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One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” I always answer that there isn’t any magic, and contrary to the popular myth, nobody is waiting in the wings to throw money at you, just because you have a new and exciting business idea. On the other hand, there are many additional creative options available for starting a business that you might not find for buying a car, home, or other major consumer item.
Many CEOs have asked me if I felt an investment banker adds value if the buyer has already been identified. How investment bankers behave. Investment bankers sometimes slow the process by requiring a cloud-based “data room” and “deal book” to be prepared containing considerable information about a company to help a buyer. Deal books are expensive to create.
Our interview today is with Andrew Schydlowsky , the CEO and founder of Santa Barbara-based TrackStreet (www.trackstreet.com), a startup which is backed by Okapi Capital, The Cove Fund, Early Light Ventures, SaaS Venture Capital, and Stage Venture Partners. Andrew spoke to us about TrackStreet's brand protection software and artificial intelligence efforts.
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.
One of the things I’ve learned in working with aspiring entrepreneurs is that managing and leading a team is a scary venture into the unknown for many people, even if they have worked as a business professional for years. Having worked in my own career on both sides of the fence at various times, I recommend that everyone practice thinking like the boss in every role to prepare.
If Lumen Bioscience achieves its goals, patients will be able to take its drugs the same way some people supplement breakfast: a spoonful heaped onto a bowl of cereal or mixed into juice. The startup harnesses spirulina, protein-rich cyanobacteria touted by many health enthusiasts as a “superfood.” Lumen CEO Brian Finrow (pictured above, right) acknowledges spirulina’s health benefits, but that’s not why his company embraces it.
San Diego-based Formsense , a startup developing wearables and "smart apparel", says it has been chosen as a technology partner for a $2.4M grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to the company, it is part of a team from Umass Amherst, which is looking to deploy and test a new mobile health system--based on its wearables--to monitor and encourage movement and activity in the weak upper limb of stroke survivors in an ambulatory setting.
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San Diego-based Formsense , a startup developing wearables and "smart apparel", says it has been chosen as a technology partner for a $2.4M grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to the company, it is part of a team from Umass Amherst, which is looking to deploy and test a new mobile health system--based on its wearables--to monitor and encourage movement and activity in the weak upper limb of stroke survivors in an ambulatory setting.
As an entrepreneur, I understand your passion when pitching your solution to investors and customers, but passion alone won’t make one more technology pitch stand out above all the rest. I can tell you from my own experience as an advisor and an investor, what everyone remembers is a good personal story. Thus it behooves you to highlight your message with a bit of storytelling.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 -- Out of concern for the health and safety of our attendees and staff, Digital Summit Los Angeles will reschedule our 2020 to September 9-11. Thanks!
Fountain Valley-based HyperX , the gaming accessories arm of Kingston Technology, is taking aim at the education market this year--saying it is offering up deals on its gaming peripherals specifically for helping students in virtual class sessions. The company's unique take on the learning-at-home market is that its gaming headsets, microphones, and other products can help students block out the distractions at home, and stay focused on lessons.
The days of leadership without engagement are gone. With interactive social media and video everywhere, everyone needs to feel they have a relationship with their leaders, and every brand needs leader personification for customers to relate. Soon you won’t be able to name a business as one of your favorites if you can’t personally visualize and relate to company leadership.
Sunday, September 6, 2020 -- National Business Plan Competition Deadline/Pismo Ventures. Pismo Ventures presents the National Venture Plan Competition (NVPC). The NVPC is a business plan competition offering startups and entrepreneurs, across the United State, a unique opportunity to present their plans to experienced investors, screen in front of multiple investor groups nationwide, win cash and in-kind prizes, and participate in an array of invaluable webinars.
Camarillo-based semiconductor developer Semtech has scored another design win, this time with a developer of Internet-of-Things (IoT) products used to monitor avocado farms. According to Semtech, ICT International , which develops IoT solutions for environment applications, and Definium Technologies , a developer and manufacturer of IoT gateways and devices, are using Semtech's LoRa wireless networking technology to improve crop yield in Australian avocado plantations.
West Hollywood-based Stem Disintermedia Inc. has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Slow Ventures with follow on investment from Santa Monica-based Upfront Ventures and Aspect Ventures.
Out of curiosity, I often ask aspiring entrepreneurs like you, who come to me for help, what drives them to take on the workload and risk of a new startup. The most common answers I get are that they are driven by the opportunity to be their own boss, make a lot of money , and maybe fulfill a long held lifetime dream to do something they really enjoy, rather than just a more mundane job.
Don’t miss out on savings for this year’s online Xcelerate Keynote Series at Biotech Week Boston – our early bird sale ends this Friday! Speakers include: Jeff Baker – Deputy Director, Office of Biotechnology Products, FDA Michelle McMurry-Heath – President & CEO, BIO John Maraganore – CEO, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Yvonne Greenstreet – Chief Operating Officer, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Andrew Plump – President, Research & Development, Takeda Dhavalk
Los Angeles-based subscription air travel provider Surf Air Mobility Corporation --the latest incarnation of Surf Air--says an investor has promised it $200M in investment, if the company manages to go public. According to Surf Air Mobility, Luxembourg-based Global Emerging Markets Group (GEM) promised the investment, with the first $50M to the company available "on the first day of trading" and additional tranches over a three year period.
Dedicated and shared connections are two common internet configurations that organizations. can leverage to support their network-related needs. Both options have their pros and cons, which can make it difficult to decide on which is the right fit for each company. Here’s what you. should know about dedicated internet connection vs. shared, and why you should opt for one. over the other: What is a dedicated internet connection?
