Sat.Nov 29, 2014 - Fri.Dec 05, 2014

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The Very First Startup Founder You Need to Invest in is You

Both Sides of the Table

'This week I wrote about obsessive and competitive founders and how this forms the basis of what I look for when I invest. I had been thinking a lot about this recently because I’m often asked the question of “what I look for in an entrepreneur when I want to invest?” I look for a lot of things, actually: Persistence (above all else), resiliency, leadership, humility, attention-to-detail, street smarts, transparency and both obsession with one’s company and a burning desi

Startup 409
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How Blossom Wants To Save Water, Money Using The Cloud

socalTECH

'Sure, it has been quite a wet week in Southern California this weekhowever, we''re not out of California''s long running drought yet. Can a smart sprinkler controller be the answer to the drought? Startup Blossom (www.myblossom.com) thinks it is part of the solution to the dry conditions across the Westand can help save lots of money for homeowners nationwide, by tapping into the cloud with a connected, smart sprinkler controller.

Demand 258
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Three qualities of a great leader

Berkonomics

'By Dave Berkus. There are lots of ways to measure a great leader. Here are three that should resonate with you as leader and with those who follow you. These qualities are applicable whether you are leading your company or a board, and certainly are aspiration targets for you if you are measuring yourself against the best. The first quality in a great leader is to have laser focus.

Resource 228
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The 7 Attributes of People Who Get Things Done

Startup Professionals Musings

'Isn’t it amazing that some people you know always seem to be working hard, but never seem to get anything done? As an entrepreneur, you need to avoid partnering with these people, or hiring them into your startup. The challenge is to find people who get things done, as well as work hard. LinkedIn profiles and resumes still focus too much on responsibilities rather than results.

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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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6 Reasons Why You Should Jump On The Startup Bandwagon

Tech Zulu Event

'Image courtesy of Refinery29 via Pinterest. The rise of startups is becoming one of the strongest engines of job growth and economic growth all around the world. As the capital needed to start a small business continues to fall, the number of software companies being started is exploding. These companies are also no longer limited in areas near venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, Boston, and New York City, and practically anyone can join startups in their local cities — or even across the g

Startup 102
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SoCal Takes Top Two Spots In Instagram Tags

socalTECH

'Southern California looks to be the top location for Instagram tags, based on a ranking of tags on the app released this week. According to Instagram, the top two spots in Instagram''s list of the top tagged locations in 2014 were Disneyland , in Anaheim, and Dodger Stadium , in Los Angeles. The two were number one and two in the top ten locations where users shared photos; others included Times Square (3), Siam Paragon Mall in Bankok (4), Gorky Park in Moscow (5), the Louvre (6), Red Square, M

More Trending

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The Right Startup Advisors Are As Valuable As Money

Startup Professionals Musings

'If you are a new entrepreneur, or entering a new business area, it’s always worth your time to assemble an Advisory Board of two or three executives who have travelled that road before. You need them before you need funding, and if you select the wrong people, or use them incorrectly, no amount of money will likely save your startup. Even top executives rely on their advisors.

Startup 110
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Why Twitter Analytics Is The Holy Grail For Every Content Marketer

Tech Zulu Event

'Photo courtesy of Search Engine Journal via Pinterest. “Twitter Analytics now open for all.”. This has been the buzz in the online arena that opened doors for those wanting to gain a deeper insight on Twitter and its tweeting powers. Because back then, you have to rely solely on retweets, replies, direct messages, or favorites as is just to understand if your tweets reach your followers exactly the way you wanted it to be.

Content 93
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Aerovironment Ups Contract Win By $38.3M

socalTECH

'Monrovia-based unmanned aerial vehicle maker Aerovironment reported Thursday that it has received a number of awards and options on its contract with the United States Army, for its Switchblade tactical missile systems, which increase the total contract ceiling for its existing contract by $38.3M, to a total of $102.1M. The company said it received a $4.3 million cost plus fixed fee award and $7.1 million option for the program, increasing the funded part of the contract to $63.8M.

Monrovia 187
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Vantage Media Sells Unit To Campus Explorer

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Vantage Media said Thursday that it is selling its Education Services Business--which sells leads to education advertisers--to Campus Explorer , as it looks to sharpen its focus on the technology behind its real time bidding (RTB) advertising platform. Financial terms of the sale were not announced. Vantage Media said the business was officially sold last week.

Media 173
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SendGrid Gets $20M More For Email Delivery

socalTECH

'SendGrid , the developer of email delivery platform used heavily by app developers, has raised $20M more in a Series C, venture funding round, the company said this morning. The company--which has significant operations in Orange County--said the Bain Capital Ventures, along with Bessemer Venture Partners and Foundry Group. SendGrid has a big operation in Orange, with a focus on engineering and software.

Email 173
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Procore Names Chief Marketing Officer

socalTECH

'Carpinteria-based Procore Technologies , which develops cloud-based software for the construction industry, has named Matthew Reid as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Reid previously served at Impact Radius, and also served at Citrix Onlne, Gehry Technologies, Eucalyptus Systems, and Shunra Software. Procore said Reid will head up all corporate and product marketing for the company.

