Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 19, 2015

'Any reader of this blog for a period of time will know that I’ve been long YouTube for years. Along with Greycroft, I was the first institutional investor in Maker Studios (sold to Disney for nearly $1 billion) and am still the largest investor in Mitu Network , the largest online video producer of Latino content. We have made 5 online video investments in total – some we will talk about later this year.

SEM 288

SEM Content Platform Acquisition 288

Berkonomics

JANUARY 22, 2015

'This is a trick headline. There can be three “whys” or twenty, depending upon the issue and the responses. To make the point, the word “why” has to be one of the more powerful words in a manager’s vocabulary. Asking the question forces the other person to think beyond the usual “what” that generated a response to “why.”. It sure is a way to get to the bottom of an issue.

Resource 202

Resource Email Marketing Help 202

socalTECH

JANUARY 23, 2015

'How much, really, is that painting stashed in your attic, which your grandfather left to you? And, how much is that ceramic vase you found in your aunt''s garage? ValueMyStuff (www.valuemystuff.com)--which recently opened up its U.S. offices in Los Angeles--wants to help anyone figure out exactly what those items are worth, tapping into expertise from its staff, who have been at big international auction houses like Sotheby''s and Christie''s.

Help 186

Help Los Angeles Southern California Ideas 186

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 20, 2015

'A version of this article previously appeared in the Wall Street Journal. “With a name like Smucker’s, it has to be good.” Really? If Smucker’s can annually generate hundreds of millions in sales for a variety of food products, there is little risk that a mediocre company or product name will preclude you from achieving similar success. The value of an ideal name, attached to a product or company that does not deliver an economically viable value proposition, is zero.

Custom 152

Custom Customer Technical Review Software Review 152

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

JANUARY 17, 2015

'For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. This is the mysterious and dreaded due diligence process, which can kill the whole deal. In reality, it is nothing more than a final integrity check on all aspects of the business and the team.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Technology is transforming entire industries, including Healthcare. The shift from legacy Electronic Health Records to cloud-based EHR systems containing massive volumes of private patient information is one sweeping example of that change. Using big data analytics, healthcare providers can now leverage patient data on EHR systems for insights that can lead to improved standards of care and better outcomes.

Case Study 66

Case Study Mobile Organization Examples 66

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 18, 2015

'I used to love blogging. For me it was always a creative outlet. I love sitting down – often in “one take” like a classic film – and capturing what was on my mind at the moment. What I loved about it was that my thoughts were instantly in the ether, I would get quick feedback from readers and I would know where my ideas stood in the world of ideas.

Blogging 253

Blogging Writing Startup Ideas 253

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2015

'The average length of a funding pitch to Angel investors is ten minutes. Even if you have booked an hour with a VC, you should plan to talk only for the first fifteen minutes. The biggest complaint I hear from investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. Or they get sidetracked by a technical glitch due to poor preparation.

Slides 105

Slides Technical Review Startup Research 105

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 23, 2015

'Christmas morning probably saw more than a few gift recipients searching fruitlessly for just one more HDMI port behind the television. High-Definition Multimedia Interface cables have quickly become the standard for connecting all audio/visual equipment to our televisions, but with everything from your cable box to your PlayStation to your BluRay player to that new streaming media device you found under the tree all vying for one of those precious ports, how do you deal with a lack of them?

Screening 65

Screening Media Entertainment Press 65

socalTECH

JANUARY 23, 2015

'Los Angeles-based Ninja Metrics , the social analytics software developer led by Dmitri Williams, said this week that it has tied with mobile analytics company TUNE. The two said that they will integrate Ninja Metrics'' Katana Social Analytics Engine into TUNE''s own MobileAppTracking product, which the two said will help app developers and marketers with the value of their advertising.

Metrics 154

Metrics Mobile Tech Coast Angels Advertising 154

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Santa Monica-based MomentFeed , the developer of analytics software used to help retailers understand the link between their retail locations and mobile consumers, said this week that it has rolled out a new offering called LocalVoice Community Management. MomentFeed said the new service helps brands by offering up localized published to Facebook, Google+, and Foursquare, along with a dedicated, community manager.

Services 152

Services Marketing Santa Monica Google 152

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'Los Angeles-based online content publisher Evolve Media said this morning that it has acquired online pet publisher Dogtime Media , the publisher of Dogtime.com and Cattime.com. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Evolve Media said the two sites reach over 1.6 million users a month. Evolve Media said that Dogtime Media becomes part of Totallyher Media, the female and family focused arm of Evolve Media, due to the "largely female" readership of the sites.

Media 148

Media Content Sites Acquisition 148

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'San Diego-based Qualcomm has made an investment in virtualization software developer Ravello Systems , Ravello said this morning, as part of a $28M funding round. The funding came from Qualcomm Ventures, SanDisk Ventures, along with Sequoia Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners and Vintage Investment Partners. Ravello is based in Palo Alto.

