Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 30, 2016

Amongst the most often asked questions I get from founders is, “How much money should I raise?” Reflexively founders want to raise as much money as they can because they figure it will give them more resources, better chances of competing and a longer runways before they have to do the often painful job of asking, yet again, for money. Every time you ask for money you’re faced with the possible of feeling literally and figuratively like a failure.

Startup 292

Startup Software Review Pricing Entrepreneur 292

Berkonomics

JUNE 9, 2016

This story has been making the rounds lately, and I confess that our research cannot find the source. So, with thanks to whomever created this great little parable, here it is: “Every day, a small Ant arrived at work early and started work immediately, she produced a lot and she was happy. The boss, a lion, was surprised to see that the ant was working without supervision.

Report 233

Report Writing Startup Course 233

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2016

Woodland Hills-based ReachLocal is being acquired by publishing giant Gannett Co. , in a deal worth approximately $156M, the two companies said on Monday afternoon. ReachLocal said Gannett would pay $4.60 per share in cash for the company. VantagePoint Venture Partners and Rho Ventures--who own approximately 40% of ReachLocal--said it had agreed to tender their shares to Gannett as part of the acquisition deal.

ReachLocal 189

ReachLocal Woodland Hills Acquisition Advertising 189

TechCrunch LA

JUNE 21, 2016

Hyperloop One, a Los Angeles-based startup working on making Elon Musk’s crazy-fast vacuum tube transportation blueprint a reality, has agreed to partner with the Summa Group and the Russian Government to build a Hyperloop in Moscow. The Summa Group is a Russsian investment group with a large stake in infrastructure investments in the country including port logistics, engineering… Read More.

Los Angeles 188

Los Angeles Invest Angel Startup 188

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 Tech Calendar

JUNE 9, 2016

Santa Barbara-based Impact Radius , which develops digital marketing and affiliate marketing software, has raised $30M in a funding round, according to the company. The funding came from Silversmith Capital partners. Impact Radius--let by startup veteran Per Pettersen--said the new funding will go towards its platform, fund developmentof new products and services, and also to global expansion.

Software 153

Software Marketing Ticketmaster Santa Barbara 153

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 20, 2016

The Angels Flight funicular, billed as the shortest railway in the world, might be out of commission, but there’s a new way for enthusiasts to get their Angels Flight fix without leaving their computer.

Angel 167

Angel 167

InfoChachkie

JUNE 30, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. In 1987, when Rick Astley filmed the video for his hit song Never Gonna Give You Up , he had no idea it would eventually become one of the most viewed videos of all time. By 2016, the video had been watched over 218 million times. Never Gonna Give You Up ’s resurgence began in 2007, when a user on an obscure gaming site posted a link to Rick’s video under the heading for a trailer of the not-yet-released Grand Theft Auto IV video game.

Customer 162

Customer Custom Marketing Product 162

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2016

In what might end up being the most-sought-after summer camp experience ever for girls interested in technology and science, The Walt Disney Company said on Thursday that it is launching an on-campus, computer science immersion program aimed at high school girls. Disney said the program which will combine seven weeks of computer coding, with field trips to parts of The Walt Disney Company.

Web Development 177

Web Development Research Web Design 177

TechCrunch LA

JUNE 27, 2016

Buy organic groceries online, at an affordable price. That’s the mantra of Los Angeles-based Thrive Market, which has raised a significant $111 million Series B funding round, led by Invus. Thrive, which competes with similar online grocery services like Vitacost, believes there is a significant market opportunity to make natural foods more accessible to consumers and they’ve… Read More.

Organization 173

Organization Marketing Los Angeles Pricing 173

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 13, 2016

LinkedIn , the owner of Southern California's Lynda.com , is being acquired by Microsoft is a giant, $26.2 billion, all-cash deal, LinkedIn and Microsoft said this morning. According to the companies, Microsoft will pay $196 per share in cash for LinkedIn. LinkedIn bought Goleta-based Lynda.com in April of last year, paying $1.5 billion for Lynda.com.

Southern California 153

Southern California Company Companies Acquisition 153

Berkonomics

JUNE 16, 2016

Dave’s note: Our guest author this week is Kevin McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Alvaka Networks, a network services and security firm in Irvine, California. He is a trusted technology and security consultant and public policy advisory to some of America’s most influential people and organizations. .

Anthem 139

Anthem Software Review Email Organization 139

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 23, 2016

Kobie Fuller, Partner at Upfront Ventures We set out to build a venture capital firm that would not only be a beacon for the rapidly growing LA tech ecosystem but also one that would compete and collaborate nationally with the best firms in the country. To do that you need to have the most talented partners and operating staff because entrepreneurs (and venture capital funds) have choices about whom they will work with and the best deals go to the best firms.

