Partners and Ventech. The firm--whose flagship game is Bopler Games --said it selected the location due to its importance to the music industry. The firm's local exec is Mark Collins, VP of Content Acquisition and Business Development, who the company said will be based in Los Angeles.
socalTECH
JULY 18, 2011
Online real estate site Move said this morning it has acquired SocialBios , a developer of an online business referral and social search startup. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. SocialBios allows companies and individuals to create interactive "About" pages, which integrate Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other sites.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Newport Beach-based Mobilitie , a private owner and operator of wireless infrastructure, reported today that it has scored $415M in a credit facility, from TD Securities. The firm said the credit facility will go towards deployment and acquisition of wireless towers and distributed antenna systems. The firm helps carriers to build out their network infrastructure.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Southern California companies raised $739M in venture capital in Q2 of 2011, according to the latest numbers from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) based on data from Thomson Reuters. According to the MoneyTree report, released last night, Orange County led fundraising, with $319.3M raised for the quarter. Los Angeles had $222.5M in funding, and San Diego $198.18M in investments.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Los Angeles-based RPost , a developer of electronic signature services, has filed a suit against Adobe and EchoSign for patent infringement, the firm said this morning. The firm--which already has a number of electronic signature patent lawsuits in motion--said it has brought an infringement suit, claiming that EchoSign is infringing on five of uts United States patents.
socalTECH
JULY 19, 2011
Santa Moncia-based The Search Agency , the search engine marketing firm headed by David Hughes, said this morning that it has named a CEO of its Asia=Pacific operations. The company said it has named Matt Kain as head of its Asia-Pacific operations, based out of a new office in Sydney, Australia. Kain was most recently The Search Agency's Chief Revenue Officer.
socalTECH
JULY 22, 2011
A study released this morning by the Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs Network says that Los Angeles leads the nation in green jobs. According to the CCEJ, Los Angeles had 178,500 green jobs, out of roughly 4.5 million workers in the LA region. Green jobs represented about 3.9 percent of total employment in the region. The group said its report was prepared by Philip Romero, former Dean of the CSU Los Angeles College of Business and Economics.
socalTECH
JULY 18, 2011
Los Angeles-based Fandango , the online movie guide and ticket site, said today that it has launched a new app which runs on Samsung Smart TVs and Smart Blu-ray players. Fandango said its Fandango Movies app allows users to watch HD movie trailers and on-demand films directly from the Samsung devices. Fandango has tapped Related Content Database, inc.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
319 
Let's personalize your content