SoCal CTO
NOVEMBER 21, 2008
Google now shows me an option to push things in my search results to the top. It's an interesting choice. Doesn't it seem like it's inviting problems. Basically the only people who will spend time on this is people trying to improve their search rankings. The rest of us signal with lots of other things like links, bookmarking, etc. Not sure I buy this approach from Google.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 6, 2008
This morning, Los Angeles-based Mogreet (www.mogreet.com) announced it had raised a Series B funding round for the firm's mobile greeting services. We caught up with James to hear more about the company, how he managed to get funding even in this economy, and his view on the mobile market. For those who haven't tried your service, tell us the story behind the site and how you started it?
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Jason Nazar
NOVEMBER 23, 2008
Is there a difference between tech startups in Silicon Valley vs. Los Angeles? Most emphatically, Yes ! I’ve spent the last year running a tech company based in Santa Monica , CA and I’ve spent countless weeks in the Bay meeting with hundreds of tech founders. As unreliable as stereotypes may be, these are my generalizations. Bay area founders are amazing technologists.
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 30, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- LAFlashapaloozastock. Please join the LA Flash Adobe User Group for the third LAFlashapaloozastock. LFPS3 is a free, all-day Flash event, with industry-renowned speakers from around the world, on topics including 3D, Wii integration, design creativity, character animation, and ActionScript coding. See [link] (more).
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Technology Council
NOVEMBER 20, 2008
“Digital Content Distribution’s Brave New World: Trends & Issues&# was our topic last Thursday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Monica. The first in what we hope is a series of digital media-related events for the Technology Council, this program focused on trends and opportunities in digital content distribution. Turn-out was stronger than expected for this [.
Frank Addante
NOVEMBER 18, 2008
I did this video interview for Dog and Pony (below) about Creating a Culture of Innovation. Many of the viewers asked that I share our list of Cultural Values here at the Rubicon Project. So, here they are. the Rubicon Project Cultural Values Innovation: We invest our thinking and resources into change that will propel the industry and this company forward.
Southern California Tech Central brings together the best content for technical professionals in Southern California from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
Aliso Viejo-based High Tower Software, a venture-backed developer of security, compliance, and log management software, has shut down. A spokesperson at the firm told socalTECH that the shutdown occurred yesterday, and that the firm is now in the process of looking for buyers of its technology. High Tower was backed by Falcon Fund, Hallador Venture Fund, INROADS Capital Partners, J.F.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 24, 2008
Torrance-based Knowledge Adventure, which develops software for the educational games market, said today that it has inked a deal with Unity Technologies to develop a "3D virtual world" geared at kids. According to the firm, it will create a new virtual world aimed at kids 3-10, which will allow children to access the firm's JumpStart and Math Blaster branded software online, via the iPhone and iPod Touch, Mac, and Wii.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 21, 2008
Woodland Hills-based United Online said Friday that it has promoted Robert J. Taragan to President of the firm's Communications segment, and named Matthew J. Wisk as President of the firm's online loyalty business, MyPoints.com. Taragan has been at United Online since 2000, and was EVP Operations. Wisk has been at United Online since 2005, and was EVP and Chief Marketing Officer.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 20, 2008
Irvine-based WebVisible announced today that it has acquired Pasadena-based Adapt Technologies, a developer of search engine marketing tools. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. WebVisible is a provider of local online advertising services, which helps small and midsize businesses place search engine marketing. Adapt Technologies was venture backed by Concept2company, Emergence Capital Partners, and Mohr, Davidow Ventures; the firm had raised $9.8M in 2005.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 19, 2008
Woodland Hills-based ReachLocal said late Tuesday that it has expanded into the United Kingdom, and opened up a new office in London. ReachLocal, which provides services that help local businesses buy search engine advertising, said it has launched ReachLocal UK Ltd., which will offer its local online marketing solutions to small and medium-sized businesses in the UK.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 19, 2008
