socaltech.com TechNews - Friday, October 31, 2014 Edited by Benjamin F. Kuo ISSN: 1524-6736 http://www.socaltech.com/News ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sponsored by:
TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments and acquisitions of growing software companies. Fetch Recruiting, Inc. (http://www.fetchrecruiting.com) Technical Recruiting for LA based Startups and High-Growth Companies Silicon Valley Bank (http://www.svb.com). Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. PricewaterhouseCoopers (http://www.socaltech.com/pwc). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Seedling: Creating A Brand Which Is Not Online, Or Offline, But Everywhere --Soteria Intelligence Takes On Social Media Threat Identification --HashAtIt Launches Hashtag Search Engine --MakerBot Rolls Out Hello Kitty In 3D In LA --uBeam Gets $10M For Wireless Charging --Topera, Started in San Diego, Acquired By Abbott For $250M Plus --TigerText Poaches Oracle VP As Sales Chief MARKETPLACE --Apply Today For NewCo's Inside-Out Conference --SoCal IP Law Group LLP - Serving the IP Needs of Business --Stradling --Early Stage Commercial Insurance - Pacific Unified Insurance Agency --Safire Partners Executive Search RECENT JOB POSTINGS --2D Game Artist, Los Angeles, FutureBound --Solutions Architect, Santa Monica, RampRate --Senior Systems Engineer, Los Angeles, DreamHost RECENT FUNDING EVENTS ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Apply for the Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Precellerator! Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP is one of the leading start-up law firms in Southern California. We pioneered a fixed fee start-up package making the formation and organization of your start-up as seamless as possible. Our Preccelerator Program is a new platform offered to select start-up companies out of our Santa Monica office that provides interim office space and sophisticated legal services, with the objective of helping you grow your idea from business concept to funded startup. The Preccelerator Program provides free co-working space and other perks for 5-6 promising young startups. We are now opening up applications for five new startups to join the program. Apply now! http://www.stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seedling: Creating A Brand Which Is Not Online, Or Offline, But Everywhere ---- Earlier this week, P.S. XO (formerly Moonfrye), the e-commerce company founded by Soleil Moon Frye and Kara Nortman, announced a merger with toy and crafting brand Seedling (www.seedling.com), which was founded by Phoebe Hayman. The two renamed themselves Seedling, and announced a new funding round from Upfront Venturess. We spoke with Kara Norton and Phoebe Hayman about the newly merged company, and how Pinterest and mobile are a key to the company's business – and how the company doesn't think of it as an e-commerce or retail brand, but a little bit of both. Can you tell us a bit about the company and the merger? Phoebe Hayman: We are bringing two companies together with a great heritage. Seedling has been around for seven years now, and we have some great strengths around international distribution and through retail Here in the U.S., we are in Nordstrom's, Macy's, Barnes and Noble, and thousands of other stores around the country. We have (More...) http://www.socaltech.com/seedling_creating_a_brand_which_is_not_online_or_offline_but_everywhere/s-0057646.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soteria Intelligence Takes On Social Media Threat Identification ---- Los Angeles-based Soteria Intelligence said yesterday that it has launched a new, social media threat assessment service, to help find threats voice on social networks in real time. According to Soteria Intelligence, its service is aimed at identifying things like terrorist activity, celebrity death threats, threats of school shootings, and more by filtering through social media posting. The new company is led by Aaron Schoenberger. The company says its client include high net worth individuals, corporations, and law enforcement agencies. http://www.socaltech.com/soteria_intelligence_takes_on_social_media_threat_identification/s-0057645.html HashAtIt Launches Hashtag Search Engine ---- Need to figure out who is using what hashtag where? Los Angeles-based HashAtIt said Thursday that it has launched a brand new search engine, which aggregates and allows users to find hashtags across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. The search engine works both on the web as well as through mobile apps, initially on iOS. The search engine revolves around hashtag "boards" which can be embedded into other sites or social networking pages. http://www.socaltech.com/hashatit_launches_hashtag_search_engine/s-0057644.html MakerBot Rolls Out Hello Kitty In 3D In LA ---- Fans of Hello Kitty have been flocking to downtown Los Angeles over the last few weeks for the big Hello Kitty-themed display at JANM, the Japanese American National Museum, and associated Hello Kitty convention-Hello Kitty Con--being held next door at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (The Museum of Contemporary Art) today through Sunday. As part of all of that Hello Kitty craziness, MakerBot, the 3D printer maker, said at the conference that it will start offering up 3D printable Hello Kitty collectibles, as part of its MakerBot PrintShop app. That app lets users download designs from an online marketplace of all kinds of 3D models. Sanrio--which owns Hello Kitty--and MakerBot said it will offer up the Hello Kitty digital designs starting at $3.99. uBeam Gets $10M For Wireless