Berkonomics

JUNE 5, 2014

'Dave’s note: Popular Bill Payne returns this week with a thoughtful take on valuations. By Bill Payne. One entrepreneur has a company which appears to be scalable to a $30 million exit value in five to eight years, and a second entrepreneur’s venture seems to be scalable to $200 million in exit value in the same time frame. Yet, at the pre-revenue stage of development, angel investors price both companies at a pre-money valuation of $1.5 million.

Startup 232

Startup Pricing Invest Email 232

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

'Last month, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti created a new program, aimed at growing, assisting and sustaining entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. The new "Entrepreneur-in-Residence" program has appointed its first, two, EIRs--Krisztina "Z" Holly and Amir Tehrani.--both of whom are working on independent efforts in the area of bringing the city closer to entrepreneurs.

Los Angeles 216

Los Angeles Startup USC Angel 216

InfoChachkie

JUNE 2, 2014

'A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Always the bridesmaid? While it still emotionally sucks, at least it will no longer break the bank; that is, if Kelsey Doorey has it her way. Warning: Kelsey''s idea will make you ask yourself, "Why didn''t I think of that?". Ms. Doorey, Founder and CEO of Vow To Be Chic , believes that men have had it too easy for too long.

Design 208

Design Customer Custom Ideas 208

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2014

'Entrepreneurs looking for investor funding often fail to realize that all money comes with strings. For example, if you have watched the Shark Tank TV series, you probably noticed that the Sharks always ask the entrepreneurs for their intended “use of funds.” Those who respond with one of the wrong answers, such as “I want to pay myself a salary,” usually go home empty-handed.

Startup 114

Startup Funding Entrepreneur Invest 114

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

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 2, 2014

'Join us June 3-4 as we bring you GLAZEDcon live! That’s right! TechZulu will be onsite streaming the most inspiring and innovative executives in Wearable, IOWT, government, gaming, health and fitness, and lifestyle industries to this year’s conference. GLAZEDCon speakers bring groundbreaking business solutions to life on-stage, illustrating the newest advancements in strategic success.

Venture Capital 110

Venture Capital Conference Design Technology 110

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'El Segundo-based Internet Brands said this morning that it is being acquired by private equity firm KKR , from its current owners, Hellman & Friedman and JMI Equity. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Internet Brands said that CEO Bob Brisco and the company''s existing management team will continue to hold a minority stake in the company, and continue to run the business.

Internet Brands 208

Internet Brands El Segundo Equity Acquisition 208

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'Agoura Hills-based TouchCommerce , which helps provide brands with online software and services for helping better connect with their customers and potential customers, said today that it is planning growth and hiring at a new headquarters in Agoura Hills. The company said it has expanded into a new, 90,000 square foot building, as part of plans to grow its headcount by more than 20 percent in 2014.

Agoura 185

Agoura Agoura Hills Software Review Commerce 185

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'One of Santa Monica-based startup accelerator and studio Science Inc. ''s more unusual portfolio companies--organic juice cleanse maker Urban Remedy --has just raised $5M in a new funding, the company said today. Urban Remedy said it raised a $5M, Series A funding, which came from Venture51. Urban Remedy is based in Marin County, in San Rafael. Urban Remedy has added former Jamba Juice and POM Wonderful exec Paul Coletta as CEO along with the funding; the company was founded by Neka Pasquale an

Santa Monica 183

Santa Monica Incubator Venture Capital Organization 183

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Is there room in the world for another social networking site? Los Angeles-based Communly thinks so, and recently has launched a new site aiming to help connect users not based on who their friends are, but instead by a users'' interests. The new startup, which says it is backed by angel investors, was founded by Alaxic Smith, Taj Stansberry, Brandon Curran, and John Strong.

Social Network 178

Social Network Networking Los Angeles Sites 178

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'Costa Mesa-based 3D printer manufacturer Airwolf 3D said this morning that it has tapped an experienced executive from Toshiba America Business Solutions as its new President. According to Airwolf 3D, it has hired Mark Mathews--former President and CEO at Toshiba America Business Solutions, to the post, to run the business side of the company. Mathews had been at Toshiba for over 20 years.

Orange County 174

Orange County Company Companies 174

socalTECH

JUNE 5, 2014

'Los Angeles-based healthcare IT company NantHealth , which is led by billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, said this week that it has rolled out a new, super computer-based system aimed at improving treatments for cancer. NantHealth said it has launched a fully integrated genomic, transcriptomic analytic engine that identifies alterations spanning from DNA to RNA to protein pathways, which can help doctors with better clinical treatment decisions for treating cancer.

Los Angeles 164

Los Angeles Help Angel Company 164

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Rubicon Project , which operates an online, real-time advertising exchange, has scored a win with Comcast Spotlight , the advertising sales division fo Comcast Cable. According to the companies, Rubicon is powering a new, private advertising exchange for Comcast Spotlight, which will allow advertising buyers to purchase advertising across Comcast''s websites, including XFINITY.com and xfinityTV.com.

