socaltech.com TechNews - Thursday, November 3, 2016 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). Make next happen now. Safire Partners (http://www.safirepartners.com). Los Angeles-based executive search for emerging growth companies Shimokaji IP (http://www.shimokaji.com) Bettering Life Through Creative Ideas La Visual (http://Lavisual.com) A Branding, Product Strategy & Rapid Prototyping Accelerator Technical Connections, Inc. (http://www.technicalconnections.com) Successfully connecting Tech Talent with Premier Clients in SoCal for over 30 years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Catching Up With Mike Giardello, President of Innovate Pasadena --ObEN Raises $7.7M For Realistic, AI-Driven, Virtual Reality Avatars --Super League Gaming Launches League Of Legends Tournaments --Rubicon Project In Major Layoff, Chops 19 Percent Of Staff --Flipagram Adds Synchronized, Music Video Effects --YouMail Hones Battle Against Robocallers --NantWorks Backs Genos Research --Ring: More Than 1 Billion Events Captured By Devices --Preact, Backed by LA Investors, Acquired By Spotify MARKETPLACE --Oracle --Safire Partners Executive Search --Project X – New Design Focused Accelerator in Los Angeles --Stradling --Pixelgate.net - Internet Access, Web Hosting, Network Services RECENT JOB POSTINGS RECENT FUNDING EVENTS ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Support Our News Coverage - Become A Member Today! We often get asked--how do we pay for our news coverage and our publishing efforts? That's simple -- it's a combination of our sponsors and YOU. How can YOU make sure you continue to get news on Southern California's technology industry? By becoming a member of socaltech! Not only do you get to support our news coverage, but you also get access to our big database of Southern California companies, venture investors, service providers, and deal information, and many other resources. We are relying on YOU! Join today at http://www.socaltech.com/Membership --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catching Up With Mike Giardello, President of Innovate Pasadena ---- Pasadena has a long history as a center of the technology and innovation world—all the way back to first American experiments with rocket launches in 1936—Southern California's first foray into the rocket business (sorry, SpaceX)--through the Internet boom with Idealab, to today. We thought we'd catch up on what's happening today, and in particular, how Innovate Pasadena (www.innovatepasadena.org) is looking to spur even more startups and technology in Pasadena—and why that's important for the rest of Southern California. We caught up with Mike Giardello, President of Innovate Pasadena, to chat about what's going on in Pasadena today. Remind our readers who haven't heard of Innovate Pasadena, what your group is all about? Mike Giardello: About four years ago, Andy Wilson and I (More...) http://www.socaltech.com/catching_up_with_mike_giardello_president_of_innovate_pasadena/s-0067893.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ObEN Raises $7.7M For Realistic, AI-Driven, Virtual Reality Avatars ---- Pasadena-based ObEN, an Idealab-backed startup which is developing artificial intelligence technology for creating highly realistic, virtual reality avatars, has raised $7.7M (More...) http://www.socaltech.com/oben_raises_7_7m_for_realistic_ai_driven_virtual_reality_avatars/s-0067894.html Super League Gaming Launches League Of Legends Tournaments ---- Santa Monica-based Super League Gaming, the startup which takes over movie theaters and allows video gamers to participate in head-to-head competitions on the big screen, said it is launching a new League of Legends competition to movie theaters across the United States. The company said the new competitive City Champs and City Rec tournaments, which it is launching in partnership with Riot Games, will launch initially in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Dallas. The company said it is partnering with Cinemark for its in-theatre experience. The most competitive league in Super League Gaming's new offering is City Champs, which the company said requires players to be at least level 30 and over 16 to compete; the City Rec league will be open to players of any skill level. Rubicon Project In Major Layoff, Chops 19 Percent Of Staff ---- Los Angeles-based online advertising marketplace Rubicon Project is in a major layoff, saying in its quarterly results on Wednesday that it is cutting 125 employees, or roughly 19 percent of its workforce. According to the company, its Q3 was a "challenging quarter" for its industry and "our business in particular". According to Rubicon Project, the cuts will save it approximately $18.0M in employee-related costs on an annual basis. In addition, Rubicon Project said it implemented "non-headcount related operating expense cost control initiatives" which will save it another $12.0M annually. Flipagram Adds Synchronized, Music Video Effects ---- Los Angeles-based Flipagram, which develops a mobile app which lets people set their photos and videos to live with popular music tracks, has added a new feature which allows users to create sound-activated visual effects to their "flips". The effects include bouncing images, animated graffiti, shimmering, and shifting colors. Flipagram's Vibes provides sound-activated effects, and its Beatbrushes feature lets users draw words and pictures that react to the beat of a song. The new effects are currently only available on Flipagram's iOS app, however, the company said its Android version will support the new features soon. Flipagram is led by Farhad Mohit. YouMail Hones Battle Against Robocallers ---- In a bit of a brilliant tactic against the scourge of robocallers, Irvine-based enhanced voicemail technology