Marketing 171
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Uber Takes Lead In Ridesharing Fundraising With $1.2 Billion Round

socalTECH

'Los Angeles has been one of the hottest markets for ridesharing companies, with Uber , Sidecar , Lyft , Flywheel , TaxiMagic , and Opoli -- and probably others--all trying to take a piece of the transportation market. However, it looks like ridesharing company Uber might have just changed the equation, after announcing a $1.2 billion funding round -- with more on tap -- valuing the company at $40 billion, and adding a very, very significant warchest to the company''s fight to come out as the to

Demand 166
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Zillow Accused Of Frat House Culture In Irvine

socalTECH

'Online real estate startup Zillow , which operates a major sales center in Irvine, is the target of an employment lawsuit which alleges the company created a "adult frat house culture" at the location. According to the lawsuit, a sales consultant at the company--who was fired in August--faced "repeated sexual overtures" from male supervisors. According to The Recorder, the lawsuit is the third employment lawsuit for Zillow in a month.

Sales 164
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Avanir Pharmaceuticals Acquired For $3.5 Billion

socalTECH

'Aliso Viejo-based Avanir Pharmaceuticals said today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Japanese company Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , in a deal worth approximately $3.5 billion. Avanir--which is publicly held--said that Otsuka has agreed to pay $17.00 per share in cash for the company. The deal is subject to the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

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Qualcomm Invests $7M In Qterics

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Qualcomm has invested $7M in a new, Internet-of-Things startup called Qterics , as part of a strategic investment, according to Qterics'' parent Silicon Image. Silicon Image said the investment provides a 7% ownership interest to Qualcomm in its spinout. Aterics is looking to provide software for Internet-enabled, consumer products, including TVs, mobile handsets, tablets, routers, home automation devices, and more.

Invest 159
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Digital Family Reunion 2014: Less Than A Week To This Year's Biggest Party!

socalTECH

'There''s less than a week to the technology industry''s biggest holiday event of the year--the Digital Family Reunion on Wednesday, December 10th at the Skirball Cultural Center. Southern California has had a banner year this year, with a huge number of successful exits, fundings, and more. It''s the season to celebrate the technology and media industry''s success here with the Join us to honor the socalTECH 50 , our list of the "ones to watch" in the local tech community, and network and drink

SoCalTech 157
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Boingo Wireless Gets $50M In Credit Facility

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based Wi-Fi and small cell network provider Boingo Wireless said late last week that it has raised $50M in a new credit agreement. According to Boingo, the new credit facility came from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Silicon Valley Bank. Boingo Wireless said the new line of credit would strengthen its liquidity position, and would be used for working capital.

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SpaceX's Newest High Tech Job: Farmer?

socalTECH

'In what might be the strangest position available at Elon Musk''s pioneering space rocket firm, SpaceX has posted a job for a farmer on its job page--a strange mix of the high tech world of space travel and farming. According to the position, SpaceX is seeking a farmer with a minimum of 10 years of row crop farming experience in central Texas, where it currently has operations in McGregor.

High Tech 153
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Sonos Raises $130M In New Funding

socalTECH

'Santa Barbara-based whole home music system maker Sonos has raised $130M in a new funding round, according to a regulatory filing from the firm. No details of the funding have yet been announced by the company. According to the filing, eight investors participated in the new funding for the company. Sonos has previously raised funding from BV Capital, Elevation Partners, Index Ventures, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Redpoint Ventures.

Funding 149
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RealD Cuts Staff, Downsizes Facilities

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based 3D movie project technology developer RealD said this morning that it has cut its headcount, and will be downsizing its facilities, as part of a expense reduction move. According to RealD, the cuts include the elimination of certain sales and marketing and research and development expenditures. The number of employees who will be affected by the cutbacks were not disclosed by the company.

Layoffs 147
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Broadcom Adds NFC Support

socalTECH

'Irvine-based chip maker Broadcom said today that it has added support for Near Field Communications (NFC) within its kits for developing embedded, Internet connected devices. Broadcom said its Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) software development kit now includes support for NFC, the technique which is being used for such things as mobile payments and other Internet-of-Things features.

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WhipClip, Led By Richard Rosenblatt, Gets $20M For Video Clipping Apps

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based WhipClip , a yet-to-be-launched startup led by Demand Media founder Richard Rosenblatt, revealed today that it has raised $20M in a venture funding round. The startup is tackling legal clipping of video, saying it is creating a mobile app which lets consumers clip video from television shows and share them with their friends. The company has raised funding from Raine Ventures, Institutional Venture Partners, William Morris Endeavor, Ziffren Brittenham LLP, Greycroft Partners,

Fandango 147
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New Effort Taps Crowdsourced PCs To Help Find Ebola Cure

socalTECH

'A new effort by San Diego-based Scripps Research Institute and IBM is seeking to tap into the collective power of crowdsoruced PCs and Android mobile devices, to help find a cure for Ebola. According to IBM and The Scripps Institute, they have launched a new effort called "Outsmart Ebola Together", which seeks to harness the power of idle computers to create a "virtual supercomputer" for data processing in the Scripps Research Institute research efforts.

