socaltech.com TechNews - Monday, March 16, 2015 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. Silicon Valley Bank (http://www.svb.com). Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Binary Pulse Technology Marketing (http://www.binarypulse.com). We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Fetch Recruiting, Inc. (http://www.fetchrecruiting.com) Technical Recruiting for LA based Startups and High-Growth Companies Shimokaji IP (http://www.shimokaji.com) Bettering Life Through Creative Ideas ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --FameBit: Connecting Brands With YouTubers --Kutcher, Oseary Launch New Venture Fund, Sound Ventures --Tinder Sued Over New Subscription Fees --Ceres Signs Ethanol Deal In Brazil --Illumina Files Patent Suit Again UK Firm --XCOR Names New CEO --Rubicon Project Wins DigitasLBi --Snapchat Parts Ways With COO --Favor Plans Expansion Into San Diego, Gets $13M MARKETPLACE --Deloitte --SoCal IP Law Group LLP - Serving the IP Needs of Business --La Visual - A Branding, Product Strategy & Rapid Prototyping Accelerator -- Key Information Systems RECENT JOB POSTINGS --Software Development Engineer, Santa Monica, Vision Technology Solutions, LLC --Director, Network and IT Operations, marina del rey, TeleSign --Senior DevOps Engineer, Marina del Rey, TeleSign --Solution Architect , Santa Monica, MD Insider --Business Development Associate: Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing, Los Angeles, British Consulate-General, Los Angeles --Salesforce App Engineer, Los Angeles, Colony Logic RECENT FUNDING EVENTS ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- TechCXO - Los Angeles TechCXO is a professional services firm that provides experienced, C-Suite professionals to deliver strategic and functional consulting services for technology companies. We answer your critical issues around obtaining capital, increasing revenue, entering new markets and improving margins. TechCXO partners combine practical experience, comprehensive resources and best practices to deliver objective, high-value results. For TechCXO Los Angeles, please contact: Tim Noonan Managing Partner, LA Region TechCXO (805)290-3720 [email protected] ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FameBit: Connecting Brands With YouTubers ---- It's a new world out there for content creators on YouTube, who are now able to create their own--often substantial--following. But, how do you pay for that content and creativity? Los Angeles-based FameBit (www.famebit.com) has developed a new platform which lets any content creator connect with brands, without the need for an agency or MCN, to help them grow their content and network. We spoke with co-founder David Kierzkowski and Agnes Kozera about the company, and how its technology and marketplace is enabling growth for both YouTubers and brands. Tell us about FameBit? David Kierzkowski: We're the first, and the leading marketplace that connects YouTubers to brands for product and service endorsements. Agnes had developed a subscription service a (More...) http://www.socaltech.com/famebit_connecting_brands_with_youtubers/s-0059379.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kutcher, Oseary Launch New Venture Fund, Sound Ventures ---- Celebrity investor Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, who have been making personal investments in technology companies via A-Grade Investments, said over the weekend as SXSW that they have launched a new, venture capital fund called Sound Ventures. The new fund--unliked A-Grade Investments--will be backed in institutional backers and limited partners. Size of the new fund has not been announced. Tinder Sued Over New Subscription Fees ---- Los Angeles-based Tinder has been sued over its move to charge users fees by a Florida man, who claims that Tinder offered up its service for free, then "deceptively and forcibly migrating" its user base to a paid subscription model. The lawsuit was filed by user Billy Warner, represented by the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, and is seeking Class Action status; the lawsuit seeks statutory penalties and restitution of funds obtained by Tinder. For its part, Tinder called the new lawsuit "downright silly." Ceres Signs Ethanol Deal In Brazil ---- Thousand Oaks-based agricultural biotechnology developer Ceres said this morning that it has inked a deal with Brazilian energy company Raizen S.A., where the two will develop and produce sweet sorghum on an industrial scale. The sorghum will be used to complement existing feedstock at Raizen's sugarcane-to-ethanol mills. Financial impact of the deal was not announced, however, the two said that each of the companies will provide in-kind services and resources, and share revenue from the ethanol produced from Ceres' sweet sorghum. Raizen is a joint venture of Royal Dutch Shell and Cosan. Ceres uses biotechnology to develop seeds specifically optimized for biofuels and other uses. Illumina Files Patent Suit Again UK Firm ---- San Diego-based lifesciences equipment developer Illumina has filed patent infringement suite against UK-based Premaitha Health plc, via its subsidiary, Verinata Health. The lawsuit was filed in the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court in the United Kingdom. Illumina claims that Premaitha is violating its European patents covering the use of cell-free fetal DNA for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). XCOR Names New CEO ---- Mojave-based space vehicle developer XCOR Aerospace announced this morning that it has named John H. (Jay) Gibson II as its new CEO and President. Gibson takes over the position from Jeff Greason, who has become Chief Technology Officer of the company. Gibson was most recently at aircraft maker Beechcraft Corporation, and was also Assistant Secretary of the United States Air Force and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. XCOR