L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Santa Monica-based augmented reality advertising and software provider Vertebrae announced Nov. 12 the launch of its new e-commerce AR platform, Axis.

Commerce 244

Commerce Platform Santa Monica Advertising 244

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Hawthorne-based space launch provider SpaceX , led by technology mogul Elon Musk, has just been given permission to launch a massive, 7,518 satellites into space, designed to provide saturated broadband communications across the globe. The FCC said on Thursday that it would allow the new, SpaceX satellite constellation, on top of another 4,425 satellites it already had been given permission to deploy into space.

SpaceX 133

SpaceX Hawthorne Design Platform 133

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 10, 2018

Jason Rowley. Contributor. Jason Rowley is a venture capital and technology reporter for Crunchbase News. More posts by this contributor. The SaaS VC gap: China & other markets trail the US. Early-stage SaaS VC slip snaps recovery as public software stocks soar. Crunchbase News recently profiled a selection of U.S. companies’ largest VC raised in 2018 , and no surprise here: the 10 largest rounds all topped out well north of $100 million.

Venture Capital 231

Venture Capital SaaS News Los Angeles 231

Berkonomics

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Allow me to reminisce. This is the final post of this cycle. Next week we return to the start of the journey, focusing upon the “what and how” to ignite a successful enterprise from start-up to exit. But, for this short moment…. Looking back over an entrepreneur’s journey. As I look back over more than fifty years as an entrepreneur, I can think of the financial focus of my three entrepreneurial businesses as a prime driver in my life during the early stage of each.

Coach 120

Coach Startup Organization Invest 120

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

L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Glendale-based ServiceTitan Inc. has secured $165 million in funding from a venture capital group to build out its home services software firm through acquisitions and moves into new markets.

Venture Capital 147

Venture Capital Glendale Capital Acquisition 147

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Los Angeles-based mobile game developer Jam City --which is led by former MySpace founder Chris DeWolfe--has inked a new mobile game development partnership with Disney , the two companies said this morning. According to Jam City and Disney, Jam City will take over development of Disney's existing, mobile game, Disney Emoji Blitz, and Jam City will have the right to develop new mobile games based on characters from Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Mobile 140

Mobile Glendale Acquisition Los Angeles 140

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

GreatCall, the maker of the Jitterbug cellphone and other products and services for older adults, has extended its partnership with the San Francisco-based ride-hailing company Lyft to offer GreatCall customers the ability to schedule rides without a smartphone app. No financial terms were disclosed. The San Diego-based healthtech company said Tuesday it is rolling out GreatCall Rides nationally, after testing it with customers in California, Florida, Arizona, and the Chicago and Dallas/Fort Wor

San Diego 105

San Diego Equity Custom Customer 105

L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

SpaceX launches communications satellite; Sony bows out of E3 but Activision and Warner Bros. are in; Boring Co.

Activision 113

Activision SpaceX Report 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Fountain Valley-based computer gaming products maker HyperX , which is a division of Kingston Technology, said it has partnered with global e-sports entertainment firm Allied Esports , to obtain the naming rights for a new, e-sports areana based in Las Vegas at the Luxur Hotel & Casino. According to HyperX, the new arena will be called the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas , in an exclusive, multiyear naming rights partnership.

Entertainment 133

Entertainment Content Activity Platform 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 10, 2018

Every technical entrepreneur is an early adopter of technology, so naturally they build things with people like themselves in mind. Unfortunately, for most solution markets, early adopters represent only 10 to 15 percent of the total opportunity, so it’s easy to get mislead on the real requirements of mainstream customers. Psychologists call this the confirmation bias.

Technical Review 96

Technical Review News Custom Customer 96

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

It seemed like the perfect match: A scientist founder from a top-tier academic institution; A technological innovation based on years and millions of dollars of federally-funded research in a university lab; And a successful entrepreneur and industry veteran named as the CEO of the startup that would take the work forward. But soon after the scientist and CEO began working together, problems began.

Tips 105

Tips Press Research Entrepreneur 105

L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

SpaceX internet satellites approved; WeRecover gains $2 million; Snap complies with request for IPO details

SpaceX 113

SpaceX Report 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Irvine-based cybersecurity software developer Cylance has been acquired by BlackBerry , in a deal worth $1.4 billion in cash, BlackBerry announced this morning. Cylance, develops artificial intelligence-based cybersecurity software, which detects and reacts to cybersecurity threats. Cylance was co-founded and is led by Chairman and CEO Stuart McClure.

