Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 11, 2015

Product Hunt. It seems out of nowhere it has become the go to website for startup companies to launch their new products or businesses. It reminds me a lot of how TechCrunch felt in 2006. It was the place that every startup knew they HAD TO be in order to attract initial users and also gain the attention of venture capitalists. I strong showing on TechCrunch created initial product demand and if you could sustain that it led to buzz overall in the tech community.

Product 261

Product Startup Press Social Media 261

Berkonomics

JUNE 11, 2015

By Frank Peters. Our guest insight this week is from Frank Peters, well-known in the angel and in the bicycle worlds for his podcasts and passion. His personal story is full of lessons for us all. – Dave. We’ve all heard the modern day mantra: Fail Fast. It’s good advice; the theory being that entrepreneurs can discover the flaws in their business models sooner, make course corrections and move in a more favorable direction.

Customer 188

Customer Custom Writing Southern California 188

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

Lee Schneider is the author of a new book, Chronicle of a Startup Town: Los Angeles , which delves into the people and reasons on why Los Angeles has become one of the epicenters of the startup and technology industry. The book--which was just published last month--profiles the major players, startups, venture capitalists, and others here, in an attempt to understand how and why Los Angeles has become a major force in startups.

Los Angeles 177

Los Angeles Startup Angel Writing 177

InfoChachkie

JUNE 9, 2015

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. With top-ranked accelerators Lauchpad LA closing its doors and Y Combinator rebranding itself as a seed fund, it seems fair to ask the question, “Are Accelerators Dead?”. Good news: a quick review of TechCrunch’s March 2015 List of Top 20 U.S. Accelerators , which includes two LA-based accelerators in the Top Ten ( Mucker Lab and Amplify LA ), proves that the overall health of the Accelerator landscape is sound.

Startup 162

Startup Class LAMP Santa Barbara 162

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

JUNE 11, 2015

This morning it was announced that Matt Murphy had left his role as a partner Kleiner Perkins to join as a partner in Menlo Ventures. As much of the coverage in the press this morning acknowledges it’s rare for a partner to leave from one firm to another. It’s even more rare for VCs to talk publicly about other VCs, so I thought it would be fun to break rank and tell you about Matt.

Venture Capital 244

Venture Capital Gogii Course Activity 244

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2015

Many entrepreneurs still don’t understand that building a business culture today of doing good, like helping people (society) and planet (sustainability), is also a key to maximizing profit. Employees and customers alike are looking for meaning, not simply employment and commodity prices. Every company needs this focus to attract the best minds and loyalty in both categories.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Organization Startup Pricing 117

Tech.Co

JUNE 12, 2015

The technological world we live in affords some pretty unique and awesome opportunity, like drone aerobatics. However one of the often underestimated, or potentially overlooked, trends is the customization and personalization options we get because of tech. All of us at Tech.Co have covered this topic. In fact, I wrote about a company recently that lets you design, choose, and print customized vinyl decals for your car – it’s super cool.

LAMP 82

LAMP Customer Custom Platform 82

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 10, 2015

It’s no secret – digital marketing is the big brand battleground for most companies. Especially for small or medium-sized businesses, most of your time, effort, and potential reward are all going to be web-based, and getting your digital marketing strategy right is often a sink-or-swim proposition. But what exactly does that entail? Digital marketing is a vast, vast world, and one remarkably short on silver-bullet solutions.

Marketing 76

Marketing PPC Social Media Startup 76

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2015

Traditionally, the majority of entrepreneurs have been logical thinkers, problem solvers, with full attention to details. These are the stereotypical left-brain engineers. Yet I see a big shift from the knowledge age, with its left-brain foundation, to a critical focus today on visualization, creativity, relationships, and collaboration, which are more in the domain of right-brainers.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Guide Social Media Ideas 109

socalTECH

JUNE 9, 2015

Managed to get the number to that hot girl or guy at the bar, and want to know more about them before giving them a call? A new app develop, NDER , said it has launched its app on the App Store, letting people scope out information on anyone with a phone number, letting them chat with others who have looked up those same phone numbers--potentially helping them figure out if someone's been cheating on someone else.

Help 171

Help Develop Development 171

socalTECH

JUNE 8, 2015

If all goes well, San Luis Obispo-based Mindbody will be Southern California's newest IPO on June 19th, according to documents being circulated to potential investors in the startup's IPO. According to those investor materials, Mindbody is expected to price on Thursday, June 18th, and would debut if all goes well on the market as MB on Friday, June 19th.

Southern California 161

Southern California Acquisition Pricing Marketing 161

socalTECH

JUNE 12, 2015

UCLA's Anderson School of Business has launched a new research center, called the Easton Technology Management Center , thanks to an $11M gift from James L. Easton, the CEO of Easton Sports. According to UCLA, the new center will focus on innovative research and scholarship in technology management, and will broaden the base of technology opportunities across the UCLA campus.