Help 147
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Wallaby Acquired By Bankrate

socalTECH

'Pasadena-based Wallaby Financial , the developer of web and mobile apps to help consumers optimize their credit card spending, hsa been acquired by Bankrate. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Bankrate said that it will combine wallaby''s product family and technology with its existing credit card distribution platform, including its CreditCards.com online credit marketplace.

Pasadena 147
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Ingram Micro Buys Company In Turkey

socalTECH

'Santa Ana-based computer products distributor Ingram Micro is extending its footprint in Turkey, saying that it has acquired Armada , which it says is the largest value-add technology distributor in that country. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Ingram Micro said Armada has 2013 sales of over $280M. Ingram Micro said the buy will enhance its access and reach into Turkey''s fast growing technology industry.

Company 147
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SOA Software's Medrano Gets Award

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based SOA Software , which develops software used for API management within corporations, said that Executive Vice President Robert Medrano has scored an award. The company said Medrano was named one of the top 100 influential Hispanics by HITEC (Hispanic IT Executive Council), an industry group focused on senior executives in IT. Medrano has been a key part of building SOA since its beginnings.

Software 147
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Newegg Dangles Chance At Trip To China

socalTECH

'Los Angeles-based online electronics retailer Newegg.com is tangling several trips to China for two, as part of its Cyber Monday promotions, the company said this morning. The retailer said that it is launching the Great China TECHspedition Sweepstakes , which will award five grand prizes and their guests a six day, five night trip to China--which will feature VIP activities, guided tours, and more, and which will be shared via social media as "Newegg Changhong Ambassadors".

NewEgg 147
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JustEnough Wins 99 Cents Only Stores

socalTECH

'Irvine-based demand management software developer JustEnough Software said this morning that its software has been adopted by 99 Cents Only Stores , which is using the company''s software for demand forecasting, inventory planning, and replenishment of its stores. Financial impact of the win was not announced. JustEnough is led by Malcolm Buxton. READ MORE>>.

Demand 147
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InstaMed Raises $15M For Healthcare Payments

socalTECH

'Newport Beach- and Philadelphia-based InstaMed , which operates a healthcare payments network, has raised $15M in a private placement to accelerate its business. According to the company, the private placement was oversubscribed by $2M. The company said the new funding came from existing and new investors. Names of those investors were not announced.

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Arrowhead Research Names General Counsel

socalTECH

'Pasadena-based Arrowhead Research , which is developing targeted RNAi biopharmaceuticals, said late Thursday that it has named Patrick O''Brien as the company''s new General Counsel. O''Brien had most recently been Group Vice President, Legal, for Shire, and also had served at Johnson & Johnson, at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and in private practice.

Research 138
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CallFire Acquires FireText

socalTECH

'Santa Monica-based telephony, texting, and voice API developer CallFire announced Thursday that it has acquired UK-based FireText , a provider of SMS marketing in the UK. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. CallFire said the buy will expand the company into the European market. CallFire, which is led by Ron Burr, offers up a wide range of phone and texting services for companies.

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Bourns Buys Komatsulite Mfg. Co.

socalTECH

'Riverside-based electronic components manufacturer and supplier Bourns has acquired Japanese company Komatsulite Mfg. Co., Ltd. , a developer of safety devices for the rechargeable lithium-ion battery market, the company said Wednesday. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Bourns said Komatsulite develops mini breaker devices used to enable longer battery life, high current draw, and fast recharge of lithium ion batteries, and has more than $100M in annual revenues.

Riverside 138
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Facebook Taps ESET For Malware Security Tools

socalTECH

'Facebook is tapping San Diego-based Internet security software developer ESET , in a move to help Facebook users battle malware. According to ESET and Facebook, they are offering up the ESET Online Scanner for Facebook to all Facebook users, as part of Facebook''s complimentary anti-malware initiative. ESET said that when Facebook detects that a user''s account may have been compromised by malware, it will offer up ESET''s Online Scanner for Facebook to help scan for and disable malware on a us

Tool 138
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SERVIZ, Backed by $10.7M From Groupon, Takes On Holiday Lighting Installs

socalTECH

'Sherman Oaks-based SERVIZ , a new, on-demand home services startup led by ReachLocal founder Zorik Gordon, said Wednesday that it is connecting consumers with holiday lighting installation services--and also revealed a funding round from Groupon. The startup said it raised $10.7M in a funding round, led by Groupon, along with other investors. SERVIZ lets consumers book home services via both its online website and an iPhone app, and is initially offering its service in the greater Los Angeles a

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Illumina, Sequenom Settle Patent Lawsuit

socalTECH

'San Diego-based Illumina and fellow San Diego company Sequenom said the two have ended a patent dispute, with Illumina paying Sequenom $50M, plus additional payments through 2020. The two also said they will pool their noninvasive, prenatal testing intellectual property, and that Illumina will gain the exclusive worldwide rights to utilize that intellectual property to develop and sell in-viitro diagnostics kits for noninvasive prenatal testing, with both companies sharing revenue from the pate

Patents 138