Sat.Nov 26, 2011 - Fri.Dec 02, 2011

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If You Don’t Have a Discrete Hypothesis You Are Incapable of Failing

Both Sides of the Table

There are very few people in Silicon Valley who have such a precise grasp on what defines success of early-stage startup companies than Eric Ries. And there are very few people who so consistently exceed my expectations when I hear them speak. I find myself nodding – even when the topic is one I don’t expect to agree with such as “fail fast.” This week was no exception.

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Bank Robber Or ATM Operator – Which Are You?

InfoChachkie

Note: This is Part IV in the Startup Team Building series. Read Part I HERE , Part II HERE and Part III HERE. A Fortune 500 CEO once told me that I was a Bank Robber. Initially, I was offended. However, once he explained what he meant, I was flattered. Entrepreneurs are law-abiding Bank Robbers. They enjoy the hours spent plotting and scheming and pulling together a team of skilled specialists to accomplish the heist.

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TrueCar Backs Women Auto Racers

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based TrueCar , which provides automotive pricing information and powers automotive buying programs with its software and systems, said Friday that it is in an extensive, multi-year commitment to support female race car drivers. The firm said it is launching a "Women Empowered" initiative to back five female auto racing drivers, including Shea Holbrook (Pirelli World Challenge), Ashley Freiberg (Star Mazda Series), Shannon McIntosh (USF2000), Verena Mei (Rally America), and Emilee T

Truecar 213
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The thrill of the adventure!

Berkonomics

There is nothing quite as thrilling in business as igniting a startup and watching it blossom. Especially when starting a company with personal savings or money from relatives and friends, early signs of success are intoxicating. Each new customer, each mention in the press or online adds to the feeling of early accomplishment. And it is more satisfying because it is yours, from idea to execution.

Press 149
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Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19

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.

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Meet The Team: BetterWorks

SoCal Tech Calendar

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 -- Meet The Team: BetterWorks. LetsDo. Want to know how an idea turned into a revolutionary company perks program? Interested in learning how to kill it with business development? Join Betterworks to learn how to sell your product before it launches.

Ideas 124
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(Re)Mixing It Up With Entrepreneurial Filmmaker, Kirby Ferguson

InfoChachkie

In Everything (Including Startups) Is A Remix , I discuss the brilliant series of films created by Kirby Ferguson, which focus on the origin of creativity in music, film and business. Kirby’s videos entertainingly illustrate that the building blocks of creativity, irrespective of the creation, are: copying, combining and transforming. In my recent interview with Kirby, he discusses the origin of his videos and how he called upon his entrepreneurial muse to bootstrap their creation.

Ideas 203

More Trending

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Test Your Aptitude for Business Internet Jargon

Startup Professionals Musings

Many of the businesses and entrepreneurs I know still don’t realize that they need to use and understand the Internet, even if their interest is not e-commerce. Maybe you have also heard a lot of Internet terms, but are not sure you can explain how, when, and why they are relevant to your business success. Here is a quick test of your real Internet savvy.

SEM 95
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Patent Reform Act

SoCal Tech Calendar

Thursday, December 8, 2011 -- Patent Reform Act. CommNexus. The world of patent law is constantly changing. Never more than this year with the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) of 2011 (formerly known as the Patent Reform Act of 2011). The changes that have been ushered in by the AIA will take effect over the 18 months following the enactment on September 16th, 2011.

Patents 113
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The Work of Film Through Technology: Interview with CG Supervisor Morris May

Tech Zulu Event

Morris May is a computer graphics (CG) film big wig—or at least he was. It is not that Morris is no longer a ‘big wig’ or even an FX supervisor credit for that matter, but rather he splits building ‘ 3D nebulas’ for Reliance Films with surfing. He is not the average computer nerd, one might say. Despite the fact that he can create things on Autodesk’s Maya that their own software designers may have never have dreamed up (or more accurately, that only a few people on this Earth can), being a ‘big

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WD: Flooding To Cost $225M to $274M In Quarter

socalTECH

Irvine-based Western Digital , the maker of computer hard disk drives, gave an update on its operations late Thursday evening, saying that flooding in Thailand will cost the firm between $225M and $275M in the December quarter. WD said those costs are exclusive of any insurance recovery. WD has been severely impacted by the flooding in Thailand, some of the worst in history.

Product 206
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7 Ways Startups Get Tagged as Too Risky by Investors

Startup Professionals Musings

We all know that every startup is risky. No risk means no reward. Yet every investor has his own “rules of thumb” on what makes a specific startup too high a risk for his investment taste. You need to know these guidelines to set your expectations on funding. Of course, if you intend to fund the business yourself, or have a rich uncle, external investment funding concerns are not a problem.

Startup 97
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INVESTOR OUTLOOK 2012

SoCal Tech Calendar

Tuesday, December 6, 2011 -- INVESTOR OUTLOOK 2012 - Will investors continue to spend like drunken sailors? Strategy Series and Mixer. Dealmaker Media. As we approach 2012 the debates on bursting bubbles and Series A crunches are heating up. Want to know what industry leaders think about investment trends given the economys instability? Come to the next Dealmaker Media Investor Outlook session to find out.

