Sat.May 01, 2021 - Fri.May 07, 2021

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LA Tech Companies Shake Up Real Estate Industry Norms

L.A. Business Journal

Lindsay McLean, founder and chief executive of Home-Lister Inc., said the idea for the company came to her after working with a real estate agent to sell her first home.

Companies 312
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Genies Finds $65M For NFT Avatars

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Genies, a startup that helps people create their own avatars--which they can decorate by buying special NFTs (non-fungible tokens)--has raised $65M in a Series B funding, the company said this week. The funding was led by Bond Capital, and also included NEA, Breyer Capital, Tull Investment Group, NetEase, Dapper Labs and Coinbase Ventures.

Geni 186
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7 New Venture Strategies Improve The Odds Of Survival

Startup Professionals Musings

I’m always looking for evidence of early startup characteristics that might be predictors of long-term success. Every investor has his own list, usually based on his own very small sample, or simply his gut feeling. Of course, we would all like to have a magic list based on more definitive tracking of many real startups over time. In that context, I came across an old study of 27 startups featured in Inc’s annual “Anatomies of a Start-up,” done for “The Journal of Business Venturing,” and publis

Startup 170
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The tender issue of stealing time

Berkonomics

It’s a big issue within any company. . With easy access to Internet shopping, games, social networks and more, employees can find many ways to focus on personal issues while at work, detracting from productivity and demonstrating a disrespect for the time paid for by their employer. In fact, if we were to be direct, we might label it “stealing time,” and consider it a crime of sorts.

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Can You Ask for Office Rent Relief? How to Manage Your Lease During COVID-19

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.

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USC to Build New Computer Science Hub

L.A. Business Journal

USC officials will break ground May 6 on a new building that could become a key center for technological advancement in Los Angeles.

USC 299
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Flowspace Names Engineering VP

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Flowspace, a startup developing fulfillment software for e-commerce companies, said this week that it has named Piranavan Selvanandan as its new Vice President of Engineering. Selvanandan most recently was at Salesforce, in software engineering, and also served at HP. Flowspace said Selvanandan spent nearly a decade at Salesforce. The new exec comes following a $31M, Series B funding round for Flowspace in March.

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LAVA: First Time Entrepreneur Training Seminar

SoCal Tech Calendar

Saturday, May 8, 2021 -- LAVA: First Time Entrepreneur Training Seminar. Speaker: Matthew Crowley, Crowley Corporate Legal Strategy. Matthew Crowley is a former president and board member of LAVA. He has written two books in the field and is also an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, teaching venture law. His practice revolves around startups, securities and mergers and acquisitions.

LAVA 100
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Snap Accelerator Boosts Startups

L.A. Business Journal

Launching a startup is like jumping off a cliff and building a hang glider on your way down, according to Nicole Emrani Green, who co-founded ecommerce gifting startup Givingli Inc.

Startup 290
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StartItUp Aims To Bring Startup Support To Small Businesses

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based StartItUp said this week that it has launched a new, mobile platform which aims to bring "Silicon Valley" style incubation and entrepreneurial support to small businesses. According to the startup, led by CEO Goli Ameri, it provides business planning tools, an online community, and other resources for small businesses. The company said Ameri previously served as US Assistant Secretary of State and Under Secretary at the International Red Cross.

Startup 124
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7 Strategies For Making A Mentoring Relationship Work

Startup Professionals Musings

I’m a big fan of mentoring in business, and have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the process. These days, I seem to often hear from entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a mentor, or complaining about their lack of effectiveness. Like any other relationship, it takes work on both sides to make mentoring work.

Mentor 151
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Miso Robotics Releases Cooking Software for Restaurants

L.A. Business Journal

Miso Robotics Inc. will make the software behind its kitchen automation technology available to foodservice businesses as a standalone product.

Software 264
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Snap Posts First Positive Cash Flow

L.A. Business Journal

Snap Inc. recorded positive free cash flow in the first quarter of 2021, the first time the company has done so since going public in 2017.

