socalTECH

AUGUST 31, 2018

Verity Health , the California hospital chain which had been acquired by LA biotech billionare Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong , has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company said on Friday. In a release, Verity said that it intends to all or some of its assets in Chapter 11 and is actively seeking potential buyers. The bankruptcy filing was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California  Los Angeles Division.

Los Angeles 100

Los Angeles Activity Software Technology 100

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 30, 2018

Grindr considers China IPO; Santa Monica picks four scooter companies for pilot program; California carbon-free utility measure heads to Governor Brown

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Report Company Companies 113

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 30, 2018

Electric scooter manufacturer Bird Rides Inc. announced Aug. 30 it is one of the official participants in Santa Monica’s shared mobility pilot program. The program will begin Sept. 17 and includes not only Bird, but scooter manufacturer Neutron Holdings Inc., which manufacturers and operates Lime Scooters, as well as e-scooters and e-bikes operated by Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Mobile Company Companies 113

SoCal Tech Calendar

AUGUST 30, 2018

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 -- Thinking Like a VC. Cal Lutheran Center for Entrepreneurship. Featuring: Rob Vickery, Partner and Co-Founder: Stage Venture Partners. Rob Vickery, Co-Founder of Stage Venture Partners, which is one of LA's leading enterprise software venture capital fund, will be exploring the core principles of venture capital and core due-diligence techniques that are adopted in this area of finance.

Venture Capital 100

Venture Capital Software Review Capital Software 100

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

socalTECH

AUGUST 28, 2018

Simi Valley-based unmanned aerial vehicle maker Aerovironment says it has donated one of its drone systems--its Quantix robotic drone--to the West Point Military Academy. According to AeroVironment its MacReady Works unit donated the system to support West Point's robotics research center. AeroVironment said that the drone will be used by West Point's Center for Innovation and Engineering and Geography and Environmental Engineering Department.

Research 113

Research Customer Custom Product 113

Xconomy

AUGUST 31, 2018

If you’re a city dweller, and unhappy with the big company that provides your Internet connection, chances are good there’s a scrappy little outfit that thinks it can do better for you. Metropolitan areas have become target territories for the wireless Internet service providers, or WISPs, that for a long time have been the only options for rural residents whose neighborhoods aren’t reached by giant telecom companies such as Comcast and AT&T.

Networking 79

Networking Services Custom Customer 79

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2018

Now is the time to be an entrepreneur and create a business from your passion. The cost of rolling out a business has never been lower – it only takes a few hundred dollars to incorporate a Limited Liability Corp (LLC) online, create your own website, use social media to get attention, and you are in business. In the early Internet days, it would cost a million dollars to get this far.

Funding 73

Funding Social Media Slides Platform 73

socalTECH

AUGUST 31, 2018

Brea-based networking hardware maker TP-Link has rolled out a new wireless router, which provides up to 1733Mbps speeds on the 5Ghz band and 800Mbps on 2.4Ghz. According to TP-Link its Archter C2700 router operates on the AC2600 dual band Wi-Fi standard, and uses Intel processors. TP-Link says the router is the first in a line of routers that it will use intel's technology.

Pricing 100

Pricing Networking Technology Company 100

Xconomy

AUGUST 30, 2018

Diffbot , a tech startup that continuously scours the Web to assemble a “knowledge graph” of billions of facts in context, announced today that it’s opening up the searchable resource to the public—with starter rates as low as a cable TV bill. Mountain View, CA-based Diffbot gleans unstructured data scattered across websites, ads, blog posts, videos, and other public online assets to create a knowledge repository that can be mined by companies for their specific purposes.

Web 75

Web Google Blogging Resource 75

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 31, 2018

Santa Monica e-scooter operator Bird Rides Inc. announced its new platform to help cities manage the influx of their scooters. Called GovTech, the platform was announced Aug. 29, the day before Santa Monica announce the companies chosen to participate in its city-wide shared mobility pilot program. Bird was among the four companies chosen for the program.

Platform 113

Platform Santa Monica Mobile Help 113

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2018

Most of you new venture founders I meet as an angel investor seem convinced that starting the business is the hardest part. You look forward to the day when your business becomes self-sustaining, and settles into a long-term growth curve, ensuring financial success. Unfortunately, sustainability is proving to be a more and more complex challenge in this era of rapid change.

Examples 67

Examples Customer Custom Software Review 67

socalTECH

AUGUST 31, 2018

Culver City-based Signal Sciences , which develops web security tools for DevOps and web applications, has signed up healthcare platform developer Castlight Health , the two said this week. According to the companies, Castlight Health is using Signal Sciences for its digital health platform, for tighter control of its web security. Financial details of the win were not announced.