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Angelhack | A New Breed of Hackathon

Tech Zulu Event

We’ve all heard of or participated in weekend hackathon events, like Startup Weekend or #Hackfest. They’re always an absolute blast and never disappoint. If you have yet to engage in one I must highly recommend that you do. You’ll get to network and meet new people, learn new skills, and build rocking products in a weekends’ time.

Startup 88
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Tech Coast Angels Invests In Teenage Design Community

socalTECH

The Tech Coast Angels , the largest organized angel investment group in Southern California, has made an investment in Define My Style , an online community focused on teenagers, to the tune of $140,000. Other investors in the $600,000 seed stage funding round were CincyTech and Queen City Angels, according to Define My Style. The investment is probably one of the farthest flung for the Tech Coast Angels, geographically.

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iFixit's Gift For iPhone Geeks: A Transparent 4S Back Panel

socalTECH

iFixit , the online electronics information, parts, and tools service, has just launched a product for that iPhone loving geek on your shopping list: a transparent back cover for the iPhone 4S. iFixit--which is known for their many detailed "teardowns" of electronics products, said Monday that its new transparent panel will allow people to have the "coolest iPhone on the block"--which might be true if you are an electronics-crazed hacker, engineer or enthusiast.

Design 188
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Aptera Shuts Down

socalTECH

Carlsbad-based Aptera , the developer of a three wheeled, electric vehicle, has shut down. According to multiple sources , the firm is dissolving the company, after failing to find federal matching funds for its efforts. Aptera had been attempting to gain funding from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program, after initially failing to be qualify in 2008 for the program due to having three, not four wheels.

Idealab 185
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Ogmento Launches Mobile NBA Game

socalTECH

Los Angeles- and New York-based Ogmento , a publisher of augmented reality mobile games, announced today that it has released a new, basketball-themed game called NBA: King of the Court. The game, available on both iOs and Android, allows players to play virtual games at virtual courts around the world. The new app uses a smartphone's GPS and camera as part of the game, and is aimed at NBA fans.

Mobile 182
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Fandango Sees Boost From Mobile Ticket Sales

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Fandango , the online movie ticket and entertainment site, reported Tuesday that it is seeing a surge in sales of tickets via mobile phone. The firm said it saw a 60 percent, year-over-year increase in Thanksgiving holiday weekend ticket sales on mobile devices through the site. Fandango did not say what the dollar volume of sales has been via mobile, and how that compares to online ticket sales, but said that it believes it will be the "year of mobile movie ticketing" for the

Fandango 174
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Local Angels Back Scripted.com

socalTECH

A number of Southern California angel investors, including Jody Mulkey , the CIO of Shopzilla, have backed Scripted.com , a new online marketplace for freelance writers. According to Scripted.com, it raised $700,000 in a seed financing round, which was led by Crosslink Capital, and also included Liveops founder Douglas Feirstein, Jody Mulkey, as well as other angels, including other Los Angeles area investors.

Angel 173
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Nami Media Acquired By TV Broadcaster

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Nami Media , a provider of online advertising technology, has been acquired by Providence, Rhode Island-based LIN TV Corp. , a publicly traded operator of 32 broadcast television systems. According to LIN TV, it has acquired a majority ownership position in Nami Media. Financial terms of the investment and acquisition were not disclosed.

Media 168
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Soraa Raises $88.6M For Solid State Lighting

socalTECH

Goleta-based Soraa , one of the LED research firms spun out of U.C. Santa Barbara and the labs of blue LED inventor Shuji Nakamura, has raised $88.6M in a funding, according to a regulatory filing from the firm today. The filing indicates the company is raising $90.26M in this round. Source of the funds have not been announced, however, the firm has previously raised capital from Khosla Ventures, and New Enterprise Associates now holds a seat on the board.

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Onestop Internet Gets $9.5M

socalTECH

Rancho Dominguez-based OneStop Internet , which develops e-commerce websites for fashion brands, including True Religion, John Varvatos and Seven For All Mankind, has raised $9.15M in a strategic investment round, the firm said Tuesday. The round came from Fund Capital USA, a private equity firm. Onestop, which is headed by John Tomich, has previously raised capital from Bessemer Venture Partners.

Commerce 164
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PriceGrabber Sees Surge In Video Game, Sporting Goods Shopping

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based PriceGrabber , the online shopping comparisons website, reported Monday that the areas with the biggest increase in traffic Sunday from online shoppers were video games and sporting goods. The firm said it saw a 56 percent increase in traffic for video game products, and a 32 percent in sporting good interest Sunday, with overall traffic increase of 18 percent across all categories.

Pricing 162
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CapLinked Revamps Site With New Features

socalTECH

Manhattan Beach-based CapLinked said this week that it has made some major updates to the site, overhauling and improving the online service for managing investment activity for companies and deal tracking for investors. The firm said that new features include social sign in using logins from Facebook, Twitter, or Google; better search capabilities; a "radar" feature to help users see all their deals, companies, and contacts in one place; easier document uploads; and more.

