July, 2017

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I Only Have 7 Trips Left. On Managing Work / Life Balance, Love & Family

Both Sides of the Table

Like many people these days, I spent much of my 20’s and early 30’s thinking about work & fun and not too much about “the future.” Like characters from one of my favorite novels “ The Unbearable Lightness of Being ” life seemed very light. My first son was born the day before my 35th birthday so the decade that followed was very heavy and consequential.

Carson 286
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Boy! If I had only learned this before spending a million!

Berkonomics

Know your market and competition, or don’t spend a dime on anything else. I love absolutes – statements with no wiggle room for gray-area responses. Well, here is one of those, and it deals with market research first and foremost. Close. Let me tell you a short story at my own expense. In 1994, (I know a long time ago), I invested over a million dollars into a company whose entrepreneurs had a vision that I bought into for many reasons, not the least of which was that I had industry experience

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Tesloop Ride Sharing Service Expands

L.A. Business Journal

Long-haul commuting is better in a Tesla. That’s the theory behind Tesloop of Culver City, a car service which ferries passengers on highway trips between 50 miles and 200 miles around Southern California in Tesla Inc.’s Model X or Model S cars.

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How Phyn Is Bringing The World Of High Tech To Water Conservation, With Ryan Kim

socalTECH

The world of plumbing is not known for its high tech products. However, that makes it an area ripe for technology innovation. We spoke this morning with a Los Angeles startup, Phyn (www.phyn.com)--which recently spun out of Belkin in a joint venture with Uponor--to talk about the company's water monitoring devices, which apply some remarkably sophisticated research and computer technology to monitor the usage of all of a home's water--all through monitoring a single water pipe.

High Tech 176
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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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What’s the Business Model for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare?

Xconomy

This story is part of an ongoing Xconomy series on A.I. in healthcare. These are heady times for using artificial intelligence to extract insights from healthcare data—in particular, from the tidal wave of information coming out of fields like genomics and medical imaging. Yet as innovations proliferate, some age-old business questions have come to the fore.

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On-Demand Startups Are Completely Changing the Industry

Tech.Co

It was not long ago that the apps on our smartphones were, by today’s standards, basic. They played music, allowed us to text, and the very pioneering apps tracked our daily step count and sent us news alerts. That all changed with social media , and now everyone is glued to their phone’s screen. The successor to social media, at least in terms of cultural significance, are the on-demand apps that have us reaching for our phones not just to message friends, but to make transactions.

Demand 71

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Everything changes from concept to release.

Berkonomics

Close. You can take this headline as a rule, not an exception. You’ll recognize the truism, “No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy” first stated by German Field Marshall von Moltke way back in the 19 th century. Our variant of the “battle plan” truism is important to internalize. A product at the concept stage contains feature-functionality that customers may not want or be willing to pay for, or which just might not work well enough for release to the public.

Custom 256
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Asian Goods E-Tailer Yamibuy Raises $10 Million

L.A. Business Journal

Asian goods e-tailer Yamibuy has raised a $10 million Series A round led by GGV Capital of Beijing, according to a Monday press release.

Press 177
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Soylent Now Available In LA 7-11 Stores

socalTECH

Stopping by your local, Los Angeles 7-11 convenience store for a free Slurpee today? While you are there, you might notice that you can now buy Soylent , the meal replacement product created by Los Angeles-based Rosa Foods. According to Soylent, it started offering up its "nutritionally complete, ready-to-drink meals" at 18 of 7-Eleven's stores in the Greater Los Angeles area on Monday, including a number of locations across Los Angeles, plus Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, and elsewhere.

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New Frontier: Space Center Crowdfunds for Mission Control Facelift

Xconomy

Houston —Houston, Mission Control has a problem. The storied control room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston—recognizable to many of us from 1960s news clips of the dawn of the Space Age – –is in need of a face-lift. And so, Space Center Houston, the visitor’s center for the JSC, has turned to the latest in financing tools, crowdfunding, for help.

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How Snapchat Could Increase Team Production

Tech.Co

Being intentionally productive is something we all strive for, but often fail to achieve. After being disrupted with an email notification, an average person will need 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain their focus again. Yet as an entrepreneur, you can rarely hide under the rock and pretend there’s nothing else happening around you and no one is demanding your attention.

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Big Data Day LA

SoCal Tech Calendar

Saturday, August 5, 2017 -- Big Data Day LA 2017. Big Data Day LA is the largest of its kind, and completely free, Big Data conference in Southern California. Spearheaded by Subash D’Souza and organized and supported by a community of volunteers, sponsors and speakers, Big Data Day LA features the most vibrant gathering of data and technology enthusiasts in Los Angeles.

