Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2021

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of talking to Samir Kaji on the Venture Unlocked podcast about a wide range of topics that we as venture capitalists think about everyday, including: How to build a generational firm?—?retaining partner talent and finding the complimentary networks and skillsets firms need to succeed over time The state of venture today and how COVID crammed 10 years of technological change into one accelerated year The human psychology of decision making and one book I think

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Sales Startup Invest Funding 375

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 21, 2021

Century City-based TrillerNet, the owner of short-form video platform Triller, is preparing to file a confidential direct listing with the Securities and Exchange Commission in July that values the company at more than $5 billion, according to a source familiar with the plans.

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Century City Platform Company Companies 331

TechCrunch LA

JUNE 22, 2021

This Thursday, Apple will mark the opening of a new store in downtown Los Angeles. The space occupies the newly renovated Tower Theatre, which opened in DTLA’s Broadway Theater District in 1927. Among other milestones, the 900-seat theater was the first in LA to be wired for the talkies, hosting a premier of “The Jazz Singer” that same year.

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Education Los Angeles Press Hollywood 299

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2021

Santa Monica-based Revolution Prep, an academic testing and tutoring preparation company, has scored private equity funding from Apax Digital Fund. Size of the funding was not announced. According to Apax Digital, the new funding will go to expand Revolution Prep's offering and to increase access to its online tutoring services. The companies said that Revolution Prep has been in the business for over 20 years, and has served more than 1 million families.

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Funding Santa Monica Equity Services 200

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

Berkonomics

JUNE 24, 2021

It is hard to coach or teach leadership in a few paragraphs. But let’s try by limiting this short insight to a list of the five principal tactical skills of a great leader. These are not the strategic visionary skills, like leading companies through risky product launches, or steering the course through economic storms where leaders become oversized personalities for their superhuman efforts.

Organization 156

Organization Coach Metrics Training 156

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 21, 2021

Pasadena-based energy technology company Heliogen Inc. has raised a total of $108 million in two funding rounds to help develop its industrial solar energy technology, the company announced June 15.

Technology 299

Technology Pasadena Funding Help 299

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2021

I often hear the popular notion that successful entrepreneurs are built from a single heroic insight or a single innovation. This is just plain wrong. The business world is a symphony of players and elements that only works when everything interconnects harmoniously. Continuous innovation and continuous learning are required for any sustained connection and success.

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Ideas Entrepreneur Study Product 158

socalTECH

JUNE 22, 2021

Apple said on Tuesday afternoon that it is launching a new effort in Los Angeles called Apple Creative Studios, which will help provide career-building mentorship, professional industry skills training, creative resources, and access to Apple's full product lineup of iPhone, iPad, and Macs to underrepresented communities. According to Apple, the new program will include eight to 12 weeks of programming and access to mentors.

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Mentor Los Angeles Training Resource 124

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 23, 2021

Bird Rides Inc. announced that it will launch an e-bike sharing service in the U.S. and Europe.

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Platform Services 223

Tech.Co

JUNE 22, 2021

PayPal has announced price hikes for some of its merchant fees. The new changes, which take effect in August, will see fees rise from 2.9% to as much as 3.49% for some PayPal Digital Payments. These changes could have big impacts on some small businesses. However, it's not all bad news, as charity transactions will drop below 2%. Here's a closer look at the fees and the changes that PayPal will be making.

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Guide Pricing Platform News 143

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2021

If you are one of the many professionals still trapped between jobs by circumstances outside your control, or are about to dump the loser job you have now, you should be actively defining and starting your own business, in parallel with looking for that ideal job. Let me explain why this is a win-win deal, no matter what the outcome. You have probably secretly always wanted to run your own show, but with an existing job, never took the time to consider a startup.

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Startup Social Network Activity Ideas 156

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2021

San Diego-based Blue Sky eLearn, a provider of online learning and virtual event systems, said this week that it has named Scott A. West as the company's Chief Financial Officer. West previously was CFO of Heritage Group, where had had been since 2014. He also previously served at Chief Accounting Officer at Websense and Lytx. Blue Sky eLearn provides an online learning management system and virtual event services.

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San Diego Services Company Companies 113

L.A. Business Journal

JUNE 23, 2021

Apple Inc. is launching a creative mentorship program in Los Angeles for youths from underrepresented communities.

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Los Angeles Angel 173

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 23, 2021

Tuesday, June 29, 2021 -- Long Beach Small Business Online Networking Event. The Long Beach SBDC is hosting a virtual networking event on Tues. 29/6/2021 at 4:30pm PDT for business owners interested in exchanging ideas. See [link].

