Both Sides of the Table
FEBRUARY 9, 2014
'I often talk about what I’m looking for when I meet with an entrepreneur. Above all else I’m looking for a genuine passion for what the entrepreneur is doing. It’s even a direct quote in my Twitter bio. Of course passion isn’t enough. You need a set of innate skills that differentiate you from the thousands of others who set out on your similar journey.
InfoChachkie
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Companies typically rebrand themselves for two distinct reasons. Those that are floundering do so in a desperate attempt to stave off failure. Such attempts are seldom successful, as rebranding typically does not address the systemic issues causing the company to fail. In contrast, companies that are rapidly growing often rebrand in order to more accurately reflect the expanded scope of their target market and product set.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
'Los Angeles-based Jukin Media , a company which says it discovers, acquires, and distributes viral videos, has tapped technology veteran Lee Essner as the company''s new President and Chief Operating Officer. Essner was previously the founder of AccessDNA, which he sold to Informed Medical Decisions a couple of years ago. He also was the COO of WeddingChannel.com, and has been an advisor to PageWoo, FanAppz and Capsule, and also was EIR at Idealab.
Berkonomics
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'Back when we were all trying to figure out the real value of traffic on the web, we investors – and acquiring companies – got a bit crazy with metrics used to value acquisitions and investments. Since in most cases, there was no revenue in many of these companies, all trying to gain market share at any cost, we had to invent the metric to use.
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.
Eric Greenspan
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'Not a day goes by without me giving it my all. I do everything with the intention of perfection. I never achieve it and I never will, but I try. I hustle. I spend my day solving problems. Sometimes in my personal life, sometimes on a website I’m working on, sometimes it’s a customer service issue. No matter how great the day, a problem arises.
Startup Professionals Musings
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'I don’t have an MBA. I used to fear that this would put me at a disadvantage in starting my own company, but now I’m convinced that it may be the other way around. In some reputable surveys , as many as two-thirds of entrepreneurs felt that their entrepreneurial spirit was more ingrained than learned, so a specific education level is at least irrelevant.
Southern California Tech Central brings together the best content for technical professionals in Southern California from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Tech Zulu Event
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'There are many things that entrepreneurs don’t know about startups—and an equal number of things they think they know, but about which they are wrong. Some common startup myths have frequently been debunked, like how running your own company will give you freedom (yeah, right!) or how failure leads to future success (it could, but it’s certainly no golden ticket), and how all an entrepreneur needs is passion (who needs the ability to execute when you have passion, right?!).
Eric Greenspan
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'Not a day goes by without me giving it my all. I do everything with the intention of perfection. I never achieve it and I never will, but I try. I hustle. I spend my day solving problems. Sometimes in my personal life, sometimes on a website I’m working on, sometimes it’s a customer service issue. No matter how great the day, a problem arises.
Startup Professionals Musings
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
'Managing and motivating a team in a startup is more than just using the right interpersonal skills. It’s more than providing recognition, tangible incentives, and clear work goals. A key influencer of satisfaction and motivation, top-ranked by employees, is positive progress and the completion of meaningful work. Sometimes you have to manage progress, not people.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'Virgin America said this morning that it has launched a brand new, in-flight social network, based on a mobile app from Los Angeles startup Here on Biz. According to Virgin America, it has launched an in-flight social network which is aimed at helping to connect fellow business travelers on its flights, via the free Here On Biz app. Virgin America said the app will help guests connect in the air with other guests and also on the ground at the company''s lounges and terminals.
Tech Zulu Event
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'It’s another great day for the LA tech community. The Walt Disney Company & Techstars have officially announced the Disney Accelerator, a three-month mentorship and seed-stage investment program for 10 lucky companies. Disney Accelerator, Powered by Techstars. The LA-based accelerator is powered by Techstars and is looking for “technology-based companies focused on transformative media and entertainment experiences.” .
Eric Greenspan
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'Not a day goes by without me giving it my all. I do everything with the intention of perfection. I never achieve it and I never will, but I try. I hustle. I spend my day solving problems. Sometimes in my personal life, sometimes on a website I’m working on, sometimes it’s a customer service issue. No matter how great the day, a problem arises.