Los Angeles-based You2Gov.com is looking to extend the firm's online tools to small businesses, nonprofits, trade associations, and lobbying firms, saying Tuesday that it has created a new way for organization to use its tools. According to You2Gov, the firm will help organizations load their databases into the firm's site, provide a private login page for those organizations, and give those groups a free listing on the site.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Los Angeles-based Boingo Wireless has acquired another Wi-Fi networking provider, saying Monday that it has purchased the WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) from Parsons Transportation Group. WSDOT provides Wi-Fi access to the Washington State Ferries ferry fleet. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. According to Boingo, the acquisition adds 11 Washington State Ferries terminals, and 15 ferries to its network, which is used by commuters, professionals, and tourists on the ferry system.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 13, 2008
Newport Beach-based MBAinteract , a site developing a social and professional networking site for MBA students, said Wednesday that it has added Dr. J. Galen Buckwalter, former Chief Scientist at eHarmony, to its board, as part of an unspecified investment from Buckwalter. Amount of the investment was not disclosed. According to the firm, Dr. Buckwalter will assist the firm by personally directing research operations related to the firm's technology, which is used to match job candidates and emp
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
San Diego-based OpenCandy , a new startup focused on software recommendations and downloads, said this morning that it has raised $3.5M in a venture capital funding. According to OpenCandy, the funding round came from Bessemer Venture Partners, O'Reilly Alphatech Ventures, and Reid Hoffman of LinkedIn and Jordan Greenhall of DivX. OpenCandy said it is developing technology which allows developers to recommend other software products.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 11, 2008
San Diego-based Accelrys, a developer of software for the scientific market, announced today that the firm has inked a deal with Becton Dickinson to include its products in a Becton Dickinson offering. According to Accelrys, Becton-Dickinson will integrate the firm's SciTegic Enterprise Server (SES) product into the BD AttoVision software. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 11, 2008
Irvine-based Specific Media said this morning that it has launched a new ad platform, which it says will simplify management and delivery of advertising. According to Specific Media, its new Dynamic Display product allows advertisers to control and customize up to three areas in an ad template, specifically targeted to a user and user profile. The firm said the offering can be used to highlight different products, business locations, and sales incentives based on distinct audience profiles.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 6, 2008
Los Angeles- and San Diego-based Veoh (www.veoh.com), an online video sharing site, has laid off 20 people, or roughly 18-20 percent of the firm's employees. A spokesperson for Veoh told socalTECH that the changes affected every group in the firm, and was because the firm wanted to make smart choices early on in the game given a possible internet advertising slowdown.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
Anaheim-based Where 2 Get It , which provides location-based services, said today that it has signed on Flemin's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar as a customer. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. According to Where 2 Get It, its Mob ile Web Locator will be used by Fleming's as a part of a new mobile web site. Where 2 Get It develops software used for locating retail stores via zip code or address, for both web and mobile platforms.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
San Diego-based Staccato Communications, a developer of ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless chips, has scored a certification for its products. According to the firm, its Ripcord2 single-chip UWB products have received the official WiMedia PHY certification. WiMedia is a new standard targeted at high speed, wireless multimedia communications, specifically in the areas of PCs, consumer electronics, and mobile applications.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
Santa Monica-based Userplan has extended the firm's chat applications, saying Tuesday that the firm will connect users of its chat application across different web sites, regardless of where they are on the web. According to Userplane, users of its Userplane Chat App can chat with other users logged in anywhere on the chat application, which previously only offered chatting within a specific web site.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
San Diego-based Awarepoint (www.awarepoint.com) is a developer of systems for tracking hospital assets, patients, and doctors, using RFID tags. The firm is announcing a substantial Series D funding round today, so we spoke with the firm's CEO, Jason Howe, to get the details on the company and what it's doing. Congrats on funding. Explain what your products do?
