*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Tuesday, August 27, 2019* 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. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. KPMG (http://home.kpmg/us/en/home/about/offices/los-angeles-1.html) Level up with KPMG ------------------------------ *Headlines * - Interview with Thomas Russell, ETC Solar, Improving Solar Cell Efficiency <http://#0078737> - Fair Raises $100M In Debt Facility, Equity Investment <http://#0078746> - Blizzard Revives Original World Of Warcraft <http://#0078745> - UC San Diego Teams With Cummins On EV Battery Reuse <http://#0078743> - Nexa3D Names New Board Member <http://#0078744> - Beyond Meat Links With KFC <http://#0078742> - Podcorn Picks Up $2.2M For Podcasting Ads <http://#0078741> - CrowdStrike Launches $20M, Early Stage Investment Fund <http://#0078734> *Marketplace* - Apply now for Verizon's Built on 5G Challenge <http://#ad755> - TuesdayNights Impact Conference - Santa Monica - 9/27 <http://#ad754> - Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group – Brian Weber <http://#ad749> - BDO - Southern California Technology Industry Team <http://#ad737> - Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <http://#ad694> - Stradling <http://#ad608> *Tuesday, August 27, 2019* *Bestronics - Electronic Engineering Services, SOMs, Imaging Products, Displays & Batteries <https://www.bestronics.com>* Are the great ideas stacking up faster than your engineering resources can handle? Your company needs a reliable resource of analog/digital and software engineers to understand your issues, define the problem statements and lay out a course of action to output hardware products ready for integration into your system. Our unique capabilities, used by many in the medical, scientific, military and aerospace industries, allow us to offer engineering services that result in deliverable, production ready subsystems so you can concentrate on targeting your customer base and not stressing about the right mix and numbers of engineering talent needed to see your vision become reality. Contact us at http://www.bestronics.com *Interview with Thomas Russell, ETC Solar, Improving Solar Cell Efficiency* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078737.html> For this morning's interview with an entrepreneur, we spoke with Thomas Russell, the Ceo and co-founder of ETC Solar (www.etc-solar.com), a Los Angeles startup developing technology to improve the efficiency and cost of solar cells. We spoke with Thomas on how the company's technology was spun out of Caltech, and why the startup believes the solar cell industry needs its technology. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078737.html>) *Fair Raises $100M In Debt Facility, Equity Investment* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078746.html> Santa Monica-based Fair, which operates a vehicle subscription service that lets users subscribe to gain access to cars without the restrictions of a traditional lease, has raised $100M in a combined debt facility and equity investment, the company said this morning. The debt facility was provided by Ally Financial. Details on the equity portion were not announced. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078746.html>) *Blizzard Revives Original World Of Warcraft* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078745.html> Irvine-based online videogame developer Blizzard Entertainment has brought back the very original version of World of Warcraft, in the form of a new title, World of Warcaft Classic. According to Blizzard, as part of the celebration of the game's 15th anniversary, it has released a version of its game, which is an authentic re-creation of what its popular title looked as "pre-expansion" and in its "most feature-complete state". (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078745.html>) *UC San Diego Teams With Cummins On EV Battery Reuse* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078743.html> The University of California San Diego and engine and powertrain developer Cummins are in an effort to develop ways to reuse and repurpose electric vehicle batteries, Cummins said this morning. According to Cummins, the multi-year partnership with UC San Diego and its battery validation lab, will analyze viable business and technical approaches to effectively reuse and repurpose electric vehicle batteries. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078743.html>) *Nexa3D Names New Board Member* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078744.html> Ventura-based 3D printer maker Nexa3D says that it has named a former, Uber executive to its board of directors this morning. According to Nexa3D, it appointed Jeff Holden, who was Uber's Chief Product Offier from 2014 to 2018, to its board; Holden also previously served at Amazon for ten years, serving as SVP of Worldwide Consumer Applications. He's now the founder of Atomic Machines. Nexa3D is developing 3D printers aimed at the industrial, professional, and business market. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showperson&id=82291> )(More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078744.html>) *Beyond Meat Links With KFC* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078742.html> El Segundo-based Beyond Meat, which is developing plant-based, meat alternatives, has inked a deal with KFC, to run a limited test of plant-based chicken at one of its restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Beyond Meat, KFC will be the first, national quick-serve restaurant to try its plant-based chicken, which will be served in the form of fried "chicken", for one day -- tomorrow, Tuesday August 27th--near the SunTrust Park in Atlanta. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078742.html>) *Podcorn Picks Up $2.2M For Podcasting Ads* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078741.html> Los Angeles-based Podcorn, a new startup founded by former Famebit founders Agnez Kozera and David Kierzkowski, has raised $2.2M in a seed funding round for a new, podcast advertising venture, the company said on Monday. The funding was led by Global Founders Capital, and also included Bessemer, 500 Startups, Alumni Ventures Group, and others. According to Podcorn, it has launched a new, self-service platform which helps podcasters find and connect with brands for native sponsorships. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showco&id=60992>)( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078741.html>) *CrowdStrike Launches $20M, Early Stage Investment Fund* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078734.html> CrowdStrike, the cloud-based cybersecurity software developer which has substantial operations in Orange County, said today that it has launched a new, early stage investment fund called the Falcon Fund. CrowdStrike said the new, $20M fund was created in partnership with venture capital firm Accel, and will invest in security startups which are building applications on its CrowdStrike Falcon platform. The new fund will make seed and Series A investments, according to the company. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0078734.html>) *Apply now for Verizon's Built on 5G Challenge <https://verizon5glabs.com/BuiltOn5G/>* The Built on 5G Challenge is a nationwide search for the best products, services, and applications that will bring the true power of 5G to life. For more information on prizes, eligibility, and submission requirements, click here. The winners will be awarded up to $1 million, access to our 5G Labs, and an opportunity for Verizon to invest in their companies in a future fundraising round. Challenge guidelines Every submission should demonstrate your company’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainable business practices. Eligibility In order to be eligible, teams must be part of a U.S. company that has 200 or fewer employees and meet the eligibility requirements in the Official Rules. For full contest details on eligibility, requirements and prizes, go to: https://verizon5glabs.com/BuiltOn5G/ *TuesdayNights Impact Conference - Santa Monica - 9/27 <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tuesdaynights-impact-conference-tickets-66623359261>* Over 100 Female Entrepreneurs and Thought Leaders Unite for TuesdayNights inaugural Impact Conference at the Annenberg Community Beach House on Friday, September 27th. The event, hosted by TuesdayNights founders Justine Lassoff and Melinda Moore, will feature keynote speakers including Laura Doss-Hertz, winner of XPRIZE for water abundance and Ronalee Zarate-Bayani, CMO of the Los Angeles Rams; as well as panelists who are female founders, wellness professionals and venture capitalists making a positive impact: including Dana Settle, Partner of Greycroft; Ara Katz, CEO Seed; Deepika Chopra, Optimism Doctor; Jennifer Loo, CFO of Tala; and Nanxi Liu, Founder of Enplug and XFactor. Founded in 2013, TuesdayNights is a community of female entrepreneurs, investors and senior executives with a mission to inspire, collaborate and impact change through networking events, top speakers and intimate gatherings. Each event features a nonprofit that is changing the world for the better and sharing how the community can get involved. Register today! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tuesdaynights-impact-conference-tickets-66623359261 *Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group – Brian Weber <http://www.pacwest.com/lending-solutions/venture-lending>* Pacific Western Bank is a commercial bank with over $26 billion in assets and 74 full-service branches located throughout California and one branch in Durham, North Carolina. Our Venture Banking Group offers a comprehensive suite of financial services focused on entrepreneurial businesses and their venture capital and private equity investors. We also offer Community Banking and National Lending services. For more information, visit http://www.pacwest.com/lending-solutions/venture-lending, or send an email to bwe...@pacwest.com *BDO - Southern California Technology Industry Team <http://www.bdo.com>* BDO USA, LLP is a professional services firm providing assurance, tax, and advisory services to publicly traded and privately held companies through more than 60 offices domestically and 160 countries globally. Our Southern California technology industry team professionals have deep experience helping online, software, hardware, and cleantech businesses in the local ecosystem to navigate the many issues affecting their businesses and to help them meet their larger strategic goals. Our team provides a wide range of guidance in the key issues effecting technology companies including, M&A advisory, initial public offerings, tax planning and consulting, intellectual property agreements, financial reporting and regulatory compliance matters. For more information, please contact our LA Technology leaders Anthony Ferguson, Tim Clackett, and Kris Kaufmann at lat...@bdo.com. http://www.bdo.com *Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <http://stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator/>* Accelerating Growth for Early Stage Innovation The Preccelerator® Program is a platform offered to select start-up companies out of the Santa Monica office of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP that provides interim office space, sophisticated legal services, mentorship and access to a strategic perks portfolio with the objective of helping you grow your idea from business concept to funded startup. The Preccelerator® Program provides these benefits to as many as 10 promising young startups in separate growth tracks. http://stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator/ *Stradling <http://www.sycr.com>* Stradling, Attorneys At Law ( href="http://www.sycr.com";>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. ------------------------------ *Recent Funding <https://www.socaltech.com/database/html.php?num=8#funding>* 8/26/19 Podcorn <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98098> Los Angeles $2.20 M 8/14/19 Systum <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98062> Plano $10.70 M 8/13/19 Singularity 6 <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98060> Los Angeles $16.50 M 8/08/19 Tripalink, Corp. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97935> Los Angeles $10.00 M 6/24/19 AFYX Therapeutics <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97538> San Diego $13.00 M 6/18/19 Elevate Services <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97508> Los Angeles $25.00 M 6/14/19 Sunbit, Inc. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97477> Los Angeles $26.00 M 6/13/19 CreatorIQ <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97476> Culver City $12.00 M 5/30/19 Mission <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97268> El Segundo $15.00 M 5/22/19 Locana <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97225> San Diego $55.00 M 5/15/19 Halla <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=97031> Los Angeles $1.40 M 5/08/19 Neural Analytics, Inc. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=96997> Los Angeles $22.00 M 5/07/19 Liquid Death <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=96995> Santa Monica $1.60 M 5/07/19 INDOSE INC. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=96994> Woodland Hills $3.50 M ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html August 27, Santa Monica -- *Preccelerator Workshop: Strategic Partnerships with Jonathan Tavss* Preccelerator Workshop: Strategic Partnerships with Jonathan Tavss. Strategic partnerships are integral to businesses both big and small. Unfortunately, most partnerships are not created equal and outcomes can be deeply affected when not giving deliberate consideration to who should be teamed up with and why. Consider how the venture should regard partnerships – what they should be looking for in a partnership – and what those partners are actually looking for in return. Put a simpler way: everything is a partnership. What are investors, collaborators, employees, vendors, and conferences looking for from you? With this understanding, better sourcing, agreements, communication, and outcomes can be had. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26508 ------------------------------ *Recent Job Postings * More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs ------------------------------ ------------------------------ *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. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. KPMG (http://home.kpmg/us/en/home/about/offices/los-angeles-1.html) Level up with KPMG Email b...@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://listserv.socaltech.com/mailman/listinfo/socaltech 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) 2017 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
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