Software 145

Software SaaS San Diego Invest 145

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'San Diego-based KFx Medical , which is venture backed by Alloy Ventures, Charter Life Sciences, Arboretum Ventures, Montreux Equity Partners, and MB Venture Partners, said today that it has had a $35M patent infringement judgement upheld in appeal. The company had filed and won a patent infringement suit against Arthrex , which had appealed the award.

Patents 144

Patents San Diego Equity Company 144

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Irvine-based Zadara Storage , which offers up enterprise storage-as-a-service, said Tuesday that it has expanded into Germany, with the addition a new location. Zadara said the expansion comes via both Amazon Web Services and Equinix, through a Frankfurt location. Zadara offers up a cloud-based, enterprise storage service which combines on-site hardware with web-based storage, making it easier for enterprises to add and expand their storage without having to install their own storage arrays.

SaaS 143

SaaS Web Sites Services 143

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Both Netflix , which has a substantial operation in Los Angeles, and Los Angeles-based Hulu are both considering an expansion into the hotel entertainment market, in a test with Marriott International , according to a report this morning. According to Bloomberg, Marriott is in a test which lets guests access Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, and other streaming media services through their televisions.

Netflix 143

Netflix Hulu Demand Los Angeles 143

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Last week, Los Angeles-based Sense360 raised $2.75M in a funding round, to go towards its development of a platform to help developers pull together information and make sense of all the data coming from your mobile phone. Sense360''s founder is Eli Portnoy , who took his last company, ThinkNear, from accelerator to funding in only fourteen months.

Startup 136

Startup Platform Mobile Advertising 136

socalTECH

JANUARY 23, 2015

'Luxe Valet , a new, on-demand valet parking app startup, has expanded into Los Angeles, saying that it will offer up its valet parking service to users in Santa Monica, Downtown LA and Venice. The Bay Area startup--which is backed by Google Ventures, Sherpa Ventures, and LA''s Upfront Ventures--said it charges just $5 an hour to park users'' cars, and a max of $15.00 a day for the service.

Los Angeles 135

Los Angeles Demand Angel Santa Monica 135

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Los Angeles-based BlackLine , the developer of financial close and other related software, reported today that it has just passed 1,000 clients. BlackLine''s software is used by both mid-sized and enterprise companies to manage their finance and accounting. BlackLine said that some of its newest customers include Agilent Technologies, Eventbrite, Fender Musical Instruments, GoDaddy and Serta Simmons Bedding.

SaaS 135

SaaS Los Angeles Software Report 135

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Camarillo-based Semtech Corporation , the developer of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, rolled out new silicon this morning for the Ethernet market. The company said it has demonstrated new, 25G Ethernet capability via its new Snowbush IP, which is compliant with IEEE 802.3bj, CEI-25G, CEI-28G, and the emerging IEEE 802.3bm and CAUI-4 standards.

IP 135

IP Pricing Custom Customer 135

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'Carlsbad-based eSurface , which is developing printed circuit board (PCB) processes for the electronics industry, says it is expanding into Japan, and has formed a new Japan-based subsidiary. eSurface said its new subsidiary, eSurface KK , will be based in Yokohama, and will offer up licensing of its intellectual property to fabricators, supply chain partners and research institutions. eSurface says its process allows for the addition of conductive metal on virtually any surface, regardless of

Research 132

Research Develop Development 132

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'Venice-based instant messaging app developer Snapchat is at the center of a murder investigation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, after a teen allegedly stabbed and killed his girlfriend over a message sent via the service. According to reports, Matthew Joseph Fischer, 16, was angry over a message sent by Lucas Cavanaugh, 17. The issue of crime linked to new Internet and mobile services is not a new one for local companies.

Snapchat 131

Snapchat Venice Education Mobile 131

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'Was working out and improving your fitness one of your New Year''s Resolutions? A new, Santa Monica-based startup, Level Sports , is hoping to help you with those efforts, by connecting you with an app to help your workout routine--and also link you up workout routines created by others. The startup, led by Tim Curran, said it recently released both iOS and Android apps which let you tap into different workouts created by athletes, trainers and celebrities.

Help 131

Help Santa Monica Mobile Startup 131

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Los Angeles-based mobile and online advertising technology developer OpenX said this morning that it has named a new head of its operations in EMEA. According to the company, it has appointed Andrew Buckman as Managing Director, EMEA, based out of the company''s London office. Buckman was previously Chief Operating Officer of Tradedoubler, which is in the performance marketing area.