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 21, 2008
Fountain Valley-based D-Link has scored a design with a manufacturer of in-flight entertainment players, the firm announced earlier this week. D-Link said that its wireless 802.11 a/b/g adapters are now being used as part of a in-flight entertainment product from manufacturer digEcor, which develops the systems for airline customers. Financial impact of the design win was not disclosed.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 20, 2008
Pasadena-based online dating provider eHarmony said Wednesday afternoon that it will launch a same-sex matching service, called Compatible Partners, as a result of a lawsuit filed against the firm by the state of New Jersey. eHarmony had faced scrutiny and criticism for refusing to accept gay members to its computerized matching site. According to eHarmony and the New Jersey Attorney General, eHarmony has not been found in violation of New Jersy's Law Against Discrimination.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 18, 2008
Pasadena-based Central Desktop, which develops project management software-as-a-service, said today that it has released a new version of its services targeted at the enterprise. The firm said its new Enterprise Solution Package is targeted at the mid-market, with enterprise-grade functionality. The new package includes access to the firm's platform, along with new enterprise features such as better security, SLA guarantees, and Salesforce.com integration.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
San Diego-based Escalate Retail, and Anaheim-based Where 2 Get It are announcing this morning that the two firms are in a partnership. Escalate Retail, which develops ecommerce software, and Where 2 Get It, which develops software for mapping out retail locations, said they will integrate Where 2 Get It's tools in Escalate's Blue Martini software. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 11, 2008
Los Angeles-based online social question and answer site Sodahead.com said today that the firm has reached more than 1 million registered users at the site. Sodahead.com, which operates a web site where users can ask and answer questions, share opinions, and network with other users, said that it has now recorded more than 5 million votes and 8 million comments on the site.
socalTECH
NOVEMBER 3, 2008
Los Angeles-based Spot Runner has laid off 115 employees, as part of a new strategic plan, a spokeperson for the firm confirmed Monday. According to Spot Runner, the 115 represents about 30 percent of the company. A spokeperson for the firm told socalTECH that the change was due to an "unprecedented change in the economic environment." Spot Runner provides online services that help place television advertising, and is venture backed by Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), Grupo Televisa, Legg Ma
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 30, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- Entrepreneur Mentor Society continues its "LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR" series. Meet two successful entrepreneurs who will share their startup story as well as provide insightful advice on how best to start your venture! Come learn the skills to launch your entrepreneurial dreams. See [link] (more).
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 30, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- "Building a Virtually Integrated Life Sciences Company" Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum. The traditional business model dominating the pharmaceutical industry for over 100 years is rapidly eroding under new drivers for innovation and increasing financial pressures. Big Pharma as an integrated business from basic scientific research all the way through to marketing, manufacturing, and distribution is rapidly changing as more biotechnology innovation is coming straight f
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 29, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008 -- Holiday Breakfast Meeting. BIOCOM. You won't want to miss this fun breakfast as we close out 2008 with the very entertaining hypnotist, Tom Deluca. The perfect balance of entertainment and meaningful content, DeLuca's program will open the imagination to allow the creativity to emerge in an amazing way. Whether you want to be a volunteer to come up on stage or just watch from the sidelines, it will be a unique experience for us all.
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 28, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008 -- Los Angeles Girls In Tech. Launch. Join the "Girls in Tech" organization as it kicks off its official launch party. See [link] (more).
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 28, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008 -- LAdobe: Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Website Nightmares. Join the Los Angeles Adobe User Group's Adam Bell as he shows off new features in Fireworks CS4, Adobe's John Schuman on Dreamweaver CS4 and the finals of our first Website Nightmares competition. See [link] (more).
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 28, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008 -- VC Outlook 2009. Dealmaker LA. See [link] (more).
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 -- Hollywood Web Televsion Meetup: December. The 4th monthly Hollywood Web Television Meetup brings together Los Angeles' rich, diverse creative talent for the purpose of sharing resources, finding opportunities for collaboration, and helping talented content creators to shape the future of web television. See [link] (more).
SoCal Tech Calendar
NOVEMBER 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 -- H.E.A.R.T. Holiday Networking Event. TechBizConnection, AeA, AWT and TCVN HEART Holiday Event. meet. mingle. celebrate. You are cordially invited to our Holiday Event and Annual Roundup of Technologists. Enjoy a fantastic evening of food and networking and make this holiday evening one to be remembered. See [link] (more).
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