Sat.Mar 31, 2012 - Fri.Apr 06, 2012

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Some Thoughts about Selling at Startups

Both Sides of the Table

Many MBA programs still cater too much to the needs of large, corporate management jobs or prepare students to enter big consulting companies or investments banks. If you haven’t read Adam Lashinsky’s awesome new book about Apple , you should. It takes on many of the lessons MBA programs and Corporate America have been teaching about business for the past 50+ years and questions whether lessons from Apple might be more applicable in thinking about the future.

Startup 319
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Ayannah Gets Funding For Mobile Payments

socalTECH

Laguna Hills-based Ayannah , a developer of mobile payment products for emerging markets, has scored a round of funding, according to investor Siemer Ventures. Size of the round, and details of other investors, was not announced. Ayannah also has offices in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and offers a number of mobile payment services operating in the Philippines.

Mobile 248
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Hiring Developers Before Product/Market Fit?

SoCal CTO

Using my StartupRoar as a radar, I came across a great post by Gabriel Weinberg Do you really need a full-time hire for that? Hiring seems to be the preferred use of seed funds (by investors and founders), whereas I'd prefer a focus on customer acquisition. The problem is you don't yet have product/market fit, and until you do, you don't really know what to build.

CTO Hire 205
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Hands-on Techniques To Avoid Hiring Wantrepreneurs

InfoChachkie

Note: This is Part IV in the Startup Team Building series. Read Part I HERE , Part II HERE and Part III HERE. This article originally appeared at Inc.com HERE. They smile, they laugh on cue and they have a rehearsed response for every conventional interview question. They profess to be entrepreneurs, but are they actually Wantrepreneurs? A Wantrepreneur is a well-intentioned person who wants to be an entrepreneur, but does not have the skills, personality and or risk profile to be successful.

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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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Think ahead, if you will need more money later.

Berkonomics

Some businesses just can’t fit within the angel capital or friends and family model for raising funds. Sooner or later these businesses will have to seek venture capital and accommodate the needs of the venture community in negotiating the terms of an investment. First, VC’s in general cannot invest in ‘S’ corporations or limited liability companies (LLC’s).

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Couponler Launches Small Business Coupon Site

socalTECH

Are you a small business looking to help drum up some business? Los Angeles-based Couponler , a new website launched this week, is hoping to make it easier for small businesses to create online, printable-coupons, and share them via Facebook, Twitter, or a website. The new site was created by Baron Miller, Ian Kilpatrick, and Jason Eastwood. According to the site, its customer so far include frozen yogurt chain Golden Spoon, which posted a coupon from Couponler to its 37,000 fans on Facebook.

Sites 247

More Trending

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5 Ways to See If Your Business Integrity is Showing

Startup Professionals Musings

As an entrepreneur, your personal integrity is critical for getting and keeping the support of investors and team members, and your company’s integrity is critical for getting and keeping customers and vendors. But in a practical sense, what does that really mean? Most definitions of integrity include something like “the quality of being honest and morally upright.

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Tracky Launch Event and Those In Support of #VegasTech

Tech Zulu Event

For those who may think Las Vegas is just the home of Zappos, Conferences, and day/night entertainment, well you are right. However, there is a whole new breed of entrepreneurs and startups starting to emerge from the #VegasTech scene. TechZulu had the honor of being invited out to the Tracky Launch event last week. Tracky is an all new startup based out of Las Vegas focusing on social collaboration.

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Interview with Michael Schneider, Mobile Roadie

socalTECH

If you're a music artist or band, and you want to create your own fan app for the iPhone, Android, or iPad, you're looking at hiring an app development firm, spending six months, and $100,000--right? Actually, no thanks to Santa Monica-based Mobile Roadie. Mobile Roadie, headed by Michael Schneider , develops tools that make easy for non-programmers to create their own mobile apps.

Mobile 239
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DreamHost(ed) IT Open-House for LA

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, April 12, 2012 -- DreamHost(ed) IT Open-House for LA. On April 12th, in what will hopefully not be the last year of Earth, DreamHost will host (go figure) a job fair for IT professionals here in LA. Weve managed to get a handful of really awesome companies to join in on the event including AOL, Edgecast, Evite, Hulu and Oversee.net. By banding together, active job seekers and passive water testers alike can interact with a number of different employers and see if theres a better ca

Evite 113
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7 Key Drivers to the Best Investor For Your Startup

Startup Professionals Musings

If your startup desperately needs an investor, you may not care if the investor is a so-called “angel” investor, or a venture capitalist (VC). The money is the same color in either case. But I have found that making the right choice at the right time can have a major impact on your long-term valuation, and the decision process is complex. The basics are simple.

Startup 99
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Long To-Do List? Make a Not-Right-Now List

Frank Addante

In today’s digital age, it’s hard to focus. But the Not-Right-Now list can help you get things done. Most people operate with To-Do lists. If you’re like me, it seems as though that To-Do list never ends and you never check everything off of it. It’s so easy to add new things to the To-Do list. For those who use their email box as a To-Do list, it can be even worse.

