Both Sides of the Table
MARCH 3, 2012
I had this ethical dilemma pop up on one of the first deals I even did as a VC. I had been looking around at several deals in late 2008 as the markets were tanking. I had gotten close on a couple of deals but nothing rose to the level of “must do.” I was learning which VCs I wanted to work with, what stage & check size I wanted to commit do and what teams would be a good fit for me.
InfoChachkie
MARCH 5, 2012
In 1961, after 70-years, professional baseball created its first expansion teams – the Angels and Twins. Naysayers harshly criticized the growth of the league, fearing that new teams would dilute the talent pool and ultimately lower the quality of game play. Since 1961, professional baseball has grown from 18-teams to 30. Over the same period, professional football and basketball leagues also expanded dramatically.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
socalTECH
MARCH 8, 2012
Uber , the technology-enabled, private car service which is upturning the taxi and limousine business nationwide, has set its sights on a new market: Los Angeles. Uber said Thursday that it has launched in Los Angeles, offering up its services which lets users summon a private car through their smartphone application. Uber, which is based in San Francisco, uses its smartphone application to connect riders with private sedan companies who serve those different cities.
Berkonomics
MARCH 8, 2012
When you seek professional investors, whether organized angels or venture capitalists, one of the early questions you are asked is “How have you financed the business so far?” Investors love to see entrepreneurs who have used their own money to ignite their businesses. But often, entrepreneurs turn to others for initial capital. Describing that capital using the phrase “friends, family and fools,” or “FFF,” has become as common as to be trite.
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.
SoCal Tech Calendar
MARCH 9, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012 -- Mobile Healthcare Applications Development. CommNexus. SPEAKER: David Wetherelt, mobi2Clouds This discussion will cover the process of creating Mobile Health Applications and how it encompasses end-to-end solutions that facilitate continuous access to health care information, expert advice, or therapeutic interventionenabled by remote sensing, ubiquitous telecommunications networks, and smart systems and platforms.
Startup Professionals Musings
MARCH 4, 2012
One of the big advantages of being an entrepreneur and starting your company from scratch is that you get to set the culture, which is much easier than changing the culture of an existing business. The challenge is how to do it, and how to do it right. Why not learn what you can from companies like Apple, who are leading the way with great growth and a great culture?
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
MARCH 5, 2012
Wow — what a weekend. Startup Weekend LA has grown to become a very special event here in Los Angeles. This past SWLA (February 24-26) was like non other and the 5th event to take place at Coloft here in Santa Monica. It’s also a very exciting time here in LA Tech with over 6 accelerators and incubators springing up over the past year. With 100 attendees, this SWLA managed to sell out in 10 minutes, faster than any previous Startup Weekend LA and possibly (we’ll need to check with SW Globa
SoCal Tech Calendar
MARCH 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 -- How Startups and Mature Companies Learn From Each Other. TiE. Raj Parekh, Co-Founder and Managing Member of Redwood Ventures, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of Virident Systems Inc. See https://www.123signup.com/Member?PG=1521728182400andP=15217281324924091424349600andInfo.
Startup Professionals Musings
MARCH 6, 2012
For those of you who want to get in on the ground floor of a new venture, but haven’t yet worked up the nerve to start your own, begin with a job at a startup. But first you should ask yourself if you are prepared for the realities. Working for a startup is not a career choice, but more of a lifestyle. The long-term opportunities may be large, but near-term paychecks will be small, compared to large companies in the same industry.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
Pasadena-based Chime.in , the online social networking site and mobile app run by UberMedia , has now seen more than 5M uniques since its launch, UberMedia said today. UberMedia also said the service has sent 200 million "Chimes" -- the social messages which drive the site -- since launch. Chime.in allows users to chat with others based on their social interests, and also allowing user to create their own private communities, share YouTube videos and photos, and more around specific topics.
Tech Zulu Event
MARCH 8, 2012
“I paid money to STAND here for 4 hours and watch a bunch of couched geeks chat?” I thought. “SERIOUSLY?” Absolutely. And honestly? It was DAMN entertaining. We had a fantastic time at last week’s inaugural leetUP event, a new live event series catered to celebrating and showcasing nerd culture. One part arts, culture, and entertainment showcase; two parts variety show; three parts toilet humor infused banter, The show was hosted by “Attack of the Show”
SoCal Tech Calendar
MARCH 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 -- PMI-OC March 2012 Dinner Meeting. Sylvan Finestone, past president PMI-OC, program manager, and PMO lead, will discuss the future of project management and how project management professionals can be meaningful to businesses at the March 13, 2012, meeting of the Project Management Institutes Orange County Chapter.