OpenX 131

OpenX Yahoo Advertising Mobile 131

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Los Angeles-based FreedomPop unveiled a new effort today to offer up Wi-Fi service nationwide, through a network of 10 million hotspots. The free, mobile data operator said it will offer up its unlimited SMS, voice, and Wifi data plat for $5 a month. FreedomPop is not building out its own Wi-Fi network, but has tapped a number of un-named partners to help power the new service.

Networking 131

Networking Mobile Los Angeles Services 131

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Online video service Netflix said Tuesday that it will start streaming The Interview , the latest online streaming service to offer up the title. Netflix announced the move on its Q4 earnings call Tuesday, saying it will offer up The Interview to U.S. and Canadian subscribers on Saturday. Netflix has major operations in Los Angeles, and the studio behind The Interview, Sony Pictures, is based in Culver City.

Netflix 131

Netflix Culver City Startup Google 131

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Pasadena-based Guidance Software , the developer off e-discovery and forensic software, said this morning that it has named Chad McManamy as its new Vice President of E-Discovery and Assistant General Counsel. McManamy has been Senior Counsel and Assistant General Counsel at Guidance Software since 2009. The company said McManamy''s new role has him leading the company''s e-discovery marketing and sales efforts.

Software 131

Software Pasadena Sales Marketing 131

socalTECH

JANUARY 23, 2015

'Los Angeles-based Edmunds.com announced Thursday that it will be offering up a free, texting tool available to car dealers, to help those dealers communicate with customers via text messaging. According to Edmunds.com, it will make its CarCode texting tool available to any dealer--including those not currently partners with the company--to respond to inquires from customers directly using text messaging.

Tool 126

Tool Edmunds Sales Email 126

socalTECH

JANUARY 23, 2015

'Santa Barbara-based software developer Yardi , best known for its property management software, made a big expansion into the electronic health records (EHR) market this week, with the launch of a new product. Yardi said its new Yardi EHR software will offer up electronic health records, geared initially for the senior living industry. Yardi said the new tool allows clients to manage health car services, finance, and community operations all through its Yardi Voyager Senior Housing platform.

Santa Barbara 125

Santa Barbara Tool Software Software Development 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Irvine-based HireRight , the software-enabled provider of employment screening, drug, and health testing services, said Wednesday that it has named Thomas Spaeth as the company''s Chief Financial Officer. Spaeth was previously CFO at UBM Technology, and has also served at Motorola, Ernst & Young, and Deutsche Bank. The company said Spaeth has more than 20 years of experience in the corporate finance area.

Screening 125

Screening Software Services Technology 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'San Diego-based RF Industries said Wednesday that it has completed the acquisition of New Jersey-based Comnet Telecom Supply. The deal was worth $4.15M, and was split between $3.0M in cash and the remainder in stock, and also includes another $1.36M in potential earnout. RF Industries said that Comnet, which supplies telecommunications and data products, had revenues of approximately $9.6M for the twelve months ended October 31, 2014.

San Diego 125

San Diego Acquisition Product Company 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'Agoura Hills-based TouchCommerce announced this morning that it will power a live chat program for European electronics and telecommunications retailer Dixons Carphone. TouchCommerce said it will offer up its TouchChat online customer engagement product for the Currys PC World brand, which is owned by Dixons Carphone, and will offer up live chat via desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Agoura Hills 125

Agoura Hills Agoura Custom Customer 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 22, 2015

'Los Angeles-based streaming television site Hulu has inked a deal to create another new, original series for the site, with Freddie Wong and the RocketJump team, the group behind the YouTube series Video Game High School. Hulu said it is partnering with Lionsgate Television on the deal. The series will be the first, long form series for RocketJump.

Hulu 125

Hulu Hollywood Content Sites 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 21, 2015

'Calabasas-based audio processing and encoding technology provider DTS said this morning that it has inked a deal with Starz , where Starz will use its DTS-HD audio technology as part of a new service for the Xbox One. DTS said STARZ will use its technology for multi-channel, surround sound, for the STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY services on Microsoft''s Xbox One.

Calabasas 125

Calabasas Technology Services 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'San Diego-based biopharmaceuticals developer Tracon Pharmaceuticals said in a regulatory filing today that it is estimated its IPO pricing at between $12.00 and $14.00 per share. The company--which filed for an IPO over the holidays--is looking to raised $57.96M on the NASDAQ Global Market as TCON. Tracon''s IPO is being underwritten by Wells Fargo Securities, Stifel, Needham & Company, and Oppenheimer & Co.

San Diego 125

San Diego Acquisition Pricing Invest 125

socalTECH

JANUARY 20, 2015

'Hawthorne, California-based SpaceX , the Los Angeles area commercial rocket and spacecraft developer led by Elon Musk, announced Tuesday afternoon that it has raised a billion dollars in a financing round. The funding came from Google, Fidelity, as well as existing investors Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Valor Equity Partners and Capricorn.

SpaceX 125

SpaceX Google Draper Hawthorne 125