Sat.Mar 05, 2016 - Fri.Mar 11, 2016

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Why You Should Put Yourself Out There and Try New Products

Both Sides of the Table

In 2006 I started using Facebook and most of my friends & colleagues thought I was strange. They thought it was like MySpace and why did I need a MySpace page? In 2007 I started using Twitter and most of my friends & colleagues wondered why people would care what I ate for lunch. In 2008 I started VC blogging. I had blogged when I was an entrepreneur.

Snapchat 203
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Mini-ventures Build Entrepreneurial Muscle (And Can Lead To Big Businesses)

InfoChachkie

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Entrepreneurs see the world like a cash booth from a 1950’s game show. On such shows, winners were placed in glass booth filled with money. Once the timer was started, a fan blew the money about and the contestant had a few seconds to grab all the cash they could hold onto. Once you begin seeing the world with the eyes of an entrepreneur, you realize that money-making opportunities are all around you.

Startup 153
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How can I trust that my virtual employees are working?

Berkonomics

Dave’s note: For the second week, we welcome my co-author of “Get Scrappy,” Kim Shepherd, to give us her answer to the oft-repeated question: “How can I trust that my virtual employees are working?” You’ll recall that Kim is an expert here, managing her company of over one hundred employees around the world literally from a post office box – with every one of them, including herself, working from home in a virtual environment.

Tool 146
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Insights: What Makes A Good Startup CEO

socalTECH

For today's Insights and Opinions section, where we feature contributions from the movers and shakers in Southern California's technology industry, we have an article from Ivan Nikkhoo , an experienced entrepreneur, investment banker, and venture investor, who talks about he traits of a good startup CEO: Building a company is hard. Very hard. Even the most experienced operators, investors, and entrepreneurs fail most of the time.

Startup 136
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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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Mucker Capital closes on $45 million for an early-stage LA-based fund

TechCrunch LA

Santa Monica-based Mucker Capital has raised $45 million for its third fund, Mucker III. The Silicon Beach firm said that it will continue to invest in software and services startups and continue to focus on the greater Los Angeles area. In addition, it will invest in seed and pre-seed stage companies through MuckerLab, a new accelerator program. “We are founders, just like the… Read More.

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Mini-ventures Build Entrepreneurial Muscle (And Can Lead To Big Businesses)

InfoChachkie

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Entrepreneurs see the world like a cash booth from a 1950’s game show. On such shows, winners were placed in glass booth filled with money. Once the timer was started, a fan blew the money about and the contestant had a few seconds to grab all the cash they could hold onto. Once you begin seeing the world with the eyes of an entrepreneur, you realize that money-making opportunities are all around you.

Startup 100

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HelloSociety Acquired By New York Times

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based HelloSociety , the influencer marketing agency which is part of Science, Inc. , has been acquired by the New York Times, the company said late Friday. Financial terms of the all cash deal were not announced. HelloSociety develops tools to help marketers reach influencers on social media, including on Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, YouTube and blogs.

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How Cyber Attacks Can Cripple Economy’s From the Outside

Tech Zulu Event

As technology advances and systems become increasingly automated, the threat of cyber attacks becomes ever more serious. This is equally true for governments, large corporations and even smaller businesses. While hackers and cyber criminals have been around since the birth of the internet, society’s increasing dependence on technology has raised the stakes.

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Snapchat 101 for VCs and Old Folks

Both Sides of the Table

As the human ear ages it loses its ability to hear high-pitched sound frequencies (above 15-16 kHz) through a condition known as presbycusis that starts at 18 years old. There’s an old parlor trick where a sound is played at a higher frequency than adults can hear while kids are left smiling and laughing at us because for once it’s US who are out of the loop.

Snapchat 236
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7 Ways To Keep Your Focus On Execution After The Idea

Startup Professionals Musings

Every startup begins with an idea, but from that point forward, it’s all about execution. Founders soon learn that customers only spend real money for solutions rather than ideas. Investors have also learned not to invest in ideas but only in entrepreneurs and teams who can deliver solutions. Success requires moving your passion quickly from the idea to the business implementation.

Ideas 59
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Startups Uncensored Events Headed Back To LA

socalTECH

Startups Uncensored , the popular series of events around creating and running startups, is headed back to Los Angeles, according to organizer and startup entrepreneur Jason Nazar. Nazar--who successfully sold his last startup, Docstoc, to Intuit back in 2013--told his contacts that he is "gearing Startups Uncensored back up" and plans a new series of fireside chats in 2016.

Startup 130
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VideoAmp Grows In Santa Monica, Adds New VP

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based VideoAmp , the developer of programmatic video advertising software, says it is expanding in Santa Monica, and has relocated to a new, 6,000 square foot office, plus hired a number of new executives. The startup, led by Ross McCray, said it has named Nick Chakalos as its Vice President of Global TV and Data Partnerships, and added Jessica Levine as Director of Advanced TV Sales.

