Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2015

'*. If you are a 20-something tech entrepreneur you could be forgiven for thinking that seed-stage investors, Angellist Syndicates and widely available angel money always existed. It is, of course, a very recent phenomenon. Let me take you back just 10 years ago to 2005 in Silicon Valley where I returned after 11 years of living in Europe. I was out to raise my first seed money in my second startup of $500,000.

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Startup Invest Cloud Computing 282

socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2015

'Santa Monica-based FameBit , the developer of a self-serve, YouTube marketing marketplace that helps brands connect with YouTube celebrities, has just passed 300 million subcribers, according to the company. The startup--backed by Science and led by David Kierzkowski--said it now has over 7,000 YouTubers on its marketplace. The company says that it has such brands as Adidas, L''Oreal, Hint, JustFab, and fellow Science company Dollar Shave Club with its marketing efforts.

Dollar Shave Club 193

Dollar Shave Club Santa Monica Product Marketing 193

Berkonomics

MARCH 5, 2015

'Negotiating an agreement, especially one that involves personal gain, is tough for the person personally involved. There is too much to lose to be objective, to be willing to walk when terms go upside down. It is my experience that you should have an expert negotiator with you or even in your place, whether from your board or an employee or outside professional such as an attorney – when the issue is personal.

Pricing 188

Pricing Training Examples Sales 188

InfoChachkie

MARCH 2, 2015

'A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. Despite the fact that I teach entrepreneurship at UC Santa Barbara , I do not believe that entrepreneurs are created in classrooms. Instead of trying to teach students to be an entrepreneur, I expose my entrepreneurial students to tools that will help them solve real-world problems. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles!

Entrepreneur 177

Entrepreneur Class Course Case Study 177

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

SoCal CTO

MARCH 2, 2015

'As the organizer of the LA CTO Forum , I get lots of inquiries by job seekers and people looking for CTO / VP Engineering talent. I’ve written quite a bit about aspects of this topic, especially from the perspective of startup founders looking for talent – you can find these in: Startup CTO. This includes links to CTO Salary and Equity Trends, Technology Roles in Startups , Initial Conversation with a CTO or Technical Advisor , Finding a Technical Cofounder for Your Startup , Hiring a CTO for Y

CTO Hire 156

CTO Hire CTO Coach Los Angeles Angel 156

socalTECH

MARCH 3, 2015

'If you are a mother, and you need some help with something--say, finding a tutor, or a referral to a service provider--the age-old way to do that is to ask your friends for referrals. However, that process really hasn''t taken advantage of today''s mobile, always-connected, socially networked world. Los Angeles-based startup Momstamp (www.momstamp.com) is hoping to change that with its service, which connects mothers with friends, friends-of-friends, and beyond, to personal referrals and recomm

Networking 152

Networking Startup Cornerstone OnDemand Social Network 152

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 3, 2015

'I often write about the best strategies for startup fundraising or how to manage startup financing and optimize for growth. Equally important, is an area many startup founders don’t always prioritize: choosing the right service providers and understanding the value they can bring, especially to early-stage startups. The startup ecosystem is not just made up of entrepreneurs and investors; it also includes lawyers, bankers, HR and payroll providers as well as financial services providers.

Startup 75

Startup Outsource Development IP Outsource 75

Tech.Co

MARCH 5, 2015

At Coloft we believe in people and their entrepreneurial spirit. We sought to build a community of like-minded doers. visionaries, change makers & problem solvers. The end result can not be described, it must be experienced.

70

70

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2015

'Los Angeles-based Total Beauty Media Group , the beauty products focused site founded by Emrah Kovacoglu, has been acquired by Evolve Media , and will become part of Evolve''s TotallyHer division. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. The two said that Totay Beauty has 3.5 million monthly users. Total Beauty provided online content focused on beauty, including a large database of reviews of beauty products.

Media 148

Media Acquisition Los Angeles Content 148

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2015

'Every new business quickly realizes that revenue coming in every period on a committed basis is the Holy Grail to survival and growth. According to many experts , getting new customers is five to ten times harder than getting additional revenue from existing customers. Thus the subscription model (low fixed monthly payments), is rapidly becoming the norm for new products and services.

Startup 106

Startup Netflix Customer Custom 106

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 5, 2015

'Videos evolved in an unbelievable way since the first introduction of the film camera. GoPros, drones and 4K cameras are headlining today’s video technology; but what else can be done to further evolve the video market? A new video camera from VSN Mobil is looking to capture images and video (and the market) by introducing an angle rarely seen before, a 360-degree panoramic angle.

