Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 15, 2014

'By now you likely know that Marc Andreessen weighed in on anonymous apps in a 12-part Twitter diatribe. Anonymity. As the old joke goes, “on the Internet nobody knows you’re a dog.” I have been weighing in slowly on the topic over the past few weeks on Twitter but have avoided writing a blog post about it until now. This was in part due to a tremendously busy 30-day period for me (in which my overall writing has been down) and in part the inevitability of knowing that weighing

Technical Review 329

Technical Review Blogging Examples Startup 329

socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

'Redland-based Esri , which provides geographical information systems and mapping software, said today that it is backing the White House Climate Change Data Initiative, and will help communities develop practical methods and approaches that use its GIS technology. Esri said it will publish maps and apps specifically developed around the initiative, as part of the effort to help communities confront the impacts of climate change.

Software Development 245

Software Development Tool Software Platform 245

InfoChachkie

MARCH 17, 2014

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Stop complaining about how difficult it is to encourage well-mannered, highly educated, civilized professionals to work together. Instead, consider how difficult it would be to transform twelve convicted felons, with an affinity for violence and no desire to work together, into a cohesive, effective team.

Tips 200

Tips Training Organization Education 200

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2014

'How is it that only a few business leaders and entrepreneurs seem to drive exceptional results and disruptive innovation in this rapidly changing market economy (marketquake)? These few seem more adept at executing market and technology turns, not just incremental evolution. They consistently take bold steps to stay ahead of the curve, often contrary to conventional wisdom.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur IBM IBM Summary 106

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

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2014

'This article originally appeared on TechCrunch. There is an old saying in poker that if you don’t know who the sucker at the table is – it’s you. The same can be said of critical decisions in a board meeting or frankly any other meeting where major decisions are ratified. If you’re turning up to important meetings hoping to persuade the critical people who attend of a decision you’re trying to make and having already “counted your votes” you are sub-opt

Startup 325

Startup Summary Email Ideas 325

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Irvine-based Bitvore , a startup developing big data and intelligence-gathering software which pulls information from both public and private data sources for businesses, said this morning that it has closed a $4.5M, Series A funding round. The funding was led by serial entreprenur Yuri Pikover, as well as $1M from crowdfunding. Bitvore, led by Jeff Curie, said that it has developed a. near real-time automated intelligence gathering systems that scour public and private data sources like websit

Software 227

Software IBM IBM Social Media 227

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2014

'It’s not uncommon for me to see a startup business plan “mission” to be the “premier brand” for their product, yet their marketing budget in the financials is trivial. This combination will almost certainly get your plan tossed by potential investors, who understand all too well the need and cost for marketing in today’s environment. When questioned, founders usually mention word-of-mouth, viral marketing, and a top quality product.

Marketing 102

Marketing Funding Social Media SEM 102

Berkonomics

MARCH 20, 2014

'Here’s more advice from professional investors for aspiring entrepreneurs. Each of us has a list of things we look for early on when identifying whether we want to go to the next step in analyzing a plan. Come to think of it, these are good for challenging any business plan. First: You must address a big market, large enough to allow a new entrant to have a shot at making a dent with a great product or service, and growing to a size that will make the company valuable at the exit.

Marketing 263

Marketing Email Entrepreneur Activity 263

socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

'Do you have a hardware product you''d like to bring to market and scale? A new, cross-border startup accelerator-- HardTech Labs --said yesterday that it has launched a new, startup accelerator aimed at helping hardware companies take their companies to full production. HardTech Labs said that it will provide as much as $150,000 plus, and up to $300,000 or more to startups in the accelerator, which looks to tap the many contract manufacturers with operations in Tijuana, as well as development r

Outsource Development 221

Outsource Development Class Incubator San Diego 221

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 19, 2014

'I’m a big fan of language and its evolutionary history. Language is never constant. Instead, it is always evolving to meet modern requirements, which include social needs and tools. Contrary to some grammarians, I believe that creating lingo is a natural evolution of human communication, not something that discredits the English language. The Beginnings.

Writing 101

Writing Email Mobile Summary 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2014

'Every startup wants to be a predictable success, yet so few ever achieve this enviable position. In reality, getting there is not a random walk, and requires an understanding of the stages that every business must navigate and the organizational characteristics necessary at each stage. Les McKeown, in his book “ Predictable Success ” outlines these stages and characteristics for any business.

Startup 100

Startup Framework Slides Resource 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 18, 2014

'Almost every startup company starts off “scrappy” and there’s a well established culture in the tech startup scene to embrace the “be cheap at all costs” mentality. So we have the proverbial garage startup or the small team working on desks that are handmade out of scrap wood or former doors from a construction site. But at want point do you need to flip from scrappy to “scale-y”?

Startup 352

Startup Press Help Course 352

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Los Angeles-based LawKick , the online, legal services marketplace founded by Michael Chasin and Aaron George, has launched an updated version of the service, according to the company''s founders. LawKick''s online site lets people answer a few questions about their legal issue, receive custom price quotes from lawyers, and helps them find the best fit for which lawyer to hire.