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500 Startups Extends Presence To Los Angeles

socalTECH

Venture capital investor 500 Startups appears to be extending its presence in the Los Angeles area, with the appointment of Jess Erickson as LA Program Director at the firm. 500 Startups has not said what Erickson will focus on with the new title, however, Erickson's profile shows that she has moved from serving as Director of Diversity at 500 Startups in San Francisco, to residing in Los Angeles at the beginning of this month.

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City of Hope Hit By Phishing Attack

socalTECH

Duarte, California-based City of Hope , the research and treatment center for cancer and other diseases, reported late Friday that it was the target of a phishing email attack, which resulted in release of such information at patient names, medical records, treatment information, and more. According to City of Hope, the attack had targeted the email accounts of four staff members.

Duarte 126
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Rally Networks Gets Spot At Virgin Media Accelerator In London

socalTECH

Venice, California-based Rally Networks , a startup which uses free charging stations in public locations to help spread the word about mobile apps, has been selected for the new Virgin Media Accelerator that is launching in London. According to the Virgin Media Accelerator, Rally Networks is one of ten companies which will participate in its program--being run by Techstars--in London, and which is launching with a high profile, in-air event traveling between San Francisco and Denver next week w

Media 122
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Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Inks Deal In Slovak Republic

socalTECH

Playa Vista-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies , one of the similarly named companies working on further developing Elon Musk's grand idea for a next generation transportation system, said Thursday that it has inked an agreement with the Government of the Slovak Republic, to explore building a Hyperloop system between Bratislava and Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary.

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Mucker Capital Raises $45M Fund, Mucker III

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Mucker Capital said this week that it has closed on a new, $45M fund, Mucker III. The fund, run by Erik Rannala and William Hsu, did not detail the limited partners in the new fund. Mucker Capital started fundraising for that new fund in May of last year. William Hsu, in a blog post likened the new fund to the firm's "Series A", as the first two funds from Mucker were much smaller.

Capital 122
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Amazon Plans Bricks And Mortar Store In La Jolla

socalTECH

Amazon.com is getting set to open its second, bricks and mortar store in La Jolla this summer, according to a sign posted at a location in the Westfield University Towne Center Mall in San Diego. The sign says that Amazon Books will open in this summer. Amazon told the San Diego Union Tribune that it is hiring store managers and associates for the location.

San Diego 122
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J.J. Abrams To Produce Documentary On Google Lunar XPRIZE

socalTECH

Culver City-based XPRIZE has a signed up J.J. Abrams, the producer of Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens, to document the efforts behind the Google Lunar XPRIZE. Google said last week that Moon Shot, the new documentary of the teams behind the XPRIZE, will be created by director Orlando von Einsiedel, Executive Producer J.J. Abrams, Bad Robot, and Epic Digital.

Google 122
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ServiceNow Settles Patent Suit With Hewlett Packard

socalTECH

ServiceNow , the IT cloud management software provider which has major operations in San Diego, said this week that it has settled a patent suit with Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Financial details of the confidential settlement were not announced. ServiceNow said the settlement resolves all claims in existing patent litigation between the two companies.

Patents 116
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How Classy Is Helping Nonprofits To Attract and Retain Supporters

socalTECH

What do you get when you combine a charitable pub crawl, the movie Anchorman, and a software developer randomly hired off Craigslist? In the case of San Diego's Classy (www.classy.org), you get an extremely popular piece of software-as-a-service to help you manage a nonprofit and its fundraising efforts. We talked with Schott Chisolm , CEO and co-founder of the software company, to hear about how the company came out of all three, and resulted in what is now a widely used software product that c

Help 116
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Soothe Picks Up $35M More For On Demand Massage Service

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based on-demand, massage service Soothe has raised another $35M in funding to expand its service into more cities, the company said on Thursday. The funding came from the Riverside Company. Soothe is led by Merlin Kauffman, and lets users book both through a mobile app, through its website, or even a phone call. The company offers up flat rate pricing on massages, starting at $99.00 for a 60 minute massage.

Demand 116
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Avametric Raises $10.5M To Combine Hollywood VFX With E-Commerce

socalTECH

In a crossover between the worlds of Hollywood special effects and e-commerce, a new startup, Avametric , said it is looking to fuse "Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and Fashion" by using the software behind visual effects rendering to render clothing and accessories on computer models of consumers. The San Francisco startup said it raised $10.5M from Khosla Ventures, Y-Combinator, and others on Thursday.

Hollywood 116
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Green Dot At Center Of Tax Refund Fraud Prevention Efforts

socalTECH

Pasadena-based prepaid debit card provider Green Dot , as well as other fellow prepaid card providers, are apparently carefully scrutinizing tax refunds to their prepaid cards this season, according to the Associated Press. Widespread reports of pre paid card users using Green Dot, and Wal Mart's prepaid cards--which are provided by Green Dot--says thousands have had their tax refunds put on hold, and have been required to reverify their identities with Green Dot.