Mobile 58

Mobile Technical Review Pricing Screening 58

Tech.Co

MARCH 5, 2015

Cross Campus is a membership-based, collaborative work environment and business event venue. Our vision is to redefine the concept of ‘office’ by making it more inspiring, productive, and socially connected. We do this through great space design, frictionless provision of workspace and services, and market-leading event programming. With thirty five thousand square feet between our locations in Santa Monica and Pasadena, Cross Campus serves a large and diverse segment of So Cal’s creative, start

Santa Monica 70

Santa Monica Southern California Pasadena Design 70

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Irvine-based YouMail , the cloud voicemail service led by Alex Quilici, has raised $5.5M in a Series B funding round, according to the company. YouMail said the new round brings its total raised in debt and equity to just over $20M. YouMail said the funding came as a private placement, offered up thanks ot the JOBS Act, where the company was able to market its offering through the Internet, open webcasts, and other similar means.

Tech Coast Angels 146

Tech Coast Angels Equity Capital Funding 146

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 28, 2015

'If you think that financial modeling for a new business is arcane magic, limited in value to financial wizards and professional investors, then you have been listening to the wrong advisors. In reality, a simple Excel spreadsheet model customized around your assumptions can save you hours and avoid a wasted expense in validating alternative vendor and marketing decisions.

Startup 103

Startup Pricing Sample Customer 103

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Two, Los Angeles area firms which serve the startup market, Rootstock Partners , founded by former Beachmint CFO Jordan Posell, and iFinance , founded by Ivan Ivanokovich, who has been the CFO of such companies as The Mobile Majority and Total Beauty, have merged. According to the two, they have created a new company called Full Stack Finance , which will offer up a range of financial and related service to early stage and high growth companies.

Santa Monica 145

Santa Monica Pasadena Los Angeles Mobile 145

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2015

'Nexus eWater , a startup that has developed a device that recycles both residential water and energy, said today that it has raised $2.1M in a Series A funding round--and is taking aim at California''s continuing, severe drought. The company--which has offices in Lancaster, but is based in Australia--has created a device which takes greywater from homes, and both cleans that water for use in irrigation and captures heat from that water.

Lancaster 143

Lancaster Pomona Venture Capital Los Angeles 143

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2015

'San Diego-based MicroPower Technologies , which develops wireless, solar-powered surveillance cameras, said this week that it has named a new VP of Engineering. The company said Tim McConnell--the former VP of Engineering for high flying drone developer 3D Robotics--joins the company in that role to spearhead the company''s technology strategy and development, and lead its engineering team.

Tech Coast Angels 135

Tech Coast Angels Technology San Diego Incubator 135

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Los Angeles-based valet parking startup CurbStand , which is offering up mobile payments and other apps aimed at valet parking operators, said today that it has expanded its network to Denver. CurbStand is led by Serge Gojkovich. According to CurbStand, it is launching with sixteen locations in Denver, with plans to expand to 50 locations in the city in the next four months.

Mobile 135

Mobile Los Angeles Tool Networking 135

socalTECH

MARCH 3, 2015

'Los Angeles-based advertising technology developer Vantage Media said this morning that it has rebranded the company, and has changed its name to Katch , as a new focus on its software platform. The company--led by Patrick Quigley--has significantly shifted its model in the past few years beyond its roots in vertical marketplaces, and into software to power real-time bidding marketplaces.

Media 135

Media Advertising Platform Los Angeles 135

socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2015

'Santa Monica-based Demand Media said Thursday that it has named a new CFO, appointing Rachel Glaser to the position. Glaser was most recently the CFO of Move, Inc. The announcement came as part of Demand Media''s quarterly results announcement, where the company reported 2014 revenues of $172.4M. Sean Moriarty, who is now heading up Demand Media, said the company saw strong growth in its marketplace businesses, including Society6 and Saatchi Art.

Demand 131

Demand Media Santa Monica Advertising 131

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2015

'Aliso Viejo--based Motion Solutions , a developer of linear motion and motion control hardware used in the semiconductor fabrication equipment, medical equipment, aerospace, and robotics industry, has received a private equity funding from North Branch Capital. Financial details of the funding were not announced by the companies. North Branch said it partnered with Midwest Mezzanine, Robert w.

Equity 131

Equity Invest Funding Capital 131

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Are your kids a fan of The Wiggles , the popular Australian kids'' singing group? Los Angeles-based Hulu is continuing to build up its lineup of kids'' programs, saying Wednesday that it has signed a deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as the exclusive, U.S. premiere home of series 2 of the Wiggles'' television program, Ready Steady Wiggle.

Hulu 131

Hulu Hollywood Content Los Angeles 131

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Irvine-based Numecent , which develops a cloud-based service to help deliver applications over the web, said it has named former Broadcom executive Tom Lagatta as its new CEO. Lagatta was previously Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Broadcom. Current CEO and co-founder Osman Kent moves to Executive Chairman. The company said Lagatta will focus on scaling operations and geographical expansion of the company, including worldwide sales and marketing and business processes.

Sales 131

Sales Web Technology Help 131

socalTECH

MARCH 3, 2015

'San Diego-based CRISI Medical Systems , a developer of drug delivery systems for IV injectable medications, has been acquired by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. BD and CRISI have been in a partnership since June of 2013 in developing a system for real-time drug identification, dose measurement, and allergy detection for IV injections.