Artificial Inteligence 133

Artificial Inteligence Platform Software Development Software 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Isn’t it amazing that some people you know always seem to be working hard, but never seem to get anything done? As an entrepreneur, you need to avoid partnering with these people, or hiring them into your startup. The challenge is to find people who get things done, as well as work hard. LinkedIn profiles and resumes still focus too much on responsibilities rather than results.

Startup 87

Startup Organization Entrepreneur Satisfaction 87

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

A growing number of startups are trying to encourage people to share genomic and other health data for research purposes by offering them some form of compensation. Now, as competition in this young sector ramps up, one of the big questions is what type of incentive will attract the most individuals. The latest experiment comes from Nebula Genomics, the San Francisco- and Boston-based startup co-founded last year by Harvard University professor and genomics pioneer George Church, and backed by $

Startup 104

Startup Competition Research San Diego 104

L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Netflix tries mobile-only subscription; Snapchat drops prices for AR ads; ServiceTitan brings total funding to $326 million

Netflix 113

Netflix Snapchat Report Pricing 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Camarillo-based Semtech , the developer of analog and mixed signal semiconductors, announced a design win in India this morning, with Indian startup EasyReach Solutions. Semtech said that EasyReach will use its LoRa wireless radio frequency technology into its industrial and smart vehicle monitoring products. The company's technology will used by EasyReach in sensors for steam traps, concrete mixers, forklifts, diesel tankers, back hoes, water meters, and trucks, according to Semtech.

Design 133

Design Technology Startup Product 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2018

The cost of entry to the entrepreneur lifestyle is at an all-time low, but the challenge of winning and success is at an all-time high. Anyone can build a new web site, or publish a smartphone app for a few thousand dollars, but getting market penetration requires a lot more. Customers have come to expect disruptive change, so yet another social network is not the way to get traction.

Entrepreneur 86

Entrepreneur Social Network SpaceX Ideas 86

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Having to wait for a package to arrive generally doesn’t result in severe consequences, besides perhaps a feeling of frustration. Some deliveries, however, are only useful if they arrive on time. Logistics startup Airspace Technologies says its “next-generation” technology, developed specifically for time-sensitive shipments—donated organs slated for transplant and replacement parts for tarmac-bound airplanes, for example—can process shipments faster and cheaper than other third-part

Technology 85

Technology San Diego Examples Organization 85

L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Google opens office doors to historic Playa Vista office; SpaceX honors first African-American NASA trainee; LAEDC predicts prosperity without Amazon

SpaceX 113

SpaceX Google Report 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Lovell Minnick Partners , a private equity investor which has one of its offices in Los Angeles, has acquired a majority of SRS Acquiom , a provider of technology-enabled services for the mergers and acquisition (M&A) market. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. SRS Acquiom's technology and services are used in the M&A settlement and risk management areas, including shareholder representation, escrow administration, dealing with pre-closing shareholder solicitations,

Equity 133

Equity Los Angeles Acquisition Venture Capital 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

As the rate of change continues to increase in business and technology, the more I’m convinced that marketing is the primary key to success for a new venture. Yet I find that many technical founders don’t feel they need it at all, or at best point to one person on the team who is marketing. I believe the real challenge is make your whole team a marketing machine.

Marketing 71

Marketing Tips Technical Review Social Media 71

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Most drugs target proteins in the cell, but the world of RNA has remained largely untapped by companies making chemical-based, or small-molecule drugs. That’s changing though—just in the last couple of years, there’s been a mini-boom in biotechs trying to overturn the long-held dogma that messenger RNA molecules (which carry the genetic instructions for proteins to the cell’s protein-making machinery) are undruggable.

Funding 79

Funding Startup Develop Development 79

L.A. Business Journal

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Elon Musk talks sewage and other Boring application with Eric Garcetti; Vertebrae launches AR platform for e-tailers; Wii users will have to look elsewhere for Netflix

Netflix 113

Netflix Report Platform 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Camarillo-based analog and mixed signal semiconductor developer Semtech announced a design win this morning, saying that smart home technology developer Savant is using the company's chips in a design. According to Semtech, Savant is using its BlueRiver AV-over-IP chipsets for a new IP video product line. Those products provider 4K video over IP to residential and commercial markets.