UCLA 158

UCLA Technology Research Help 158

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2015

Think that crowdfunding project that is getting so much hype is too good to be true? That might just be the case. The Federal Trade Commission just made its first move to crack down on fradulent crowdfunding efforts, saying Thursday that it has taken legal action against a project creator, who raised money to produce a board game through Kickstarter--but ended up spending most of the money on rent, personal equipment, a move to Oregon, and more.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Advertising Technology 149

socalTECH

JUNE 8, 2015

Los Angeles-based XPRIZE has launched a new, multi-million dollar prize aimed at improving adult literacy, the company said this morning. The foundation said the new Adult Literacy XPRIZE challenges mobile app developers to create a mobile app, to help bring illiterate and low-literacy adults to basic literacy within 12 months. The prize, being funded by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, is aimed at helping an estimated 36 million adults

Mobile 145

Mobile Develop Development Los Angeles 145

socalTECH

JUNE 12, 2015

Irvine-based Kareo , the developer of cloud-based software for medical practices, said Thursday that it has added Cornerstone OnDemand co-founder Perry Wallack to its board of directors. Wallack is CFO of Cornerstone OnDemand, taking that company from start through its IPO. Prior to Cornerstone OnDemand, Wallack was at Ernst & Young. Kareo, which is led by Dan Rodrigues, said Wallack will help the company with its next phase of growth.

Cornerstone OnDemand 142

Cornerstone OnDemand Software Help Develop 142

socalTECH

JUNE 12, 2015

The City of Los Angeles is hoping to kick off an effort to provide free, wireless access across the city, and has issued an RFP asking wireless providers to come up with a plan to provide one gigabit broadband service to residences and businesses, plus offer up free basic wireless service to the entire city. The RFP , dubbed CityLinkLA , asks providers to create a plan to complete build-out of a network within the next five years across Los Angeles.

Los Angeles 142

Los Angeles Angel Entertainment Activity 142

socalTECH

JUNE 9, 2015

Carlsbad-based radio frequency and mixed signal integrated circuit provider MaxLinear reports a design win today with a company in Belgium. MaxLinear said that Unitron Group has selected a number of its ICs for a new, direct broadcast satellite digital outdoor unit (D-ODU). Financial impact of the win and shipment volumes were not announced. The company said its chips replace dozens of discrete components.

Design 139

Design Report Product Company 139

socalTECH

JUNE 8, 2015

San Luis Obispo-based Mindbody , which provides software-as-a-service that helps spas, yoga, and other health and wellness businesses to manage their appointments and clients, has set its IPO trading range, indicating a move closer to an IPO. Mindbody said in a filing this morning that it now expects its IPO to debut at between $13.00 and $15.00 per share.

Tech Coast Angels 139

Tech Coast Angels Pasadena Angels .Net Pasadena 139

socalTECH

JUNE 12, 2015

Los Angeles-based membership airline Surf Air says it now has more than 1,600 members, and has flown over 13,000 flights, two years after its debut--according to the company's sales emails. The numbers, if accurate, indicate that the company has been having some success in increasing its membership numbers, which in February had been pegged at 1,200 members.

Santa Barbara 138

Santa Barbara Los Angeles Email Sales 138

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

Redland-based GIS software maker Esri is contributing its software to help deal with climate change in developing countries, the company said Tuesday, in support of the White House Climate Action Plan. Esri said it will donate both its GIS technology and counsel to help developing countries deal with climate change, starting with efforts in Columbia, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh.

Training 138

Training Tool Software Help 138

socalTECH

JUNE 8, 2015

Santa Monica-based TaskUs , the startup led by Bryce Maddock which is the secret weapon behind the rising tide of on-demand and Internet startups, has raised $15M in a funding round, the company disclosed today. The funding came from Phillipnes-based private equity investor Navegar. The startup outsources all kinds of of the back office tasks required by high tech companies like Savings.com, Expensify, Groupon, Uber, Tinder, and many others.

Funding 135

Funding Outsource Santa Monica High Tech 135

socalTECH

JUNE 12, 2015

Venture capitalists, who once were pouring money into the advertising technology area, have shut off the spigot for ad tech--according to an article in the WSJ this week. Ad tech companies, once the darling of Sand Hill Road, are having a hard time even getting a meeting , according to the report. Advertising technology startups have been among the biggest areas of startup growth in Southern California, and in particular Silicon Beach, which is the home of such companies as Rubicon Project, Open

Report 131

Report OpenX Southern California Advertising 131

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2015

Los Angeles-based Hulu is going to make some Seinfeld fans very, very happy this month, with the launch of "Seinfeld: The Apartment" , an interactive exhibit it is opening in New York City on June 24th. Hulu scored the rights to stream all of the episodes of Seinfeld in a deal with Sony earlier this year. According to Hulu, the pop-up installation runs from June 24th through June 28th, and will include a recreation of the Seinfeld apartment set, a full Seinfeld gallery with props and memorabilia

Hulu 131

Hulu Los Angeles Angel Hollywood 131

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2015

San Diego-based biotherapeutics developer BioAtla announced today that it has raised $30M in an equity investment, from an un-named Chinese investor group. BioAtla, which is led by Jay M. Short, said the funds will go towards developing its antibody drug pipeline, as well as collaboration with biopharmaceutical companies and institutions in China. Short was previously President and CEO of Diversa Corporation.