Email 86
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Surf Air Launches Startup Airline Out Of Muckerlab

socalTECH

Tired of being herded like cattle on your regular trip between Los Angeles and Palo Alto? Los Angeles-based Surf Air just launched today, emerging out of the MuckerLab accelerator, saying that it is looking to turn the airline industry on its head with a subscription-based, all you can fly airline initially targeting commuters between Silicon Valley and Los Angeles.

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Research Expo 2012

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, April 12, 2012 -- Research Expo 2012. The UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering invites you to campus to see research underway and meet talented graduate students at our annual Research Expo. 230+ graduate student posters highlight engineering research / Ten-minute faculty talks from all six engineering departments / Meet faculty, students and technologists at the networking reception.

Research 113
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Many Entrepreneurs Never Leave Their Comfort Zone

Startup Professionals Musings

One of the biggest impediments to starting a new venture is the “terror barrier,” as popularized by Bob Proctor , a 75-year-old millionaire and world renowned entrepreneur. This is the imaginary barrier that always seems to appear at the critical point where we would step out ahead of peers or competitors, but fear causes us to stop short. Everyone has a comfort zone, or level of risk, where they feel in control.

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Spam’s Cousin | Graymail and How Hotmail Is Conquering It

Tech Zulu Event

Once upon a time we had inboxes with messages only from friends and family or work. An inbox that could be managed in a matter of minutes rather than hours or days. Then the Internet grew up. The chain letters started coming in strong. You HAD to sign up. You didn’t want to be that person responsible for breaking the chain. However after passing on a few, you inbox started to show signs of being cluttered.

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Interview with Michael Witz, Mob Science

socalTECH

What does it take to take a social gaming firm to the next level? For San Diego-based Mob Science (www.mobscience.com), an injection of cash, some key advisors--and a deal with Zynga. Last week, the firm announced a funding round and a couple of key advisors, as the company looks to ramp its social gaming efforts and leverage a deal with Zynga. We spoke with CEO Michael Witz about the company.

IP 217
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Power of Angel Investing Seminar

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, April 12, 2012 -- Power of Angel Investing Seminar. This full-day seminar provides an overview of the angel investing process including the details of finding, evaluating, and structuring deals. It will also go into depth on how to develop angel-entrepreneur relationships that lead to success. This highly interactive program provides attendees with practical information on best practices in angel investing through a balance of expert presentations, panel discussions and small group cas

Invest 113
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10 Sure Ways to Get Your Plan Trashed by Investors

Startup Professionals Musings

After struggling to create your business plan for months, every entrepreneur likes to think that their document is inspirational and will reach someone who is smart enough to see the brilliance of the idea, intuitive enough to recognize their business acumen, and enthusiastic enough to offer the money required to make it happen. Every serious investor, on the other hand, has a stack of these in their in-basket (email or real plastic) awaiting review, and is looking for the flaw or less-capable e

Summary 97
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Mogreet Gets $4.1M More

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Mogreet , the provider of mobile video marketing services which is run by James Citron, said this morning that it has raised $4.1M in a strategic investment round. The round was led by Black Diamond Ventures, and also included DFJ Frontier, Ascend Ventures, Bryant Park Ventures and Draper Associates. The company said the new round brings its total raised to $14.1M.

Mogreet 213
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GraphEffect Takes On Twitter Ads

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based GraphEffect said Tuesday that it has launched a new product which will allow brands to run advertising campaigns on Twitter. The firm said its new AudienceBoost product, which is being tested by American Express and Digitas, helps brands to make the most of their Promoted Tweets and Promoted Accounts. GraphEffect did not disclose pricing on the new offering.

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Ranker Finds More Funding

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Ranker , the online rankings website where consumers can rank anything they like, has scored a new round of funding, in an inside round. Size of the round was not disclosed. The funding came from Siemer Venture Capital, Rincon Venture Partners, Draper Associates, the Tech Coast Angels, and the Pasadena Angels, according to CEO Clark Benson.

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Spaceport America Gets Runway Extension For Virgin Galactic

socalTECH

Landing requirements for the space vehicles being developed by Mojave-based Virgin Galactic , the space tourism startup being built by Virgin Group's Richard Branson, are necessitating a $7M, runway extension at Spaceport America. According to reports , the further work at Virgin's launch and landing site in New Mexico will cost $7M, funded by local taxpayers, and are being made to address safety concerns of Virgin Galactic.

Sites 196
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Yet Another LA Incubator Opens: Io/LA

socalTECH

If the Los Angeles accelerator/incubator market is not yet crowded enough, Hollywood-based io/LA opened its doors over the weekend, looking to recruit a class of five to six companies in a three month mentorship program. The new incubator, which is run by Aber Whitcomb, the former CTO of MySpace, said it will run quarterly classes of startups, who will received $25,000 and office space, in exchange for 8 percent of their firms.