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Don’t rest until you test!

Berkonomics

So, you have a great new product or service that you and your associates love. Early adopters should climb all over each other for a look. But what have you done to test the concept against the realities of the marketplace? Have you developed a prototype, alternate pricing schemes, even a PowerPoint mock-up to show to potential buyers? I would be very, very nervous without testing the product in the market as early as possible, ready to make changes and enhancements before committing to prod

Resource 256
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Departures Launch Aerospace Industry Up List

L.A. Business Journal

Aerospace companies rise to the top of the employers list after two other businesses depart.

Company 176
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Blackbird Links Santa Monica, Palm Springs

socalTECH

A new, air travel startup, Blackbird , said today that has launched new service between Santa Monica and Palm Springs, part of a expansion of the startup beyond its Bay Area roots. According to Blackbird, the startup, regional air service offers up flights starting at $124, and hopes to serve such destination which aren't well served by commercial airlines, such as Santa Monica and Palm Springs.

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Find your “teacher customer.”

Berkonomics

Your customers know what they want more than you do. Find one to teach you. Close. This week’s insight came from personal experience and from a good friend who advanced the notion of the “teacher-customer” years ago. I internalized this phrase, recalling the many times I had partnered with customers to design new feature-functionality into my hotel computer system back when such systems were brand new to the industry.

Customer 243
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Elon Musk Claims ‘Verbal Approval’ for Hyperloop Route From NY to DC

L.A. Business Journal

Elon Musk said on Thursday that his Boring Co. received “verbal approval” to build an underground hyperloop system from Washington, D.C., to New York.

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E-Sports Company aXiomatic Joins Disney Accelerator.

L.A. Business Journal

Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that e-sports company aXiomatic was one of 11 companies chosen to participate in the 2017 Disney Accelerator program.

Companies 165
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YP Holdings Acquired By Dex Media

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based YP.com , the provider online directories and services to help businesses get their companies online which has been remade by a number of technology executives into a provider of local business marketing and automation software, has been acquired by competing directory provider Dex Media. Dex Media said on Friday that it has acquired YP Holdings , which operates both YP.com and the Real Yellow Pages, and will create a new combined company called DexYP.

Media 208
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Astro-Tek Industries Acquired By White Wolf Capital

socalTECH

Anaheim-based Astro-Tek , an aerospace manufacturer, has been acquired by private equity investor White Wolf Capital , the two said Wednesday morning. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. White Wolf Capital said it acquired the majority stake in Astro-Tek through a newly formed company, Consolidated Machine Tool Holdings, LLC. Astro-Tek develops equipment used by aerospace and defense companies to manufacture, test, maintain, and service aircraft, satellites, rockets, and missiles.

Capital 157
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Guidance Software Acquired By OpenText For $240M

socalTECH

Pasadena-based forensics software maker Guidance Software has agreed to be acquired by OpenText , in a deal worth approximately $240M, Guidance said this morning. Guidance, which is best known for developing the EnCase forensic security software, said OpenText will pay $7.10 per share in cash for all of the company's outstanding shares. Guidance was advised by Morgan Stanley and Atlas Technology Group, along with Latham & Watkins, in the deal.

Software 153
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Rubicon Project Buys nToggle

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based online advertising exchange operator Rubicon Project has acquired programmatic advertising technology developer nToggle , in a deal worth $38.5M in cash. The deal was completed on July 14th, according to Rubicon Project. Rubcion Project said the technology developed by nToggle will be made available on Rubicon Project's platform in the coming months. nToggle was based in Boston, Mass.

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Josh.ai Finds $11M For Voice Activated Home Assistants

socalTECH

Jstar, the creators of Joshai , a voice activated home assistant, has raised $11M in funding, according to the company. The company has offices in Los Angeles, and is led by longtime LA serial entrepreneur Alex Capecelatro. Source of the funding was not announced. Capecelatro previously founded Yeti and AtThePool. Josh.ai was co-founded by CTO Tim Gill, who was founder of Quark, Inc.

Activity 145
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Yes, You Can Get A Scholarship To College To Play Overwatch

socalTECH

Are you a competitive, e-sports player specializing in Overwatch , the popular title developed by Blizzard? The University of California, Irvine, said on Wednesday that it will offer up an e-sports scholarship to the school, where it will provide $2500 a year to players who attend the school--and commit to another 15-20 hours per week working on practice, team meetings, competitions, and other efforts.

Coach 145
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Professional Certifications for Independent Contractors

L.A. Business Journal

Professional certifications can increase credibility, boost confidence, and help differentiate your services. Here are 9 professional certifications to consider.