is in the midst of developing rocket-powered vehicles for developing people and payloads into space. Rubicon Project Wins DigitasLBi ---- Los Angeles-based Rubicon Project, which provides advertising automation software, reported last week that marketing and technology company DigitaLBi has selected the company's technology. Financial impact of the win was not announced. Rubicon Project said its technology will be used to automate guaranteed media buys across the agency. Snapchat Parts Ways With COO ---- In what has been a constant, Snapchat-all-the-time news week, the Venice, California-based messaging company has apparently cut loose its COO, Emily White, as CEO and co-founder Evan Spiegel has decided to take a more hand-on role at the company. White had only joined Snapchat in 2013, having formerly been Instagram's Director of Business Operations. The news comes only a day after leaks of a $200M investment in Snapchat by Alibaba, which reportedly values Snapchat at $15 billion. Favor Plans Expansion Into San Diego, Gets $13M ---- Favor, a on-demand, mobile delivery app developer, said today that it will be expanding into San Diego in the coming months, thanks to a new, $13M funding round. Favor--which is based in Austin, Texas--said it raised $13M in a Series A funding, from S3 Ventures, Silverton Partners, Tim Draper, and other angels, specifically for the expansion move. The company currently operates in Austin, Boston, Houston and Dallas. San Diego will be the company's first foray into California. Favor--think an "Uber" for delivery of goods from local stores--actually came out of an idea when co-founder Ben Doherty was attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Favor was part of the SLO HotHouse incubator/accelerator. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARKETPLACE Reach 10000+ readers for 5 days for $250 Post your marketplace ad at: http://www.socaltech.com/postad.html ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Deloitte In the United States, Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries have 65,000 professionals with a single focus: Serving our clients and helping them solve their toughest problems. Ranking among the nation’s leading professional services firms in audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services across more than 20 industries, Deloitte invests in outstanding people of diverse talents and backgrounds and empowers them to achieve more than they could elsewhere. To learn more about Deloitte's capabilities, please visit Deloitte.com or contact Kris Kaufmann, Partner at [email protected]. ------------------------------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------------------------------- La Visual - A Branding, Product Strategy & Rapid Prototyping Accelerator Local branding agency launches a new design-centric accelerator program. We help you streamline the launch of your startup by offering world-class branding, product strategy, user-experience design, rapid-prototyping technology, mentorship, and access to early stage investment all under one roof! Contact us to setup a meet and greet today. Contact: Braven Greenelsh CEO [email protected] [email protected] Direct: 323-924-8847 | Studio: 818-824-6430 | Fax: 888-763-7412 Website: Lavisual.com Linkedin Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/braven ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Key Information Systems Key Information Systems, Inc. (KeyInfo) is a leading regional systems integrator, with world-class compute, storage and networking solutions and professional services for the most advanced software-defined data centers. These competencies are tightly complimented by a full suite of data center capabilities including private and hybrid cloud offerings, connectivity services, colocation facilities and managed services. To learn more about Key Information Systems, Inc. or KeyCloud, visit KeyInfo.com or contact Chris Ticknor at Key Information Systems, Inc., 30077 Agoura Court, First Floor, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, USA, email [email protected] or call 1.818.737.2804. http://www.keyinfo.com ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT JOB POSTINGS More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs Members post jobs for free Software Development Engineer, Santa Monica, Vision Technology Solutions, LLC http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5620 Director, Network and IT Operations, marina del rey, TeleSign http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5619 Senior DevOps Engineer, Marina del Rey, TeleSign http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5618 Solution Architect , Santa Monica, MD Insider http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5614 Business Development Associate: Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing, Los Angeles, British Consulate-General, Los Angeles http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5612 Salesforce App Engineer, Los Angeles, Colony Logic http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5611 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT FUNDING SUMMARY 03/11/15 Prevoty $8.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62985 03/11/15 Cinq Music $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62984 03/10/15 Independa $6.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62880 03/04/15 YouMail $5.5M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62652 03/02/15 Rocket Labs $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62511 03/02/15 PSI Services $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62510 02/26/15 3D Robotics $50.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62507 02/26/15 Twenty20 FKA InstaCanvas $20.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62503 02/25/15 Mavenlink, Inc. $19.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62388 02/23/15 Machinima.com $24.