Los Angeles 216

Los Angeles Pricing Help Sites 216

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Los Angeles-based RadPad , which develops a mobile app which helps connect renters and landlords, announced this morning that it has raised $1M in additional capital, from Deep Fork Capital, Post Investments, Michael Huffington, and Brian Lee (BAM Ventures & Honest Co.), along with others. According to RadPad, its app--which it bills "Craiglist meets Instagram"--has gathered 40 percent of Los Angeles millenials as users of the app.

Screening 199

Screening Mobile Los Angeles Capital 199

socalTECH

MARCH 17, 2014

'Glendale-based Everbridge , the provider of cloud-based, emergency notification and communications services, said this morning that it has acquired UK-based Vocal , a provider of business continuity and communication services. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Everbridge said that Vocal will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidary of Everbridge.

Glendale 182

Glendale Acquisition Services Customer 182

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Santa Monica-based online advertising attribution technology provider Convertro --which is led by serial entrepreneur Jeff Zwelling--said today that it has added UCLA Anderson School professor Sanjog Misra as the chair of a new research committee for the company. According to Convertro, Misra will help the company with its algorithm, to make it the "most accurate and predictive" in the market.

UCLA 178

UCLA Research Santa Monica Study 178

socalTECH

MARCH 17, 2014

'Irvine-based Kurion , the venture-backed startup which has been contributing its technology to the cleanup of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, is setting up a new office in Tokyo, to support the company''s continued work at the devastated nuclear power site. According to Kurion, the new office will within walking distance of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) and the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID), a

Research 178

Research Acquisition Sites Capital 178

socalTECH

MARCH 21, 2014

'Mobile app developer Flywheel , which has been arming taxi companies in Los Angeles with their own, Uber-style mobile app, said this week that it has launched a brand new version of its app for the iPhone. According to Flywheel--which is currently serving Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle--it has redesigned its app to make it easier for people to get a ride from a local cab.

Los Angeles 173

Los Angeles Mobile Equity Services 173

socalTECH

MARCH 17, 2014

'Delta Air Lines announced Monday that it has launched a new, daily onnstop flight between Los Angeles International and Austin, Texas, to specifically connect the Silicon Beach startup community with the growing, technology community in Austin. According to Delta, the move--which is expected to start on June 16th--is part of an effort connect Los Angeles with all of the key, U.S. technology markets through its gateway at LAX.

Los Angeles 171

Los Angeles Startup Technology Angel 171

socalTECH

MARCH 20, 2014

'Pasadena-based Wallaby , the developer of financial applications which is led by Matthew Goldman, said today that it has launched a brand new, smartwatch app for Pebble. Wallaby said its new app-- Wallaby for Pebble --helps users look up their credit card balances, and make better payment choices, all from their wrist. The app is the second app for Wallaby on the new generation of connected, personal devices -- the company had released another app in February, for Google Glass.

Pasadena 170

Pasadena Google Help Services 170

socalTECH

MARCH 20, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Chideo , the new startup which combines charity, videos, interactive voting, and more to help celebrities raise money for their charities, has recruited an advisory board with a long list of notable names. According to the startup, which is led by Todd Wagner, it has added such names as local tech entrepreneur Clark Laundry (SHIFT/TagWorld), Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein (The Weinstein Company), musician Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), and news anchor Dan Rather to the advisory

Doc 166

Doc Hollywood Content News 166

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Santa Barbara-based Sonos , the growing developer of whole home audio streaming hardware, said Tuesday that it has released a brand new, Android application. According to Sonos, the new app includes a new design and simplified interface, as well as a new, universal search feature to help users look up music not only on their own devices, but on Pandora, Spotify, and other services.

Santa Barbara 164

Santa Barbara Mobile Design Help 164

socalTECH

MARCH 17, 2014

'Los Angeles-based C3 Jian , which is developing biopharmaceuticals aimed at improving oral healthcare, said Monday that it has raised $60.5M in a Series D financing. The funding was led by Renaissance Holding Company, and also included affiliates of Delta Dental. According to the company, the funds will go towards clinical development of the company''s peptide-based, antimicrobial drugs, which are aimed at attacking Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium responsible for dental caries or tooth decay.

Los Angeles 164

Los Angeles Capital Funding Angel 164

socalTECH

MARCH 17, 2014

'San Diego-based healthcare staffing firm AMN Healthcare Services said this morning that it has made a strategic investment in PipelineRx , a developer of clinical, telepharmacy medication management services. AMN said it is investing $5M in staged payments to San Francisco-based PipelineRx in the deal, and has reecived a seat on the startup''s board.

Invest 164

Invest Outsource Development Outsource San Diego 164

socalTECH

MARCH 20, 2014

'Los Angeles-based online advertising technology developer Rubicon Project set the pricing range for its initial public offering Thursday, saying that it hopes to offer 6,770,995 shares of its common stock at between $15.00 and $17.00 per share. The company said it has been approved to list on the New York Stock Exchange as RUBI. Rubicon Project is venture backed by Clearstone Ventures, News Corp., Mayfield, as well as others.

