Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 1, 2011

Overnight success. It’s one of the biggest myths in the tech industry. It’s a ongoing struggle to overcome this bias. I say “struggle to overcome&# because I care about young people entering our industry with a set of realistic expectations about what “normal&# is. If you take a snapshot during an extraordinary surge in valuations, M&A activity, IPOs and thus wealth creation you’d echo John Doerr’s famous quote from 1999 that, “The Internet is the gr

Startup 391

Startup Blogging Venture Capital Writing 391

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2011

Los Angeles-based BLANKSPACES , the coworking space run by Jerome Chang, is getting set to open up a second location in Santa Monica in the next week, along 2nd street. The coworking operator said it will have over 20 offices and 65 workstations in its new location near the 3rd Street Promenade, located in an area populated by a number of early stage startups, venture capitalists, and others in the high tech business.

Santa Monica 257

Santa Monica High Tech Los Angeles Startup 257

Berkonomics

MAY 31, 2011

If you have been in management or an entrepreneur long enough, you will have experienced the gray area of decision-making where ethics, the law, your needs and expediency all collide. This is the time when you are paid the big bucks, and when others aware of your plight will be watching most carefully. It is also the time when you demonstrate your true courage to your contemporaries.

Course 240

Course Entrepreneur Custom Customer 240

InfoChachkie

JUNE 2, 2011

Article first published as Isaac Garcia – Taking Down Microsoft on Technorati. Messenger : Isaac Garcia , Co-Founder and CEO of Central Desktop, former Co-Founder of Upgradebase. Central Desktop was founded in 2005 to provide an easy-to-use, SaaS collaboration solution to the SMB market. The company initially focused on self-serve users who purchased the solution online, competing with the likes of Basecamp and GoPlan.

Newsletter 213

Newsletter Conference Marketing Advertising 213

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

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 3, 2011

Thursday, June 9, 2011 -- TMA's Night Of Excellence. This event continues to be the single largest local networking event in our industry with over 300 attorneys, bankers, equity sponsors and practitioners.

Equity 113

Equity Networking 113

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2011

Los Angeles-based Mogreet , the mobile marketing and video firm headed by James Citron, released mobile video stats gathered by the firm during Q1 today, saying that Verizon leads the market in terms of mobile video messaging views. The firm said its Q1 2011 mobile marketing analytics report finds that 44 percent of mobile videos are viewed on Verizon Wireless phones, followed by AT&T at 34.6 percent, then Spring at 9.7 percent.

Mogreet 214

Mogreet Mobile Los Angeles Report 214

InfoChachkie

MAY 30, 2011

The recent purchase of Skype by Microsoft for $8.5 billion caused me to recall an awkward meeting I had in 2005 with a particularly clueless group of cellular executives. Their utter stupidity is a bit disheartening, but highly instructional. Witnessing The Idiot’s Dilemma. I recently had lunch with a good friend with whom I have a shared experience.

Company 193

Company Companies Course IP 193

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 3, 2011

Thursday, June 9, 2011 -- E3 Expo 2011. E3 Expo is the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show is owned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies, publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet.

Entertainment 113

Entertainment Software Product Company 113

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2011

Los Angeles-based PriceGrabber , the online comparison shopping site now owned by Experian, said today that it has officially launched a new, daily deal site at deals.pricegrabber.com. PriceGrabber said it is aggregating over 20 group buying sites--including Groupon and LivingSocial--on the site. PriceGrabber's local deal site allows users to browse and find daily deals from over 160 metropolitan areas, the firm said, and is aimed at reducing the "daily deal deluge".

Sites 200

Sites Email Pricing Los Angeles 200

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2011

Starting and building a company is all about leadership – formulating an idea, building a unique plan based on vision and experience, and forging a path over and through all obstacles. Yet the image of leadership in business is at an all-time low, according to national leadership experts, considering the political debacles, record business bankruptcies, and executive fraud cases.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Coach Startup Tool 98

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 2, 2011

One of the beautiful things about the Internet is endless amount of websites designed and dedicated to those who like to be the first to know and share information. No, I am talking about a new Digg, StumbledUpon or Reddit , but something totally different. Founded by Nick Frost Startupli.st is a virtual directory of new startups that takes information flow a step further than the static website.

Help 85

Help Sites Design Social Network 85

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 3, 2011

Thursday, June 9, 2011 -- LA CEOs. A CEOs, an education and support group for CEOs presents: The Value of Sharing Risk through Co-Employment. What kind of CEO would want to turn over the companys bank account and tax ID number to a partner vendor? Its the CEO who understands how mitigating risk and achieving efficiencies can be realized through outsourcing the HR function to a single vendor.