Startup Professionals Musings
FEBRUARY 8, 2014
'Successful entrepreneurs, like Tony Hsieh of Zappos and Casey Sheahan of Patagonia , have long since realized that influence is no longer something that you do to someone to get what you want, but requires listening and relationship building to do what they want, with a win-win outcome. We now live in a world where even subtle persuasion efforts are suspect.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'Are you a man who wishes he could keep up with the latest fashion trends? A new startup--out of the USC Viterbi Startup Garage--has a new mobile app for you. Spruce has launched a brand new app for the iPhone, which is aimed at helping men discover what the startup calls "amazing" products. The startup said it is a store for men that adapts to a man''s style, price, and brand preferences.
Tech Zulu Event
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'Nowadays when people think entrepreneurship, one of the first things that comes to mind is ABC’s popular show “ Shark Tank ” where entrepreneurs meet “sharks” or investors to pitch their ideas and ask for money. On February 6 th , eager students crowded into a room in the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California to hear Robert Herjavec speak at an event by the Annenberg Dean Ernest Wilson III.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
'The deal by private equity firm Permira to acquire the majority stake in Glendale-based egalZoom is now complete, according to Permira. Permira said Friday afternoon that it successfully completed its acquisition of more than $200M of the outstanding equity of LegalZoom, giving it a majority stake of the legal document and services company. Permira said it is now LegalZoom''s largest shareholder, and will apoint a majority of the company''s board.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'In government, there''s often superficial talk about adopting technology and working with industry--most of which is out of sync with the actual technology industry and reality, and is more window dressing than reality. However, in a very unusual move, the City of Los Angeles has tapped a true technology veteran and insider, well known to those here in the industry-- Peter Marx , most recently at Qualcomm--to head up the city''s efforts to both adopt technology and improve the city''s relations
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'Valentine''s day is coming up -- it''s this Friday, February 14th -- and what better way to prepare for the holiday than taking a look at three local startups (and one established company) particularly appropriate for the occasion? The Bouqs , which is headed by John Tabis, has a modern, online and mobile service aimed at delivering flowers to your girlfriend, wife, or anyone else.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'Wish you could get unlimited voice and text on your phone for less than $5 a month? Los Angeles-based FreedomPop is doing exactly that, saying this morning that it has launched a new plan which costs $4.58 per month and gives you unlimited, voice and text services, on all of its phones. The venture-backed startup, which has the high profile backing of the same companies which backed free voice-over-IP service Skype (Mangrove Capital, DCM and Atomico) said it will also continue to offer up its f
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
'Los Angeles-based online dog sitting marketplace DogVacay appears to be in growth mode, based on a recent notice the company sent out to its blog. According to DogVacay--which already has more than 50 employees--it is hiring customer service representatives for the startup, looking for technologically proficient dog lovers to help with its customer service team.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'Walt Disney Company said Wednesday that it is launching a new, Los Angeles based startup accelerator, focused on. startups looking to develop consumer entertainment experiences, called the Disney Accelerator. According to Disney, it will provide $120,000 in investment capital to startups to help them develp their ideas, and also provide mentoring from Disney executives.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'There''s a gap between the robust, growing technology startups in Los Angeles and the many students graduating from local universities, according to Steven Dietz , who is a venture capitalist at LA''s Upfront Ventures. Steve is helping to spearhead the efforts of TechLA Internships (techla.internships.com), an online site which lists local internships at high tech companies for college students.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'In the latest Silicon Valley mogul to buy a house in Los Angeles, Google chairman Eric Schmidt has reportedly purchased a $22 million house in Los Angeles in the Holmby Hills. The report--from the New York Post--says that Schmidt bought the former Los Angeles estate of Veronique Peck, late wife of Gregory Peck. If true, the purchase is just the latest in a long string of Silicon Valley moguls purchasing a second home in LA.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'On-demand transportation provider Uber has launched an interesting, Valentine''s Day promotion in Los Angeles, saying that it will let its users purchase on-demand skywriting in the city tomorrow. According to Uber, its UberSky service will let "hopeless romantics" send their own skywriting message directly from the company''s mobile app, for just $500.