Platform 100

Platform Culver City Develop Development 100

Xconomy

AUGUST 30, 2018

The first medicine that uses RNA interference, a method cells employ to mute a gene before it can make a harmful protein, has made its way to Europe. Three weeks after the FDA approved patisiran (Onpattro) , from Alnylam Pharmaceuticeuticals (NASDAQ: ALNY ), for a rare and deadly disease called hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), the European Medicines Agency has followed suit.

San Diego 59

San Diego Blogging 59

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 31, 2018

Sixteen-year Warner Media veteran Kristen O’Hara joining Snap Inc.; Electric scooter company Bird launches new tools for cities to manage e-scooter fleets; web security firm Signal Sciences Corp. inks deal with health care platform Castlight Health Inc.

Media 113

Media Report Web Tool 113

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2018

In this era of rapid market and technological change, I know I have to challenge my small business advisory clients to keep innovating and stay ahead of the game. As you can imagine, it is human nature to look for a stable and unchanging business process, after all the pivots and chaos of starting your business. Innovation driven only by crises is not leadership and growth.

Metrics 58

Metrics IBM IBM Competition 58

socalTECH

AUGUST 31, 2018

Los Angeles-based mobile app demo technology developer AppOnboard , which is led by serial entrepreneur Jonathan Zweig, said this week that it has launched the ability to demo apps and games directly within Google Play. According to AppOnboard, it worked with Google to launch App Store Demos, which allows users to preview games and apps directly from within Google's app store.

Google 100

Google Mobile Los Angeles Capital 100

Xconomy

AUGUST 31, 2018

Before you head out for the final summer getaway, catch up on the week’s headlines. Pfizer upped the ante in the field of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) treatment, where competition to treat the rare disease has grown increasingly complex. We’ll start with what was—and wasn’t—in Pfizer’s data release Monday, top up with more ATTR news, then round up a slew of drug approvals, a slug of policy news, and a welter of financings and deals.

News 49

News Startup Competition San Diego 49

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 29, 2018

More VR training for med students at CHLA; MoviePass rival Sinemia announced new subscription service; lineup announced for new advertiser pitchfest NewFronts West conference.

Training 113

Training Conference Advertising Report 113

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2018

Despite the fact that the number of IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) for startups have continued to stay low, I still hear it touted often as the preferred exit strategy. I suspect the exuberance for an IPO is still being driven by the highly visible successes of a few companies several years ago, including Facebook, Yelp, and Twitter. Everyone dreams of becoming a billionaire overnight.

Acquisition 51

Acquisition Study Marketing Startup 51

socalTECH

AUGUST 30, 2018

Redondo Beach-based MyCrypto , a developer of open source tools for interacting with the blockchain, said today that it has raised $4M in a funding round. The funding came from Polychain Capital and crypto-exchange operator ShapeShift, along with Ausum Blockchain Fund LP and Boost VC Fund LP, plus others. MyCrypto's CEO is Taylor Monahan. READ MORE>>.

Redondo Beach 100

Redondo Beach Tool Venture Capital Funding 100

Xconomy

AUGUST 27, 2018

The FDA has rejected the rare-disease drug volanesorsen (Waylivra), which is being developed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IONS ) and its subsidiary Akcea Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AKCA ). Ionis, based in San Diego, and Akcea, in Cambridge, MA, had high hopes for approval after a committee of outside experts in May recommended the drug by a 12-8 vote.

San Diego 49

San Diego Organization Develop Development 49

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 28, 2018

RelayCars Inc., located in Rancho Dominguez, announced today its virtual reality automobile viewing app will soon be available on Magic Leap Inc.’s newest VR headset, the Magic Leap One.

113

113

TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 26, 2018

The online gaming community is responding to the mass-shooting that occurred at a Madden 19 competition in Jacksonville, Florida , as reports identify the shooter involved in the attack and his victims. Mass shooting at Madden Championship Series event in Florida leaves several dead. The shooter was identified by police as a 24-year-old white male, believed to be from Baltimore.

Report 26

Report Los Angeles Competition Screening 26

socalTECH

AUGUST 30, 2018

Los Angeles-based gay and bisexual dating app developer Grindr is planning an IPO in China , according to regulatory filing. The filing came from Kunlun Group, a Chinese company which has majority control of Grindr. It's unclear which exchange Grindr's parent company is intending to list the company. READ MORE>>.