San Diego 131

San Diego Equity Invest Funding 131

socalTECH

JUNE 8, 2015

Irvine-based Broadcom said today that it has licensed a new, near-field contact payment technology called MIFARE , which it says is used for contactless ticketing, transportation, and access applications. Broadcom said the licensing deal expands its NFC offerings, specifically in those areas.inancial details of the licensing deal were not announced.

Technology 131

Technology 131

socalTECH

JUNE 9, 2015

Los Angeles-based online real estate marketplace RealtyMogul.com annnounced its first deal in Oregon yesterday, saying it has financed a 74-unit, multifamily property near Portland, Oregon. RealtyMogul.com said the project sponsor, Trion Properties, tapped into its peer-to-peer marketplace to complete its transaction for the property. RealtyMogul allows accredited and institutional investors to connect with real estate companies, to help fund their property purchases.

Los Angeles 126

Los Angeles Funding Help Angel 126

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2015

Los Angeles-based free broadband service FreedomPop has expanded its reach in the UK, and has signed up a new mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA) in the country. FreedomPop said it has signed up MVNA X-Mobility, who will provide wholesale access to its network to help power FreedomPop's services. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Mobile 125

Mobile Los Angeles Networking Services 125

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2015

Los Angeles-based Android-based game console maker Ouya is nearing a sale of the company, most likely by game hardware maker Razer , according to reports. Those reports peg the sale price to be around $10M for Ouya, which had developed an Android-based game console to much acclaim, but then apparently triggered a debt covenant forcing the sale in April.

Sales 125

Sales Report Pricing Los Angeles 125

socalTECH

JUNE 11, 2015

Carslbad-based satellite communications technology provider ViaSat said this morning that it has acquired Engreen , a developer of network virtualization technology. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. ViaSat said the buy helps it add network virtualization capabilities, which will make it easier to manage its satellite-ground system. The company also said it will add locations in San Jose and Bangalore as a result of the acquisition.

Networking 125

Networking Acquisition Technology Help 125

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

Irvine-based virtual reality headset developer Oculus has some major expansion plans in Seattle, according to a report, which says the company has leased 51,000 feet of space in the city. Oculus VR has not previously detailed any plans for expansion in Seattle, which is a popular location for companies looking to tap into talent located there, particularly from such companies as Microsoft and Amazon.com.

Report 125

Report Develop Development Company 125

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

Los Angeles-based Local ID , a new startup that is looking to help retail and restaurant brands to improve their local store marketing efforts, has raised $1.9M in a seed funding round, the company said today. The funding was led by Crosscut Ventures, and also included Technicolor, TenOneTen, Baroda Ventures, Double M Partners, Tallwave, Wavemaker Partners and Queens Bridge Venture Partners Local ID is led by local technology veteran Alex Nocifera, who previously was founder and CEO of Ripple TV

Seed Funding 125

Seed Funding Los Angeles Marketing Funding 125

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

Aliso Viejo-based semiconductor maker Microsemi > is making a push into the automotive market, saying that it has released a number of automotive-grade field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and system-on-chip (SoC) FPGAs. Those chips are aimed at designers developing circuits for automotive applications, and include both high reliability and security features.

Design 125

Design Marketing Product Develop 125

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

El Segundo-based ClearPath Networks , a developer of a cloud-based platform aimed at helping network, broadband, and cloud operators manage their services, has named a new VP. ClearPath has named Marc Cohn as the company's new Senior Vice President of Marketing. Cohn joins the company from Ciena Corporation, and also had served at IP Infusion, Amdocs, and Lucent Technologies.

El Segundo 125

El Segundo Networking IP Platform 125

socalTECH

JUNE 10, 2015

Hawthorne-based SpaceX , the rocket and spaceship development company led by mogul Elon Musk, has added a grand new plan on the company's way to deliver humanity to Mars: to provide Internet access across the globe. SpaceX has apparently filed plans with the FCC to begin testing a project to deploy its own, extensive satellite constellation, which would use 4,000 space satellites to bring Internet connectivity to every spot on earth.

SpaceX 125

SpaceX Hawthorne Develop Development 125

socalTECH

JUNE 9, 2015

Coding bootcamp operator MakerSquare , which helps students get software jobs, has just launched its first program in Los Angeles, aiming to help students learn the technical and professional skills to land a software position. The company, which has been running its 12-week coding bootcamps in San Francisco and Austin, said it will run its first class in LA starting on August 17th.

Class 125

Class Startup Los Angeles Software 125

socalTECH

JUNE 9, 2015

Woodland Hills-based United Online said Monday afternoon that it has added Kenneth Denman to its board of directors. Denman was the President and CEO of Emotient, and also had served as CEO of Openwave and iPass, along with AuraServ Comunications. Denman also had served at Media One and other companies. Denman replaces Dennis Holt, who had been on the company's board since 2001.

Woodland Hills 125

Woodland Hills Media Company Companies 125