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'Santa Monica-based comedy site Laffster said Tuesday that it has rebranded itself as Cogo , as part of a move by the company to expand beyond comedy. According to the company--led by Daniel Altmann--it is now expanding into other entertainment verticals, with the aim of connecting artists and fans with projects and causes. The company said it will let actors, authors, musicians and athletes use its service to help raise money, via providing personal items for sale, or otherwise engaging fans.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'Los Angeles-based j2 Global said this morning that it has acquired the Internet fax business of two different, Australian service providers, as it continues to gobble up Internet service providers. According to j2 Global, it has acquired the Internet fax businesses of Sydney-based OzeFax and Brisbane-based Faxmate this morning. Financial terms of the two acquisition were not announced. j2 said the buy is not expected to be material on its finances. j2 Global owns a vast number of Internet fax,
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
'Camarillo-based Interlink Electronics said Tuesday morning that it has opened up a new subsidiary in the United Kingdom, as part of an expansion in Europe. According to the company--which develops touchpads, force sensors, position sensors, and other related technology--it has named Neil Jarvie as Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development--as part of the establishment of Interlink Electronics Europe Limited.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 12, 2014
'It looks like Texas is playing to win, as the state apparently is in a deal to steal away , Omnitracs , the former Qualcomm GPS fleet management and software division -- taking with it at least 1,000 jobs. According to reports, Omnitracs is in the midst of negotations to move its operations out of San Diego, and to Austin, following the recent sale of Omnitracs by Qualcomm to private equity firm Vista Equity Partners.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'San Diego-based pharmaceuticals firm Lithera , which is developing aesthetic medicine products aimed at reducing fat, said this week that it has completed a final close of its Series C funding at $35.6M. The final tranche of the round added $8.0M in funding. According to Lithera, the new tranche of funding came from Alta Partners, DOmain Assocaites, AKS Capital, as well as others.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
'Los Angeles-based venture capital investor Rustic Canyon Partners is one of the return backers of online babysitting marketplace UrbanSitter , participating in UrbanSitter''s new $15M Series B funding. UrbanSitter said the new funding round was led by DBL Investors, and also included Match Group, Aspect Ventures, Canaan Partners, First Round Capital, Menlo Ventures, in addition to Rustic Canyon Partners.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'San Diego-based biotech investor Domain Associates has re-upped its investment in medical device manufacturer Miramar Labs. Miramar Labs said Wednesday that it has raised $10M in a Series D funding, from Aisling Capital, Cross Creek Capital, Domain Associates, Morgenthaler Ventures, and RusnanoMedInvest. Miramar Labs develops medical devices used to reduce the production of unwanted underarm sweat.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'Goleta-based Transphorm , the developer of high efficiency, power conversion devices which the company says are dramatically more efficient than current technology, has raised $15.0M in more funding, according to a regulatory filing from the firm. Details on the new funding have not yet been announced by the company. Transphorm has previously raised from such investors as Bright Capital, Foundation Capital, Google Ventures, Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and B
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'Los Angeles-based Hulu said today that it has named a new Senior Vice President of Sales. According to Hulu, it has named Peter Naylor--who was previously Executive Vice President of Ad Sales for NBC News Digital--to the position. Naylor also previously served at iVillage, and is on the boards of both the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Online Publishers Association (OPA).
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
'Los Angeles-based Internet services provider j2 Global continues to gobble up online businesses, saying this morning that it has acquired LiveDrive , a UK-based online backup and synchronization provider. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. According to J2, the acquisition grows its annualized, monthly revenue run rate for cloud backup services to over $40M. j2 Global said it will open up a new office in Paddington, UK--where LiveDrive was based--as part of the acquisition. j
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'San Diego-based Global Village Concerns , which provides an online service which helps school with their branding and marketing--via online e-commerce shops with branded merchandise and gear--has raised ar round of debt funding. Size of the funding was not announced. The funding came from Agility Capital, a provider of venture debt to startups and other high tech companies.
socalTECH
FEBRUARY 13, 2014
'Marina Del Rey-based mobile communications app and service provider textPlus will be offering up free calling through its app for Valentine''s Day, according to the company. textPlus said it will let users call friends and family on Friday, throughout the US and Canada, via either its iOS or Android apps. textPlus develops mobile apps which let users text or call people, and is well known for its free texting services. textPlus is venture backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Matrix Par
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
373 
Let's personalize your content