L.A. Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

While plenty of tech companies are interested in filling up consumers’ feeds, some are more interested in feeding consumers.

Company 298

Company Companies 298

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Darkstore, the tech-driven fulfillment solution to enable e-commerce companies to offer same-day delivery, has just released a consumer-facing app called FastAF. Right now, the app is only available in Los Angeles. FastAF is built on top of Darkstore, which already has relationships with a number of brands that store their products in Darkstores for same-day delivery.

Product 236

Product Commerce Los Angeles Demand 236

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Los Angeles-based software company QualityWorks said this week that it is offering up a free, bootcamp for people in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community, to learn about software testing. According to QualityWorks, it is running a free, six-week Agile Testing Bootcamp aimed at helping individuals with non-technical backgrounds gain high-paying, high-demand technical jobs in software test.

Demand 203

Demand Course Software Los Angeles 203

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Willingness to take a risk is the hallmark of a serious entrepreneur. That’s why one of the first questions that potential investors ask is “How much of your own money, and friends and family, have you put into the new business?” If you won’t risk yours, you won’t get investors to risk theirs. A few years ago I was impressed with the classic book “ When Turtles Fly ” by Nikki Stone, an Olympic champion, which explains this well.

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Writing Competition Examples 174

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

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

So, you’ve successfully sold your business and have received enough money from the sale to become financially independent, no longer having to work for a living. That is a comfortable place to be, and it is one experienced by more and more people, especially in technology-based businesses. And what’s next? Most successful sales of businesses, again especially in the technology arena, enrich younger entrepreneurs and stock-option holders who are under fifty years of age.

Entrepreneur 156

Entrepreneur Coach Sales Ideas 156

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Indulging in American food companies’ favorite pastime of marketing innovations that no one needs but potentially everyone wants, Beyond Meat is launching Beyond Meatballs in grocery stores nationwide this week. The new product can be put on top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese , and comes pre-spiced with a blend of Italian spices, according to a company statement.

Los Angeles 186

Los Angeles Demand Pricing Marketing 186

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

For decades, efforts to satisfy customers have been built around demographics – capitalizing on race, ethnicity, gender, income, and other attributes. Today, in this age of pervasive social media and two-way communication, the focus needs to get beyond demographics into personalities. Customer personalities define customer experience, and sets what they love, and what they hate.

Customer 158

Customer Custom Social Media Satisfaction 158

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Los Angeles-based solar power developer 8minute Solar Energy said on Wednesday that it has opened up a new, 67 megawatt solar farm in Madera County, which will power more than 12,000 households. According to the company, the Lotus Solar Farm is supplying power to the area via a 20-year, power purchase agreement (PPA) with Southern California Edison. 8minute Solar Energy did not say how much that PPA is worth. 8minute Solar Energy is backed by such investors as Allianz Global Investors, and is le

Southern California 133

Southern California Los Angeles Product Angel 133

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Dyne Therapeutics, a company developing genetic medicines for rare muscular disorders, has raised $233 million in an IPO that topped the preclinical-stage biotech’s projections. Late Wednesday, Dyne priced its offering of about 12.3 million shares at $19 each. The Waltham, MA-based biotech had previously planned to sell 10.3 million shares in the range of $16 to $18 per share.

Pricing 114

Pricing Technology Develop Development 114

L.A. Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., has rejected the acquisition proposal from Microsoft Corp. and reportedly accepted a bid from Oracle Corp.

Oracle 130

Oracle Acquisition Report Company 130

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Maybe it’s just me, but I sometimes feel that accountability is a rare talent in business today. In big businesses, people are quick to defer with “that’s not my department,” and even startup founders too often blame failures on the economy or the lack of investors. As an investor and advisor to entrepreneurs, I see accountability, or lack of it, as an override to even the best idea.

Startup 147

Startup Resource Training Tool 147

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

San Diego-based green energy technology developer Nuvve , which is developing vehicle-to-grid load balancing technology, says it has started participating in California's wholesale energy markets, via an effort with the University of California San Diego. Nuvve said it has begun delivering power to San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and the electrical grid, using a large, stationary battery which is installed on the UC San Diego campus migrogrid.

