TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 12, 2020

Uber could be forced to shut down its ride-hailing app in California for several months if a court doesn’t overturn a recent ruling that classifies its drivers as full-time employees, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in an interview with MSNBC. “It’s hard to believe we’ll be able to switch our model to full-time employment quickly,” Khosrowshahi said, noting it would force the company to temporarily shut down.

San Diego 284

San Diego Services Los Angeles Platform 284

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 10, 2020

Amid the most turbulent stretch in TikTok’s short history, the wildly popular social media platform is facing challenges that extend far beyond those posed by a hostile White House.

Social Media 264

Social Media Platform Media 264

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2020

Technology is so key to every business these days that experienced business-smart but non-tech entrepreneurs are feeling deeper and deeper in the hole. Even if they realize that they need real technical strength at the top, they are not sure how to attract and select the talent and expertise they really need. Should they go after high-tech nerds for partners, or professional technologists?

Competition 174

Competition High Tech Startup Social Media 174

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2020

Uber has threatened to shut down its service entirely in California, for at least a "several months", after a California superior court judge ordered both Uber and Lyft to reclassify its drivers as employees. In an interview on MSNBC, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that "it's hard to believe we'll be able to switch our model to full-time employment quickly," saying that it would have to shut down its on-demand ride service in California "for several months" if the court doesn't overturn its rul

Services 164

Services San Diego Demand Los Angeles 164

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

TechCrunch LA

AUGUST 8, 2020

Nearly eight years ago, Hamet Watt and Stacy Spikes launched MoviePass , the subscription-based movie ticketing service that captured the minds and dollars of investors and brought thousands of cinephiles a too-good-to-be-true deal for all-you-can watch movie passes. Watt, who came to MoviePass as an entrepreneur in residence at True Ventures, previously founded the brand and product placement startup NextMedium and also spent time as a board partner at Upfront Ventures.

Companies 249

Companies Company Idealab Tool 249

Berkonomics

AUGUST 13, 2020

Have you experienced a business failure? Are you currently at risk due to events you cannot control? Not all companies are successful. Your end game could be a failure of the business. In fact, many angel investors or venture capitalists look for and respect the lessons learned by entrepreneurs that have survived a failed business. The key question is: Why did an entrepreneur fail?

Startup 156

Startup Entrepreneur Venture Capital Course 156

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 14, 2020

Miso Robotics Inc., the Pasadena-based robotics and artificial intelligence company, has appointed tech veteran Michael Bell as its new chief executive.

Artificial Inteligence 147

Artificial Inteligence Pasadena Company Companies 147

socalTECH

AUGUST 14, 2020

San Diego-based renewable energy developer EDF Renewables North America has partnered with Abu Dhabi-based Masdar , a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, on a series of eight renewable energy projects in the United States. Financial details of the deal were not announced. According to the two companies, Masdar will acquire a 50 percent stake in a 1.6-gigawatt (GW) clean energy portfolio.

San Diego 140

San Diego Invest Develop Development 140

Xconomy

AUGUST 11, 2020

Bayer has been building up its women’s health drug pipeline by striking deals and on Tuesday the pharmaceutical giant unveiled its latest one : $425 million up front for KaNDy Therapeutics, a biotech whose experimental menopause drug is projected as a blockbuster seller. KaNDy’s small molecule drug, NT-814, is in development as a treatment for common symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flashes.

Startup 120

Startup Acquisition Develop Development 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2020

In my experience at all levels within large organizations as well as small ones, the team members valued the most, and usually promoted first, are the ones seen by others as indispensable or “goto” people. The challenge we all face is how to be one of these, without overworking, while still getting the right things done. What do these people know and do that you can’t do or learn?

Organization 166

Organization .Net Startup Examples 166

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 10, 2020

Dating app owner Match Group Inc. beat analyst expectations for the second quarter thanks to strong user growth at Tinder, the company’s highest performing subsidiary.

Help 130

Help 130

socalTECH

AUGUST 13, 2020

Brea-based display products manufacturer ViewSonic has donated 300, Raspberry Pi thin clients to the Los Angeles County Alliance for Boys and Girls Clubs, the company said this week. According to the company, the donation is aimed at providing technology resources for programs such as STEM and STEAM labs, SCALE-UP classrooms, robotics workshops and esports clubs.

Resource 124

Resource Los Angeles Technology Product 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

AUGUST 11, 2020

Monday, August 17, 2020 -- What do investors want to see before they write that check? Pismo Ventures. Join JJ Richa in fireside chat with Kathie Priebe and Roland Schumann about what investors look for. For first-time and experienced entrepreneurs, the lingering question is the same: How do I get an investor to write a check? Sometimes the process of raising money seems more like a mystery novel that takes months to unfold and concludes with disappointing results.