Charging ---- Los Angeles-based uBeam, a developer of wireless charging technology which uses ultrasound to transmit energy, has raised $10M in a Series A funding round, the company said Thursday. The funding was led by Upfront Ventures, and also included Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, CrunchFund, Ludlow Ventures, as well as angels Marissa Mayer, Tony Hsieh, Troy Carter, Shawn Fanning, and Mark Cuban. Upfront's investment was led by Mark Suster, who also joins the company's board. uBeam is led by Meredith Perry. http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60959 Topera, Started in San Diego, Acquired By Abbott For $250M Plus ---- Topera, a developer of medical devices used to treat atrial fibrillation, has been acquired by Abott in a $250M. Topera, until recently, was based in San Diego, but apparently moved to San Mateo in the last year or so. Abbott said it will pay $250M upfront, plus unspecified earnout for Topera this morning. Topera was venture backed by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), which led a $25M Series C financing for the company back in April of 2013, when the company was still based in San Diego. TigerText Poaches Oracle VP As Sales Chief ---- Santa Monica-based secure texting and messaging provider TigerText has bolstered its enterprise sales expertise, saying Thursday morning that it has hired Justin Nelson, most recently a VP at Oracle, as its new Chief Sales Officer. According to TigerText--whose enterprise products are used by health care providers and others for secure, regulation compliant instant text messaging--Nelson was mosst recently Vice President of Oracle's Service Cloud, overseeing its Healthcare and Life Sciences division. Nelson also had served at ShoreTel, Avaya, XO Communications, IBM, and elsewhere. The Chief Sales Officer position is a new one for TigerText, which is led by Brad Brooks. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARKETPLACE Reach 10000+ readers for 5 days for $250 Post your marketplace ad at: http://www.socaltech.com/postad.html ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Apply Today For NewCo's Inside-Out Conference NewCo is the "inside out" conference model where attendees use the working city as the event space, and companies open their doors to welcome the community into their offices for a one hour tour, conversation, or informational session. "NewCos" are companies that truly standout for their approach to business: NewCos are on a mission to effect real change in their chosen market, and they are leaders in creating workplaces that redefine traditional approaches to work. We are looking for smart, innovative companies to apply to join Google, Rickshaw Bags, IFTTT, Bloomberg West, Lit Motors, Instructables, Everlane, PUBLIC Bikes, Code for America, Hightail and many others. NewCo is expanding to Los Angeles soon. If you are a part of a company that should be one of the Host Companies in 2014, please apply today! http://marcatoapp.com/website_integration/newcolosangeles2014/artists/new ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- SoCal IP Law Group LLP - Serving the IP Needs of Business IP Litigation . IP Transactions . Patent & Trademark Prosecution . IP Strategy . Westlake Village . Santa Barbara . Irvine. [email protected] 805-230-1350 www.socalip.com ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Stradling Stradling, Attorneys At Law (http://www.sycr.com) ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Early Stage Commercial Insurance - Pacific Unified Insurance Agency We are a commercial insurance broker working with startup and early stage technology and E-Commerce companies to implement cost effective strategies for their insurance and risk management programs. We provide guidance and strategic planning during various phases and also advise regarding employee benefit structures to assist in employee recruiting and retention. Coverage placements include D&O, Property, Liability, Workers Comp, E&O, Cyber/Network Security and Employee Benefit Programs. Contact: John Huttinger, CIC, CRM Vice President Ph#310-370-5000 Ext 3025 w Fx 310-370-5454 [email protected] ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Safire Partners Executive Search Safire Partners has completed 300+ retained executive searches since 2006 working with emerging businesses in 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 [email protected]. ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT JOB POSTINGS More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs Members post jobs for free 2D Game Artist, Los Angeles, FutureBound http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5597 Game / Interaction Programmer, Los Angeles, FutureBound http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5596 Database / Game System Programmer, Los Angeles, FutureBound http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5595 Solutions Architect, Santa Monica, RampRate http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5594 Senior Systems Engineer, Los Angeles, DreamHost http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5593 CDN Expert Consultant, Santa Monica, RampRate http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5592 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT FUNDING SUMMARY 10/30/14 UBEAM INC. $10.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60959 10/29/14 Seedling $7.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60915 10/28/14 Tinder $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60906 10/28/14 Scorebig, Inc. $18.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60850 10/23/14 Tipalti $13.