San Diego 131

San Diego Acquisition Develop Development 131

socalTECH

MARCH 2, 2015

'Laguna Beach-based NextVR , which is developing technology to capture 3D, broadcast-quality virtual reality, said today that it will be adding "light field" capture technology to its platform. Light field technology--allows for capture of more than just the usual visual information in a scene and allows for refocusing on elements in a scene after the fact.

Technology 131

Technology Patents Examples Platform 131

socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2015

'Costa Mesa-based networking products maker Emulex said this week that it has rolled out a new set of network management products. The company said the new EndaceProbe and EndaceVision proudcts are aimed at network monitoring and visibility of 10Gb, 40Gb and 100Gb Ethernet (100GbE)-based networks. The new tools are used to capture, analyze, and diagnose network security issues.

Networking 125

Networking Product Tool Company 125

socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2015

'Sylmar-based implantable medical device maker Second Sight Medical Products reported that it had its first commercial implants of its medical devices in Italy, at two centers in Camposampiero and Florence. Second Sight Medical is developing implantable device used to treat outer retinal degeneration and blindness. The company said it has now implanted its devices in more than 100 individuals worldwide.

Report 125

Report Product Develop Development 125

socalTECH

MARCH 6, 2015

'Santa Barbara-based Sonos , the maker of the user-friendly, whole home music systems, has released an updated set of apps for both iOS and Android. According to Sonos, its new Sonos 5.3 update adds a number of features, as well as bug fixes, including simpler room control, improved design for its tablet app, and a quicker way to move back and forth between screens.

Santa Barbara 125

Santa Barbara Screening Design 125

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2015

'Calabasas-based National Technical Systems , the provider of testing, certification, inspection, and other related services, said this morning that it is acquiring UK-based National Quality Assurance , a provider of ISO testing services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. NTS said that National Quality Assurance (NQA) is one of the largest ISO registrars in the world, with more than 32,000 active certifications in 75 countries.

Calabasas 125

Calabasas Equity Acquisition Activity 125

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2015

'Pasadena-based Arrowhead Research said this morning that it has acquired the entire RNAI research and development portfolio and associated assets of Novartis. According to Arrowhead, the deal was worth $35M, made up of a $7M cash payment, $3M in cash later, and $25M in Arrowhead common stock, to be paid within 30 days. Arrowhead said the deal also includes milestones and royalties on sales of future products.

Research 125

Research Develop Development Patents 125

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Camarillo-based Semtech said late Wednesday that it has acquired Triune Systems , a developer of wireless charging and power management systems. Semtech said it paid approximately $45M, plus earn out, for Triune. Triune was based in Texas, and has 35 employees, all of whom are joining Semtech. Triune''s products are aimed at the wearable, industrial, and automotive market, where the company''s platform can deliver up to 100W of power.

Platform 125

Platform Marketing Product Develop 125

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Irvine-based business process outsourcing provider Alorica said Wednesday that it has completed its $275M acquisition of West Corporation. Alorica had originally announced the deal back in January. Alorica said the acquisition makes it the largest business process outsourcing provider in the U.S., with a net worth of $1.2 billion. Alorica said the buy expands its product offerings and market reach, and gives it approximately 48,000 employees worldwide.

Outsource 125

Outsource .Net Acquisition Marketing 125

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Forbes published its ranking of all of the world''s billionaires this week, with an interesting addition: the co-founders of Venice, California-based Snapchat. Evan Spiegal , the 24-year old CEO of Snapchat, was the youngest billionaire on the list, wiith an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, ranked at #1250. Snapchat co-founder Bobby Murphy was also on the list sharing the ranking, also with an estimated $1.5 billion net worth.

Snapchat 125

Snapchat Southern California .Net Social Network 125

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Calabasas-based Ixia , the developer of network testing equipment and software, reported late Tuesday that it has secured a new, $100M credit facility. The company said the new credit line is being administered by Silicon Valley Bank, along with Regions Bank, with funds coming from Cadence Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank and Stifel Financial Corp. The company said the three year credit facility including revolving credit of up to $60M and term loan of $40M, with an option to request up to $80M in add

Calabasas 125

Calabasas Networking Report Software 125

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'Los Angeles-based TEN: The Enthusiast Network , the online ad network focused on the automotive and action sports areas, said today that it has named Scott Bailey as President, Automotive. Bailey previously was COO of Synacor, and also had served at Comcast Interactive Media, and also served at Turner Sports Interaction, where he managed NASCAR.com, PGA.com, and PGATour.com.

Advertising 125

Advertising Networking Content Media 125

socalTECH

MARCH 4, 2015

'San Diego-based cloud-based communications provider Voxox is rolling out a new product today, a new white-label cloud communications product aimed at operators and original equipment manufacturers. Voxox said its new Cloud Phone product allows those operators and OEMs to offer up a virtual PBX service to small business users. Pricing on the new product was not disclosed.

San Diego 125

San Diego Pricing Product Services 125