Venture Capital 260

Venture Capital Startup SaaS Social Media 260

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 1, 2016

Docupace Technologies, which develops financial document management software, has raised a $16.5 million round of capital from Palisades Growth Capital and TVC Capital.

Doc 162

Doc Capital Software Technology 162

socalTECH

JUNE 30, 2016

Phil Hui-Bon-Hoa , the CEO of El Segundo-based Kaleo (www.kaleo.com), is a serial entrepreneur who has previously built and sold four companies, including one acquired by IFILM, and another by Sun Microsystems. He's now hard at work at a new company, Kaleo, which is tackling the enterprise, knowledge sharing market�and already has an impressive list of Fortune 500 customers.

El Segundo 169

El Segundo Southern California Startup CTO Hire 169

InfoChachkie

JUNE 23, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. “How much would you pay to have dinner with a lost loved one?” This was a question that my friend and mentor, Bob Wood and I recently discussed during one of our epic bike rides. We both concluded that we would sacrifice an absurd amount of our wealth to spend a few hours with the dear folks we have lost to old age and illness.

News 150

News Mentor Writing Entrepreneur 150

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 8, 2016

Los Angeles-based Heal , which develops an on-demand app and service which connects users with doctors for house calls, has named former co-owner, CEO, and President of the LA Dodgers Jamie McCourt to its board of directors. The company--which is led Dr. Renee Dua--said McCourt was already a founding investor in the company, having invested in the company's seed funding via Jamie Enterprises.

SoCalTech 144

SoCalTech Seed Funding Demand Los Angeles 144

Berkonomics

JUNE 30, 2016

Here is a variation of the “tree falls in the forest” question. In past insights, we’ve looked at leadership skills, ways to enhance effectiveness, and how to develop creative ideas that motivate and propel your organization to greatness. Here is the ultimate question for a leader…. You’ve heard the old saying that you can lead by fear or lead because people want to follow.

Examples 136

Examples Email Organization Ideas 136

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 16, 2016

Computer Vison Startup Nanit If you follow me on Snapchat ( msuster ) you might already know that I’ve been looking at and investing in a number of companies in the computer vision space. My thesis is that it will become a major I/O computing metaphor or as this field is sometimes referred to HCI ( human-computer interaction ). Today I am so excited to announce our latest investment in the category —  Nanit  — which is a smart baby monitor.

Invest 189

Invest Course Startup CTO Hire 189

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 10, 2016

J2 Global Inc.’s publishing division Ziff Davis has reportedly submitted an opening bid of $90 million to $100 million for Gawker Media, which is putting itself up for sale after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday.

Media 140

Media Report Sales 140

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2016

Two, Los Angeles area companies, Paladin Software , and Tipalti , said this week that they have linked up in a strategic partnership, to enable payments to video content creators across different countries. Paladin--which offers up software to manage contracts and payments for multi-channel networks (MCNs)--said it is using Tipalti's technology to streamline payment processing in a creator's local currency.

Westlake Village 157

Westlake Village Content Software Los Angeles 157

InfoChachkie

JUNE 16, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Entrepreneurs create their own jobs, why shouldn’t they also create their own degrees? As described in Should Millennial Entrepreneurs Skip College? , most young entrepreneurs benefit greatly from the college experience. However, off-the-shelf majors are typically not suited to the eclectic skills required to succeed in the startup world.

Entrepreneur 130

Entrepreneur Class Course Writing 130

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 13, 2016

Santa Monica-based salary comparison startup Comparably , which is led by startup veteran Jasaon Nazar, has run a survey of over 10,000 technology employers, to help break down some information about the pay gap between men and women. The startup's survey found that the pay gap is worst for women in the 18 to 25 year old age bracket. According to the survey and accompanying infographics--which compared the gender pay gap by age, ethnicity, level of education, and other factors --women are paid 2

Santa Monica 136

Santa Monica Report Education Los Angeles 136

Berkonomics

JUNE 23, 2016

Dave’s note: Here comes my favorite “tell-it-like-it-is” CEO, Kim Shepherd, with another of her “crazy” (meaning excellent) ideas to pry innovative ideas from associates. Does the headline grab your attention? Read on… By Kim Shepherd. What can your department or company buy if it had an extra million dollars? The quick answer is: a whole slew of great ideas.

Ideas 136

Ideas Tips Email Organization 136

Tech.Co

JUNE 2, 2016

Did you know that approximately 4,000 preventable mistakes occur in surgery every year, resulting in about $1.3 billion in malpractice lawsuits? That’s right, apparently the skilled surgeons rooting around in your stomach are not only falling asleep at the wheel, but they are also costing hospitals more money than you’ve ever seen in your entire life.

