Retina AI Raises $8 Million in Series A
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 12, 2021
Santa Monica-based analytics company Retina AI Inc. has raised $8 million in Series A funding for its artificial intelligence platform for consumer insights.
July, 2021
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Abodu raises $20M to build prefabricated backyard homes
TechCrunch LA
JULY 15, 2021
The need for more affordable housing has never been more urgent as a shortage in the U.S. housing market persists. Startups attempting to help address the shortage in a variety of ways abound. One such startup, Abodu , has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Norwest Venture Partners. Previous backer Initialized Capital also participated in the financing, along with Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman, former Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs, GGV investor Hans Tung and Paradox Capit
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Inspire Energy Capital Acquired By Shell
socalTECH
JULY 28, 2021
Santa Monica-based Inspire Energy Capital, a provider of renewable energy to the residential market, has been acquired by oil and gas giant Shell, the companies said Tuesday afternoon. According to the companies, Shell New Energies US LLC (Shell), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, has signed an agreement to buy 100% of the equity interests of Inspire Energy Capital LLC, which is jointly headquartered in Santa Monica and Philadelphia.
Tech Giants Mandate Vaccines for Return to Work
Tech.Co
JULY 29, 2021
As the world slowlyachieves successful Covid vaccine rollouts, tech giants Netflix, Google, and Facebook are now seeking to keep their employees safe by imposing strict vaccine mandates within their US workplaces. Debate is raging across the US about the requirement for vaccines – not least on Facebook itself – but the tech trendsetters are insisting that their own staff are fully vaccinated before returning to work.
Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19
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.
10 Startup Execution Steps Highlight The Finish Line
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 18, 2021
Businesses always seem to take longer to succeed than an entrepreneur expects. Seth Godin once said that overnight success in startups takes about six years, and Seth is an optimist. Thus we all look for shortcuts. Execution shortcuts would be hidden strategies to achieve the endgame sooner, without losing 40 to 60 percent of the financial potential along the way.
Are you willing to hire slowly but fire fast?
Berkonomics
JULY 22, 2021
Here’s a test of your patience and your willingness to suppress your tendency to avoid conflict or confrontation – all in the same insight. First a reminder about why we hire: New hires can shore up the weak areas of a business in ways existing employees cannot – if hiring is done to fill true needs. We acknowledge that some employees lose their drive, or remain behind as the company grows, failing to gain the experience or knowledge needed to manage expanded processes or numbers of subor
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FlyMachine raises $21 million to build a virtual concerts platform for a post-pandemic world
TechCrunch LA
JULY 14, 2021
As concerts and live events return to the physical world stateside, many in the tech industry have wondered whether some of the pandemic-era opportunities around virtualizing these events are lost for the time being. San Francisco-based FlyMachine is aiming to seek out the holy grail of the digital music industry, finding a way to capture some of the magic of live concerts and performances in a live-streamed setting.
MSBAI Snags $1M Contract From USAF
socalTECH
JULY 20, 2021
Los Angeles-based startup MSBAI, which is developing artificial intelligence tools for assisting in engineering reports it has received a $1M US Air Force grant. The company said it was selected for an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract, which will go towards adapting its GURU cognitive AI assistant to support the Air Force.
8 Keys To Maximizing Your Confidence and Self-Esteem
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 16, 2021
Confidence and self-esteem are critical to your success as an entrepreneur, or any business role. As a mentor, I’m regularly frustrated by people who try to cover their lack of confidence with ego and arrogance , rather than working on the base issue. Every business leader and investor I know quickly sees through the façade, and tags you as a high risk and difficult person to work with.
Will you BURN the next manager you hire?
Berkonomics
JULY 15, 2021
It seems to be a rule, not an exception. Many senior managers and early entrepreneurs create their own mess with this one. The first professional senior manager that an entrepreneur hires to share the growing workload does not last more than a year. You as a longer-term senior manager may make the same mistake and suffer the same result. What is the common problem?
Scopely Invests $50 Million in European Gaming Studios
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 19, 2021
Culver City-based mobile gaming company Scopely Inc. invested a combined $50 million in three boutique European game studios, the company announced July 19.
Is Paid Search Advertising Worth It for Businesses?
AllTopStartups
JULY 30, 2021
As of 2021, an astounding 2.14 billion people shop online. That’s an incredible 900 million more digital shoppers than there were in 2020. The US alone boasts 230 million online… The post Is Paid Search Advertising Worth It for Businesses? appeared first on AllTopStartups.
EVgo Acquires Recargo For $25M
socalTECH
JULY 14, 2021
Los Angeles-based electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator EVgo said this morning that it has acquired Recargo, a developer of e-mobility software. According to EVgo, it paid $25M in an all-cash transaction for Recargo, including a $3M loan repayment. Recargo was founded in 2009, and operates PlugShare, an online community for EV drivers, and also developed PlugShare, a mobile payment platform for EV cahrging networks.
6 Keys To Getting Beyond Basic Incremental Innovation
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 14, 2021
One of the business ironies that many entrepreneurs have learned the hard way in the past is that ideas which are truly disruptive carry the highest risk of failure, take the longest to gain traction, and thus are the least likely to get external funding. So some entrepreneurs stick with incremental solutions, avoiding more transformational or adaptive solutions implying disruptive change.
Can you be an adaptive business leader?
Berkonomics
JULY 8, 2021
The title of this insight happens to be the name of a CEO roundtable organization I belong to and have been a member since 1989 (Adaptive Business Leader Organization – or ABL). The organization, like Vistage, manages roundtables of CEOs meeting monthly in small groups, where they discuss their mutual challenges and help solve each other’s complex problems, acting as an informal board of advisors.
