socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2018

Westlake Village-based Pray.com , which develops social networking applications for religious communities, has raised $14M in a Series A funding, the company said this week. The funding was led by TPG Growth, and also included Science Inc. and Greylock Partners. The startup, led by CEO Steve Gatena, has been based at California Lutheran University's Hub101 Incubator, and received a stealth seed funding round last year from Science and Greylock, which had not previously been announced.

Social Network 302

Social Network Westlake Village Networking Seed Funding 302

Berkonomics

MARCH 15, 2018

Expect a board member to give a meeting a month, emails and phone calls between. Urgent issues require more of all. Board members are usually busy people, often running other companies or serving on multiple boards. Early stage boards usually meet once a month for two to a maximum of four hours, enough to ruin the rest of a day for those who travel even short distances.

Email 243

Email Services Company Companies 243

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 14, 2018

Jam City acquires assets of Brainz; SpaceX lands contract with DigitalGlobe; and Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital closes debut fund.

SpaceX 124

SpaceX Report Capital Funding 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 16, 2018

Thursday, March 22, 2018 -- LA Fintech Demo Mix Mingle Network. Come mix and mingle with other Financial Technologist's Thursday March 22nd. Learn about the newest and fastest changes going on in financial technology. Finance is undergoing a massive change some call the "financial paradigm" or "crypto wars". Laws from 1930-1940 (old right?) are getting broken down with technological innovation in finance.

Networking 100

Networking Ideas Technology 100

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

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2018

West Hollywood-based Casa Verde Capital said this week that it has raised $45M in its debut, investment fund, which will specifically invest in the "ancillary cannabis" industry. The venture capital firm--whose founders include Calvin Broadus (aka Snoop Dogg)--said it will specifically invest in agtech, health & wellness, financial services, technology, media, compliance and laboratory technology related to the legal cannabis industry.

West Hollywood 210

West Hollywood Invest Capital Funding 210

TechEmpower

MARCH 14, 2018

We have retired the hardware environment provided by Server Central for our Web Framework Benchmarks project. We want to sincerely thank Server Central for having provided servers from their lab environment to our project. Their contribution allowed us to continue testing on physical hardware with 10-gigabit Ethernet. Ten-gigabit Ethernet gives the highest-performing frameworks opportunity to shine.

Framework 100

Framework Technical Support Platform Web 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 16, 2018

Thursday, March 22, 2018 -- Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: Which Is A Hit/Miss? Tech Coast Venture Network. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, which is a hit and which is a miss? Find out which from the founder of SoCal Blockchain and ICOTGE, Sean Goodwin.

SoCal 100

SoCal Southern California Networking 100

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2018

This year, we're sponsoring the Recurring Revenue Conference (www.recurringrevenueconference.com), presented by Sutton Capital Partners. As part of our sponsor relationship with the conference, we're running a series of interviews with speakers from the conference about their experience in the area of recurring revenues, customer service, and similar topics.

Customer 166

Customer Custom Conference Social Media 166

Tech.Co

MARCH 13, 2018

The spirit of optimism is alive and well at SXSW 2018. Between the art installations, film, entertainment, innovation, and Elon Musk, who crashed the HBO “Westworld” panel to talk about the future of space travel, it would be hard not to leave Austin inspired. “There needs to be things that inspire you, that make you glad to wake up in the morning and be part of humanity,” Musk said, according to USA Today.

Startup 70

Startup Competition Mentor Entertainment 70

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 15, 2018

An ad for a Snapchat game asking Snapchat users whether they would rather “slap Rihanna” or “punch Chris Brown” drew criticism from Rihanna on another social media outlet and was soon followed by a 4 percent drop in the stock price for Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat.

Snapchat 100

Snapchat Pricing Social Media Media 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 15, 2018

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 -- Highlight Networking Mixer at The Room In Santa Monica. Wednesday, March 22nd Starting at 6pm! Drinks, Presentations and Networking! Meet new people and participate in lively discussions with outstanding names in the Silicon Beach community. Make sure to bring your business cards and be ready to make awesome connections with people across all industries.

Santa Monica 100

Santa Monica Networking 100

socalTECH

MARCH 12, 2018

In recent years, Los Angeles has become the capital of subscription, consumer-focused "box" businesses, where consumers sign up for monthly deliveries based on a subscription. One of those companies is Los Angeles-based Love Goodly (www.lovegoodly.com) co-founders Justine Lassoff and Katie Bogue Miller , who sat down and told us about their company, focused on cruelty-free, non-toxic beauty and skincare products.