Startup Professionals Musings
MARCH 8, 2012
Every startup needs to understand that the customer paradigm has dramatically shifted over the past two years with pervasive social networks and smartphones. The customer base is no longer a mass audience that can be driven by mass media, but a dynamic network of individual customers who interact with each other, and expect to interact with you as a business.
socalTECH
MARCH 9, 2012
Los Angeles-based ntro , the mobile social networking and discovery application developer founded by former Pandemic Studios founder Josh Resnick, has updated the firm's app, as the company looks to make a big splash at SXSW. According to the firm, the updates--the "biggest app update ever" for the company--include battery optimization features, automatic check-ins, background operations, and better privacy controls, particularly for women.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
Los Angeles-based mobile parking information app provider Parking In Motion said today that it has renamed itself ParkMe , and relaunched its mobile app for smartphones. The app--which works on the iPhone and iPad--helps drivers find available parking locations based on their location. The firm--which is backed by IDG Ventures and Fontinalis Partners, the venture fund of Henry Ford's grandson, Bill Ford--said that it has streamlined its app and is now includes features such as a rate calculator,
socalTECH
MARCH 6, 2012
Newly launched Dollar Shave Club , the Los Angeles startup which is looking to take down expensive razor blade industry, might have a lot of what the hottest startups have: backing from VCs such as Kleiner Perkins, Forerunner Ventures, Andreesen Horowitz, Shasta Ventures, and Felicis Ventures, plus the assistance of former MySpace CEO Mike Jones and his firm Science Inc.
socalTECH
MARCH 6, 2012
Michael Dubin has just one goal with his new startup: to totally disrupt the razor blade industry. Los Angeles-based Dollar Shave Club said this morning that it has raised $1M in a funding round, led by Kleiner Perkins and Forerunner Ventures, and also including Andreesen Horowitz, Shasta Ventures, and Felicis Ventures, along with angels Shevin Pishevar, Dennis Phelps, and David Hornig.
socalTECH
MARCH 9, 2012
Los Angeles-based Funny or Die , the online humor site, is trying its hand in the digital tablet publishing space, saying Thursday that it has launched a new, digital magazine for the iPad. The firm said its new magazine, The Occasional will cost $9.99 a year, or $3.99 for a single issue. The company said the magazine will feature original content, interviews, multi-media, games and other interactive components.
socalTECH
MARCH 6, 2012
Los Angeles-based MyLife , the online social networking search site run by Jeff Tinsley, reported Monday that it is planning to spend $35M on marketing this year, starting with a nationwide television campaign. The firm, which has been pushing a new offering to help people find and connect with friends, family, and work contacts across multiple social networks, said the spending will go to promote its new Personal Relationship Manager and search services.
socalTECH
MARCH 5, 2012
Do you have a pet dog, and do you travel a lot? If so, you're probably familiar with the travails of having to find a kennel to place your dog into, are constantly worrying about how your dog is doing in that kennel, and probably are feeling a little guilty, too, about having them locked up all week while you are away. To address that worry, Los Angeles-based DogVacay (www.dogvacay.com) lauched last week -- just in time for SXSW -- to help connect dog owners with individual dog lovers to help wa
socalTECH
MARCH 6, 2012
Newport Beach-based SignNow , a developer of iPad applications which allows users to legally sign documents from the Apple device, said today that it has raised $2M in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Khosla Ventures. SignNow is headed by Chris Hawkes. The company said that Sean Ellis, who was involved in marketing for Dropbox, Eventbrite, Xobni, LogMeIn, and other companies, has joined the firm's board with the funding.
socalTECH
MARCH 5, 2012
Do you have a pet dog, and do you travel a lot? If so, you're probably familiar with the travails of having to find a kennel to place your dog into, are constantly worrying about how your dog is doing in that kennel, and probably are feeling a little guilty, too, about having them locked up all week while you are away. To address that worry, Los Angeles-based DogVacay (www.dogvacay.com) lauched last week -- just in time for SXSW -- to help connect dog owners with individual dog lovers to help wa
socalTECH
MARCH 8, 2012
Jason Nazar , the well known organizer of the LA Startups Uncensored events, and founder of DocStoc , has a new project, License123 , a new service which helps entrepreneurs and small businesses figure out what licenses and permits they need to operate legally. The new service said that it's looking to help business owners avoid fines and operate legally, saving them hours and days of research time and calls.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
San Diego-based CareFusion said yesterday that it has agreed a technology and consulting firm focused on pharmacy automation, PHACTS, LLC. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. PHACTS, which is based in Seattle, provides consulting and software to help pharmacies better manage their inventory and streamline their operations. CareFusion said that it has been a exclusive reseller of PHACTS pharmacy inventory management software and automation since November of 2010.