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Long Beach Networking Ideas 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2021

Many people seem to have the sense that ethics are spiraling downward in business, and unfortunately most startup professionals and entrepreneurs I know don’t believe they can make a difference. They don’t realize that if they don’t take an active role in the solution, they really become part of the problem. I do believe that most business people want to do the right thing, but many just don’t have the skills to develop an unemotional ethical position, or confidence to act on their ethical belie

Tool 154

Tool Organization Course Examples 154

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2021

San Diego- and Pennington, New Jersey-based OncoSec Medical said late Thursday that the company's CEO, Daniel O'Connor, has resigned. The company has appointed Brian Leuthner as the company's Interim CEO. Leuthner was previously Chief Operating Officer at the company. The reason for the sudden resignation were not given. OncoSec said former CEO O'Connor also is stepping down from his seat on the company's board of directors.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 23, 2021

As a consumer, I rarely pay attention to your marketing pitch, but I certainly always remember a exceptionally positive total experience with your team, based on a memorable set of interactions from first contact to discussions with friends. Yet, as a business consultant, I often find minimal focus on improving employee engagement and assessing their customer-facing performance.

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Custom Customer Technical Review Metrics 147

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2021

It seems like everyone wants to be an entrepreneur and get rich these days. As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business reality. All the evidence says that over 99% fail to make that leap.

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Ideas Entrepreneur Mentor Resource 136

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2021

Ontario, California-based Maury Microwave, a developer of RF calibration, measurement, and modeling products, said on Thursday that it has been acquired by private equity investor Artemis Capital Partners. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Maury microwave was founded in 1957, with customers in the telcommunications, semiconductor, aerospace, defense, instrumentation, and research industries.

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Equity Acquisition Research Customer 113

socalTECH

JUNE 24, 2021

Los Angeles-based warehouse automation robot developer inVia Robotics has linked with fellow Los Angeles company Rufus Labs, a developer of wearables, to help with warehouse automation, the two announced this morning. According to the two companies, they are in a strategic partnership where they will serve shared customers with subscription model pricing to warehouse automation software, robots, and wearables.

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Los Angeles Pricing Help Software 113

socalTECH

JUNE 24, 2021

San Diego-based Drata, a startup working on security and compliance automation software, said it has raised $25M in its Series A funding. The funding was led by GGV Capital, and also included Okta Ventures, Silicon Valley CISO Investors (SVCI), Cowboy Ventures, and Leaders Fund. The company's founders are Troy Markowitz, Adam Markowitz, and Daniel Marashlian.

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socalTECH

JUNE 24, 2021

Los Angeles-based GOAT Group, the online marketplace for sneakers and many other items, has raised $195M more in funding, and now has a valuation of $3.7 billion, the company announced this morning. According to the company, the new funding was led by Park West Asset Management, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Franklin Templeton, Adage Capital Management, and Ulysses Management.

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Los Angeles Funding Pricing Capital 113

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2021

Los Angeles-based Bird says it is expanding into the bicycle sharing market, unveiling a new electric bicycle and a program to support what it calls "multimodal" cities. According to Bird, its new Bird Bike is designed for longer, 3-5 mile trips, and are equipped with a high-powered motor capable of handling hills with up to a 20% grade. Bird--led by founder and CEO Travis VanderZanden--says it plans to start rolling out the shared Bird Bike across North America and Europe this year.

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Startup Los Angeles Design Marketing 113

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2021

Los Angeles-based FaceCake, a developer of augmented reality shopping software, says it has launched a new product which allows its users to create and build a "dream closet" filled with both items they own and aspire to own. According to the company, the software allows consumers to add products from their favorite brands, retailers and influencers, virtually try them on, share them with friends, and buy single pieces or complete looks.

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Los Angeles Software Product Angel 113

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2021

Pasadena-based robotics developer Miso Robotics announced on Tuesday tht it has linked with global beverage dispenser manufacturer Lancer Worldwide, to build an automated beverage dispenser for commercial kitchens. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. According to Miso Robotics, the new product will help address record labor shortages at quick-serve restaurants (QSRs).

Pasadena 113

Pasadena Demand Funding Help 113

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2021

A new, Los Angeles-based startup, FitSwoop announced this morning that it has launched a new, health and wellness experience booking app. According to the company, its new app provides users access to fitness studios and wellness centers. The company says its new app is free to download and use. The startup was founded by Madeline Wolkove, who the company said spent 20 years at such companies as Nestle and Wm.