Outsource 113

Outsource Education Company Companies 113

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2011

One of the biggest forces that has emerged in the Internet in recent years has been crowdsourcing, the way the web has empowered users to drive the creation of content and information online. For today's interview, we spoke with Clark Benson , CEO and Founder of Ranker (www.ranker.com), on how the firm is looking to harness that same force to power its own startup, which offers up a way for users to create their own ranked lists of pretty much anything.

Startup 195

Startup Platform Sites Java 195

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2011

“The devil in the details” is a quote that we have all heard, and clearly applies to startups, where success in the long run is all about execution. But for you as an entrepreneur trying to get started, the devil is really in your mind, where you must prevent drifting, and maintain that confidence, commitment, and passion, to achieve your business dream.

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Startup Help Activity 97

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 3, 2011

TechZulu and The California Institute of Technology ( CalTech ) are pleased to announce Spotlight: LA Tech Summer. Spotlight: LA Tech is part of a quarterly demo series that will highlight the finest technology entrepreneurship in Southern California. We’re looking for companies with new technology to demonstrate (or better yet, those with upcoming launches they wish to promote among savvy peers).

Santa Monica 82

Santa Monica CalTech Southern California Technology 82

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 2, 2011

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 -- The Association for Women in Technology Presents TOMORROW'S CIO. Inspired by panelist Ashwin Rangan's book "Tomorrow's CIO: Strategic Conversations That Align IT with the Boardroom," this forum brings together a panel of distinguished CIOs for a discussion about tomorrow's IT leadership. In our digital age, companies increasingly rely on IT to find innovative ways to drive revenue, and improve margins and business productivity.

CIO 113

CIO Tips Technology Product 113

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

Has starting a business without any kind of business model become trendy again? And what does that mean? For our Insights and Opinions section today, Jeff Solomon , co-founder of Los Angeles leads software firm Leads360 , explores in Come On, Man! What Is Your Business? I'm a pretty firm believer in developing a business model as soon as possible when starting a company.

Course 183

Course Los Angeles Ideas Software 183

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2011

Why is it that most of the business plans I see are really product plans? I define a product plan as a detailed description of your product or service, with a bit of business thrown in at the end. A business plan is a detailed description of your business, with a bit of product description thrown in near the front. Don’t get me wrong. It’s definitely positive to have a product plan.

Product 93

Product Entrepreneur Outsource Development Competition 93

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 3, 2011

Checking into a place with your phone and telling your friend about it isn’t exactly new, Yelp, Foursquare, and Facebook have that covered. Scoville does it, but not alone; it’s a web application that works in connection with Foursquare. Sign up, find your friends, invite them to join, customize lists of your favorite places and promote your #TopTuesday.

Startup 65

Startup Sites Organization Email 65

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 2, 2011

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 -- AWT Quarterly Technology Forum. Inspired by panelist Ashwin Rangan's book "Tomorrow's CIO: Strategic Conversations That Align IT with the Boardroom," this forum brings together a panel of distinguished CIOs for a discussion about tomorrow's IT leadership. In our digital age, companies increasingly rely on IT to find innovative ways to drive revenue, and improve margins and business productivity.

AWT 113

AWT CIO Technology Product 113

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

Los Angeles-based Causecast , the cause marketing firm founded by Ryan Scott, said today that it has launched a new service which will help companies show how they are supporting charities and causes. The firm's new service, Cause Integration Profiles, allows any company to create a profile showing how they are supporting corporate social responsibility initiatives, the causes they support, and grants they offer via their foundations.

Causecast 182

Causecast Services Southern California Los Angeles 182

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2011

Every startup fears that one angry and unfair customer who can jeopardize the business by a SCREAMING post on Ripoff Report , Yelp , or one of the hundreds of other consumer complaint and review sites on the Internet. Most entrepreneurs don’t even know how to keep track of what people are saying about them on the web, much less how to respond or remove it.

Web 93

Web Search Engine Optimization Content Social Network 93

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 2, 2011

Several people have been asking me to weigh in publicly on the “20 under 20″ initiative announced by Peter Thiel in which he will award up to $100,000 to 20 people under the age of 20 who agree immediately to pursue entrepreneurship (the implication of which is that they’d drop out of university to do so). Thiel and friends will also agree to mentor these young entrepreneurs.

Education 322

Education Startup Incubator Class 322

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 1, 2011

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 -- E3 Expo 2011. E3 Expo is the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show is owned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies, publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet.

Entertainment 113

Entertainment Software Product Company 113

socalTECH

MAY 31, 2011

Santa Monica-based Amos Content Group , a provider of editorial and video content services, said today that it has scored a round of angel funding. The firm, which provides online video creation for such firms as SodaHead, Fox, SPIKE, and others, said the funding came from angel investor Michael Wolper. Financial details of the funding were not disclosed.

