socaltech.com TechNews - Thursday, December 20, 2012 Edited by Benjamin F. Kuo ISSN: 1524-6736 http://www.socaltech.com/News ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sponsored by:
Clearstone Ventures (www.clearstone.com). Venture capital for innovators. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. Deloitte LLP (http://www.deloitte.com/us/technology). Fetch Recruiting, Inc. (http://www.fetchrecruiting.com) Technical Recruiting for LA based Startups and High-Growth Companies ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Invested.in Powers Crowdfunding For Black Isle --Sonos Gets Plug On Late Night with Jimmy Fallon --MEI Pharma Gets $27.5M In PIPE --NextWave, AT&T Get FCC Approval On Acquisition --Novatel Wireless Hits Three Million LTE Devices --ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Get Research Funding --Domain Associates, Rusnano Boost Three Firms By $93M --Givit Enhances Twitter Integration, DropBox Importing Tools --ParkMe Competitor Finds Funding --THQ Files For Bankruptcy --Infographic: Social Media Spurring E-Commerce Activity --Allergan Completes SkinMedica Buy --Focus@will Aims To Help Users Focus, Using Music --Tubular Labs Finds $2.5M More --MarkedUp Debuts Windows 8 Analytics Tools MARKETPLACE --Safire Partners Executive Search --Binary Pulse Technology Marketing. We Create Demand. --PwC Emerging Company Zone RECENT JOB POSTINGS --Director/Co-Founder of Digital Marketing, Calabasas, AppNRG --Sales Manager-Direct Sales, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch --Graphic Designer, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch --UI/UX Developer, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch --Director of Business Development-Franchise Sales, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch --Director of Sales, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch RECENT FUNDING EVENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Invested.in Powers Crowdfunding For Black Isle ---- Los Angeles-based crowdfunding software firm Invested.in is powering a new campaign for Black Isle Studios, a subsidiary of Interplay, which is looking to revive a game called Project V13. The game studio developed Baldur's Gate and Fallout 2. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Invested.in is the crowdfunding software firm which is part of the Amplify LA accelerator. http://www.blackisle.com Sonos Gets Plug On Late Night with Jimmy Fallon ---- Santa Barbara-based Sonos, the developer of the popular, whole home audio systems, got a big endorsement this week, when its SONOS PLAY:3 was featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. SONOS was featured on the annual gift-highlighting on the late night show. Sonos did not say how it was selected for the show. http://www.hulu.com/watch/436637 MEI Pharma Gets $27.5M In PIPE ---- San Diego-based MEI Pharma, a publicly traded developer of oncology drugs, said today that it has completed a $27.5M private placement. The new funding was led by Vivo Ventures and New Leaf Venture Partners. MEI Pharma said the new funding will go to advance clinical development of its lead drug candidate, which is an oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. That compound is being used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia and myelofibrosis. http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showdeal&id=47352 NextWave, AT&T Get FCC Approval On Acquisition ---- San Diego-based NextWave Wireless said last night that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the transfer of control of its various spectrum licenses to AT&T, the last remaining regulatory approval required under the merger agreement between the companies. NextWave said it now expects the merger to occur in the first quarter of 2013. AT&T and NextWave reached a deal for AT&T to acquire NextWave's spectrum in August, in a deal worth $25M and up to $25M more in contingent payments; AT&T also acquired a substantial amount of NextWave's outstanding debt, to the tune of around $600M. AT&T is hopin to use the bandwidth from NextWave to power a mobile Internet service. Novatel Wireless Hits Three Million LTE Devices ---- San Diego-based Novatel Wireless, the developer of mobile broadband devices, reports this morning that it has now shipped more than three million of its 4G LTE products. Novatel Wireless is the maker of the popular portable MiFi hotspot devices, including its latest, the 4G LTE MiFI Liberate, which is being shipped by AT&T. Novatel's MiFi hotspots turn any 4G cell phone connection into a portable wireless WiFi hotspot. Novatel also makes wireless modem cards and M2M modules. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Get Research Funding ---- ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, which is developing treatments for central nervous system and neurological disease, said this morning that it has received funding from Fast Forward LLC, a nonprofit established by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and EMD Serono, a subsidiary of Merck. ACADIA said the $545,000 from the two will go towards preclinical studies for its AC-186 compound, which is being approached as a new treatment of multiple sclerosis. ACADIA said the new funds will go towards research being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl of UCLA. Domain Associates, Rusnano Boost Three Firms By $93M ---- San Diego-based venture capital firm Domain Associates and its Russian partner, Rusnano, have put part of their $760M, late stage investment fund to work, investing a total of $93M in funding in three portfolio companies of Domain. (More...) http://bit.ly/R677EX Givit Enhances Twitter Integration, DropBox Importing Tools ---- Givit, the developer of mobile apps which let users create and share videos on their iPhone, has bolstered Twitter integration and importing tools for the software. The San Diego firm said that the new integration now allows users to share videos via Twitter and display video directly inside their tweets; added new importing tools which make it easy for users to migrate full video libraries from SkyDrive and Dropbox; and also improve video clipping and other features of the software. Givit, which is led by Greg Kostello, offers up its app for iPhone for free; the company's free accounts provide up to 5GB of storage at signup. ParkMe Competitor Finds Funding ---- Santa Monica-based Parkme, the developer of smartphone applications which help users find real-time parking information, has a new, funded competitor: ParkWhiz.com. ParkWhiz, based in Chicago, said Wednesday that it has raised $2M in a Series A funding. The funding came from Hyde Park Venture Partners, Hyde Park Angels, Amicus Capital, Alexis Ohanian, Garry Tan, Henry J. Feinberg and Amreesh Modi. ParkMe is funded by Fontinalis Partners and IDG Ventures. http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showdeal&id=47349 THQ Files For Bankruptcy ---- Agoura Hills-based vidoegame maker THQ has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and is now seeking a buyer, according to the company Wednesday. THQ said that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with affiliate of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. to acquire "substantially all" of its operating business, including all four of its studios and games in development. As part of the move, THQ said it has received commitments for debtor-in possession (DIP) financing of approximately $37.5 million, subject to court approval. THQ's stock plunged on the news Wednesday afternoon, dropping by more than 75 percent on news of the bankruptcy filing. Infographic: Social Media Spurring E-Commerce Activity ---- A new study of social media activity and e-commerce, compiled from Los Angeles social tools developer Social Annex, shows that social media is--not surprisingly--playing a far bigger role in online shopping this year. The company analyzed social networking activity, and found that roughly 66 percent of users who made Black Friday / Cyber Monday purchases did so as a result of social media interaction, with 86 percent of social user making or receiving holiday gift recommendations via social networks. The company highlighted some of its result in an infographic (reproduced below). http://bit.ly/Udl1p6 Allergan Completes SkinMedica Buy ---- Irvine-based Allergan said yesterday that it has completed its $350M acquisition of Carlsbad-based SkinMedica, the developer of aesthetic skin care products. The acquisition had been announced on November 12th. As part of the acquisition, SkinMedica said it has spun out its Colorescience aesthetic make-up business as a new company. SkinMedica was venture backed by Apax Partners, Domain Associates, EuclidSR Partners, HealthCare Ventures, Montagu Newhall Associates, Montreux Equity Partners, Perseus-Soros BioPharmaceutical Fund, Split Rock Partners, St. Paul Venture Capital, and Versant Ventures. Focus@will Aims To Help Users Focus, Using Music ---- Do you have a hard time concentrating and keeping on task, particularly for concentration intensive tasks like writing, coding, and reading? A new Los Angeles Startup, focus@will, said Wednesday morning that it has launched a private beta of a service to do just that, by using music. The company--led by Will Henshall--said it is using productivity research to deliver music to help users focus on tasks, based on musical key, arrangements, intensity, and other factors. The startup said it will launch first as a cross-platform, HTML5 web app, with rollout later to native mobile apps on iOS and Android. http://www.focusatwill.com Tubular Labs Finds $2.5M More ---- Tubular Labs, the developer of analytics tools for YouTube networks--which is backed by a significant number of Los Angeles angel investors--has added another, $2.5M to its warchest in a new funding. The firm--which was seeded by Allen DeBevoise of Machinima, Matt Coffin of LowerMyBills, Paul Bricault of Amplify.LA, along with others--said the new funds come from FirstMark Capital, High Line Venture Partners, SVAngel, Lerer Ventures, and Bedrocket Media Ventures. Tubular Labs provides services to such local YouTube networks as BigFrame, DECA, Machinima, and others. The firm is basd up in Silicon Valley. http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47347 MarkedUp Debuts Windows 8 Analytics Tools ---- MarkedUp, the latest startup out of Santa Monica-based MuckerLab, said this morning that it has begun offering up analytics for developers of both desktop and mobile applications for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. The startup--led by former Microsoft Developer Evangelist Aaron Stannard--said (More...) http://bit.ly/12plCan --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARKETPLACE Reach 10000+ readers for 5 days for $250 Post your marketplace ad at: http://www.socaltech.com/postad.html ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Safire Partners Executive Search Safire Partners has completed 150+ retained executive searches since 2006 working with emerging businesses in digital media, Internet, eCommerce, software and clean technology across Southern California. Please visit our website to see an updated list of our clients and searches completed at http://www.safirepartners.com/. We are always interested in meeting new candidates and potential clients, so feel free to email our Managing Partner, Todd Gitlin at t...@safire.la. We can also always be a friendly source for investor introductions and general market / compensation intelligence. ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Binary Pulse Technology Marketing. We Create Demand. Binary Pulse Technology Marketing We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies For more than ten years, dozens of Southern California's industry-leading tech firms have turned to Binary Pulse for their demand-generating strategies and programs. Our services include: -- Demand Generation Planning and Execution -- Channel Program Development -- Lead Capture and Management -- Web Site Development & Search Engine Marketing -- Corporate and Product Branding -- Online Integration Strategies -- Reseller Recruitment -- Multimedia Presentations -- Social Media Marketing Please visit us at http://www.binarypulse.com to learn more or give us a call at 949-336-7400. ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- PwC Emerging Company Zone Visit the Emerging Company Zone, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, for access to the latest MoneyTree venture capital report; thought leadership articles, information on IPOs and more. http://www.socaltech.com/pwc ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT JOB POSTINGS More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs Members post jobs for free Director/Co-Founder of Digital Marketing, Calabasas, AppNRG http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5462 Sales Manager-Direct Sales, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5459 Graphic Designer, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5461 UI/UX Developer, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5460 Director of Business Development-Franchise Sales, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5458 Director of Sales, Santa Barbara, Local Market Launch http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5457 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT FUNDING SUMMARY 12/20/12 MEI Pharma $27.5M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47352 12/19/12 Signifyd $2.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47351 12/14/12 Helinet $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47218 12/12/12 Mitu Network $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47206 12/12/12 Enevate $24.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47202 12/12/12 Koupon Kitty $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47213 12/06/12 Biomatrica $5.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47059 12/06/12 Avelas Biosciences $7.7M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=47060 11/29/12 CARDIAQ VALVE TECHNOLOGIES INC $37.3M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=46449 11/29/12 TranscribeMe $0.9M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=46916 11/29/12 CapLinked $1.6M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=46913 11/29/12 ArmaGen Technologies Inc $17.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=46984 11/27/12 At The Pool $0.8M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=46906 11/27/12 Fresh Dish $0.5M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=46902 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Events This Month http://www.socaltech.com/Calendar socaltech.com Calendar of Southern California High Tech Events Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html December 21, Los Angeles -- AngelLaunch Holiday Party. Angel Launch produces events connecting entrepeneurs and investors in Los Angeles and San Francisco area. WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Investors, startups, Internet and web enable ventures, games, web services, mobile, apps, Internet enabled services, platforms, consumer electronics, software, hardware, entertainment and media, digital media, broadband and web services, entertainment,, finance, life science, enterprise, clean tech.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23034 December 31, Los Angeles -- LA Ruby / Ruby on Rails Monthly Meetup. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/22992 December 31, Santa Monica -- SM New Tech Meetup November 2012 #SMNT5. 6 new tech startup companies will present their products and technology (5 min demo+5 min Q&A). See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/22934 January 5, Studio City -- Tech Startups Helping Each Other Breakfast. A monthly breakfast for founders of tech startups who want to connect and help each otherNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23043 January 7, Encino -- Sales/Marketing Study Group. Study group for tech startup founders who want to get better at sales and marketingNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23044 January 9, Westlake Vilage -- Being Green Saves You Green: Why Sustainability is a Conservative Fiscal Issue. Panelists: Wally Geer,Founder and President of Greymar Associates, a pioneer in energy efficient housing; Brent Locke, Co-Founder and General Manager of EnerGtech Experts advanced energy management systems; Fernando Tapia, Sr. Finance Analyst at SolarWorld, the largest Solar Panel Manufacturer in the U.S; Neil Popowitz, Partner at Freilich & Popowitz LLP, developing sustainability, growth management and green land development codes. One on one sessions and networking with national expertsNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23036 January 10, Santa Monica -- LA CEOs. LA CEOs, an education and support group for CEOs only, presents: Leading A Growing Company. Ambrose Co-CEO Greg Slamowitz will share techniques for leading a growing company. He speaks about aligning your people, developing a strong culture, embracing change, among other managerial and leadership techniques ideal for startups and small businesses. This event is restricted to CEOs only. No service providersNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23040 January 14, Santa Clarita -- Use 90 Sec Videos to Explain Your Product - Create Awesome. Explainer videos (those 60-90 sec videos on home pages around the Internet) are all the rage. It's considered an art. How do you quickly and succinctly explain your product or service to your target customer so that you can engage them right away. A good video will not only engage your target customer but avoid also lots of "how does your site work" emails. This is a hot topic right now in tech. I've asked Nick, an expert in this space, to come in to teach us tips on how to make effective Explainer Videos. Companies like FourSquare have created such effective Explainer Videos resulting in a growth explosion. Can a good Explainer Video help you reach your goal of a $100M valuation? *The presentation will cover How To Create an effective "How To"/Animated Video. The Essential elements of a Video (Script/storyboard, Audio Recording, Animation) and how to do each one effectively. How to use *Video Animation effectively in your Startup. *How to make an effective video *The essential elements of a video (Script, VO, Animation) and how to do each one most effectively *Provide additional tips/stories on funny video ideas I have seen, maybe even a bit of info on viral videoNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23039 January 18, Woodland Hills -- San Fernando Valley Startup Weekend. Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Share ideas, form teams, and launch startups. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23027 January 19, Woodland Hills -- San Fernando Valley Startup Weekend. Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Share ideas, form teams, and launch startups. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/23028 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by: Clearstone Ventures (www.clearstone.com). Venture capital for innovators. Silicon Valley Bank (http://www.svb.com). Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. Safire Partners (http://www.safirepartners.com). Los Angeles-based executive search for emerging growth companies Binary Pulse Technology Marketing (http://www.binarypulse.com). We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Deloitte LLP (http://www.deloitte.com/us/technology). Fetch Recruiting, Inc. (www.fetchrecruiting.com) Technical Recruiting for LA based Startups and High-Growth Companies Email sa...@socaltech.com for more information about sponsoring this newsletter. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the socalTECH.com TechNews from our web site, or otherwise requested a subscription. If you do not want to receive this newsletter go to: http://www.socaltech.com/unsubscribe.php or email us at customerserv...@socaltech.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Legal Notices ---- While SOCALTECH LLC has used its best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, SOCALTECH LLC does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident or other causes. All contents Copyright (c) 2012 SOCALTECH LLC. All rights reserved. socalTECH.com - Dedicated to High Tech in Southern California http://www.socaltech.com/ SOCALTECH LLC 4607 Lakeview Canyon Road, Suite 290, Westlake Village, CA 91361 _______________________________________________ Socaltech mailing list Socaltech@listserv.socaltech.com http://listserv.socaltech.com/mailman/listinfo/socaltech
