*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Thursday, November 21, 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. KPMG (http://home.kpmg/us/en/home/about/offices/los-angeles-1.html) Level up with KPMG Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. ------------------------------ *Headlines * - Honey Acquired By PayPal For $4 Billion <#0079185> - Sonos Buys Snips For Voice Technology In $37.5M Deal <#0079186> - SurePrep Gets Growth Investment <#0079187> - SpaceX Starship Prototype Reportedly Explodes In Texas <#0079184> - Video Interview: Karen Caswelch, SciArt Software <#0079183> - Appetize Names New VPs <#0079182> - Founders First Capital Partners Gets $100M In Debt Financing <#0079181> - Report: Elon Musk Apologizes For Joe Rogan Pot Episode <#0079180> - Kairos Venture Partners Raising New, $250M Fund <#0079179> - Mythical Games Finds $19M For Game Studio <#0079177> - Bird Rolls Out Toy Scooter, The Birdie <#0079178> *Marketplace* - Bestronics - Electronic Engineering Services, SOMs, Imaging Products, Displays & Batteries <#ad752> - UK Government's Department for International Trade (DIT) <#ad756> - Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group – Brian Weber <#ad749> - Bestronics - Electronic Engineering Services, SOMs, Imaging Products, Displays & Batteries <#ad752> - Stradling <#ad608> *Thursday, November 21, 2019* *Facilitated Off-Site Planning for Growth Companies and Venture Firms <http://www.collective-genius.com>* Peak is a facilitated team off-site that empowers growth companies and venture firms to build a Three Year Vision, One Year Plan, and Quarterly OKRs. With the vision and plan set, we provide additional tools to keep the team aligned, accountable and on track. Peak is a collection of best practices Jeff Martin founder of Collective Genius has derived from twenty plus years of experience in founding and operating technology growth companies and venture firms. We are partnered with local and national venture firms and provide portfolio partner discounts. Schedule a Pre-Camp Meeting to Learn More: [email protected] Collective Genius - Off-Site Planning and Recruiting for Growth Companies and Venture Firms - collective-genius.com *Honey Acquired By PayPal For $4 Billion* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079185.html> In one of the biggest acquisitions out of Southern California's technology startup industry in recent years, Los Angeles-based Honey Science Corporation, which develops a savings discovery and price tracking tool, has been acquired by PayPal, in a deal worth approximately $4 billion. PayPal said the acquisition will help it in its efforts in digital commerce, and add an "extensive" set of consumer commerce capabilities to the company. Honey was founded in 2012 by George Ruan and Ryan Hudson. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079185.html>) *Sonos Buys Snips For Voice Technology In $37.5M Deal* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079186.html> S (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079186.html>) *SurePrep Gets Growth Investment* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079187.html> Irvine-based SurePrep, a developer of tax automation software and services for the professional tax return preparation market, has received what it calls a "significant" minority growth investment. The investment came from private equity investor Bregal Sagemount. Size and details on the financing round were not announced. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079187.html>) *SpaceX Starship Prototype Reportedly Explodes In Texas* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079184.html> A prototype of a SpaceX Starship, which is undergoing testing in Texas, reportedly exploded during pressure testing on Wednesday afternoon. A live stream of the site, in Boca Chica, Texas, showed the top of the SpaceX Starship MK1 prototype being blown off with smoke billowing from the prototype spacecraft. SpaceX has yet to issue a statement on what might have gone wrong with the prototype Starship. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079184.html>) *Video Interview: Karen Caswelch, SciArt Software* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079183.html> Our interview today is with Karen Caswelch, the CEO of SciArt Software (www.sciartsoftcom), a startup developing design software for the aerospace industry. We spoke with Karen at the recent Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator in Los Angeles. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079183.html>) *Appetize Names New VPs* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079182.html> Playa Vista-based Appetize, which develops cloud-based, point-of-sale (POS) software for enterprise customers such as stadiums and other venues, has named a trio of new executives, as it continues to grow its business. According to Appetize, it has named Robbie Knutson-Ratto as Senior Vice President of Product, Alain Avakian as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and also named co-founder Jason Pratts as Chief Information Officer. Appetize said that Ms. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079182.html>) *Founders First Capital Partners Gets $100M In Debt Financing* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079181.html> San Diego-based Founders First Capital Partners, which says it provides "revenue-based" financing to businesses, has raised $100M in a debt financing commitment, the company said this week. The company said the financing comes from Community Investment Management. Founders First says that it provides revenue generating service-based businesses up to $1M in capital funding, charging an percentage of a company's gross revenues over a specific amount of time, rather than traditional interest. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079181.html>) *Report: Elon Musk Apologizes For Joe Rogan Pot Episode* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079180.html> Elon Musk has emailed employees of Hawthorne-based SpaceX, apologizing for the podcast with Joe Rogan where he smoked marijuana on camera, emphasizing that SpaceX personnel "may not use or posses any controlled substance while in the workplace", according to a report. The Washington Post said that SpaceX underwent a full safety review as a result of Musks' on-screen pot incident. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079180.html>) *Kairos Venture Partners Raising New, $250M Fund* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079179.html> Beverly Hills-based Kairos Venture Partners, which is led by General Manager James Demetriades, is looking to raise $250M in its third fund, Kairos Venture Partners III, L.P., according to a regulatory filing by the firm. According to the filing, the fund has yet to make its first sale in the new fund. Kairos specifically invests in scientific research and technology developed at universities and research institutions, and has made more than 80 prior investments. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079179.html>) *Mythical Games Finds $19M For Game Studio* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079177.html> Los Angeles-based Mythical Games, a game technology studio which says it specializes in "digital ecosystems around player-owned economies", has raised $19M in a new, Series B funding round, the company said this morning. Mythical Games said the funding was led by Javelin Venture Partners, and also included new investors Avon Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Hashed, along with its current investor Galaxy Digital (via Galaxy EOS VC Fund and Struck Capital). (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showco&id=61391>)( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079177.html>) *Bird Rolls Out Toy Scooter, The Birdie* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079178.html> Just in time for the holidays, Santa Monica-based Bird has rolled out a brand new, non-electric powered scooter for the kids--the Birdie. According to Bird, the non-electric scooter, specifically designed for kids, will be available for a limited time through the holiday season, for $129. Bird said the new scooter was "in response to demand" for something for the kids, and was actually designed by Bird's vehicle designers. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079178.html>) *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 *UK Government's Department for International Trade (DIT) <https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/200195057>* The UK is one of the world's fastest-growing tech hubs with more than 60,000 tech companies, 30 industry clusters, and over $14 billion in investment over the last five years. The UK Government's Department for International Trade (DIT) team provides local 1:1 support to companies expanding internationally, helping de-risk market entry with free support services. DIT can provide tailored set-up information, including market research, legal and accounting introductions, recruitment support, policy insight, and partnership-building opportunities. As the #1 destination in Europe for inward investment and tech talent, and home to more fast-growth companies than any other European country, the UK has a lot to offer to US companies. We work with all companies, from start-ups/scale-ups through to the Fortune 500. To find out more about "Why UK," and to work with DIT's LA team, contact us at: https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/200195057 *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 [email protected] *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 *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 <#funding>* 11/20/19 Mythical Games <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98807> Sherman Oaks $19.00 M 11/13/19 Avidity Biosciences <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98748> La Jolla $100.00 M 11/06/19 HMBradley <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98692> Santa Monica $3.50 M 11/06/19 Valence <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98693> Los Angeles $2.50 M 11/05/19 Clarify Medical <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98631> San Diego $18.00 M 11/04/19 Boulevard <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98629> Santa Monica $11.00 M 11/04/19 BuildOps <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98630> Santa Monica $5.80 M 10/31/19 AutoVitals, Inc. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98799> Santa Barbara $0.00 M 10/29/19 Scopely <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98626> Culver City $200.00 M 10/23/19 LegalMation <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98616> Los Angeles $0.00 M 10/17/19 Invoca <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98518> Santa Barbara $56.00 M 10/16/19 Labrador Systems <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98517> Oak Park $2.00 M 10/03/19 X1 Discovery <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98441> Pasadena $5.10 M 10/01/19 Molecular Assemblies <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98369> San Diego $12.20 M ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html November 21, Culver City -- *CTOs on Emerging Technologies and Business Transformation* CTOs on Emerging Technologies and Business Transformation. AITP-LA. A distinguished panel of technology executives will share in-depth views of emerging technologies having transformative impacts to our world and implications going forward. Jeffrey Sullivan, CTO, Cloud Fax, J2 Global Paul Barros, CTO of Currency Drew Tennanbaum, CTO of Atom Tickets Tony Karrer, Founder & CEO of TechEmpower, Founder & CTO of Aggregage. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26587 November 22, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26520 November 23, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26521 November 24, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26522 November 25, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26523 November 26, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26524 November 27, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26525 November 28, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26526 November 29, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26527 November 30, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26528 December 1, Los Angeles -- *Los Angeles Auto Show 2019* Los Angeles Auto Show 2019. The Los Angeles Auto Show welcomes visitors from Southern California and beyond to Los Angeles’ biggest annual gathering. Over the course of ten days, visitors come together to celebrate car culture, connect with their favorite automotive brands, test drive the latest vehicles, explore the nation’s largest public aftermarket showcase and even discover transportation services that are changing how we get from point A to point B. With a variety of activations and experiential showcases, the LA Auto Show has something for everyone. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26529 December 10, Santa Monica -- *Preccelerator Workshop: Employment Contracts & Alternative Compensation for Startups with Louis Wharton* Preccelerator Workshop: Employment Contracts & Alternative Compensation for Startups with Louis Wharton. Equity & Alternative Compensation Structures for Startups For a company founder, it is easy to understand the benefits of providing stock or stock options to employees. It’s a way of compensating employees that doesn’t drain cash from the business. Employees will feel invested in the future success of the company. Join us to get insights and wisdom about maximizing opportunities and minimizing mistakes in creating equity compensation. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26591 December 17, Santa Monica -- *Preccelerator Workshop: Term Sheets w/ Caroline Cherkassky & Kelly Laffey* Preccelerator Workshop: Term Sheets w/ Caroline Cherkassky & Kelly Laffey. Topics that will be covered include: Type of financing: convertible notes vs SAFEs vs priced equity rounds Convertible notes and SAFEs: caps, discounts, and other key terms Priced equity rounds: economic provisions, voting rights, and other key terms. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26592 ------------------------------ *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 [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://listserv.socaltech.com/mailman/listinfo/socaltech 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) 2017 SOCALTECH LLC. 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