Content 176

Content Angel Funding Santa Monica 176

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2011

By John Williams Fast Company magazine recently reported that PayPal founder Paul Thiel is giving away $100,000 to twenty-four young men and women to finance startup businesses. The caveat is that these young entrepreneurs have to drop out of college to do it. This move is indicative of the possibility that the traditional ways of going about making a living through a college education, an entry-level position at a firm, and steady promotion through the ranks is a dead model.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2011

Venice-based Altly , the startup headed by Dmitry Shapiro which is developing an alternative to Facebook, has revealed the full list of its seed funding investors today, saying that it raised $1M in funding from Freestyle Capital , Social Leverage , Arthur Bilger, Draper Fisher Jurvetson , Howard Lindzon , Tom Anderson , Alex Bard , Alex Karelin , Kenny Van Zant , and Francis Costello.

Veoh 174

Veoh Draper Seed Funding Venice 174

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

Apparently, Blackberry users aren't that into Facebook and Twitter--at least, according to Beverly Hills-based Mobile Roadie , the developer of branded mobile applications for music artists, celebrities, and others. Mobile Roadie said today that it is discontinuing its Blackberry offering, after finding that less than 2 percent of Blackberry users using its apps bothered to log into Facebook or Twitter and interact with the app.

Mobile 172

Mobile Beverly Hills Screening Services 172

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

Interest in technology IPOs appears to have hit a new high Thursday, as daily deals firm Groupon filed for an IPO, saying that it is looking to raised up to $750M in an IPO. The firm's filing had been anticipated, and follows a huge runup in the recent IPO of LinkedIn , and widespread speculation on what firms might be next to file. Southern California has had its own share of IPOs over the last year, including Demand Media, Active Network, and Boingo Wireless.

Southern California 171

Southern California eHarmony Legalzoom SoCal 171

socalTECH

MAY 31, 2011

Santa Monica-based Savings.com , the online coupon site run by Loren Bendele, announced this morning that it has named Brian Lee as Head of Consumer Experience, and Meghan Stuyvenberg as head of Public Relations and Community Management. The firm said Lee joins from BabyCenter.com, where he was Director of Product Management, and that Stuyvenberg joins from Hill & Knowlton Australia.

Santa Monica 169

Santa Monica Sites Product Company 169

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2011

An Irvine-based startup, backed by Lux Capital and Firelake Capital Management, said this week that it is deploying its technology to the embattled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant , to help support water cleanup at the plant's nuclear reactor. According to Kurion , it has completed initial delivery of "several hundred tons of equipment" to remove radioactivity from contaminated water at the plant.

Technology 162

Technology Startup Capital Help 162

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

Fountain Valley-based Kingston Digital , the flash memory unit of Kington Technology, is targeting the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch storage market today, saying it will be rolling out a new, wireless portable storage product specifically aimed at the popular devices. The firm said it has launched the new Wi-Drive, a wireless, flash-based device specifically aimed at users of the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, to store their documents, images, music, and video files.

Doc 162

Doc Marketing Software Product 162

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

Long Beach-based Cie Games , the social games developer behind Car Town for Facebook, said today that it has named Carey D'Souza as its new Chief Operating Officer. D'Souza was most recently at online games maker Nexon America, and also has served at Evoco and Electronic Arts. Cie Games develops social games specifically tied to branding and advertisers; the firm's branding deals include ties with the Daytona International Speedway, NASCAr, Honda, Toyota, Regal Entertainment, Universal Pictures,

Electronic Arts 160

Electronic Arts Long Beach Entertainment Advertising 160

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2011

San Diego-based Sequenom , which provides molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis services, announced today that it has landed a $30M, credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank. The publicly held firm said the new funding will go towards development and commercialization of new products, as well as other near term growth initiatives. The firm said the facility includes a term loan of up to $20M, plus $10M in a revolving line of credit.

San Diego 159

San Diego Funding Services Product 159

socalTECH

JUNE 1, 2011

Los Angeles-based SteelHouse , a developer of e-commerce technology based on consumer behavior, said Wednesday that it has scored a round of funding and launched its "behavioral commerce technology" to boost e-commerce conversion. The firm said is backed by prolific angel investor Ron Conway and Baroda Ventures, the venture capital arm of Geocities founder David Bohnett.

Commerce 154

Commerce Technology eHarmony Funding 154

socalTECH

MAY 31, 2011

Socialcast , a developer of enterprise social networking tools which had started in Orange County but was later moved to San Francisco, has been acquired by VMware. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Socialcast Baseline Ventures , Menlo Ventures , and True Ventures. Socialcast was previously known as Event Robot. READ MORE>>.

Orange County 154

Orange County Social Network Tool Networking 154