developer YouMail has come up with the best approach yet to shutting them down: quietly detect those robocallers--without interrupting your life--and playing an "out of service" greeting to those robocallers. (More...) http://www.socaltech.com/youmail_hones_battle_against_robocallers/s-0067892.html NantWorks Backs Genos Research ---- Culver City-based NantWorks, the collection of companies run by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon Shiong, has backed gene sequencing startup Genos Research, the companies disclosed today. Genos said it raised $6M in the funding round from NantWorks. Genos operates a service which lets consumers pay $399 for sequencing of their genes, and says that consumers own that gene sequencing data, which is not shared with any other companies or services. The company said it will give consumers the option to sell or provide their data to researchers for specific diseases, or for other uses. Ring: More Than 1 Billion Events Captured By Devices ---- Los Angeles-based video doorbell and camera developer Ring says its cameras have captured more than 1 billion events--which it calls "Ring Moments"--since the product rolled out in January of 2015. Ring, which was founded by Jamie Siminoff, develops a video doorbell and a camera which are aimed both at improving home security, as well as just a way to figure out what's going on at home. Ring highlighted a number of successes from its product, including assisting in locating many package thieves; burglary suspects; plus just discouraging those crimes; not to mention people using the service to say hello to their kids coming home from school. The company posted a collection of those videos on its website. http://www.socaltech.com/ring_more_than_billion_events_captured_by_devices/s-0067881.html Preact, Backed by LA Investors, Acquired By Spotify ---- Preact, a San Francisco startup which is backed by a number of LA investors, has been acquired by Spotify, Spotfy announced this morning. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Preact had been backed by Karlin Ventures and Launchpad LA, plus Trinity Ventures, Root Ventures, Atlast Venture, Bee Partners, Boldstart Ventures, and Harmony Partners. Preact had been based in Los Angeles, where it was part of Launchpad LA, but was quickly moved to San Francisco after its participation in that program. The company built software to help companies reduce customer churn. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARKETPLACE Reach 10000+ readers for 5 days for $250 Post your marketplace ad at: http://www.socaltech.com/postad.html ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Oracle Oracle offers a comprehensive and fully integrated stack of cloud applications and platform services for small and mid-sized businesses. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), visit www.oracle.com. In Los Angeles, contact Ryan Mondillo ([email protected]). ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Safire Partners Executive Search Safire Partners is a 15-person Los Angeles-based executive search firm built for SoCal's emerging companies working on ~100 searches per year. Clients cross over mobile, adtech, media, gaming, software, ecommerce, services, and consumer products. We always want to meet great companies, investors and executives, please reach out via http://www.safirepartners.com. ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Project X – New Design Focused Accelerator in Los Angeles Launch your next MVP. Be Victorious. Conquer the perils of poorly branded products, semi-good stories, and underwhelming UX/UI front-end design and dev. Project X is a business unit of the Los Angeles based digital agency La Visual. UX/UI strategy, rapid-prototyping and design, world-class branding, product strategy & design, testing, rollout strategies, mentorship, and access to exclusive funding. Don't be shy. Hit us up and we will talk about your next startup. Drop us a line // See how we can help you: [email protected] Check it out here // http://lavisual.com/projectx ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Stradling Stradling, Attorneys At Law (http://www.sycr.com) Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (“Stradling”) is a premier business law firm with over 125 attorneys and 10 offices in the western US. The offices are: Newport Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Francisco - SOMA, San Francisco - Financial District, Sacramento, Reno, Denver, Seattle. The Firm’s corporate, litigation and public law practices are well known for their expertise and depth. Stradling's clients include emerging and high growth public and private companies as well as private equity funds, venture capital groups and their respective portfolio companies. Widely recognized for its expertise, responsiveness and outstanding client service, the Firm's size, structure, and culture allow it to provide the highest quality representation while maintaining the responsiveness and relationships commonly associated with smaller firms. ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- Pixelgate.net - Internet Access, Web Hosting, Network Services We put the "Service" back into Internet Service Provider. http://www.pixelgate.net ------------------------------ADVERTISEMENT------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT JOB POSTINGS More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs Members post jobs for free Senior Product Development Manager, Irvine, Belkin http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5680 Director of Communication Systems Engineering, Hawthorne, SpaceX http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5679 Marketing Manager, Los Angeles, Belkin http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5678 Software Engineer, Los Angeles, Factual http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5677 Interim Controller/CFO Consultants and other Accounting/Finance Consultants, Los Angeles, Agility Financial Partners, LLC http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5676 Senior iOS / Mobile Developer, Santa Monica, Mobolize http://www.socaltech.com/showjob.php?id=5674 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RECENT FUNDING SUMMARY 11/02/16 GoMeta $2.