Education 97

Education Platform Los Angeles Tool 97

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 2, 2016

Subscription box startup Loot Crate, which sends toys and fan gear to subscribers in monthly mystery boxes, said it surpassed $100 million in sales last year and raised an $18.5 million Series A funding round.

Sales 140

Sales Funding Startup 140

socalTECH

JUNE 17, 2016

Los Angeles-based CheckAlt , which provides mobile check deposit and Check 21 payment services and software, said late Thursday that it has acquired Klik Technologies , a subsidiary of MUFG Union Bank, N.A., which provided receivables processing. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Klik Technologies was based in New York, and had over 120 employees.

Acquisition 138

Acquisition Los Angeles Mobile Services 138

InfoChachkie

JUNE 2, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Are you an entrepreneur that is thinking about dropping out of college? Answer the following four questions first. The startup careers of Zuckerberg, Ellison, Disney, Gates, Jobs, Branson and Dell make it seem that the path to entrepreneurial success is enhanced by avoiding a college degree. I even played into this mythology with a provocative article I wrote about college dropout successes.

Entrepreneur 130

Entrepreneur Startup Study Education 130

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 14, 2016

In the corporate world, events are more than just an event�they are opportunity to connect with your customers and turn potential customers into buyers. How do you make those events happen? We spoke with co-founder Ryan Costello about Santa Monica-based Event Farm (www.eventfarm.com), on how its software technology is being used to power high end, VIP events for large companies.

Sales 133

Sales Santa Monica Startup Orange County 133

Berkonomics

JUNE 2, 2016

Over the years I have counseled entrepreneurs to think of a “no” response in terms of “yes, but…” There is always another way to say “no” that leaves the door open for creative thinking. Well, almost always. Sometimes, you just have to suck it up and say “NO” with strong conviction. It usually happens after several attempts to find a “yes, but” solution to a problem or issue that just can’t be resolved.

Tool 131

Tool Organization Report Entrepreneur 131

Tech.Co

JUNE 2, 2016

This week the popular Los Angeles, CA-based ecommerce subscription company Loot Crate announced the successful close of a $18.5 million Series A fund. Loot Crate is monthly subscription that provides toys, accessories, swag and apparel based on pop culture, games, and other nerd related brands. They are considered a pioneer and one of the more successful offerings in the subscription space with more than 600,000 subscribers.

Downey 70

Downey Entertainment Los Angeles Commerce 70

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 3, 2016

Snapchat is reportedly set to roll out a redesign of its app in mid-June by merging its Discover and Live Story features.

Snapchat 173

Snapchat Report 173

socalTECH

JUNE 29, 2016

A new effort, led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and headed up by startup evangelist Krisztina 'Z' Holly, is looking to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and manufacturers in LA. The new MAKE IT IN LA effort recently published a study , which found that manufacturing has more employment in LA than the creative industry; and that there is excess capacity in Los Angeles for manufacturing, with lots of potential to tie that manufacturing expertise with LA's new startup culture.

Entrepreneur 145

Entrepreneur USC Los Angeles Study 145

InfoChachkie

JUNE 9, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Startups, much like ancient tribes, are comprised of a small number of people who band together to battle a cruel, hostile world. Like the tribe, a nascent venture’s survival is precarious and never guaranteed. Success requires everyone applying their specialized skills in concert toward the group’s common good.

Startup 116

Startup Carson Tool Conference 116

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 8, 2016

Students at the University of Southern California , as well as fellow students from area community colleges, said they are looking to launch a rocket into space--and help further STEM education--through its USC Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL). According to RPL, which is run by USC Viterbi School of Engineering students, it is working with the nonprofit Base 11, to be the first undergraduate team to launch a rocket into space.

USC 130

USC Southern California Education Research 130

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2016

The startup lifestyle is known to be stressful and challenging, but it’s also meant to be satisfying and fulfilling, with you as the entrepreneur in control of your own destiny. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way, based on my many years of experience with entrepreneurs and advising startups. The business can be successful, while the entrepreneur feels like a failure.

Satisfaction 71

Satisfaction Startup Entrepreneur Writing 71

Xconomy

JUNE 29, 2016

Reflexion Health, a San Diego startup founded in 2012 at the nonprofit West Health Institute, is moving to commercialize Vera, its physical rehabilitation system based on Microsoft Kinect’s motion tracking technology. After recently raising $18 million in Series B funding, the healthtech company also plans to add new products as it expands nationally among U.S. healthcare systems, CEO Joe Smith said late Monday.

Technology 74

Technology San Diego Funding Coach 74