Incubator 194
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Epicor Acquires Auto Parts Software Firm

socalTECH

Epicor Software , the developer of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software which has major operations in Irvine, said Thursday that it has acquired Internet AutoParts (IAP), a developer of business-to-business e-commerce software for the automotive replacements parts distribution market. Epicor did not announce any financial terms of the acquisition.

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Microsoft's Xbox-using, Dancing Senior Citizens In LA

socalTECH

Computer software giant Microsoft has rolled out a video of a bunch of Xbox 360-playing, dancing senior citizens in Los Angeles, as part of an effort to promote a new program with the City of Los Angeles Department of Aging. Microsoft said it has tied with the city, along with Partners in Care Foundation and St. Barnabas Senior Services, to launch a program called Exergamers Wellness Club , which will use Microsoft's technology to combine exercise, health monitoring, and health education for sen

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WittleBee Raises $2.5M For Children's Clothing Subscriptions

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based WittleBee , the children's clothing site headed by Sean Percival, announced Wednesday afternoon that it has raised $2.5M in a seed funding round. The round was led by Rincon Ventures, and also included. SoftTech, Google Ventures, Matt Coffin, CrossLink, and Morado. WittleBee offers up a monthly subscription for children's clothing, including onesies, t-shirts, leggings, socks, and other apparel.

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NewEgg Launches Data Recovery Plans

socalTECH

City of Industry-based Newegg , the online retailer of electronics and computer products, is expanding its efforts into data recovery services plans, the company said Tuesday. The company said it has partnered with DriveSavers to provide data recovery services plans to users, which will provide data recovery services to customers whose storage devices fail.

NewEgg 182
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textPlus Launches Android App In Canada

socalTECH

Marina Del Rey-based free text messaging app developer textPlus , said yesterday that it has launched its app on Android, in Canada, offering up free texting for users of mobile phones in that country. The firm, which is venture backed by Matrix Partners, GRP Partners, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, said its textPlus Free Text and Calls for Android app now will offer free texting plus calls in Canada, including offering phone calls without any long distance fees. textPlus said the add

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Savings.com Hits 1,000,000 Deals

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based online coupon and deals site Savings.com reports this morning that it has just posted its 1 millionth deal, since it was founded five years ago. The online coupons and deals sites helps online shoppers find coupons and special deals for online retailers. Savings.com said those deals have saved online shoppers more than $500M. To rise above a fairly crowded area, Savings.com has recently been focusing on helping to provide personalized coupons to shoppers, so that they can cut t

Sites 168
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Nimble Hits Google Chrome App Store

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Nimble , the developer of cloud-based, contact management software which is headed by Goldmine founder Jon Ferrara, has extended the distribution of it service this morning with a new Google Chrome web application. The startup, which makes it easier for professionals and small businesses to manage their contacts, said its new Google Chrome app helps extend the Chrome browser to link to its service.

Google 165
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Siemer Ventures Backs 3D Fashion Games Startup

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Siemer Ventures , the venture capital firm linked with investment bank Siemer & Associates, has invested in a Hong Kong 3D games startup, Frenzoo. Financial details of the investment were not announced. Siemer said it invested in Frenzoo in Q1. Frenzoo's online and iPhone games revolve around online, fashionable avatars. Fernzoo also says it is backed by Ambient Sound Investments, the investment firm co-founded by four of Skype's original engineers.

Startup 160
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Make It Work Swizzles Pricing

socalTECH

Santa Barbara-based Make It Work , the on site technical support and computer repair service headed by Eric Greenspan, said Monday that it has switched its services to a new fixed-price, per-service model. The firm said it will now offer up its various computer services starting at $99.99, which includes services such as new computer setup, wireless network setup, and TV setup.

Pricing 159
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Paragon Software Wins NETGEAR

socalTECH

Irvine-based Paragon Software said this week that it has been selected by NETGEAR , to provide its NTFS for Linux technology for NETGEAR's Linux-based wireless routers. Paragon said its software is being used in NETGEAR's new N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router. Paragon's software is being used to enable access to NTFS USB hard drives. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed.

Software 157
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TechForward Acquired By SquareTrade

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based TechForward , the guaranteed electronics plan operator backed by New Enterprise Associates and First Round Capital, has sold its operating assets to SquareTrade , the companies said Tuesday. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to the firms, SquareTrade will use the buy to expand its service capabilities.

Equity 157
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Pxldust.com Launches Art, Photography Competition Site

socalTECH

Hollywood-based Pxldust.com , a new web site focused on allowing artists and photographers to showcase their work, said this week that it is looking to let artists to compete for prizes and show off their artwork to others through its site. The site allows artists to submit their work, and have that work voted on by visitors, with the top artwork receiving various prizes, including gift cards, consumer electronics, and more.