Company 246
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Subscription Software Developer ReCharge Hits $2.1 Billion Valuation

L.A. Business Journal

ReCharge Inc., the developer of a subscription payments platform for ecommerce companies, has raised a whopping $277 million in a funding round.

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CreatorPlus Launches Film Studio for Influencers

L.A. Business Journal

If YouTube viewing numbers are any indication, digital influencers and content creators have already demonstrated they can generate audience sizes worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster — but could they actually make hit film of their own?

Hollywood 147
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Guesty Raises $50 Million for Vacation Rental Management Platform

L.A. Business Journal

With public health restrictions easing and the summer travel season approaching, Santa Monica-based Guesty Inc. is gearing up for what the company calls the “hypergrowth” of its business developing software for vacation rental hosts.

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7 Principles For Being A Wise Business Decision Maker

Startup Professionals Musings

As a mentor to aspiring business owners. smart people stand out to me with intellectual power and depth of knowledge on many subjects. The tougher question is whether you are also wise, in the sense of cultivating the right relationships, understanding team dynamics, and keeping to the correct side of the ethical line to maintain the trust of team members and customers alike.

Patents 138
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Electrify America to Invest $25 Million in Ports Area

L.A. Business Journal

EV infrastructure company Electrify America will invest $200 million into charging stations and zero-emission vehicle education campaigns in California.

Invest 130
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SpaceX Successfully Lands Starship in Test Flight

L.A. Business Journal

It took five tries, but SpaceX successfully completed a high-altitude test flight of its Starship spacecraft.

SpaceX 130
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Activision Blizzard Posts Strong Q1 Results

L.A. Business Journal

Activision Blizzard's share price shot up 4% in after-hours trading as the company reported $2.28 billion in first-quarter revenue.

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SpaceX Capsule Returns Space Station Astronauts to Earth

L.A. Business Journal

Four astronauts returned to Earth from the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX-designed capsule on May 2.

SpaceX 130
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Phyn Rolls Out New Water Sensor

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Phyn, which develops high tech devices to help homeowners monitor water usage in their home, said it launched a brand new product. According to the company, it has rolled out the Phyn Smart Water Sensor, a compact battery powered device that provides homeowners with extra security against water damage, along with the Phyn Water Sensor Extension Node and the Phyn Water Sensor Cable.

High Tech 113
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Phocas Sets CFO

socalTECH

Irvine-based Phocas Software, a developer of data analytics software for the manufacturing, distribution, and retail business market, says it has named Dave Boorman as its new Chief Financial Officer. The company said Boorman was most recently CFO for Network Ten, and also served at Seven West Media. Phocas is split between the US, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK and says it recently raised AU$45M.

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Fuel Cycle Rolls Out Continuous Issue Tracking Tool

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based a href="[link] Cycle, a developer of software for market research, said it has rolled out a new tool to help with ongoing issue tracking for companies using continuous product development. The company said its Delta Testing tool is aimed at collecting user feedback for improving hardware and software, including mobile apps, websites, and physical products.

Tool 113
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Events.com Launches Event Planning Tools

socalTECH

San Diego-based.

Tool 113
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ReCharge Connects With $277M

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based ReCharge, a developer of subscription e-commerce tools, has raised $277M in a funding round from Summit Partners, ICONIQ Growth, and Bain Capital Ventures. According to the company, the new funding round values the company at $2.1 billion. ReCharge said that it has added Andrew Collins of Summit Partners, Aaref Hilaly of Bain Capital Ventures, and Yoonkee Sull of ICONIQ Growth to its board as a result of the funding round.

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InvestCloud Acquires Advicent

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based InvestCloud, which develops software for the financial planning and banking market, said late Wednesday that it has acquired Advicent, a provider of cash flow, trust ,and tax financial planning technology. Advicent was backed by Vista Equity. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. Advicent was based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Equity 113
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EngineEars Scores $1M In First Funding

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based EngineEars, a new startup that helps connect audio engineers with clients, said on Wednesday that it has raised $1M in a pre-seed funding round. The funding was led by Slauson & Co., and also included Kendrick Lamar, Roddy Ricch, Russ, Mustard, DJ Khaled, YG, Ella Mai, Bas, Smino, Masego, Cardogotwings, Young Guru, Kenny Beats, Ibrahim Hamad of Dreamville, La Mar Taylor of XO, Meko Yohannes of 10Summers, and indie-record label EQT.

