Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 9, 2013

I believe that groups coming together to make tough decisions driven by consensus tend to make poor decisions. This is especially true in startups where speed matters and where there is a need to constantly calibrate direction and where these decisions can have existential outcomes. Should you increase your burn rate by adding 2 senior hires who will help you ship faster or sell more but then have less time for fund raising?

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Course Funding Help Marketing 413

SoCal CTO

MARCH 11, 2013

Yesterday, I was talking to a startup founder about their MVP and they said something that finally got me to write this post: "I have a few investors interested but they want to see a product." In Building Your MVP as a Non-Technical Startup Founder , I mentioned that before you build your Minimum Viable Product (MVP), you need to be really clear on your purpose.

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Metrics Venture Capital News Product 264

socalTECH

MARCH 11, 2013

Are you a cat lover, and an iPad app developer? A new hackathon, being held at Amplify in Venice Beach later this month, is looking for you. In what might be the strangest hackathon yet to surface in the Los Angeles area, the GamesForCats Hackathon said today that it is looking for people to enter its hackathon to create iPad games for cats. The top prize: $15,000.

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Venice Software Development Los Angeles Tool 262

InfoChachkie

MARCH 11, 2013

Photo Courtesy of Beth Sipula - all rights reserved. A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. In his latest film Argo , Ben Affleck simultaneously tackles the roles of producer, director, writer and leading actor. These varied responsibilities are analogous to those of a startup CEO, as movie production crews are essentially temporary ventures.

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Startup Ideas Santa Barbara RSS 228

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.

Company

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 14, 2013

This article originally appeared on TechCrunch. Creating awareness for your brand and products is one of the lifebloods of technology startups yet in a world where so many companies are being created it becomes difficult to rise above the noise. Ever notice how some companies tend to be in the press all the time and your big new product launch struggled for inches?

Marketing 389

Marketing Press Blogging Startup 389

Berkonomics

MARCH 14, 2013

Some of the world’s best companies to work for are those that encourage employees to spend time following their own paths of curiosity toward development of new products or services. Google, 3M, Facebook , and Microsoft all allow their employees to take time to explore new ideas they conceive and attempt to develop. Famously, the post-it note is an example of such a product coming from employees of 3M who were looking for quite another market for their newest light adhesive product.

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Develop Development Google Ideas 153

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2013

Every entrepreneur has an idea for transforming a market with innovative new technology, or transforming society with a new process. But unfortunately, most of these ideas fail at the execution level, or are not truly innovative. Entrepreneurs who have been really transformative, like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, seemed to know how to deal with all the right elements.

Startup 105

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Competition 105

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 12, 2013

It is with great pleasure that I can finally announce that we have added Greg Bettinelli as a partner at GRP Partners. If you don’t already follow him on Twitter please click link and follow. You won’t regret it. The guy has knowledge. It is the first time in 6 years that we’ve expanded the partnership. So why Greg and why now? I first met Greg about 4 years ago or so.

Venture Capital 360

Venture Capital GRP Partners Startup Invest 360

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 9, 2013

Whether you’re watching from home or wondering the streets of Austin, you’ll be able to tune in to all the exciting happenings at this year’s TechZulu Trend Lounge. Not only are we live streaming everyday, but we have all sorts of great events going on within the lounge. There’s even a few special guests that you just won’t want to miss.

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socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

Nils Forsblom is not new to the startup world -- in fact, his last startup, Fruugo, raised an astounding $48M in funding, and became one of the most heralded-- and controversial --startups in Finland. Forsblom is now in Los Angeles and San Diego, and reinventing himself with a mobile application company called TenFarms (www.tenfarms.com). We sat down with Forsblom to learn more about what he learned from his experience in Finland, and what he's hoping to do here.

Mobile 233

Mobile Southern California Startup Outsource Development 233

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2013

I continue to see stories of really young entrepreneurs, like this article on Business Insider , with pre-teens as young as 9 years old who make millions more than their parents. This makes me wonder what starts that entrepreneurial drive in kids, and how early parents and schools should start teaching the basics. There are already a couple of good books out there for youth entrepreneurs, such as one from my friends Adam and Matthew Toren, Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs with Big Ideas.

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Entrepreneur Education Commerce Training 104

Steve Reich

MARCH 9, 2013

The Pasadena Innovation Council organized a great tech executive meeting in Pasadena on Friday. A group of 20 or so local entrepreneurs gathered at Jones’ coffee to meet, share stories, and talk over new ventures. This is another good step toward pulling together the tech community in the greater Pasadena area. It was a great crowd. Ted Tekippe, CEO of Doublebeam joined us, as did Kevin Scanlon, Chairman of the Pasadena Angels.