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78229 11/01/16 Replicated $5.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78228 11/01/16 Classy $30.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78224 10/26/16 Mobcrush $20.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78126 10/24/16 Joymode $3.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78104 10/19/16 MEMS Drive $11.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78068 10/19/16 Utelogy $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78066 10/18/16 NEOGOV $0.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78067 10/18/16 Science 37 $31.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78065 10/13/16 Hyperloop One FKA Hyperloop Technologies $50.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78050 10/12/16 Edlio $40.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78046 10/12/16 Akriveia Therapeutics, LLC $7.5M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78045 10/11/16 HomeMe $3.2M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78035 10/07/16 Hixme $14.1M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=78015 10/04/16 Anchore, Inc. $5.0M http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=77988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 3, Santa Monica -- LA CEOs: Trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Science vs Science Fiction. What is happening in Artificial Intelligence (AI). There has been a great deal of hype as well as hand-wringing about AI that has appeared in the news lately. But there have also been definite technical advances underlying much of this attention. Dr. Steven Minton, AI expert, will discuss recent progress in natural language understanding, machine learning and other AI topics, and burgeoning applications including intelligent agents and autonomous vehicles. This sponsor supported event is for qualified CEOs & CFOs ONLY. Confirmed RSVP required. No service providers admitted.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25499 November 3, Los Angeles -- The IT Summit Los Angeles 2016. Technology conference for executives from the government, education, and corporate sectors. produced by and for senior leaders to promote economic development, education, and the proliferation of information technolog. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25049 November 4, Los Angeles -- Digital Growth Summit #7. This event will feature 40+ speakers delivering key takeaways in digital marketing. All of the panels feature experts who offer real tips, tactics and helpful stories attendees can use in their field. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25420 November 4, Los Angeles -- Digital Growth Summit – Los Angeles. MediaLeaders. What: 10 panel topics and 8 deep dive breakout sessions that help digital marketers build a better online presence to engage customers and track results. Why: In one full day each attendee will learn tactical formulas they can instantly implement at their company (and network with other professionals). See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25381 November 4, Long Beach -- SoCal Bio Annual Conference. The 30-plus companies include many of Southern California’s most innovative biotech, medtech and digital health ventures. They focus on market segments ranging from regenerative medicine and bio-pharmaceuticals to molecular imaging, biosensors and personalized medicine. In addition to company presentations, the full-day conference will include keynotes and panel discussions on issues such as capital/partnership formation, public policy, bioelectric medicine, and what it takes to build a smarter healthcare system. There will also be breakout sessions for angel, institutional and foreign investorsNEW . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25511 November 5, Los Angeles -- SoCal Maker Convention. Join us for the third annual Maker Convention! Within just two years we have become the largest event celebrating maker culture in the Los Angeles DMA, and we continue to grow every year. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25222 November 6, Los Angeles -- Cal-Israel Innovation Expo. The Fall 2016 Cal-Israel Innovation Expo will be held at the University of Southern California (USC), Ronald Tutor Campus Center, November 6 - 7, 2016. The Expo is in collaboration with TAMID Group and Blackstone LaunchPad USC.The Fall 2016 Expo will foster global Israeli innovation, cross-cultural education, and professional development enhancing the vitality of the global economies empowering students, businesses and communities.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25329 November 7, Los Angeles -- Cal-Israel Innovation Expo. The Fall 2016 Cal-Israel Innovation Expo will be held at the University of Southern California (USC), Ronald Tutor Campus Center, November 6 - 7, 2016. The Expo is in collaboration with TAMID Group and Blackstone LaunchPad USC.The Fall 2016 Expo will foster global Israeli innovation, cross-cultural education, and professional development enhancing the vitality of the global economies empowering students, businesses and communities.