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60823 10/16/14 Wilshire Axon Sports $2.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60686 10/15/14 H3 Financial Services $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60681 10/14/14 Speakr $2.9M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60618 10/13/14 Cosmederm Bioscience $50.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60590 10/13/14 Vyu $0.8M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60589 10/08/14 Avidity NanoMedicines LLC $6.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60579 10/08/14 Crowdfunder $3.5M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60580 10/07/14 BloomNation $5.5M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60518 10/06/14 ShipHawk $5.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60356 10/06/14 Alteryx $60.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60352 10/02/14 Nant Health $320.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60348 10/01/14 Rowl $4.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=60219 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 November 1, Los Angeles -- WISH Charter will host the annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEG® League (FLL®) World Class Qualifying Tournament. Over 250 students, ages 9 to 16 from Southern California will be competing in this exciting event, which combines LEGO robots, teamwork and an energetic, tournament atmosphere to promote science, technology and innovation.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24374 November 3, Los Angeles -- Game Developers Conference Next (GDC Next). GDC Next answers the question: "So you've made a game, what's next?" GDC Next brings the video game community together – from makers to marketers, from companies both big and small – to learn how to increase discoverability, gain exposure, broaden their audience, differentiate their work, and position their games for industry success. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24349 November 5, San Diego -- CONNECT’s FrameWork’s Workshop: Mergers & Acquisitions. Despite continuing high unemployment, debt overhang and seemingly endless regulatory and fiscal changes, opportunities for acquiring or selling a company still exist. In order to successfully navigate an M&A transaction in this challenging economic environment, it is critical that buyers and sellers understand what will be required to be successful in their strategic transaction efforts, particularly in today’s challenging environment. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24335 November 6, Santa Monica -- LA CEOs presents Mike Jones, CEO Science. Please join Mark Landay, Dynamic Synergy Executive Recruitment for a fireside chat with Mike. This event is restricted to qualified CEOs & CFOs only. A confirmed RSVP required, no service providers admitted. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24342 November 6, Santa Monica -- Women 2.0 City Meetup. City Meetup is a Women 2.0 networking event to promote new networks amongst the entire technology ecosystem in innovative cities around the world. This event is open to those who work, start, and fund tech companies. Both women and men are invited to attend.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24322 November 7, Los Angeles -- Metro and the Digital Future. Metro is hosting a unique pitch-style event exploring technology in public transportation. Join industry experts as they discuss how creative technology could help improve the Metro customer experience. The event is free and open to the public. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24375 November 7, Los Angeles -- USC Electrical Engineering Research Festival. The Ming Hsieh Institute annually hosts the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering Research Festival. Over 100 undergraduate and graduate students present their research through poster sessions, demonstrations and oral presentations at the event. The Research Festival is a day-long festival that welcomes the entire USC Viterbi community, alumni and engineering industry representatives. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24293 November 9, Glendale -- Martin Short in conversation with Steve Martin. Live Talks LA. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24236 November 12, Thousand Oaks -- Tech Business Mixer. • Meet CTC and 101 Incubator Founders, CEO’s and Joint Venture Partners • Fast pitch introductions • Request for team collaborators • What’s new in Sustainable Business Bring your friends and join CTC for loads of fun, games, great food and drinks (5-6pm early bird specials!) Meet Tech Executives, Entrepreneurs, Inventors, Angel/VC Investors, Joint Venture Partners, Deal Makers and Start Up Mentors. Clean Technology Council has sponsored monthly entrepreneur roundtables since 2010. CTC members and friends see amazing opportunities driven by the convergence of technology, globalization and resources. Our mission is to bring together outstanding business leaders and creative individuals that want to learn, build relationships and operate sustainable businesses. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24350 November 12, San Diego -- MITEF: Boldly Explore Where No Enterprise Has Gone Before: How Today's Science Fiction Inspires Tomorrow's Innovation. You are an innovator looking for inspiration. The creative, imaginative, and unexpected intrigue you. You are curious to be in the know about the companies in our region that are spearheading commercial developments that were born from the Sci-Fi world, NASA research, and neuroscience exploration. The ability to identify the dots that will be connected 20 years from now is at the top of your list. You want to make a black swan moment happen. THIS is the time and the place. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24376 November 12, Santa Monica -- Security Panel. Tech in Motion LA's Security Panel will be assessing and addressing security, privacy threats and risks that are now prevalent due to the overwhelming use and reliance on technology devices.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24340 November 13, Irvine -- Startups to Success Demos & Drinks Mixer. Tech In Motion. Come see demos from the hottest startups to companies that have experienced success with innovative products and applications! This is a FREE event hosted by Tech in Motion OC - the largest tech meetup in Orange County! This is a great opportunity to not only check out the latest tech but network with the local tech community. RSVP today and join us at the Eureka Building's high-tech outdoor pavilion. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24352 November 14, Santa Barbara -- Startup Weekend Santa Barbara returns with our biggest event yet! Build a business in 54 hours and network with fellow entrepreneurs and amazing Central Coast Mentors. We are expecting 300+ at our opening night kickoff and celebration! Hope you can join us. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24368 November 15, Santa Barbara -- Startup Weekend Santa Barbara returns with our biggest event yet! Build a business in 54 hours and network with fellow entrepreneurs and amazing Central Coast Mentors. We are expecting 300+ at our opening night kickoff and celebration! Hope you can join us. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24369 November 16, Santa Barbara -- Startup Weekend Santa Barbara returns with our biggest event yet! Build a business in 54 hours and network with fellow entrepreneurs and amazing Central Coast Mentors. We are expecting 300+ at our opening night kickoff and celebration! Hope you can join us. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24370 November 16, Santa Barbara -- Startup Weekend Santa Barbara returns with our biggest event yet! Build a business in 54 hours and network with fellow entrepreneurs and amazing Central Coast Mentors. We are expecting 300+ at our opening night kickoff and celebration! Hope you can join us. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24371 November 18, Los Angeles -- John Cleese in conversation with Eric Idle. Live Talks LA. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24233 November 18, Santa Monica -- CoFoundersLab Matchup Santa Monica. CoFoundersLab Matchup Santa Monica is aimed at helping entrepreneurs find co-founders, advisers & interns and to build strong, core founding teams. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24309 November 19, Beverly Hills -- Join ACGLA for a complimentary evening event for corporate executives! Wednesday, November 19, 5:00PM Montage Beverly Hills. This world class panel, consisting of the leaders in eCommerce, will discuss the latest trends, valuation parameters, and developments in eCommerce. Topics will include: - Middlemarket opportunities - Trends - Industry landscape - Opportunities in Los Angeles - Valuation trends and key paramters - M&A Outlook - Capital sources and uses. Panel includes: David Weissman, Dermastore; John Suh, LegalZoom; Rick Smith, Crosscut Ventures; Brad Meadow, Yandy; Mark Douglas, Steelhouse. Moderated by Ivan Nikhoo, Siemre & Associates. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24365 November 20, San Diego -- CONNECT's FrameWorks Workshop: Business Aspects of Patents. Intellectual property plays a seminal role in the success of many companies. While adequately protecting innovation is a major economic driver, as with any valuable asset, if it is not properly managed its full potential will not be realized and the company will fail. This program will focus on the role key business factors play in capturing, managing, and exploiting the intellectual property of the company.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24377 November 20, San Diego -- The IT Summit San Diego. The IT Summit is the executive technology conference series returning to San Diego for our third annual event on November 20th, 2014. The purpose of the summit is to provide educational and networking resources for the IT leaders in the Southern California area. The conference is driven by an Executive Board of regional IT professionals that directs the content of the educational sessions and sponsor participation. The IT Summit is designed to address the real-world opportunities and challenges faced by today's executives, by facilitating face-to-face interaction and networking among information technology peers. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24126 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by: TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments in and Acquisitions of Growing Software Companies 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. Fetch Recruiting, Inc. (www.fetchrecruiting.com) Technical Recruiting for LA based Startups and High-Growth Companies Key info (http://www.keyinfo.com) infrastructure ~ connectivity ~ co-location ~ cloud PricewaterhouseCoopers (http://www.socaltech.com/pwc). Shimokaji IP (http://www.shimokaji.com) Bettering Life Through Creative Ideas Email [email protected] 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 [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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) 2014 SOCALTECH LLC. 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