socalTECH
MARCH 6, 2012
The LAUNCH Conference , the technology startup launch conference organized by Mahalo CEO Jason Calacanis, has just surpassed $1 million in prizes, Calacanis said Tuesday afternoon. The conference--which has been stacking up prizes all month--said that angel investor and entrepreneur Bill Lee has committed to invest $100,000 as part of the conference, bringing the total prizes to $1,039,000 in prizes and investments for companies presenting at the event.
socalTECH
MARCH 5, 2012
Los Angeles-based Burstly , the mobile advertising technology firm headed by Evan Rifkin, said today that it has acquired TestFlight , a developer of a real-time dashboard which provides mobile advertising and revenue analytics for iOS apps. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. TestFlight's product provides iOS developers with information on an app's audience, revenue, engagement, and other metrics.
socalTECH
MARCH 8, 2012
Santa Monica-based Cornerstone OnDemand , the developer of human resources and talent management software-as-a-service, said today that it has agreed to acquire Auckland, New Zealand-based Sonar Limited (Sonar6). Cornerstone OnDemand said it would pay $13M in cash, and $1M in equity for Sonar6, in addition to hiring certain employees from the company.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
Continuing its push into original content, Los Angeles-based Break Media said today that it has launched a comprehensive redesign of Game Front , its online video game site, to add new, original editorial content, videos, and commentary to the site. Break said that the redesign puts a greater emphasis on the original videos and editorial content. Break acquired Game Front from Ziff Davis back in 2009, when it was known as FileFront.
socalTECH
MARCH 9, 2012
Monrovia, California-based Green Dot , the prepaid debit card provider headed by Steve Streit, said this morning that it has acquired Silicon Valley mobile social networking firm Loopt. Green Dot said it will pay $43.4M in cash for Loopt, which will become its Silicon Valley hub for its mobile technology and product development team. The company said the acquisition will help with improved customer acquisition and retention of its current customer, allow it to target a new segment of consumers w
socalTECH
MARCH 8, 2012
Camarillo-based Semtech , the supplier of analog and mixed signal semiconductors, said late Wednesday that it has acquire French firm Cycleo SAS. Cycleo develops wireless, long-range semiconductors used for smart energy meters and for the industrial and consumer markets. Semtech said that the deal is worth $5M in cash on closing, plus up to $16M in earn out over the next four years, based on revenue and profit goals.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
Desktop application environment maker Pokki , which is run by San Diego-based SweetLabs, said yesterday that it has added the popular Galaxy Life social game on its environment. The firm said that Galaxy LIfe, which is developed by Digital Chocolate, now runs via its desktop application environment. SweetLabs launched Pokki in June of last year, looking to bring the ubiquity of apps to the desktop PC platform.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
In a bid to spur more startups out of the University of Southern California, the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation said Wednesday that it has awarded $498,700 to six research projects. The USC Stevens Institute--which was founded with significant funding from Mark Stevens, the venture capitalist at Sequoia Capital who is a USC alum--said the six projects were selected from 31 proposals, which were submitted in the summer of 2011.
socalTECH
MARCH 7, 2012
Irvine-based disk drive maker Western Digital Corp. and Hitachi, Ltd. said this morning that the two are expecting their deal for the sale of Hitachi's HDD business to WD to close on March 8th. WD and Hitachi said the two have obtained all of the required, regulatory approvals for the acquisition of Viviti Technologies Ltd., the holding company for Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.
socalTECH
MARCH 9, 2012
San Clemente-based Cameron Health , a maker of subcutaneous, implantable cardiac defibrillators, has been acquired by Boston Scientific , in a deal worth $150M in cash, plus up to $150M on FDA approval of Cameron Health's product, plus up to an additional $1.050 billion in earnout. Cameron Health's implantable defibrillator improves upon existing, implantable defibrillators in that it does not require implanting thin, insulated leads to be inserted into the heart.
socalTECH
MARCH 8, 2012
Los Angeles-based NationBuilder , a startup developing an online system to help political candidates and other organizations to create web sites, organize volunteers, coordinate campaigns, and more, said Thursday that it has raised $6.3M in a funding round. The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz, and also included angels Sean Parker, Dave Morin, Dustin Moscovitz, Scott Marlette, Nihal Mehta, Mike Volpi, Sam Lessin, Justin Shaffer, Pejman Nozad, Kevin Colleran, Greg Waldorf, Dan Senor, and SV A
socalTECH
MARCH 8, 2012
Los Angeles-based Oblong Industries , the developer of gesture-based user interfaces which inspired the UI in the movie The Minority Report, has raised a Series B round of funding. Size of the round was not announced. The funding came from Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, Eneryg Technology Vntures, and the Foundry Group. The firm said the funding will go to fuel growth at the company, including using the funds to scale product commercialization and custom solutions development.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
356 
Let's personalize your content