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62382 02/19/15 17Hats $1.3M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62298 02/18/15 Firefly Games $8.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62291 02/17/15 Tealium Inc. $30.7M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62290 02/17/15 Laguna Pharmaceuticals $30.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=62288 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 March 16, Los Angeles -- The California STEM Learning Network will convene 400 partners and STEM leaders from PK-12, higher education, business and industry, government agencies, science rich education institutions, and non-profits to help California prepare the nation’s most STEM-capable graduates by coordinating and activating a statewide network representing all STEM stakeholders. Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/california-stem-summit-2015-tickets-13012955099?aff=es2&rank=8";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24579 March 17, Westlake Village -- TEDxConejoLive 2015. Next Tuesday, March 17th, you have the rare opportunity to experience the magic of TED live from the main stage in Vancouver from the comfort of your local start-up community hub. This is a chance to see TEDtalks as they happen, unedited. This year’s theme is Truth and Dare. For TED2015, the speakers are on a quest to magnify both facets. They will seek to challenge and reshape our core beliefs about today's reality and, at the same time, celebrate the thinkers, dreamers and mavericks who offer bold new alternatives. While the main stage has been sold out for over one year, the opportunity to watch the stream is new and free to TEDx organizations and their guests (you. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24590 March 17, Santa Barbara -- TEDxSantaBarbara - Ideas Worth Sharing. On Tuesday, March 17th for the first time in Santa Barbara, experience TED from the main stage in Vancouver LIVE via simulcast. Join us in a relaxed setting for a full day of live TED talks on the theme: Truth and Dare. Be inspired by some of the greatest minds of our time. Network with friends and colleagues throughout the event and leave with ideas and perspectives that just may change your life. There’s only room for 100 and we expect it to fill up quickly so register today to reserve your spot. (It’s free!. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24591 March 17, Los Angeles -- The California STEM Learning Network will convene 400 partners and STEM leaders from PK-12, higher education, business and industry, government agencies, science rich education institutions, and non-profits to help California prepare the nation’s most STEM-capable graduates by coordinating and activating a statewide network representing all STEM stakeholders. Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/california-stem-summit-2015-tickets-13012955099?aff=es2&rank=8";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24580 March 18, Santa Ana -- PDMA SoCal is pleased to welcome Jeff Blanton back for another informative and thought-provoking speaking engagement. Jeff’s wealth of experience includes strategic planning and product development for Fortune 500 companies as well as early-stage startups. For further details see "http://www.pdma.org/p/ca/vi/sid=537";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24487 March 18, Irvine -- Join us for our first forum of 2015 - Celebrating Women’s History Month, as we kick off this year’s theme of “Managing Your Career – Take your seat at the table” with a special forum celebrating Women’s History Month. Our March 18 forum will feature a great panel of technology and business leaders you won’t want to miss. For more information see "http://www.awtsocal.org/events/march-forum/";. NEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24593 March 18, La Jolla -- Bootstrapping can have its advantages. A $30M exit usually means you didn't raise venture. And that's ok. In fact, it can be magnificent. So how do you bootstrap a company to exit? How do you structure your business? How do you strategize growth? How and when do you take in money? And ultimately - how do you drive your business to generate multiple bids, and get your sale over the finish line? For more information, see "http://www.sdvg.org/march182015/";. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24566 March 19, La Jolla -- CONNECT's Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Join CONNECT in honoring Dr. Andrew Viterbi, Co-Founder of Qualcomm, at the prestigious Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Awards luncheon. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24480 March 19, Los Angeles -- Classic Rock Business Mixer. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24564 March 19, Huntington Beach -- Don't miss Orange County's famous Co Founder of Pedego Electric Bikes, back by popular demand! From Newport Beach to Huntington Beach this innovator and 'cause for change' entrepreneur is bringing more of his knowledge to TCVN members and to SEN - Student Entrepreneur Network. Come join us at Ocean View High School to find out what innovates an idea, how to get it from A - Z and how to make yourself a marketing genius while having fun. You will also get to interact, share and network with some of Orange County's upcoming finest and most brilliant Entrepreneurs - The MillennialsNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24594 March 19, Claremont -- Now in its 24th year, the California Water Policy Conference is the premier event in the State that brings together leaders from the agricultural, urban water and environmental communities to discuss the current policy issues impacting California’s water. Every year over 300 participants from around the State attend this conference to network with their colleagues, listen to perspectives