Advertising 164

Advertising Los Angeles Sales Angel 164

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2014

'Los Angeles-based dating app developer Tinder launched a new feature Thursday called Moments, which allows users of the app to post photos of themselves--for a limited time--to all of their previous matches. The photos only remain accessible for 24 hours, and then disappear, ala Snapchat. The new feature looks to be a perfect match to Tinder''s user base, which is focused on matching up people based on their first impression of another user''s photo; the new Moments feature follows on one of th

Snapchat 159

Snapchat Mobile Los Angeles Angel 159

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Startup entrepreneurs in San Diego have yet more resources at the EvoNexus startup incubator, after EvoNexus and Cisco said that they will be launching a new, joint incubation program called CiscoEIR@EvoNexus. According to the two, the new program is aimed at helping promote further technology development in the San Diego Area, by connecting early stage, business-to-business startups with Cisco and its partners.

Incubator 157

Incubator San Diego Mentor Resource 157

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Can knowing where you are during the day help you become healthier? That''s the idea behind a new project being run by San Diego-based Gimbal , the Qualcomm spinoff, in an effort with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) IDEA Lab. The two said this week that they''ve started a new research project which is using a person''s location to help improve human health, by cleverly timed messages based on what a person is doing and where they are.

Study 153

Study San Diego Ideas Research 153

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

'Irvine-based Broadcom announced Monday that it is seeking "strategic alternatives" for its cellular baseband chip business. According to Broadcom, it has engaged investment banking firm JP Morgan on an effort, and plans to either sell or wind down that business. Broadcom said the move would help reduce its annualized GAAP research and development, and selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $700M.

Invest 153

Invest Research Acquisition Help 153

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2014

'The OC Tech Alliance , one of Orange County''s industry groups which helps to promote the local technology industry, says today is the last day to submit a company or CEO for its annual awards event, the High-Tech Innovation Awards. The alliance is taking names for the Outstanding Product/Technology Innovation, Outstanding Technology Company, and Outstanding CEO in Technology.

Technical Review 147

Technical Review Orange County High Tech Technology 147

socalTECH

JUNE 5, 2014

'Pasadena-based UberMedia , which develops mobile advertising technology, is looking to connect mobile ads with television advertising with a new, targeting tool. According to UberMedia, its new TV Extender product helps to connect mobile ad campaigns with audiences of television shows--allowing for targeting as accurate as the household level. Ubermedia says it uses social signals, Twitter followers, video views, and location history to enable television shows to target users down to the level

Tool 147

Tool Advertising Mobile Screening 147

socalTECH

JUNE 5, 2014

'San Diego-based Qualcomm said yesterday that it has inked a partnership with NTT DOCOMO , to extend its quick charging technology to Japan. According to Qualcomm, DOCOMO has adopted its Quick Charge 2.0 technology into a line of smartphones, tablets, and power adapters which are expected to ship this summer. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed.

Technology 147

Technology San Diego Product Company 147

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Los Angeles-based online restaurant ordering systems developer Tillster , which is led by Perse Faily, reported today that it has scored a win with Pizza Hut and KFC. Tillster reported that it has been selected as a "preferred partner" for Pizza Hut and KFC''s global franchisees, a link which makes Tillster''s restaurant ordering system a reference for ordering applications.

Mobile 147

Mobile Report Web Los Angeles 147

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Poway-based Cohu said this morning that it has agreed to sell its Electronics Division, CohuHD, to Texas company Costar Technologies. Cohu said Costar will pay $9.5M in cash plus up to $0.5M in earn out for CohuHD, which will remain in Poway. CohuHD develops camera products used in surveillance, traffic monitoring, security, and military applications.

Product 147

Product Acquisition Sales Technology 147

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'The acquisition this morning of El Segundo-based Internet Brands by KKR is worth a cool $1.1 billion, according to a report from the New York Times. The report cited two un-named, unauthorized sources. KKR and Internet Brands announced the deal this morning without any financials. KKR is buying Internet Brands from current private equity owners Hellman & Friedman and JMI Equity, who paid around $640M for Internet Brands back in 2010.

Internet Brands 147

Internet Brands El Segundo Acquisition Report 147

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'Calabasas-based audio technology provider DTS reports this morning that its DTS Headphone:X surround sound technology has been incorporated into a headphone designed by G-Star Industrial co Ltd. DTS said its surround sound is being used as part of the G-Star gaming headphones being rolled out by G-Star this week. Financial impact of the win was not announced.

Design 147

Design Calabasas Report Technology 147

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

'Maker Studios , the online YouTube content network which was recently acquired by Walt Disney , is cutting approximately 10 percent of its staff. The cuts were first reported by Variety. Maker Studios employs around 380 people. Disney said it would acquire Maker in March, in a deal that could be worth north of $900M. READ MORE>>.

Layoffs 147

Layoffs Hollywood Content Acquisition 147

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Thatgamecompany , a developer of computer games, has raised $7M in a funding round, the company said last week. The funding came from Capital Today, and also included Benchmark Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. The company is as spinout of Sony Santa Monica Studio. The company says it is in the midst of developing "Journey", which is based on a series of titles of a similar nature ("Cloud", "flow", "Flower", "Journey") for the PlayStation 3.