Help 145
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Whisper Chops Staff

socalTECH

Venice, California-based Whisper , which operates an app and website that lets users share anonymous thoughts--and combines that with other content--has reportedly laid off 20 percent of its staff, or 14 out of its 71 employees, according to a report on Friday. Whisper, led by Michael Hayward, has raised $61M in total funding. READ MORE>>.

Venice 140
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Impact Health Raises $13M For Health Insurance Marketplace

socalTECH

Looking for the best health insurance plan for you? Pasadena-based Impact Health said Monday that it has raised $13M in a Series A funding, to help connect patients with health insurers. The startup said the funding came from Techstars Venture Capital Fund and Foundry Group. The startup, led by Christine Carrillo, says it helps patients enroll in health plans, find doctors, help contesting surprise medical bills, and check for what is covered under their health plan.

Pasadena 140
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Snap Inc. Shares Tumble After Underwriter Downgrades Stock

L.A. Business Journal

Snap Inc., the Venice developer of the Snapchat app, took a pummeling on the stock market on Tuesday, falling nearly 9 percent to close at $15.47 a share.

Venice 140
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Newegg Supports Children's Hunger Charity

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based online electronics retail Newegg said today that it has tied with non-profit charity No Kid Hungry , to support the group's efforts to help combat childhood hunger. According to Newegg, it will build awareness of No Kid Hungry's efforts within its base of customers, encouraging them to donate in increments of $1, $5, or $10, and match donations from its customers up to $75,000.

NewEgg 138
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Cinq Music Raises $20M In Series B

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Cinq Music , a data-driven record label, distribution, and rights management company, has received $20M in a Series B funding, according to funding provider GoDigital Media Group. According to the two, Cinq Music will use the funding to purchase music rights, both masters and publishing, and to further expand internationally. Cinq Music primarly has focused on Latin music.

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UBTECH Robotics Rolls Out Interactive Robot Kit

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based educational robot developer UBTECH Robotics said today that it has rolled out a new, interactive robot kit, the Jimu Robot BuilderBots Kit. According to UBTECH, the new robot kit lets kids build two different robots, the GrabberBot and DigBot, or a robot of your own design. The new product is aimed at the STEM education market. UBTECH said the new kit is a "perfect entry point" to learn the basics of building and coding your own personal robot.

Education 138
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Esri Extends Reach In Middle East, Africa

socalTECH

Redland-based GIS software developer Esri is expanding its reach in the Middle East and Africa, with a new relationship with NXN (formerly neXgen), the companies said this morning. NXN is a provider of consulting and digital services in the Middle East and Africa, focused on "smart city" consulting. Esri said that NXN will embed its ArcGIS platform and other technology in its services.

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Faraday Future Aborts Nevada Factory Plans

socalTECH

Troubled electric car maker Faraday Future has halted its plans to build a factory in Las Vegas, due to a cash crunch, according to a report from local Nevada news sources. According to the report, Faraday Future has decided to "put a hold on" its factory in Nevada, where it had planneds to spend $1 billion on creating a 3 million square foot megafactory that Faraday Future claimed would create more than 13,000 jobs in Nevada.

News 138
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Digital Domain Expands In China, Taps Tech Veterans For Posts

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based visual effects company Digital Domain said on Wednesday that it is expanding in China, and has opened up new studio in Beijing. The company said it has named Frank Ming Wei--former President of YouKu.com--as Executive Director, Vice Chairman and CEO of Greater China, and also named three board members--including one from SoftBank. The three board members include Pu Jian (CITIC Limited), Alan Song (managing partner of SoftBank China Ventures Capital), and John Lagerling (formerl

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SpaceX Aims At Launch Today, After Weekend Delays

socalTECH

Hawthorne-based space rocket developer SpaceX is targeting launch of yet another Falcon 9 rocket later today, from NASA Kennedy Space Center, after a launch delay over the long weekend. SpaceX, which aborted its launch on Sunday due to "violation of abort criteria", is planning to launch the Intelsat 35e at 7:37 p.m. EDT (3:37 p.m. PDT) today. According to SpaceX, the launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) is expected to deploy the Intelsat satellite approximately 32 minutes after launch.

SpaceX 138
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NXT Robotics Names CEO

socalTECH

San Diego-based autonomous robot developer NXT Robotics Corporation said last week that it has named Darin Andersen as the company's Chief Executive Officer. Andersen is the chairman and founder of industry group CyberTech, and previously had been COO of ESET, and had been at Norman Shark, a malware analysis company later acquired by Blue Coat Systems.

San Diego 133