Sat.Jan 25, 2020 - Fri.Jan 31, 2020

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Caltech Wins $1.1 Billion Patent Verdict Against Apple, Broadcom

L.A. Business Journal

Caltech won a $1.1 billion verdict against Apple and Broadcom for allegedly infringing on the Pasadena university's wireless technology patents.

CalTech 267
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For alternative meat manufacturer Beyond Meat, fast food chains giveth and taketh away

TechCrunch LA

Beyond Meat, the publicly traded producer of plant-based protein replacements for meat, is currently giving other companies in the alternative meat space an education in just how finicky appealing to consumer tastes can be. On the same day that the Canadian Tim Horton’s restaurant chain is dropping Beyond Meat products from its menus, the company and fried chicken chain KFC announced the expansion of a pilot run of the company’s chicken replacement products at new stores in Nashville

Yahoo 222
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SpaceX Plans To Build Starships In Port Of LA

socalTECH

Hawthorne-based SpaceX is reportedly planning to set up a new factory to build its next generation, Starship rockets at the Port of Los Angeles, according to a report from CNBC on Thursday. The rocket factory is expected to be up and running in as little as 90 days, according to the report. SpaceX had been building a prototype of the next generation rocket in Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX 113
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Special edition: Building semi pro audio video studio

Berkonomics

Like to make professional videos for a small cost? Postings to on-line sites? Dave takes you through the process, shows the results, and gives you the costs. There’s lots more information you will find as you experiment and may need when selecting and learning the tools Dave lists. But you’ll be well on your way to making great videos that will set you apart from all the many podcasters and influencers using just their smartphone camera.

Tool 156
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Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19

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.

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BYD to Build Rancho Dominguez Plant

L.A. Business Journal

EV maker BYD Motors will construct a 50,000-square-foot facility in Rancho Dominguez to build electric forklifts.

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LA tech industry mourns Kobe Bryant

TechCrunch LA

The Los Angeles startup community is joining the rest of the world in mourning the death of NBA superstar, entrepreneur and investor Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., shortly before 10 a.m. on Sunday. Reports indicate that Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, and seven other passengers were on board a helicopter traveling to Bryant’s basketball training facility Mamba Academy.

More Trending

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8 Strategies To Optimize Your Business Pace Of Change

Startup Professionals Musings

Entrepreneurs and startups are big believers in innovation, but sometimes they forget that innovation must be continual to assure long-term success, rather than the one big-bang idea that initiated their journey. By default, innovation in every business decreases over time, and continuous innovation requires ongoing initiatives and measures of customer perceived value.

Startup 138
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BYD Buses Rolling into Toronto

L.A. Business Journal

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.

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SpaceX reportedly looking to build Starship rockets at Port of LA

TechCrunch LA

SpaceX is said to be in talks with local government officials about setting up a new rocket factory in the Port of Los Angeles, a location that would give it easy access to the ocean for transporting its next-generation Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicles to its coastal launchpad sites in Florida. CNBC reported that these discussions were confirmed by Port of LA officials.

SpaceX 206
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Caltech Wins $1.1 Billion Lawsuit Against Apple And Broadcom

socalTECH

The California Institute of Technology has won a $1.1 billion patent lawsuit it filed against Apple and Broadcom on Wednesday, where it had alleged the infringement of its patents on Wi-Fi technology. The lawsuit--which had been filed in 2016--had alleged that Broadcom's wireless chips infringed on the university's patents. Those chips are widely used in Apple's iPhones.

CalTech 124
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BIO Report: More Work Needed to Improve Diversity at Biotech Firms

Xconomy

Some companies that belong to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), a large industry trade group, convene diverse hiring committees, seek out representation among their suppliers and vendors, and are led by executives that talk regularly about the importance of an inclusive workforce. Others have no women or people of color as employees, gather no data on employee demographics, and have no initiatives in place to support diversity and inclusion.

Report 137
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Draper Goren Holm Backing LunarCrush

L.A. Business Journal

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
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KPCB has already blown through much of the $600 million it raised last year

TechCrunch LA

Kleiner Perkins , one of the most storied franchises in venture capital, has already invested much of the $600 million it raised last year and is now going back out to the market to raise its 19th fund, according to multiple sources. The firm, which underwent a significant restructuring over the last two years, went on an investment tear over the course of 2019 as new partners went out to build up a new portfolio for the firm — almost of a whole cloth.

IBM 164
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Synedgen Raises $2.6M

socalTECH

Claremont-based Synedgen , a biotechnology company developing wound care technology, said this morning that it has raised $2.6M in funding. Source of the funding was not announced. According to the company, the funding will go towards commercialization of two, U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k)-cleared products for wound care. The comopany says it is using glycochemistry for development of its drugs, which it says enhance and mimic the innate immune system.

Claremont 124
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Startups Need Your Data, But Consumers Are Still Wary

Startup Professionals Musings

Neither people nor computers can really help you as a personal assistant unless you are willing to share data about what you like, what you feel, and who and what’s important to you. Even the best technology can’t read your mind, which is why a simple Google search often gives frustrating and irrelevant results, and online advertisers bombard you with opportunities of no interest.

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Activision Brings on Sponsors

L.A. Business Journal

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.

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Looking to new products, Bev adds strategic investors and redoubles focus on women entrepreneurs

TechCrunch LA

Looking for fellow travelers to join in on its mission to transform the beverage business, the Los Angeles-based startup Bev has taken on fresh capital from a slew of strategic investors. . The company has added Erin and Sara Foster, creative heads of Bumble BFF and Bumble Biz, to their investor and creative talent pool along with other notable names like Rich Paul, Simon Tikhman, Keith Sheldon and Chief Zaruk.