Santa Monica 147

Santa Monica Content Los Angeles Capital 147

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

'San Diego-based Sente , an aesthetics medicine company focused on skincare, said this morning that it has raised $5M in a Series C financing round. The funding was led by PharmaBio Investments, and also included existing and new, individual investors. The company said the funding will go towards expanding sales and marketing. Sente said it is working on a dermal repair cream formulated with low molecular weight heparan sulfate, which it says helps promote cell renewal, facilitates new collagen

San Diego 147

San Diego Venture Capital Sales Marketing 147

socalTECH

JUNE 5, 2014

'Pasadena-based Metacloud , the startup which helps companies deploy their own private, OpenStack clouds, reported a win today with SK Planet , the subsidiary of SK Telecom. The company said that SK Planet has chosen Metacloud as its Openstack-based, private cloud solution, for its own operations. Financial impact of the win was not announced. OpenStack said it was selected over other offerings from CloudStack, Eucalyptus, and OpenNebula.

Pasadena 140

Pasadena Report Services Capital 140

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2014

'Los Angeles-based streaming television provider Hulu is bolstering its original content efforts this Friday morning, saying it has named Beatrice Springborn as the company''s Head of Originals. Springborn joins the company from Storyline Entertainment, where she was head of television, in charge of the MTV series "Happyland". She also was SVP for Caryn Mandabach Productions (Peaky Blinders), and EVP of TV and film production and development at Gale Anne Hurds Valhalla Motion Pictures (The Walk

Hulu 138

Hulu Content Hollywood Entertainment 138

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2014

'Los Angeles-based Stir , the developer of a "smart" connected desk which automatically adjusts to a user''s position and activity, said today that it has connected its desks to the Fitbit. According to Stir, its desk can now automatically send data to a user''s Fitbit dashboard via the desk''s build in Wi-Fi connection. Stir said its desk tracks how long a user has been standing, extra calories burnt, as well as other information.

Screening 138

Screening Los Angeles Activity Angel 138

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2014

'Are you an electric vehicle owner? Are the kids out of school, and are you ready to head out on the road this summer? EVTripPlanner aims to help users figure out where to go, how and where to keep their car charged, and how much energy it will take to get to their destination. The site offers up a directory of thousands of planned out routes by other users, and provides estimated energy usage for given routes, as well as showing chargers along a route.

Guide 138

Guide Sites Los Angeles Help 138

socalTECH

JUNE 5, 2014

'El Segundo-based Infrascale , which provides cloud-based data backup, disaster recovery, archiving, and other services, said today that it has raised $16.3M in a Series B funding, and also acquired EverSync, a developer of cloud-based backup appliances. The funding came from Carrick Capital Partners. Carrick Managing Director and co-founder Marc McMorris joins as a board member, with Carrick''s Steve Unterberger serving as an observer.

El Segundo 138

El Segundo Venture Capital Acquisition Capital 138

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'San Diego-based biopharmaceuticals company Ambit Biosciences has shuffled its board this morning, saying it has added Jeffrey S. Hatfield as a member of its board of directors, as current board member Steven Elms resigns. Hatfield is the CEO and is on the baord of Vitae Pharmaceuticals, and also has served at Bristol-Myers Squibb. The company did not say why Elms resigned, but said Hatfield is a direct replacement for Elms in that position.

San Diego 138

San Diego Company Companies 138

socalTECH

JUNE 4, 2014

'Los Angeles-based wireless hotspot operator Boingo Wireless and Time Warner are in a new, Wi-Fi access deal, which will give TWC Internet customers access to 100 Boingo locations, and give Boingo customers access to around 35,000 Wi-Fi hotspots operated by Time Warner, the two said yesterday. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The companies said the bilateral, roaming access across the two networks will specifically give Time Warner Cable customers free Wi-Fi across major airport

Los Angeles 138

Los Angeles Customer Custom Networking 138

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'Fresh Nation , a startup operating an online marketplace for farmers, said this morning that it has raised $1M in a seed funding round, to help it expand into Los Angeles. According to the startup, the investment came from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Lerer Venture. Fresh Nation''s marketplace helps consumers order food from the local farmer''s market, by dispatching a personal shopper to that market and delivering those products to a consumer''s door.

Los Angeles 138

Los Angeles Angel Seed Funding Marketing 138

socalTECH

JUNE 3, 2014

'Los Angeles-based wireless infrastructure provider Boingo Wireless reported a win in Nashville, Tennessee--Music City--this morning, saying it is enhancing the wireless network at Nashville International Airport (BNA). Boingo said it will install its distributed antenna systems at the location, and will offer up both cellular and enhanced Wi-Fi services under a new agreement with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA).

Los Angeles 138

Los Angeles Networking Report Services 138

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

'San Diego-based PayLease , which provides online payments for the property management industry, has scored a round of private equity funding from Francisco Partners. Size of the investment was not announced. PayLease, which is led by Dave Dutch, lets multi-family, single family, HOA, and commercial property managers accept online payments. PayLease said its existing investor, Mainsale Partners--plus its founders and management--will continue to hold an ownership stake in the company.

Funding 138

Funding Equity San Diego Invest 138