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Pasadena Pasadena Angels Santa Monica Design 49

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 9, 2013

For the first time in SXSW history, young group of entrepreneurs are being celebrated for their accomplishments and have been invited to be on a panel to discuss and share their insight on problem solving, social consciousness, and making the world a better place. The panel will take place on Saturday, March 9th at the Hilton Garden Inn at 1:30pm. Organized by Blacks in Tech (BiT) , a coalition of targeted technology organizations and industry thought leaders and in collaboration with fabricated

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News Education Social Network Organization 95

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

Los Angeles-based video editing tools developer Vyclone has inked a big deal to connect the tools into Microsoft's Internet Explorer 10 browser, Microsoft announced this week. Microsoft announced the latest version of Vyclone's collaborative, web video editing software, saying that the tool "truly comes to life" with IE10. The tool actually works with any HTML5-capable browser.

Tool 224

Tool Web Los Angeles Invest 224

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2013

Every startup with any traction quickly reaches a point where they need to hire employees to grow the business. Unfortunately, this always happens when pressures are the highest, and business processes are ill-defined. At this point you need superstars and versatile future executives, yet your in-house hiring processes and focus are at their weakest.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Startup Statistics Resource 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 10, 2013

Every decision has consequences. We often don’t fully perceive the consequences because they are often hidden by the compromises that make us feel better. Every step forward requires a decision. Or the inverse – indecision. Or as I call it, “ decision, by indecision ,” which is insidious. It rots the core very slowly until you don’t realize you’ve accepted mediocrity.

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Organization Resource Venture Capital Startup 344

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 13, 2013

I could feel the hackers excitement as I stepped into the AT&T and American Airline’s room at the Hilton in downtown Austin at SXSW 2013. This isn’t AT&T Developers Program’s first rodeo at SXSW. All I know is things are super dialed in at these hacks. AT&T, American Airlines and the other sponsors (like dot CO, Hertz, and Voice Park), spare no expense to make sure these hackers are treated like royalty.

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Java Google Press PHP 94

socalTECH

MARCH 11, 2013

In what might be one of the more unusual sources of funding for a startup, Santa Paula-based fruit grower Calavo Growers announced this morning that it has backed a new startup, FreshRealm , which will develop a new, cloud-based technology platform aimed at the fresh food market. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Calavo said it will be the majority shareholder in the new startup, along with undisclosed, strategic minority partners.

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Technology Startup Platform Software 197

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2013

One of the first questions that I get from many entrepreneurs is “How should I set up my company to minimize my setup costs, tax liabilities, and risk of lawsuits?” The answers are different in every part of the world, but the parameters here in the US should give you the considerations you need in any environment. I’ll offer you a few simple rules of thumb.

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Startup Tips Examples Guide 93

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2013

San Diego-based Qualcomm has named the winner of its annual, Qualcomm Ventures QPrize Venture Investment Competition, the company said this morning. Qualcomm said it has awarded $150,000 in convertible note funding to iOnRoad , and Israeli company which is developing apps to help drivers detect vehicles on the road and alerting them to danger. iOnRoad had previously won $100,000 from Qualcomm for winning the Israeli region competition of Qualcomm's QPrize competition.

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Invest Seed Funding Competition San Diego 193

socalTECH

MARCH 13, 2013

Los Angeles-based Myspace has a new design, and a new brand sponsor, the first since its redesign and relaunch over the last few months. MySpace said that Chevrolet is sponsoring its Myspace Secret Shows at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, which will bring 10 musical performance over three nights to SXSW. The promotion is part of a strong push Myspace has been making in the music area, which all started with the site's redesign and ties with Justin Timberlake.

Advertising 187

Advertising Los Angeles Design Content 187

socalTECH

MARCH 12, 2013

Beverly Hills-based talent agency and entertainment giant William Morris Endeavor looks to be busy with investments this week. The firm as backed a mobile application development company, Chaotic Moon Studios , as part of a strategic partnership. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. Chaotic Moon Studios is based in Austin, TExas, and provides mobile development services to companies such as Fox, Pizza Hut, General Mills, Microsoft, Dell, CBS, and Disney.

Beverly Hills 185

Beverly Hills Mobile Invest Develop 185

socalTECH

MARCH 13, 2013

Aliso Viejo-based Arkami, one of the startups in OCTANE's Launchpad Accelerator, has just zoomed past $360,000 in funding commitments on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, according to the firm's myIDkey project page. The startup--headed by high tech veterans Tareq Risheq and Mark Thacker--has now racked up 3,087 backers and $363,832 in pledges for its high tech, voice activated device for storing your passwords and personal data.

CTO Coach 180

CTO Coach High Tech OCTANE Mission Ventures 180

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

A new, Los Angeles startup, ARMORWAY , has spun out of the University of Southern California, the USC Stevens Center for Innovation announced THursday. According to USC, ARMORWAY has been issued an exclusive license to commercialize software to intelligently plan randomized, security patrols for security agencies. The software is aimed at airports, municipalities, border patrol, and other applicaitons.

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USC Southern California Venture Capital Los Angeles 178

socalTECH

MARCH 13, 2013

Santa Barbara-based HG Data Company announced this morning that it has raised $2M in a funding round, for its cloud-based, business intelligence database service. The new startup said the funding was led by EPIC Ventures, and also included Kevin OConnor, founder of DoubleClick and current CEO of FindTheBest; Eric Kanowsky and AJ Rice, both co-founders of Software.com; and Tim Baskerville, former CEO of JupiterResearch.