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25330 November 9, Thousand Oaks -- Disrupt Your Market to Grow Big and Grow Fast. Cal Lutheran Center for Enterpreneurship. Tom White, Director of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. join us at our November Entrepreneur Speaker Series event where Tom White, Director of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator at CSUN, will reveal the secrets to “Disrupt Your Market to Grow Big and Grow Fast.” Tom believes that in both business and consumer markets, the purchase decision is made by the heart, and justified by the brain. He believes that price, product and features are not the differentiators upon which customers make their decision. And while the numbers have to add up, it’s only by making the customer “feel” something for your product or service - on an emotional level - that it’s possible to attract audiences, create connections and close sales in volume. You’ll learn how to identify the distinctive emotional value of your brand, product or service. You’ll see the process by which you can craft unparalleled market positions that attract attention, build connection, and cultivate a loyal following of enthusiastic audiences. By the end of the evening, you’ll understand exactly what you need to do grow bigger and faster than you thought possible. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25500 November 9, Thousand Oaks -- E-Vehicle Charging Station Forum. Our Keynote speaker is David Greenfader, VP of Envision Solar. His patented EV ARC™ is the world’s only transportable, solar powered charging station. It does not require any permits, civil engineering or planning, foundations, trenching or electrical connections and is delivered to the customer site ready to operate. Invented, engineered and fabricated in the United States, the EV ARC™ charges up to three EVs at a time. Equipped with on-board battery storage, it charges EVs day or night off the grid and can be moved to a new location within minutes. The EnvisionTrak solar array follows the sun, generating 18 to 25 percent more electricity than a conventional fixed array. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25506 November 11, Los Angeles -- Global Alternative Funding Forum . This exclusive annual gathering celebrates its 5th anniversary and is known worldwide for bringing together the world class financiers, the most prominent business leaders, private investors, government officials and other top experts and powerful authorities in the field of capital formation for young ventures and emerging growth companies. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25493 November 11, Westlake Village -- Startup Weekend Conejo Valley. No Talk All Action. Launch a Startup in 54 hours! Experience what its like to pitch an idea, build a team around it, and have a demo to show Sunday. Entrepreneurs will be able to pitch their business ideas, from apps, to games or even events, that will have a significant positive impact on the society. Participants from all backgrounds will break into teams and develop new solutions to answer social problems, with the guidance of energetic mentors. . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25496 November 12, Pasadena -- Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum - Biotech. Gordon Binder, Venture Capital investor, former Chairman and CEO of Amgen, and Trustee Emeritus of both Caltech and MIT keynotes the Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum program “Entrepreneurs in a Biotech Age”. Mr. Binder led Amgen to prominence as a biotech pharmaceutical pioneer. He knows the business from start-up to large public company, from the conception of great ideas on the University Campus and the small start-up visionary to successful deployment of innovative and blockbuster advances into the market place. Mr. Binder will present a stimulating overview of the state of entrepreneurial opportunities in biotech and bio-pharma, the role of universities in tech development and transfer, and the role of larger companies in financing biotech start-ups. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25491 November 14, Los Angeles -- Venture in LA 2016. A one-week trade mission to show international startups that Los Angeles is the perfect gateway to entering the US Market. A full week of lectures, networking events, exhibition/pitch opportunities, and more. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25292 November 14, Los Angeles -- Venture in LA. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25371 November 16, Santa Monica -- Biocom Welcome Reception and Fireside Chat with Dr. Ric Kaner of UCLA. Fireside Chat with Ric Kaner, UCLA Kaner Lab AND Welcome Reception for Biocom Los Angeles. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25475 November 19, Los Angeles -- ProtoHack: Code-Free Hackathon. Email [email protected]. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25464 November 28, Los Angeles -- Emotion & Motivation for Digital Behavior Change. In this workshop, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of human-centered design, by learning the neurochemical factors that shape your users’ emotions, motivation, cognition, and behavior. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/25485 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by: TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments in and Acquisitions of Growing Software Companies Silicon Valley Bank (http://www.svb.com). Make next happen now. 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. 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 Technical Connections, Inc. (http://www.technicalconnections.com) Successfully connecting Tech Talent with Premier Clients in SoCal for over 30 years. La Visual (http://Lavisual.com) A Branding, Product Strategy & Rapid Prototyping Accelerator 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. 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