San Diego 124

San Diego Pricing Design Sites 124

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

The Xcelerate Keynote Series has added Moderna CMO Tal Zaks to the expert lineup of speakers set to present next Monday, Sept. 21. As you likely know, Moderna is one of the front-runners in the COVID-19 vaccine race, and we look forward to adding his insight to a packed agenda focused on innovative solutions during this time of uncertainty. The half-day online event also includes senior leaders from Amgen, BIO, Eli Lilly, Takeda, Alnylam, and UCB, featuring discussions on regulatory guidance, pi

San Diego 103

San Diego Blogging 103

L.A. Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Silver Lake-based CropSwap Inc. is trying to move farmers markets onto a mobile app.

Silver Lake 130

Silver Lake Mobile Marketing 130

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

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 143

Entrepreneur Social Network SpaceX Ideas 143

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Los Angeles-based Boosted Commerce announced on Thursday that it has raised $87M, and acquired six different companies in the business of Amazon fulfillment. According to Boosted, the funding came from Torch Capital, Crosscut Ventures, Spencer Rascoff (co-founder of Zillow), Elie Seidman (former CEO of Tinder), Tucker Kain (Los Angeles Dodgers); Ken Ramberg (founder of Goodpods), Scott Hendrickson (co-founder Permian Investment Partners), Thomas O.

Commerce 124

Commerce Companies Company Los Angeles 124

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Presented by Xconomy, the online Xcelerate Keynote Series at Biotech Week Boston on Monday, Sept. 21 places a spotlight on life science leaders who are breaking new ground with methods and solutions in R&D, planning, and production that are improving patient outcomes. As the industry navigates uncertainty, the keynote speakers will help drive your business forward by sharing insights on how their sectors are adapting to challenges, combating disruptive forces, and preparing for what the futu

Help 79

Help Product San Diego Blogging 79

L.A. Business Journal

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Santa Monica-based Future Labs V Inc., which does business as Graze, wants to revolutionize the landscape industry with its robotic lawn mowers.

Santa Monica 130

Santa Monica 130

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

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.

Organization 123

Organization Satisfaction Entrepreneur Activity 123

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Costa Mesa-based artificial intelligence software developer Veritone says it has been awarded $1.3M in subcontracts from a U.S. Air Force program, where its software will support an effort to enhance satellite imagery analysis. Veritone said it was awarded the $1.3M for software license and technology development services in support of the Air Force's innovation unit's (AFWERX) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

Artificial Inteligence 124

Artificial Inteligence Outsource Development Research Software Development 124

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Gilead Sciences CEO Daniel O’Day has spoken openly about acquisitions as a way to build up the company’s drug pipeline. This week, it made its biggest buy yet. The $21 billion Immunomedics acquisition brings to Gilead a cancer drug that many analysts project will become a blockbuster seller. Some of those analysts think Gilead might have overpaid but the company says there were competing offers.

Class 67

Class Acquisition LAVA San Diego 67

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

San Diego-based Stemson Therapeutics , a startup working on therapies to cure hair loss, has raised $7.5M in a seed funding round. The funding came from Allergan Aethetics and Fortunis Capital. According to the company, the new funding will go to advance development of its therapeutic solution to cure hair loss. The funding from Fortunis Capital came out of its Impact Fund.

Chief Technology Officer 124

Chief Technology Officer Seed Funding San Diego Resource 124

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

A new effort, out of San Diego, the Million Girls Moonshot , launched this morning, backed by The Intel Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation plus the STEM Next Opportunity Fund and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. According to the Million Girls Moonshot, it will work with afterschool programs nationwide to increase diversity and equity in science, technology, engineering and math, providing grant funding and in-kind resources in all 50 states to increase access to hands-on, i

San Diego 124

San Diego Equity Resource Funding 124

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Los Angeles-based SnackNation , which got its start delivering healthy snacks to vending machines and employee lunchrooms, says it has rebranded itself as Caroo , and expanded beyond snacks. According to Caroo, it is now providing "employee care and gifting" to "keep teams inspired and connected", no matter where they happen to be. According to Caroo, it curates healthier snacks, premium gifts, and "team building experiences" which it is delivering via its own software and technology platform.

Software Review 124

Software Review Technical Review Design Los Angeles 124

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

Fountain Valley-based HyperX , the developer of gaming accessories which is part of Kington Technology, says it has launched a new set of eyewear specifically for "blue light blocking". According to HyperX, its new collection of eyewear is aimed at gamers, students, and professionals, to help reduce eyestrain by blocking blue light. The company says its glasses provide both blue light and UV protection.