Clearstone 164

Clearstone Southern California San Diego Advertising 164

socalTECH

MARCH 20, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Stir , a startup developing a touchscreen-driven, Wi-fi connected, and sensor-powered desk which automatically adjusts to a user''s height, said this morning that it has raised $1.5M in a seed funding round. The funding wa sled by Tony Hsieh''s Vegas TechFund, and also included angels Josh Makower, John R. Woodard, Richard Klein, and a number of former Apple employees.

High Tech 164

High Tech Seed Funding Activity Los Angeles 164

socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

'Women''s Venture Capital Fund , a venture capital investment fund focused on investing in what it calls "gender diverse" teams, said today that it has added a Harvard Business School professor to its advisory board. The fund said it added Professor Janice H. Hammond, currently the Jesse Philips Professor of Manufacturing at Harvard Business School, as an advisor.

Venture Capital 164

Venture Capital Capital Funding Invest 164

socalTECH

MARCH 21, 2014

'In a world with a rash of startup incubators and accelerators, super angels, crowdfunding sites, and more, what''s the relevance of organized angel investments groups? For Friday''s interview, we spoke with Terry Kay ithe new Chairman of the Pasadena Angels (www.pasadenaangels.com) on the group, and its relevance in the technology funding world today.

Pasadena Angels 162

Pasadena Angels Pasadena Angel Startup 162

socalTECH

MARCH 21, 2014

'Newport Beach-based Miven Venture Partners , the private investment arm of Linksys founder Victor Tsao, has scored an exit in one of its portfolio companies, A10 Networks , after that company''s successful IPO this morning. It''s unclear how big of a stake Miven still has in A10, which develops web application security products, including appliances for dealing with distributed denial of service (DDos) and similar security issues.

Networking 159

Networking Belkin SoCalTech Web 159

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Los Angeles-based polling and sampling technology and services provider uSamp is shuffling its executives today, saying that it has named Ted Bouzakis as the company''s new Executive Vice President of Sales, replacing George Llorens. In addition, the company said that it has added Elisabeth Mischel as Vice President of the company''s Instant.ly product line.

Sample 159

Sample Research Sales Los Angeles 159

socalTECH

MARCH 17, 2014

'The alleged creator of the Bitcoin alternative currency, Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, has officially denied being involved with Bitcoin, and says he has hired counsel to help "clear his name". In a statement to the press, Nakamoto denied having ever been involved with Bitcoin, saying the earlier Newsweek report that he was the secretive and anonymous creator of Bitcoin was false, and that he only heard of Bitcoin in February after being contact by his son about being contacted by Newsweek''s report

Press 159

Press Report Angel Help 159

socalTECH

MARCH 21, 2014

'Irvine-based Presbia , a medical device company developing optical lens implants, has filed for an IPO. According to the company''s S-1, it is looking to riase up to $90M on the NASDAQ Global Market as LENS. The IPO is being underwritten by Jeffries. Presbia''s intraocular lenses are aimed at treating prebyopia, better known as near sightedness. READ MORE>>.

Acquisition 153

Acquisition Marketing Develop Development 153

socalTECH

MARCH 20, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Glip , a startup developing project communications and coordination tools, said today that it is running a $5,000 "hackathon" style contest for creative agencies. According to the company, it will offer up $5,000 to creative agencies to help create the company''s brand mascot, as well as free subscriptions for teams and more. Glip said that its tools are already being used by many creative agencies.

Startup 153

Startup Tool Los Angeles Help 153

socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Wi-Fi network operator and provider Boingo Wireless said today that it has been selected by the Air Force Academy, to deploy a Wi-Fi and small cell network for the Air Force Academy''s Falcon Stadium and Cadet Field House. Financial impact of the win were not disclosed. Boingo said the move will help increase capacity and improve wireless connectivity at the 56,000 seat venue.

Social Network 153

Social Network Networking Advertising Los Angeles 153

socalTECH

MARCH 18, 2014

'Santa Barbara-based whole home audio systems maker Sonos has snagged a high profile executive to head up its product efforts, and has hired away former Xbox Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten. According to Microsoft and its Xbox team, Whitten is leaving the company to become Chief Product Officer of Sonos. Whitten had been with Microsoft''s Xbox team since 2000.

Santa Barbara 153

Santa Barbara Product Company Companies 153

socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

'Sales tax compliance is not a typical sexy startup area. So, it was a surprise when a number of smart, insider angels -- including Roy Rubin (founder of Magento, which he sold to eBay), and Dan Rose (VP of Partnerships at Facebook)--put their money behind TaxJar (www.taxjar.com), a San Diego startup developing sales tax compliance software. Mark Faggiano is the CEO and founder of the company, and spoke to us about what the big deal is about sales tax software compliance.

Sales 149

Sales Software Startup Commerce 149