Press 116
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ZEFR Raises $5M More

socalTECH

Venice, California-based ZEFR , the content monetization technology developer, has raised $5M more in what appears to be a convertible debt funding. According to a regulatory filing by the company, the debt funding came from 10 investors. The company has yet to announce details on the funding. Zefr is led by Richard Raddon and Zach James. The company has previously raised funding from such investors as Institutional Venture Partners, U.S.

Venice 116
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Mobolize Launches Malware Protection on iOS

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based mobile security software developer Mobolize has recently launched a new, mobile data protection app aimed at protection iOS apps against malware, according to the company. The company--which also offers up an Android app to identify and block malicious websites--says its software helps prevent users from visiting websites known to harbor viruses or phishing attacks, in addition to also helping optimize the transfer of data by up to 50 percent.

Mobile 116
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How Tuition.IO Is Helping To Tame Student Debt, One Employee At A Time

socalTECH

Once upon a time, one of the best benefits that employers could offer up an employee was a company contribution to their retirement plan. However, for an entire generation of employees�particularly, those coming out of school now�saving for retirement is completely overshadowed by the far more pressing, crushing burden of student debt. Santa Monica-based Tuition.IO (tuition.io) has s created a way for companies to both help their employees tackle that mound of student debt, as well as attract be

Help 116
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j2 Global Fends Off Attack By Short Seller

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based J2 Global said this morning that a report issued yesterday by Citron Global was "both factually incorrect and wrongly critical" of the company, as well as its business and future prospects. The report , from short seller Citron Research, called j2 Global a "nemesis for short sellers" and claimed J2 Global's stock will be in "single digits" over the long term, criticizing the company's business model. j2 said it will be providing additional detail on the profitability and prospe

Research 109
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Yahoo Taps Former Broadcom CFO For Board, As It Mulls Sale

socalTECH

Yahoo! said Thursday that it has named two new, independent directors--including Eric K. Brandt, former CFO of Broadcom--as it looks to explore strategic alternatives for the company. Yahoo said that it added both Brandt and Catherine J. Friedman, a former Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, as part of its efforts to refine its strategy and explore strategic alternatives for the company.

Yahoo 109
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Moviepilot Expands Board

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Moviepilot announced today that it has named a Christof Wittig to its board of directors. Wittig--who is part of Moviepilot backer Deutsche Telekom Strategic Investors--has previously served as founder and CEO of such companies as LiquidM, Servo Software, db4objects, and Apsis Software, and also sites on the board or is an investor in Enish, Metago, KeepSafe, Hornet Networks, Vespa Networks, VirtaHealth, Boxfish, and App Annie.

Content 109
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Rubicon Project Partners With Cadreon

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based programmatic advertising network operator Rubicon Project has partnered with Cadreon , the ad tech unit of IPG Mediabrands, in a programmatic buying effort. According tot the two companies, Cadreon will use Rubicon Project's Guaranteed Orders platform to manage direct inventory across desktop, mobile, and video advertising for its clients.

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Immersv Launches Virtual Reality Ad Platform

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Immersv is launching a brand new, ad platform aimed at virtual reality content, the company is announcing today. The startup--backed by Foundation Capital, Technicolor Ventures, Rothenberg Ventures, TenOneTen Ventures, CAA Ventures, All Mobile Ventures, 137Ventures, Gigi Levy, and others--says its platform is aimed at helping consumers discovery great virtual reality apps and entertainment, and also to help VR developers to monetize and distribute their content.

Platform 109
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Sonos Chops Staff In Santa Barbara

socalTECH

Santa Barbara-based whole home music system maker Sonos told its users in a blog post Wednesday that it has let go of a number of employees , as a result of changes in the industry. Sonos did not say how many employees it is letting go, only that the "last few weeks have been tough" on the company. Sonos said it is now looking to increase its focus on paid streaming services and voice control.

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Whole Foods, Instacart Plan Expansion Into Orange County

socalTECH

Natural and organic goods supermarket Whole Foods Market and sam day delivery service Instacart announce today that they will be expanding into Orange County, one of the first markets in a national expansion which will allow consumers to order groceries from Whole Foods Market for same day delivery. Whole Foods and Instacart have been working together to allow consumers to order groceries for same delivery in 17 markets; Orange County and Baltimore, Maryland, are the first two markets in a natio

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Presidential Election Coverage Drives New Records For The Young Turks

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based online media publisher The Young Turks is seeing a huge surge in viewing of its shows, the publisher reported Wednesday, due to the huge interest in the Presidential elections. According to The Young Turks, it saw over 333,211 views over the six hour show on March 8th, during its coverage of the elections, the largest audience in the show's history.

News 109
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Resonant Wins New Customer

socalTECH

Goleta-based radio filter manufacturer Resonant Inc. said it has signed on a new customer, to develop surface acoustic wave (SAW) duplexers for three different bands. Name of the customer, and financial details of the deal were not announced. Resonant said the MOU with the un-named customer will include an upfront payment to the company, and additional payments to complete the designs.

Customer 109