Startup 157

Startup Commerce Los Angeles Product 157

Xconomy

MARCH 10, 2018

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and partner Sanofi report new data this morning from a large, highly-anticipated trial suggesting that their drug alirocumab (Praluent) may reduce the risk of death for people with high cholesterol who have recently suffered heart attacks or strokes and are at risk of having another one or dying. And in an unusual move, Regeneron—based on input from the nonprofit drug-pricing watchdog, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)—vows to cut the cos

Pricing 82

Pricing Report San Diego Blogging 82

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 13, 2018

Aecom’s URS Federal Technical Services unit was awarded a contract of up to $961 million by the U.S. Air Force for training services for three types of unmanned aircraft, the Defense Department announced on March 9.

Training 100

Training Services 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 13, 2018

Monday, March 19, 2018 -- First Ever SouthBay LA AWS User Group event. In this event, there will be drinks, food and a round table discussion, led by Jonathan LaCour (CTO at Reliam), where we'll all chime in about what topics should be presented for future events. This group will meet monthly so this is your chance to shape this AWS users group and have the content geared to what you think is valuable for you and the AWS community.

Content 100

Content 100

socalTECH

MARCH 16, 2018

Santa Monica-based Quantm Real Estate , a new startup looking to combine real estate investing with blockchain, the cryptocurrency technology behind such things as Bitcoin, said this week that it has launched a new service whih will help the average person invest in real estate. According to Quantm Real Estate, the company is aiming to enable the primary issuance and secondary trading of "tokens" backed by fractional equity interests in single-family residences in the U.S.

Santa Monica 149

Santa Monica Equity Invest Help 149

Xconomy

MARCH 13, 2018

Gene editing has arrived. Of the various forms of the technology, CRISPR-Cas9 is the easiest to use, and it’s already showing up in summer camps and school science labs near you. That would be middle schools. When everyone can edit an organism’s genes, how will the world change? Should we be worried? National security officials say yes. Should we also be hopeful?

Study 79

Study Activity Organization Technology 79

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 13, 2018

OpenX, a Pasadena-based programmatic advertising technology company, announced $172 million in 2017 revenue in a March 13 report. The company has grown for 10 consecutive years and has been profitable for four straight, according to a company statement. In addition, OpenX invested $50 million into research and development this past year.

OpenX 100

OpenX Report Pasadena Advertising 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 13, 2018

Thursday, March 15, 2018 -- Join us for an evening celebrating entrepreneurship at Expert Dojo, Santa Monica CA. Presented by the Pasadena Angels in partnership with LAVA and Expert Dojo Launching a successful start-up requires more than grit, caffeine and an innovative idea. A successful start-up requires funding, mentoring, and smart connections. Join us for a panel discussion with Pasadena Angels' portfolio companies and network with our angel investors, LAVA members and the Expert Dojo team.

LAVA 100

LAVA Pasadena Angels Funding Santa Monica 100

socalTECH

MARCH 16, 2018

The founders of Los Angeles-based online grocery provider Thrive Market --Gunnar Lovelace, Nick Green and Sasha Siddhartha--announced this morning they have created a new, philanthropic effort called the Alliance for Good , which will provide philanthropic support to social enterprises, advocacy movements and organizations devoted to improving the environment of our world and health of its inhabitants.

Marketing 138

Marketing Organization Los Angeles Networking 138

Xconomy

MARCH 12, 2018

At Correlation Ventures, we spend a fair amount of time using our proprietary database to identify the telltale signs of successful startups. One question we asked recently is whether there are diminishing returns for adding VCs to the board of directors at venture-backed startups. Many of us have seen highly effective boards where experienced and engaged VCs work with management and independent directors, offering timely and valuable insights, guidance, and connections.

Venture Capital 77

Venture Capital Capital Startup San Diego 77

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 12, 2018

Lyft grows three times faster than Uber; Clearlake Capital acquires Provation Medical; and Snapchat to release nonfiction crime series produced by Conde Nast.

Snapchat 100

Snapchat Report Capital 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2018

As a startup advisor, I see many aspiring entrepreneurs whose primary motivation seems to be to work part time, or get rich quick, or avoid anyone else telling them what to do. Let me assure you, from personal experience, and from helping many successful as well as struggling entrepreneurs, that starting a business is hard work, and doesn’t come with any of the benefits mentioned.

Entrepreneur 66

Entrepreneur Organization Customer Custom 66

socalTECH

MARCH 16, 2018

LiveEdu (aka Education Ecosystem), a new startup in the blockchain area which wants to enable the live streaming of educational content, said it has raised $10M in crowdfunding, and set up its headquarters in Los Angeles. According to the company, it will start offering up content on programming, game development, data science, crytocurrency, artificial intelligence, and other topics through a monthly subscription later this year.