Design 133

Design IP Product Marketing 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

As an advisor and mentor for many startups and small business founders, following my initial career in big business, I realize that the key strategies to achieve success in small businesses are often different from those that make larger businesses successful. The primary difference is the amount of time you have to spend working in the business versus on the business.

Sales 69

Sales Organization Entrepreneur Examples 69

Xconomy

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Synthetic biology company Synthorx is laying plans for an initial public offering to raise money to advance its suite of enhanced cytokine drugs. The San Diego-based company says it wants to use the proceeds to put its lead product candidate, an investigational cancer therapy that’s based on the drug interleukin-2 (IL-2), through dose escalation and expansion trials, and to develop products based on the same compound to treat autoimmune disorders.

San Diego 76

San Diego Product Develop Development 76

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Over the last three days, Southern California has been under siege, as "Red Flag" weather conditions and one of the warmest and driest summers on record for the region helped turn two fires--the Hill Fire , started in Thousand Oaks on Thursday, and the Woolsey Fire , started near the old Rocketdyne site in Simi Valley--into a raging inferno, consuming 85,500 acres in the Woolsey Fire and 4,531 acres in the Hill Fire, all between Los Angeles County and Ventura County. 179 structures were tallied

Southern California 133

Southern California Thousand Oaks Westlake Village Ventura 133

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Santa Monica-based WeRecover , a startup which operates an online search site to help people find addiction recovery centers, has raised $2M in a funding round, the company said this week. The funding was led by Crosslink Ventures, and also included Box Group, Wonder Ventures, and Struck Capital. According to the firm, its search engine uses an algorithm to help tie people into accredit rehab centers based on the budget, insurance, clinical needs and location.

Santa Monica 124

Santa Monica Sites Capital Funding 124

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Netflix , the streaming movie and television service which has significant operations in the Los Angeles area, told its users over the weekend that it will be shutting down access to its service from Nintendo's venerable Wii gaming console. According to Netflix, it is shutting down its services ahead of Nintendo's announced closing of the Wii Shop Channel on Nintendo Wii in 2019.

Netflix 124

Netflix Services Los Angeles Platform 124

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Los Angeles- and New York-based venture capital investment firm Greycroft Ventures is the lead investor in a new, online marketplace for the freight and trucking industry. According to Scottsdale, Arizona-based startup Emerge , it has raised $20M in a seed funding round, which was led by Greycroft, as well as other existing investors. The startup was founded by veterans of the logistics industry, Andrew and Michael Leto, who created Globaltrans, a third party logistics company which was acquired

Invest 113

Invest Seed Funding Venture Capital Los Angeles 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

San Diego-based VoxOx , a provider of cloud-based communications services, has been caught at the center of a massive breach of SMS messaging security , after security researchers discovered VoxOx had left open one of its servers--allowing the security researchers to see--in real time--millions of SMS messages between VoxOx customers and others. Those SMS messages included password reset links, two factor authentication codes, and other data, including one-time codes from Los Angeles companies l

San Diego 113

San Diego Research Los Angeles Custom 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Huntington Beach-based Rocket Lab said on Thursday that it has raised a big new funding round, worth $140M, in its Series E funding round. The funding was led by Future Fund, and also included Greenspring Associates, Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC (Data Collective), Promus Ventures, K1W1, pluse the Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand.

Platform 113

Platform SpaceX Design Funding 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Santa Monica-based customer relationship management (CRM) software developer Nimble has launched a newly upgraded Android version of its app, saying on Wednesday that its new Mobile CRM 3.0 for Android includes new enhancements and integration with Office 365 and G Suite. The developer of CRM tools said its newly upgraded tools gives access to email, calendar, and social contact history; access to detailed dossiers on customers and prospects; ability to scan business cards; management of multipl

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Tool Email Software Development 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

San Diego-based ACEA Biosciences , a developer of cell analysis tools, has been acquired by Agilent Technologies for $250M in cash. Agilent said it completed the acquisition late Wednesday. ACEA develops two platforms used for cellular function and metabolism measurements, used in. immuno-oncology, pre-clinical drug discovery and development, and basic academic resaerch.

San Diego 113

San Diego Acquisition Tool Platform 113

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Glendale-based ServiceTitan , which develops software used by home services contractors to manage their businesses, has raised $165M in its Series D funding, the company said on Wednesday, giving the company a $1.65 billion post-money valuation. The funding was led by Index Ventures, and also included Dragoneer, T. Rowe Price, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners and ICONIQ Capital.

Glendale 113

Glendale Pricing Software Funding 113