Writing 100

Writing Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2020

Many entrepreneurs are so enamored with their product vision that they believe their own hype, and are convinced that the market for their solution is so huge that no one will ask them for independent market research data. They don’t realize that business projections with no third-party validation have no credibility with investors, and smart potential investors will walk away.

Marketing 157

Marketing Statistics Research Report 157

L.A. Business Journal

AUGUST 10, 2020

Video sharing platforms that offer variations on TikTok’s core features saw a surge in downloads at the beginning of August after President Donald Trump said on July 31 that he wanted to ban TikTok from operating in the United States.

Platform 130

Platform 130

socalTECH

AUGUST 13, 2020

San Diego-based Micronoma , a startup working on early cancer detection, announced this morning that it has raised $3M in a seed financing round. The funding was led by SymBiosis, LLc. According to the company, it will use the funding to further advance its cancer detection technology. Micronoma said it is working on developing and commercializing a minimally invasive, microbiome-based method of early cancer detection.

San Diego 124

San Diego Funding Startup Technology 124

Xconomy

AUGUST 11, 2020

Ligand Pharmaceuticals plans to acquire recombinant protein therapeutics maker Pfenex for $438 million, the companies announced Monday. The larger company agreed to pay $12 per share for Pfenex (NYSE American: PFNX )—a 57 percent premium to its closing price Monday. San Diego-based Ligand (NASDAQ: LGND ) generates revenue from licensing deals and royalties paid by pharmaceutical companies that use technologies it develops or acquires for their own drug research.

San Diego 98

San Diego Technology Research Pricing 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2020

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. There are many levels of innovation that go beyond copying someone else’s idea, but stop short of pushing the leading edge (bleeding edge). Many of the major business successes started this way.

Startup 157

Startup Social Media Study Research 157

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 11, 2020

“I gotta say it was a good day.” I’m so fricking pumped today. Really, truly. Yeah, Valence announced > $5 million in funding led by GGV and Upfront. That IS a big deal, but I’ll get to that. But Kamala Harris was picked to be the Vice Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party. That means she’ll be the first female Vice President of the United States, the first female Black Vice President and the first Indian-American Vice President.

Funding 314

Funding Venture Capital Entrepreneur Networking 314

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2020

Los Angeles-based TipTags , which develops mapping software, says it has rolled out a new, mobile map-based system to help with the sharing of information about the pandemic. According to the company, its new system allows anyone to create, share, and access hyper-local information about such information as testing, local outbreaks and PPE availability.

Mobile 124

Mobile Los Angeles Platform Software 124

Xconomy

AUGUST 14, 2020

The road of drug development is rife with detours and disappointments but Seres Therapeutics showed this week that course corrections can work. Four years after its microbiome therapy failed in a mid-stage study, the company reported early positive data from a pivotal test of its treatment for a type of gut infection. The results are vindication for Cambridge, MA-based Seres (NASDAQ: MCRB ).

Study 63

Study Course Report Companies 63

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2020

Los Angeles-based MasonHub , a provider of fulfillment technology and services which is backed by Canvas Ventures, says it has integrated with digital returns provider Returnly. According to the two, integration enables clients to automate RMAs and generate refunds within seconds, saving employees hundreds of hours of manual work and freeing up valuable time.

Seed Funding 124

Seed Funding Los Angeles Services Technology 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 10, 2020

San Diego-based Ligand Pharmaceuticals anounced on Monday that it has acquired Pfenex , a develope rof recombinant protein production technology. According to Ligand, it will pay $12.00 per share in cash, or $438M in equity value, plus an additional $2.00 a share and $78M in milestones for Pfenex. The deal is worth up to $516M, pending those regulatory milestones.

San Diego 124

San Diego Equity Product Technology 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 10, 2020

A new, Los Angeles-based startup studio, Share Ventures --led by startup and investment veteran Hamet Watt --has raised $10M in funding, and outlined plans to launch two to four companies every year. Watt was most recently Entrepreneur in Residence at True Ventures, was at Upfront Ventures, and also founded NextMedium, in addition to founding subscription movie ticketing startup MoviePass.

Startup 124

Startup Los Angeles Entrepreneur Invest 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 14, 2020

San Diego-based ViaCyte , a developer of regenerative medicine products based on stem cells, said this week that it has named Manasi Sinha Jaiman, M.D., M.P.H. as Vice President, Clinical Development. Dr. Jaiman was most recently at Covance Clinical Development Services, where she was Senior Medical Director. She also was an an attending physician at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital.