Artificial Inteligence 133

Artificial Inteligence Education Startup USC 133

Xconomy

MARCH 15, 2018

Ionis Pharmaceuticals hasn’t gone far to find a new home for a therapy that could soon be one of two approved treatments for a rare neurodegenerative disease called transthyretin amyloidosis. It’s handing the drug, known as inotersen, to its own spinout, Akcea Therapeutics. In a deal being announced this morning, Cambridge, MA-based Akcea (NASDAQ: AKCA ) will pay Ionis (NASDAQ: IONS ) $150 million in Akcea shares to split the rights to inotersen and a follow-up drug, currently known as IONIS-TTR

San Diego 74

San Diego Blogging Startup 74

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 13, 2018

OpenX reports over $170 Million in 2017 revenue; Wpromote lands investment from Shamrock Capital; and Allison Checchi named COO of Atom Tickets.

OpenX 100

OpenX Report Invest Capital 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2018

Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs seem to prefer to fail their way to the top, rather than do some research and learn from the successes and mistakes of others. It seems to be part of the “ fail fast, fail often ” mantra often heard in Silicon Valley. As an advisor to many startups, I’m convinced it’s an expensive and painful approach, but I do see it used all too often.

Technical Review 63

Technical Review Entrepreneur Startup Customer 63

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2018

Santa Monica-based Atom Tickets has promoted Allison Checci to the post of Chief Operating Officer (COO), the company said late Tuesday. Checci was recently Chief Marketing Officer at YP, and also previously had been at Bain & Company, where she had been Principal in Bain's Technology, Media and Telecom practice, where the company said she spent nearly a dozen years.

Santa Monica 133

Santa Monica Research Media Funding 133

Xconomy

MARCH 12, 2018

For 20 years, Deborah Long (pictured) has been relying on powerful drugs to keep her multiple sclerosis in check. Her out-of-pocket costs were pretty reasonable until two years ago, she says, when she had to switch insurance companies. Her new insurer made her switch to a different drug, Copaxone. When she tried to fill the prescription, the Walgreen’s pharmacist told her the monthly copay would be a whopping $2,500—well out of reach for Long, 65, a former administrative assistant in Chico

Pricing 71

Pricing San Diego Company Companies 71

L.A. Business Journal

MARCH 16, 2018

Pray.com raises $14 million; Desilu Studios acquires Vonetize; and Clearlake Capital closes Fund V with $3.6 billion.

Report 100

Report Capital Funding 100

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 13, 2018

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 --.

100

100

socalTECH

MARCH 16, 2018

Los Angeles-based content producer Desilu Studios announced this morning that it has acquired the controlling stake in an Israeli digital streaming technology startup, Vonetize , which provides content streaming, distribution, protection and monetization for major studios. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Vonetize, which is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, helps distribute content on the Internet for studios.

Content 124

Content Acquisition Los Angeles Customer 124

Xconomy

MARCH 14, 2018

Escalier Biosciences BV, a biotech developing drugs for psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders, said it has raised $19 million in a Series B financing led by Forbion, a Dutch life sciences investor. Another Dutch investor, BioGeneration Ventures, and New York-based New Science Ventures joined the round, according to a statement from the company. While Escalier Biosciences BV is based in the Netherlands, the company is managed by its subsidiary, Escalier Biosciences, based near San Diego in coa

San Diego 69

San Diego Develop Development Venture Capital 69

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2018

As an entrepreneur, it’s never too early to set the culture you need for a thriving business, as well as thriving employees, customers, partners, and vendors. In fact, in my experience, cultures are very hard to change, so if you don’t get it right the first time, the road ahead will forever be difficult. “The Art of War” culture as an analogy for business doesn’t always work anymore.

Training 61

Training Customer Custom Social Media 61

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 16, 2018

Thursday, March 22, 2018 --.

Social Media 100

Social Media Marketing Media 100

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2018

Tesla , the pioneering electric car maker founded by Elon Musk , was actually conceived over lunch at a fish restaurant in El Segundo, Musk said in an interview at SXSW this week. According to Musk, the company was created out of a conversation he had with J.B. Straubel (now CTO of Tesla) and Harold Rosen (founder of would-be electric car maker Rosen Motors, which was based in Woodland Hills, and also founder of Capstone Turbine), talking about electric vehicle technology, back in 2003.

El Segundo 124

El Segundo Woodland Hills Technology Company 124