they may have not heard before and learn about new programs and ideas. Claremont, CA (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.cawaterpolicy.org/";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24581 March 20, Claremont -- Now in its 24th year, the California Water Policy Conference is the premier event in the State that brings together leaders from the agricultural, urban water and environmental communities to discuss the current policy issues impacting California’s water. Every year over 300 participants from around the State attend this conference to network with their colleagues, listen to perspectives they may have not heard before and learn about new programs and ideas. Claremont, CA (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.cawaterpolicy.org/";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24582 March 23, Irvine -- the International Colloquium on Environmentally Preferred Advanced Power Generation presents the 15th Annual Clean Energy Conference, a two-day event focused on clean energy systems covering sustainable power generation, energy utilization, and grid ramifications. Henry Samueli School of Engineering, Irvine (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.apep.uci.edu/icepag2015/default2.aspx";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24583 March 24, Irvine -- the International Colloquium on Environmentally Preferred Advanced Power Generation presents the 15th Annual Clean Energy Conference, a two-day event focused on clean energy systems covering sustainable power generation, energy utilization, and grid ramifications. Henry Samueli School of Engineering, Irvine (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.apep.uci.edu/icepag2015/default2.aspx";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24584 March 24, LA Harbor College -- PortTech Forum looks at the impact to local business owners and operators due to the newStormwater Runoff Rules that go into effect on July 1. The revised regulations are broader in scope and introduce new compliance requirements needed to reduce the flow of contaminated waters into sewers, flood control channels and ultimately the ocean. The Forum will examine the goals of the rules generally and how they apply specifically to the businesses in and around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. LA Harbor College, 8:00 – 10:30 AM (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see 'http://www.porttechla.org/events/events-calendar?task=view_event&event_id=258";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24585 March 26, Irvine -- The world of being an entrepreneur is challenging enough. Doing it alone is even tougher. Join your fellow entrepreneurs and colleagues at TCVN's March Mentoring Madness, Thursday, March 26th and learn from successful SoCal entrepreneurs, investors and experts while growing your entrepreneurial support network. For more information see "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-mentoring-madness-tickets-16032567842".NEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24595 March 26, San Diego -- This full-day definitive seminar provides an overview of the angel investing process including the details of finding, evaluating, and structuring deals. It will also go into depth on how to develop angel-entrepreneur relationships that lead to success. This highly interactive program provides attendees with practical information on best practices in angel investing through a balance of expert presentations, panel discussions and small group case studies. For more information, see "http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=5d7a1870-62ef-4fec-abef-1246ef90f084&c=d6ed66d0-33fa-11e3-a77c-d4ae52843dc7&ch=dc12ff80-33fa-11e3-a780-d4ae52843dc7";. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24567 March 26, Long Beach -- The innovate!socal 2015 conference is a symposium that brings together disruptive thinkers in economic development and the startup community to work together to find solutions to building the entrepreneur ecosystem for Southern California. The day features panels and renowned speakers sharing their perspectives on tools and models that help establish a powerful, self-sustaining, nurturing environment for high growth start-ups. Pacific Ballroom, Long Beach Convention Center, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (courtesy of Green LAVA). For more information see "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovatesocal-2015-registration-13081730809?aff=es2&rank=46";.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24586 March 28, Los Angeles -- SoGal Startup Summit Presented by GirlsUp. Simple equation: SoGal = SoCal + Gals. Girl power is ON! SoGal Startup Summit 2015 presented by GirlsUp kicks off on Saturday, March 28th, and you're invited to take part in the largest female entrepreneurship summit in LA! This is going to be EPIC! Hosted by GirlsUp, SoGal Startup Summit is the largest entrepreneurship conference for young women in Southern California. The day-long event brings 300+ female students, mentors, startups and investors together to address key issues women are facing in today’s entrepreneurship world. We create a collaborative and interactive experience between established leaders and next-gen female entrepreneurs to leave attendees feeling empowered, inspired and connected. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24561 April 3, Los Angeles -- Join us for lunch and meet the women in charge of water infrastructure for the city of Los Angeles! Event Producer & Host: Darya Allen-Attar, Founder, Broads Circle Location: Council for Watershed Health, 700 N. Alameda St., LA 90012. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/24557 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). SoCal-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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