General Motors Invests $71 Million to Launch Pasadena Campus
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 19, 2021
Detroit-based General Motors Co. will invest more than $71 million in a 149,000 square-foot campus in Pasadena, the automotive giant announced July 13.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business? A Complete Guide
AllTopStartups
JULY 27, 2021
One of the first and most daunting questions every entrepreneur faces is “how much does it cost to start a business?” And the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every… The post How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business? A Complete Guide appeared first on AllTopStartups.
Transphorm Bolsters Board
socalTECH
JULY 6, 2021
Goleta-based gallium nitride semiconductor products developer Transphorm said last week that it has named a new member of its board of directors. The company said it appointed Ms. Kelly Smales to the board of the gallium nitride (GaN) power conversion device maker. Smales previously was CEO of KnuEdge (formerly Intellisis), company in the machine learning hardware and software area.
6 Obligations That Come With Startup External Funding
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 11, 2021
As an angel investor to startups, I’m still surprised to find entrepreneurs who expect investors to give them money, and assume no strings attached. Would you do that if it was your money? If the entrepreneur wants total control of their own venture, with no one looking over their shoulder, they should work within the limits of their own resources, a process called bootstrapping.
Is your CFO a bookkeeper or a strategist?
Berkonomics
JULY 1, 2021
Here’s one that most small company founders and CEO’s miss until it may be too late. What is the role of a chief financial officer in growing and protecting the company? How about co-strategist? I recently coached a CFO in a small company to urge the CEO to stop working upon the operational issues and focus upon the future, even if that meant a pivot to protect the business as the world was changing in that industry at an accelerated rate.
Endgame Raises $17 Million For Sales Strategy Software
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 15, 2021
Software company Endgame Labs Inc. raised more than $17 million across two funding rounds.
WINNING CO. USES APP TO HELP LGBTQ COMMUNITY UCSD Students Win Pitch Competition
Startup San Diego
JULY 11, 2021
The post WINNING CO. USES APP TO HELP LGBTQ COMMUNITY UCSD Students Win Pitch Competition appeared first on Startup San Diego.
Richie Knows Launching Social Network For Gamers In LA
socalTECH
JULY 23, 2021
A new startup, Richie Knows, says it is launching new, social network targeted at gamers, in Los Angeles. According to the company, the startup is looking to match up players with new friends and competitors as they travel. The company said it is launching a four-week Alpha test in the San Fernando Valley, as it attempts to help gamers build friendships and connect with fellow players in their local community.
5 Strategies For Recognizing Early The Need To Change
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 24, 2021
Every entrepreneur realizes that change is now the norm, and they have to adapt their business quickly to survive and prosper. In fact, the best entrepreneurs seem to see breakthrough changes coming even before they really happen, and are able to turn them into huge new opportunities. In the trade, this rare capability is called the ability to see around corners.
Are the “FIVE WHY’S” in your arsenal?
Berkonomics
JULY 29, 2021
This is a trick headline. . There can be three “whys” or twenty, depending upon the issue and the responses. To make the point, the word “why” has to be one of the more powerful words in your vocabulary. Asking the question forces the other person to think beyond the usual “what” that generated your first “why.”. It sure is a way to get to the bottom of an issue. .
AR Combat Training Company Red 6 Moves To Miami
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 14, 2021
Red Six Aerospace, which creates AR combat training for the military, has moved it headquarters to Miami.
What are the Business Benefits of Dedicated Internet Access?
Southern California Edison Blog
JULY 8, 2021
Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is a powerful setup for enterprises looking for fast speeds, network reliability , and secure connectivity. DIA connections are privately monitored and leased to customers directly from the provider, freeing up internal IT teams from time-consuming network management tasks to focus on more important business growth projects. .
Moonshots Capital Raises $36M In Second Fund
socalTECH
JULY 20, 2021
Los Angeles-based venture capital investor Moonshots Capital announced on Tuesday morning that it has raised $36M in its second fund, Moonshots Fund II. The venture investment firm--led by Kelly Perdew and Craig Cummings--said the new fund will continue to go to late Seed and Series A investments. Both Perdew and Cummings are military veterans, and very often back military veteran founders According to the fund, although it invests across geographies, it does make a lot of investments locally, w
Viterbi Startup Garage Oceanside Chat
SoCal Tech Calendar
JULY 27, 2021
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 -- Viterbi Startup Garage Oceanside Chat. Crossing the fundability gap + Summer Smasher Student Showcase. Most startups come to early stage VCs and angels woefully unprepared for equity funding. What will successfully garner you non-dilutive financing is not the same as what makes a startup a venture fundable opportunity. Join Genevieve LeMarchal at the next Oceanside Chat at USC Viterbi Startup Garage to learn the most common areas that entrepreneurs overlook when seeki
6 Management Strategies To Maintain Brand Leadership
Startup Professionals Musings
JULY 23, 2021
Every one of you business owners I know has worked hard to build your brand, and recognizes the critical value of instant brand recognition and leadership. You have done everything to register your brand legally , including domains, copyrights, patents, and trademarks. Yet, as an outside advisor, I often see slippage over time on protecting your brand , which can be costly.
Heliogen to Go Public in $2 Billion SPAC Deal
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 12, 2021
Pasadena-based energy technology company Heliogen Inc. will go public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, in a deal that values the combined company at $2 billion.
Tripp Melds Meditation and Virtual Reality
L.A. Business Journal
JULY 12, 2021
Meditation has helped Nanea Reeves through some of the most difficult points in her life, including the loss of her sister and husband.
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