Research 124

Research Help Technology Develop 124

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Los Angeles-based mobile game developer Scopely is reported to be seeking to raise $200M in a new funding round, which would value the company at around $3 billion, according to a report. The report, from Bloomberg, said the valuation of the company is up from an earlier $1.9 billion valuation as of March. The report cites "people familiar with the matter".

Report 113

Report Los Angeles Mobile Invest 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Redlands, California-based mapping software maker Esri said this week that it has rolled out a new app, Air Quality Aware , which helps people understand the air quality in their area. The new all uses data from the EPA's AirNow program and the NOAA's National Weather Service, along with the American Community Survey. According to the company, the new all shows areas are color-coded according to EPA's Air Quality Index, with magenta and purple representing hazardous and very unhealthy air qualit

Sites 113

Sites Software Services Help 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

North Hollywood-based ConsejoSano , a developer of patient experience and engagement software, aimed at payers, providers, and health care systems, has scored a round of "impact" funding, the company said this week. According to the company, it received an equity investment from the Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund, which is administered by the American Heart Association.

North Hollywood 113

North Hollywood Funding Hollywood Equity 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Santa Monica-based Fair , the used car leasing company, said this week that it is adding longer, 2-year and 3-year leases to its menu of options, as a complement to the firm's month-to-month car options. According to Fair, the new lease options will offer up monthly savings to customers who want to keep their cars longer, with customers saving $40 per month on a 2-year Fair lease, and $70 a month on a 3 year lease.

Santa Monica 113

Santa Monica Platform Custom Customer 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Santa Barbara-based Emergent Microgrid , a developer of community microgrids in Santa Barbara and Montecito, in an apparent acquisition deal with smart home battery manufacturer Electriq Power. According to the companies, Emergent Micro's portfolio "will be toassigned to Electriq Power" and Emergent's co-founders, Stephen Honikman and Henry Meyer, will become SVP of Project Finance and Structure, and SVP of Services at Electriq.

Santa Barbara 113

Santa Barbara Tool Acquisition Software 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Los Angeles-based ringDNA , which develops sales engagement software, says it has launched a new, artificial intelligence (AI) product, which it says helps recommend actions for sales reps, to increase success. According to the company, its new product, Guided Selling, uses data learned from billions of sales interactions to prioritize the next best actions--whether that is whom to contact, when and how to contact them, and what to say.

Sales 113

Sales Artificial Inteligence Software Guide 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

San Diego-based commercial electric vehicle developer Endera announced this week that it has delivered 18, all-electric passenger shuttles for use at San Diego International Airport, which it says is the largest deployment of electric shuttles at a U.S. airport so far. The company said the shuttles--which are going to be used by ACE Parking--are the first of a total of 29 all-electric vehicles planned for the site.

San Diego 113

San Diego Coach Platform Sites 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Santa Monica-based Cornerstone OnDemand said on Wednesday that it has named Ajay Awatramani as its new Chief Product Officer. Awatramani has previously served at such companies as Adobe, Marketo, Oracle, and Siebel, and was most recently Head of Product and GTM at Adobe; he had joined Adobe after the company acquired Marketo in 2018. Cornerstone said that Awatramani will lead its product strategy, management, and design.

Cornerstone OnDemand 113

Cornerstone OnDemand Product Oracle Santa Monica 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

Santa Monica-based private equity investor Clearlake Capital announced this morning that it has entered into a deal to acquire Zywave , a developer of software-as-a-service for the insurance industry, from another private equity investor, Aurora Capital Partners. Financial terms of the buy were not announced. Zywave is based in Milwaukee. Zywae develops cloud-based insurance distribution software, which it provides to insurance brokerages and insurance firms.

Capital 113

Capital Santa Monica Equity Software 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Los Angeles-based college savings app developer Sootchy/a> , which is developing a way for families to save money for their children's education through 529 savings plans, says it will give away $40,000 to one winner for use in a college savings, K-12 education expense, or to pay off existing student loans. The company--which has yet to launch, but says it will by this fall--says the sweepstakes only requires users to enter general contact info, but that users can earn additional chances of winn

Education 113

Education Los Angeles Angel Develop 113

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Irvine-based Greenfield Groves ,, a telehealth and wellness company, said it is acquiring a proprietary telehealth software platform developed by Healthcare Technologies LLC. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. According to Greenfield Groves, it will use the acquisition to help accelerate its speed to market. Greenfield Groves is led by founder and CEO Lindsay Giguiere; Healthcare Technologies LLC was founded by Dr.

Platform 113

Platform Software Acquisition Marketing 113