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Los Angeles Startup Angel Company 113

socalTECH

JUNE 23, 2021

How do you reinvent your startup-focused on in-person, grass roots marketing-in the face of a global pandemic? Our interview this morning is with Alex Nocifera of Los Angeles-based Field Day. Alex tells us about how the startup had to reinvent itself during the pandemic, and how it's now taking advantage of the resurgence of the economy to build its business.

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Marketing Los Angeles Zag Startup 113

socalTECH

JUNE 22, 2021

A new, Los Angeles-based startup, Donut, said today that it has raised $2M in a funding round. The funding came from Redalpine, Inventures, angel Robert Leshner (Compound), Entrepreneur First, and theowners of the Washington Nationals baseball team. According to the company, the new round brings its total raised to $3.8M. Donut is working on decentralized finance tools, including a set of banking tools built on the Ethereum.

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socalTECH

JUNE 22, 2021

Glendale-based software company Phonexa said this morning that it has launched a new suite of software which provides click tracking, suppression list management, and cloud phone services. According to the company, the additional software complements its existing call tracking and distribution, lead tracking and distribution, email and SMS marketing, and automated accounting products.

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Product Glendale Email Software 113

socalTECH

JUNE 22, 2021

Los Angeles-based VideoAmp, which provides video measurement software for the advertising industry, said today that it has named Cameron Meierhoefer as Chief Product Officer. Meierhoefer was previously CEO of SignalFrame, and also had been COO of Comscore, where he spent more than 17 years. VideoAmp is venture backed by Ankona Capital, Anthem Ventures, Mediaocean, RTL Group, Simon Equity Partners, Startup Capital Ventures, The Raine Group, Third Wave Capital, Wavemaker Partners, and ZenShin Capi

Product 113

Product Anthem Equity Advertising 113

socalTECH

JUNE 22, 2021

Elon Musk and his tunnel drilling company, The Boring Company, appears to be pitching the idea of using its tunnels for freight, according to pitch materials leaked from the company. According to Bloomberg, The Boring Company is now pitching wide tunnels, 21 feet across, which would be able to move two shipping containers side-by-side, with battery-powered freight carriers.

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Company Companies Ideas Technology 113

socalTECH

JUNE 21, 2021

Los Angeles-based startup accelerator and investor MuckerLab has opened up programs for its 2021 program, according to the accelerator. According to MuckerLab, applications for its Summer program are due by Tuesday, July 6th at 11:59pm. MuckerLab says it invests between $100,000 and $200,000 in companies in its accelerator program, with follow-on capital available over the lifespan of its investment.

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Invest Los Angeles Capital Startup 113

socalTECH

JUNE 21, 2021

Irvine-based asset tracking technology developer CalAmp--which owns the LoJack brand--says it is powering a new mobile telematics feature for the new SERES 3 electric SUV being distributed in Italy by the Koelliker Group. The company said all SERES 3 C-SUV electric vehicles, recently launched by Koelliker, will be pre-installed with LoJack Connect cutting-edge connected car intelligence and services.

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Mobile Services Technology Develop 113

socalTECH

JUNE 21, 2021

Los Angeles-based Songtradr, an online marketplace for licensed music, has raised $50M in its Series D funding round, the company announced this morning. The funding came from Regal, Aware Super, Perennial, Argo and Greencape. The company says it now has raised more than $100M. Songtradr is led by CEO Paul Wiltshire.

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Los Angeles Funding Angel Company 113

socalTECH

JUNE 21, 2021

San Diego-based biopharmaceuticals developer LENZ Therapeutics, a biopharmaceuticals firm which is developing an eye drop which helps treat presbyopia, has raised $47M in a Series A funding round. The company said the funding came from Versant Ventures and RA Capital Management. The company said when its eye drops are used, patient show "rapid and long-lasting" improvements in near vision, with 53% of patients showed three lines or more of reading improvement and 81% showed two lines or more.

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San Diego Funding Capital Help 113

socalTECH

JUNE 25, 2021

Los Angeles-based Tripp, a startup developing virtual reality applications which mimic the experience of psychedelic drugs, has raised $11M in a Series A funding round, the company said this week. The funding was led by Vine Ventures and Mayfield. The company's VR apps are an attempt to creat the visual and audio experience of a psychedelic trip, without the use of hallucinogens.

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Funding Los Angeles Startup Angel 100