San Diego 113

San Diego Develop Development Product 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 14, 2020

Los Angeles-based fantasy sports site Monkey Knife Fight and the Miami Marlins announced on Thursday that Monkey Knife Fight has been named the official fantasy sport site for the Marlins. Financial details of the deal were not announced. According to the two, Monkey Knife Fight will be "prominently displayed" on the Marlins' in-stadium branding, online assets, radio, and television.

Sites 113

Sites Los Angeles Funding Angel 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 13, 2020

Los Angeles-based venture investment firm Watertower Ventures disclosed on Thursday that it has raised $50M in a funding round, for the firm's second fund. The firm is led by Derek Norton and Jeremy Milken. The second fund is a large boost from the firm's initial fund, which was only $5M. Watertower Ventures had raised that last fund back in March of 2017.

Los Angeles 113

Los Angeles Funding Invest Angel 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 13, 2020

On demand ride service Lyft has joined Uber , in saying it may be forced to suspend its operations in California, after a judge ruled that both Uber and Lyft must abide by Assembly Bill 5 (AB5). According to Lyft President Josh Zimmerman on its earnings call on Wednesday , Lyft would have "no choice" but to suspend its California operations, saying that California voters can "vote yes on Prop 22".

Demand 113

Demand Services 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 13, 2020

Los Angeles-based Omaze , which operates an online fundraising platform for charities, has raised $30M in a Series B funding round. The funding was led by FirstMark Capital, and also included Causeway Media Partners, BDMI, Tusk Ventures, Inherent Group, Gaingels, Penni Thow's Copper and Guy Oseary. According to Omaze, it will use the funding to expand its "experience categories" and accelerate international growth.

.Net 113

.Net Los Angeles Platform Media 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 13, 2020

Pasadena-based Miso Robotics --the robotics startup behind "Flippy", the robot aimed at use in fast food and restaurant chains--has named Mike Bell as its new CEO, the company announced this morning. Bell is the former COO of Ordermark. Existing CEO Buck Jordan has shifted to Chairman of the Board and President. According to the company, Bell will focus on scaling Miso Robotics' business.

Pasadena 113

Pasadena Startup Companies Company 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2020

Venice, California-based Snap , the parent company of Snapchat , has reportedly been in talks with New York-based Dubsmash on an acquisition, according to The Information, which says that Facebook also has been talking with the TikTok competitor. The Information cited "a person familiar with the matter". It's unclear how serious those talks are, or if--as is typical--an investment banker or executives are shopping Dubsmash.

Report 113

Report Snapchat Venice Acquisition 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 12, 2020

Los Angeles-based AdGreetz , which develops a video personalization software platform for advertisers, says it has partnered with social networking service TikTok. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. According to the two, the deal will allow advertisers to produce, deploy, and optimize "hyper-personalized" content and messaging in real time.

Social Network 113

Social Network Advertising Los Angeles Content 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 11, 2020

Los Angeles-based Whistle , which develops a platform for hotels to send messages and engage with their guests, said on Tuesday that it has signed up Four Sisters Inn, a boutique hotel chain in California. Financial details of the win were not announced. Whistle said that Four Sisters Inns runs such properties as the Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma County.

Los Angeles 113

Los Angeles Platform Angel Develop 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 11, 2020

Los Angeles-based The Bake Market said late Monday that it has launched a new, online marketplace for home bakers. The site offers up baking mixes, ingredients, and supplies, which it says are "professional-grade", featuring brands which are those that are used by the pros. According to the new site, it offers up yeast, baking mixes, fruit fillings, sprinkles, fondant, pastry bags, paper baking sheets, and more.

Marketing 113

Marketing Sites Los Angeles Angel 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 11, 2020

Irvine-based property information provider CoreLogic , which tracks property information and data, says it is seeing mortgage delinquency rates climbing, with a high correlation to geographies most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the company, its Loan Performance Insights Report--which covers up to May--saw early stage and adverse deliquincy rates increasing, with all 50 states logged year-over-year increases in overall delinquencies this May.

Report 113

Report Companies Company 113

socalTECH

AUGUST 11, 2020

Los Angeles-based J2 Global , which owns a large number of online brands--including IGN, Mashable, Offers.com, BabyCenter, eFax, and iContact--says it saw record, second quarter 2020 results. The company said that, for its second quarter ended June 30, it saw second quarter record revenues of $331.0M, compared to $322.4M for Q2 of 2019. The company attributed the growth to the "strength and quality" of its business and "adaptability and focus" for the record breaking revenues.

Los Angeles 113

Los Angeles Invest Angel Companies 113