Akcea Therapeutics is returning to its parent company, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, in a $500 million deal that brings an end to a tumultuous three years as a standalone company. The definitive agreement announced Monday calls for Carlsbad, CA-based Ionis (NASDAQ: IONS ) to pay $18.15 for each share of Akcea (NASDAQ: AKCA ) that it does not already own. That price is a 60 percent premium to the Boston-based company’s closing stock price on Friday.
Santa Ana-based Aqua Medical , a developer of vapor-based ablation system to treat precancerous conditions and metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, said on Tuesday that it has raised a final $8.2M in an equity investment tranche. The Series A-3 funding was led by ShangBay Capital, and also included Ithaka Partners LLC and ForMED Ventures.
Less than four months after joining then high-flying TikTok as chief executive, former Walt Disney Co. veteran Kevin Mayer departed the company last week.
Carlsbad-based FASHIONPHILE , and e-commerce company which sells pre-owned luxury handbags, watches, and fine jewelry, has raised $38.5M in a Series B funding round. The funding was led by private equity firm NewSpring Growth. The company is also backed by Neiman Marcus. FASHIONPHILE was founded in 1999. According to the company, the new funding will go towards operational and geographic scaling, allowing it to further expand its footprint and regional fulfillment centers, both domestically and
Irvine-based Digital Motors , which develops an online car sales platform for car dealers, said this week that it has named Paul Edmonds as its VP of Customer Success. Digital Motors said Edmonds previously served at TrueCar, AutoTrader.com/Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive, and has more than 15 years of experience in digital dealer operations and software sales.
A new, Los Angeles-based startup, 6feet.com said it has launched this week, aimed at offering up a lifestyle site aimed at the age of COVID-19. The startup--founded by Elise Edwards and husband Jamey Edwards--said its goal is to "spotlight how to manage the new pandemic lifestyle, navigate life's new normal and chart a positive path forward during the most complicated era of our lifetime.
Los Angeles-based dating and hookup app Tinder says it is finally launching its Swipe Night interactive event, after being forced to delay the launch of the new feature back in March. The interactive event--a "choose your adventure" style event which shapes who is matched up with others based on choices through the app. The company said that it decided to launch Swipe Night because its "members have continued to use Tinder" throughout the pandemic, and it "wanted to give our members an entertain
San Diego-based e-commerce software provider Miva has received $2M in a credit facility, from Bridge Bank, according to the bank. According to the bank, Miva will use the new credit facility to fund working capital needs and support growth initiatives. No terms on the credit facility were announced by the company. Miva is led by CEO Rick Wilson; the company's software is popular with e-commerce operators for running their online stores.
Seal Beach-based Cuddly , a new startup which helps raise money for animal welfare organizations, says it has raised $4M in a Series A funding. The funding was led by Lead Edge Capital. According to Cuddly, the new funding will go towards accelerating growth. Cuddly is led by CEO John Hussey. The company's service allows animal shelters and rescue organizations to create product wishlists and fundraising campaigns, and connects them with donors.
Huntington Beach-based Rocket Lab announced on Thursday that it has launched its very first satellite, First Light , piggybacking on its "I Can't Believe It's Not Optical" mission. According to the company, the launch of its first in-house designed and built operational satellite is part of an effort to provide a "flexible platform" for a modern satellite.
Los Angeles-based PeaTos , a food startup which is developing healthy snacks, has raised $7M in a Series A funding round, the company said this week. The startup is led by Nick Desai, formerly chairman and CEO of Snack It Forward, and who had a stint in private equity at Shackleton Equity Partners, FocalPoint Partners, and KPMG. According to PeaTos, the Series A funding was led by Jackson Springs Management Partners (JSMP) and Connetic Ventures, and also included angels such as Tracy McGrady (ba
Irvine-based YouMail has acquired PhoneTag , a direct-to-consumer voicemail service, the company announced on Tuesday. Financial details of the deal were not announced. PhoneTag was founded in 2003, and offers up voicemail transcription services directly to consumers. According to YouMail, it now has PhoneTag's service running on its own platform. YouMail CEO Alex Quilici said in a statement that the acquisition might not be the last, saying "We are actively exploring similar acquisitions where
Jakob vanZyl , the founder and CEO of Hydrosat , one of the companies to emerge out of the 2019 Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator, died last Wednesday , after suffering from a heart attack on August 24th. VanZyl previously had served at NASA's Jet Propulation Laboratory, and was involved in the Juno, Dawn, Cassini, InSight Mars lander, Mars 2020 Perserverance, and other missions.
Huntington Beach-based Rocket Lab has returned to flight, successfully launching a new payload into space on Sunday. The company's "I Can't Believe It's Not Optical" flight launched from Rocket Lab's New Zealand launchpad at 8:05PM PDT, placing a satellite payload for Capella Space into orbit. The launch is the first for the company after a failure caused the loss of a payload on July 4th.
Santa Monica-based Graze , a new startup backed by Wavemaker Partners, said this morning that it has launched a new, robotic lawn mower targeted at the commercial market. According to the company, it is aiming at launching its fully autonomous, electric lawn mower by 2021. The company says its product is aimed at mowing large sized commercial lawns, and includes such features as GPS based mapping, computer vision, and machine learning capabilities.
Los Angeles-based The Skills , a new startup offering up subscription-based "life lessons" from celebrity athletes, launched today, saying that it is backed by Maveron, Global Founders Capital, and 8VC. The company--which did not disclose how much funding it has received--offers up subscriptions to "life lessons" from such athletes as Maria Sharapova, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Dashawn Jordan, Rachel Adams, Michael Phelps, Shaun White, and many others.
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