Funding 113
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Honest Co. Veterans Launch ELM Foods For Plant-Based Groceries

socalTECH

Two veterans of Honest Co. have launched a new startup, ELM Foods, focused on online grocery shopping for plant-based foods. According to ELM Foods, its two founders--Joel Jackson and Melissa Williams--were both at Honest Co., the newly public provider of natural baby and household products. According to ELM Foods, it is offering up "intelligent" recipe and meal-plan shopping for sustainable and healthy groceries, helping its customers eat a plant-based diet.

Custom 113
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NXCR, J.D. Power In Strategic Alliance

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based NXCR ,the subscription vehicle startup led by auto- and startup-veteran Scott Painter, and auto analytics company J.D. Power announced on Wednesday that the two companies are in a strategic alliance, which will link J.D. Power's data solutions, vehicle valuations, and "consumer insights" into NXCR's vehicle subscription service. Financial details of the strategic alliance were not annouced.

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Honest Co. Raises $413M In IPO, Surges In IPO Debut

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based Honest Co., the lifestyle brand offering up baby, skin, and household products, debuted in its IPO on Wednesday, raising $413M for the company--and bringing yet another Southern California startup to the public markets. Honest Co. priced its IPO last night at $16.00 per share, at the midpoint of its $14.00 to $17.00 estimated IPO range, and surged in trading on Wednesday, up nearly 38% in mid-day trading at over $22.00 per share.

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Electrify America Plans $25M EV Charging Investment In Long Beach

socalTECH

Electrify America, an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure developer, says it plans to invest $25M in the Long Beach-Wilmington community, part of a larger $200M investment in California for zero emissions vehicles. According to Electrify America, it will support a "Green City" program in the City of Long Beach and Wilmington for a "Green City" program focused on charging stations for electric transit buses and medium / heavy-duty trucks.

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Fralock Holdings Acquires Ceramic Tech

socalTECH

Valencia, California-based Fralock Holdings, a developer of ceramics and other materials, said it has acquired Ceramic Tech Incorporated, a provider of ceramics, specialized formulations, pre-fired machining, sintering, pressing and grinding for OEMS. Financial details of the buy were not annoucned. Fralock Holdings is owned by private equity investor Arsenal Capital.

Press 113
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Targus Acquires Sanho

socalTECH

Anaheim-based laptop and technology accessory maker Targus has acquired Sanho, the maker of the Hyper brand of IT and mobile accessories, the company said on Tuesday. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. according to Targus, the acquisition will help it diversify its accessory portfolio geared towards Apple and PC consumers. Sanho's products are mostly aimed at the Apple market.

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TrueCar Links With Roadster

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based ,a href="[link] the online car buying marketplace, said late Tuesday that it has launched a pilot program with Roadster, a digital sales software provider which helps dealers sell automobiles to consumers. According to TrueCar, consumers using TrueCar will be able to finalize their car buying deals digital directly, through an integration into Roadster's back-end software.

Truecar 113
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Dodgers' Investment Arm Backs Oura In $100M Fundraising

socalTECH

Elysian Park, the investment arm of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is one of the lead investors in fitness ring maker Oura, Oura said on Tuesday. According to Oura, it raised $100M in its Series C funding round, which was led by The Chernin Group and Elysian Park, and also included Temasek, JAZZ Venture Partners and Eisai, Forerunner Ventures, Square, MSD Capital, Marc Benioff, Lifeline Ventures, Metaplanet Holdings and Next Ventures.

Invest 113
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Accel Robotics Debuts Automated Market in San Diego

socalTECH

San Diego-based artificial intelligence and computer vision startup Accel Robotics says it has launched a new, automated 1,500 square foot market in San Diego. According to the company, its new retail space is within Brookfield's luxury high-rise community, Vantage Point, in San Diego's East Village. The market features produce, baked goods, dairy, and convenience items.

San Diego 113