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Sonos Upgrades Software

socalTECH

Santa Barbara-based Sonos , the maker of the user-friendly, multi-room wireless music systems, has upgraded its product, saying it now supports Android tablets, Slacker Radio, new features on Spotify, in addition to a number of other improvements. Sonos said that its Sonos Controller for Android now runs on Android tablet, letting users control their music systems via such devices as the Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and others.

Software 160
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Luxury Link Expands With Dorchester Collection

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Luxury Link , which operates an online luxury travel website, said last week that it has partnered with the Dorchester Collection, a luxury hotel chain. Luxury Link said it will feature vacations from Dorechester Collection's properties, which include the Hotel Bel-Air, The Dorchester in London, Le Meurice in Paris, the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris, among others.

Equity 160
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Social Discovery App Ntro Launches, Backed by $1.7M in Angel Funding

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based startup nProgress , headed by former Pandemic Studios President Josh Resnick, is announcing this morning that it has launched ntro , a new smart phone app for iPhone and Android aimed at social discovery. The startup said the app is aimed at helping people discover interesting connections with people nearby who share similar interest, hobbies, or share mutual friends. nProgress is backed by $1.7M in angel funding, from Jarl Mohn, Gordon Crawford, Kevin Wall, Activation Media Pa

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iStoryTime Launches Arthur Christmas Title

socalTECH

Santa Barbara-based iStoryTime , the mobile children's book line, said this morning that it has launched a new Arthur Christmas Movie Storybook for the iPhone and iPad. The new title--tied into the Aardman/Sony Pictures Animation movie--is the latest in a series of movie linked titles for iStoryTime, which has been producing both brand- and movie-linked children's titles as well as publishing iPhone and iPad children's titles from less well known authors. iStoryTime said the new app, available f

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GameSalad Taps Kiip For In-Game Ads

socalTECH

Los Angeles- and Austin-based GameSalad , the developer of iOS and iPhone game creation software, said last night that it has partnered with in-game advertising provider Kiip. Kiip provides rewards-based, in-game advertising tools and SDKS. GameSalad said it will integrate Kiip's achievement-based rewards system inside GameSalad Creator. GameSalad said that Kiip has deals with brands such as Kodak, Best Buy, PopChips, 1-800-FLOWERS.com, and Vitaminwater, which tie tangible rewards to mobile game

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Mota Motors Names Exec

socalTECH

Venice, California-based Mota Motors , which provides online vehicle certification and selling software platforms, said today that it has named Ken Potter as its Chief Revenue Officer. Potter had previously served at CarsDirect.com, where he had been VP and GM of Automotive for ten years. Potter also served at General Manager at CarMax. Mota's service is working on a platform to provide used car sellers and dealerships with certification of those vehicles.

Venice 157
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Sweety High Launches Site for Tween Girls

socalTECH

Sweety High , a new startup based in Manhattan Beach, is hoping to reach tween girls with its new social gaming and entertainment site, saying this week that it has launched out of private beta. The site says it is hoping to create a social game platform to allow girls between 8 and 16 to "express themselves fearlessly". The new startup's founders are Frank Simonetti and Veronica Zelle.

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Network Optix Snags $750K In Seed Funding

socalTECH

Burbank-based Network Optix , a startup developing video transport, management, and display technology, said this morning that it has raised $750,000 in a seed funding. The firm said the convertible debt round came from Jor Law, Veracity, HauteSpot Networks, Kenneth Lu, and other angel investors. Network Optix said it is building an enterprise video platform for transporting HD digital video in an enterprise.

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Outcast Supports Distracted Driving Campaign

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Outcast Media , the operator of out-of-home advertising and content networks, reported today that it has partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation, on a distracted driving campaign. Outcast said it will include a PSA for the "One Text or Call Could Wreck It All" campaign on its Pumptop TV network, which broadcasts content and advertising to over 12,000 gas stations nationwide.

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Burstly Raises $5.5M More

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Burstly , the mobile advertising startup headed by Evan Rifkin, has raised $5.5M in a Series B round, according to reports. The round came from GRP Partners, Rincon Venture Partners, and SoftBank. Rifkin is the former founder of Tagworld. Burstly first opened up its service in October of last year; the firm raised $1.8M in March of 2010.

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NewEgg Deal Glitches Google Offers

socalTECH

A promotional deal by City of Industry-based NewEgg briefly crippled Google Offers this morning, after Google offered $40 to spend at NewEgg for only $20. The offer--which rapidly sold out this morning--apparently caused lots of issues for prospective buyers, according to widespread Twitter messages. Southern California-based NewEgg is an over $2 billion in sales retailer of computer products, consumer electronics, and other merchandise.

NewEgg 150
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Fallbrook Technologies Expands Efforts In Asia

socalTECH

San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies , the developer of continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmissions aimed at the bicycle and electric vehicle market, reported today that it has expanded in Asia. the firms said it has tied with Perfect Sport International Ltd (PSI), to expand its sales efforts in Taiwan and China. PSI will help Fallbrook with sales and business development in the region.