Los Angeles 100

Los Angeles Angel Develop Development 100

Xconomy

AUGUST 28, 2018

Puls Technologies , whose on-demand technicians repair broken smartphones and install connected home devices, announced today it has raised $50 million to expand its reach as a unified source of device maintenance and consumer support. San Francisco-based Puls, founded in 2015, offers to dispatch technicians quickly to a customer’s home or office to replace malfunctioning parts, mount a widescreen TV on the wall, or install smart home devices such as security systems, voice-activated assistants,

Services 43

Services Screening Demand Activity 43

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 27, 2018

Santa Monica cloud computing firm Onica Inc. announced Aug. 27 it acquired cloud consultation and Amazon.com Inc. Web Services provider TriNimbus Technologies Inc.

Cloud Computing 113

Cloud Computing Santa Monica Web Services 113

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2018

Although professional investors may discount the impact of crowdfunding, they can’t argue with the growth of this new industry in the last few years. According to statistics by Fundly , crowdfunding contributed $34 billion in funding last year around the world, including peer-to-peer lending. That exceeds the amounts contributed in the U.S. by either angel groups or VCs alone.

Equity 72

Equity Entrepreneur Funding Statistics 72

socalTECH

AUGUST 30, 2018

Los Angeles-based EPARTRADE , which operates an online marketplace for performance racing parts, said this week that it has named John Kilroy as its Chief of Content and Audience Development. According to EPARTRADE, Kilroy will be Development, responsible for developing and implementing the overall content strategy for the company. The company said Kilroy was most recently Editor, Vice President, and General Manager at Performance Racing Industry, Inc. including overseeing the annual Performance

Content 100

Content Los Angeles Develop Development 100

Berkonomics

AUGUST 30, 2018

I am a gadget freak, often purchasing new technologies in their first release. And my closet is full of such gadgets, from early pen-based computers to early brick-sized cell phones to an electronic handwriting recognition pad received as a gift to test. These early dives into new technologies serve a purpose for me. They keep me at the leading edge of new development as it is productized, even before mass production.

Artificial Inteligence 120

Artificial Inteligence Pricing Design Product 120

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 28, 2018

Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Santa Monica-based Happy Returns is expanding its return services via 125 Paper Source stores nationwide.

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Services 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 30, 2018

DataDirect Networks , the developer of high performance computing (HPC) and enterprise storage products, says it expects to finalize its acquisition of data storage array maker Tintri , in what it says is "the next few days". DDN is in the process of buying Tintri out of bankruptcy. DDN says it expects the acquisition to close this month. DDN said the acquisition will significantly bost its product portfolio and addressable market.

Acquisition 100

Acquisition Chatsworth Networking Product 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 30, 2018

Venice-based on-demand, electric scooter rental startup Bird has rolled out a new set of tools aimed at helping cities better manage the hordes of its scooters on its streets, the company said this week. Bird said its new GovTech Platform lets cities track how their citizens are using its scooters, set up "geofences" where those scooters are not allowed to be ridden or parked, and also access data on trips and usage using an API.

Tool 100

Tool Venice Demand Platform 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 29, 2018

San Diego-based Obalon Therapeutics , a publicly held developer of medical devices to treat obesity, has raised $10M in a private placement, the company said this week. The company said the investment came from included certain unaffiliated institutional investors, members of the company's management team and the board of directors and certain of their affiliated funds, including Domain Associates and InterWest Partners.

San Diego 100

San Diego Pricing Invest Funding 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 29, 2018

Irvine-based Zadara , a developer of enterprise cloud storage hardware and related storage services, has raised $25M more in a funding round, the company said on Wednesday. The funding was led by IGP Capital, and also included the company's existing investors. According to Zadara, it has now raised a total of over $60M in total equity. The data storage products company, which is led by Nelson Nahum, said that the funding will go towards accelerating growth, including expanding including expandin

Equity 100

Equity Sales Services Funding 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 29, 2018

Santa Barbara-based Sonos --the Central Coast's newest IPO darling --said on Wednesday that it has launched a new product called Sonos Amp , and also said it plans to work closer with third parties to integrate into its technology. The new Sonos Amp is a home audio amplifier, tied into the very well connected Sonos streaming ecosystem, but which powers traditional, wired speakers.

Santa Barbara 100

Santa Barbara Platform Technology Product 100

socalTECH

AUGUST 29, 2018

Santa Barbara-based Impact --formerly, Impact Radius--said this morning that it has made a number of executive appointments. According to the company, it has named Marc Fanelli to General Manager (GM), Forensiq and Altitude, promoted Michael Head to GM, and hired Jesper Rathje as chief financial officer (CFO). Fanelli was most recently SVP, Global Data & Analytics for Acxiom, and also served at Merkle, and will be based in New York.

Santa Barbara 100

Santa Barbara Advertising Marketing Product 100