Santa Barbara 174

Santa Barbara Web Funding Marketing 174

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

If you're a mobile user, what's the best way to help plan out your busy weekend and social life? Los Angeles-based GonnaBe , the startup headed by Hank Leber, rolled out its platform this week, releasing a new iPhone application which the startup says acts as the "crystal ball for your social life.". The startup's app lets users browse, make, and plan events with their friends, letting users find everthing from happy hours and local events like concerts and meetups.

Help 171

Help Activity Ticketmaster Santa Monica 171

socalTECH

MARCH 13, 2013

PublishThis , the Los Angeles startup headed by Matt Kumin, has enhanced the firm's online, content marketing and curation management tool. The firm said the latest version of its platform is aimed at brands, retailers, media companies, and trade associations, to help them scale their content efforts across digital channels. The software helps those companies publish their own data on their websites, by surfacing fresh content to help engage consumers.

Content 171

Content Tool Legalzoom News 171

socalTECH

MARCH 11, 2013

Two, Hollywood heavyweights--the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and William Morris Endeavor (WME) --are backing an online site which provides live workshops from experts. According to creativeLive , it has raised $8M in a funding round, which came from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), William Morris Endeavor (WME), CrunchFund and Google Ventures. As part of the funding Caterina Fake, the founder of Flickr, will join the company's board.

Education 168

Education Sites Course Hollywood 168

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2013

San Diego-based Domain Associates is thinking outside the box. The venture capital box, that is. The venture capital investor said Wednesday that it has linked with Chinese advisory firm Elite Consulting , to bring advanced healthcare products and technologies to China. Domain said the new partnership, Domain Elite , will create new companies and joint ventures in China, which will provide Western companies the financing, regulatory, medical, and marketing support and infrastructure needed to br

Venture Capital 164

Venture Capital San Diego Invest Capital 164

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

Network router and wireless equipment provider Linksys , which has been part of Cisco since 2003, is now back in Southern California hands, after Playa Vista-based computer accessory maker Belkin said it has completed its acquisition of the company. Belkin said it will manage and maintain Linksys as a separate brand and product portfolio. Belkin said it will continue to bring new Linksys products to market in the near future.

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Belkin Southern California Acquisition Sales 164

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

In the "recent fundings we've missed" category, Los Angeles-based YouTube network StyleHaul quietly raised $6.5M in a Series B funding led by Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, along with its prior investors. StyleHaul's prior investors include Juvo Capital, RezVen Partners, Siemer Ventures, and Machinima's Allen DeBevoise. StyleHaul's YouTube channel focuses on fashion videos; the company is headed by Stephanie Horbaczewski.

Bertelsmann 164

Bertelsmann Los Angeles Networking Media 164

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2013

Los Angeles-based Hulu reported Thursday afternoon that it will appoint Andy Forssell as acting CEO of the company, when current CEO Jason Kilar leaves at the end of the month. According to Kilar, Forssell helped grow the company from 2 content partners and no revenue to over 450 content partners and approximately $700 million revenue in 2012. Kilar also said that Disney and News Corporation are still working on "forward-looking plans" with the site.

Hulu 164

Hulu Content News Los Angeles 164

socalTECH

MARCH 13, 2013

Things look to be going further downhill over at Anaheim-based Fisker Automotive today, as reports that co-founder (and namesake) Henrik Fisker has resigned from the designer of plug-in hybrid automobiles. Businessweek reports that Fisker resigned over a disagreement with the company's other executives, and says it confirmed the resignation with the company.

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Report News Design Funding 159

socalTECH

MARCH 11, 2013

Pacific Palisades-based VAL9000 , a developer of technology which gives doctors access to clinical information systems by voice, is one of fifteen companies which recently scored an award for innovative electronic health records software. The company, which is led by Richard Koffler, a well known local angel investor, was one of 15 companies which split $150,000 in awards for their innovation in the Allscripts Open App Challenge.

Pacific Palisades 159

Pacific Palisades UCLA Software Technology 159

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2013

San Diego-based life sciences equipment maker Illumina has been ordered to pay $96M to Syntrix Biosystems , in a patent litigation suite, the company said Thursday. Illumina said a federal jury in Tacoma, Washington found that its BeadChip array product infringed on a patent asserted by Syntrix Biosystems. Illumina said the firm plans to appeal the finding and strongly disagrees with the verdict, and says that it believes Syntrix's claim are without merit.

Patents 153

Patents San Diego Product Company 153

socalTECH

MARCH 13, 2013

Santa Monica-based content delivery network (CDN) operator EdgeCast Networks is further expanding in Asia, saying Wednesday that it has linked with PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (TELIN) on powering a content delivery network in Indonesia. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. According to EdgeCast, TELIN will offer CDN services to its enterprise customers as part of the partnership.

Santa Monica 153

Santa Monica Content Networking Customer 153