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Report: Electric Vehicle Adoption Could Create Jobs, Spur Economic Growth

socalTECH

A new report, issued by Next 10, a group which advocates for improving the quality of life in California, claims that the electrification of light-duty vehicles in California would boost the state economy, in particular by avoiding fuel costs. The group said its new report, Clean Transportation: An Economic Assessment of More Inclusive Vehicle Electrification in California , found that if the state achieves electric vehicle (EV) adoption which is consistent with its climate goals, it would creat

Report 124
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BioIntelliSense Debuts ”Sticker” Sensor to Capture Patient Data Remotely

Xconomy

Subtle changes can presage a worsening of a chronic condition, but symptoms may not become apparent to a patient until it’s time to call an ambulance. BioIntelliSense, a Denver-based digital health startup, has developed a wearable sensor meant to monitor patients’ vital signs remotely and provide near real-time data that clinicians can use to identify physiological changes indicating a need for intervention.

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Bird Buys Berlin Company

L.A. Business Journal

Electric scooter operator Bird Rides Inc. acquired Circ, an electric scooter company headquartered in Berlin, in a bid to expand the Santa Monica-based company’s European operations.

Company 130
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8 Errors To Avoid In Your First Minute With Investors

Startup Professionals Musings

As an aspiring entrepreneur, one of the most important things you need is a memorable “ elevator pitch ,” to communicate your startup value proposition and leave a great first impression on friends, investors, employees, and future customers. As a startup advisor and potential investor, I’ve heard too many that are heavy on emotion, but light on quantifiable value and impact.

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Cornerstone OnDemand Joins Blockchain Technology Group

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Cornerstone OnDemand said this morning that it has joined an industry group, which is looking to accelerate the development of a universal blockchain-powered network for human resources. According to the firm, it is a founding member of the Velocity Network Foundation , a nonprofit which also includes Aon's Assessment Solutions, Cisive, HireRight, Korn Ferry, National Student Clearinghouse, Randstad, SAP, SumTotal Systems, SHL, Ultimate Software, Unit4, Upwork, Velocity Career

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Game Design Showcase 2020

SoCal Tech Calendar

Friday, January 31, 2020 -- Game Design Showcase 2020. Celebrate and play original games created by NYFA's Game Design graduating class! Join the NYFA Game Design graduating class of 2020 as they head off on their next big adventure: the real world! The NYFA Game Design Showcase features drinks, food and original video games and board games created by our MFA and BFA graduate students!

Design 100
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Edmunds.com to Lay Off 130

L.A. Business Journal

Auto information and car appraisal service Edmunds.com Inc. will lay off 130 employees, effective in March.

Services 130
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Why Successful Startups Often Have A Pair Of Founders

Startup Professionals Musings

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
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ServiceNow Acquires Passage AI

socalTECH

ServiceNow , the developer of information technology service management software which has major operatinos in San Diego, has acquired Mountain View-based Passage AI , a developer of conversational AI tools. Financial details of the buy were not announced. According to ServiceNow, the deal will help it advanced its own artificial intelligence capabilities, including the addition of support for all major languages on its platform.

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Aimmune Awarded First FDA Approval for a Peanut Allergy Therapy

Xconomy

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
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Edmunds.com to Lay Off 130

L.A. Business Journal

Auto information and car appraisal service Edmunds.com Inc. will lay off 130 employees, effective in March.

Services 130
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Do Your Employees Deserve a Raise?

Startup San Diego

When is the right time to give someone a raise or promotion? What if they ask you for one before you think they're ready? Here are some tips to navigate this situation. The post Do Your Employees Deserve a Raise? appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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Quid To Offer Pre-IPO Loans

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based venture capital Troy Capital Partners and alternative investment firm Oaktree Capital announced this morning that they have spun off a new company, Quid , which will provide loans back by pre-IPO shares of stock. According to the companies, the business will provide company employees and shareholders access to money for their shares, with the money repaid when the company has an IPO or sale.

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Arcutis Bio Raises $159M in Upsized IPO to Test Skin Disease Drugs

Xconomy

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.

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ProGuides Raises $5 Million Seed Round

L.A. Business Journal

GLG Gaming Inc. raised a $5 million seed round for ProGuides, its instructional video platform for gamers.

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Evolution Smart Bag

Startup San Diego

Learn more about Evolution Smart Bag and how the founder, Angela Marino, went from idea to concept to shipping out her first orders within a couple years! The post Evolution Smart Bag appeared first on Startup San Diego.

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Rubicon Project, Telaria Move Forward On Merger Plans

socalTECH

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.

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Life Sciences IPOs Target Collective Raise of More Than $600M This Week

Xconomy

So far this year four privately held companies have made the transition to trading on the public markets. By month’s end, five more are anticipated to join the class of 2020 initial public offerings—and four of those are in life sciences, according to IPO research firm Renaissance Capital. Two are clinical-stage biotechs: Cambridge, MA-based Black Diamond Therapeutics, which is looking to raise $151 million, and Westlake Village, CA-based Arcutis Biotherapeutics, which aims to add $125 mil

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ProGuides Raises $5 Million Seed Round

L.A. Business Journal

GLG Gaming Inc. raised a $5 million seed round for ProGuides, its instructional video platform for gamers.

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