*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Tuesday, December 10, 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 * - Wheels Rolls Out Integrated Helmets <#0079257> - Retina Links Into Shopify <#0079255> - MedAnswers Launches Fertility Patient Matching Platform <#0079254> - InnoPhase Low Power Wi-Fi Chip Powers Smart Window Blinds <#0079256> - Wag Buys Back Stake From SoftBank, Now Seeking Buyer <#0079253> - Report: Ring's Neighbors App Gives Away Far More Info Than Expected <#0079252> - Snapchat Set To Release Feature To Insert Faces Into Videos <#0079250> - Elon Musk Seen Driving Cybertruck Around LA <#0079249> *Marketplace* - Become a Socaltech Supporter! <#ad724> - IP Protection for Technology and Business - SoCal IP Law Group LLP <#ad750> - Bestronics - Electronic Engineering Services, SOMs, Imaging Products, Displays & Batteries <#ad752> - UK Government's Department for International Trade (DIT) <#ad756> *Tuesday, December 10, 2019* *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 [email protected]. http://www.bdo.com *Wheels Rolls Out Integrated Helmets* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079257.html> Los Angeles-based last mile transportation startup Wheels has rolled out a new, easily accessible helmet, which is integrated with its bicycles--and which, if used, will provide a discount to its riders. The startup--backed by TDK Ventures and DBL Partners--has added an integrated helmet which locks to the rear fender of its bicycles, which are unlocked when users rent one of its vehicles. Those helmets sense when a user is wearing them, and gives those users a 20 percent discount for the trip. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079257.html>) *Retina Links Into Shopify* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079255.html> Santa Monica-based Retina, a startup developing artificial intelligence and predictive analytics tools, is integrating its software into the popular Shopify e-commerce platform, the company is announcing this morning. Retina--led by CEO Michael Greenberg--develops software which helps calculate customer lifetime value (CLV) for e-commerce retailers, helping them to shape their marketing and acquisition spend. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079255.html>) *MedAnswers Launches Fertility Patient Matching Platform* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079254.html> Los Angeles-based MedAnswers, a venture-backed startup focused on fertility, is announcing this morning that it has launched a new product, which helps match users with fertility doctors and experts. The company already offers up information on fertility from experts via its iOS and Android apps. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079254.html>) *InnoPhase Low Power Wi-Fi Chip Powers Smart Window Blinds* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079256.html> San Diego-based low power wireless semiconductor developer InnoPhase, which develops ultra-low power, Wi-Fi chips, says its products have been integrated into a new "smart" window blind product. According to InnoPhase, its Talaria TWO wireless chipset has been integrated into a product from Sunsa Wand, which automates the tilting of window blinds. The new product--which installs on existing windows blinds--allows blinds to be open and closed remotely using a Wi-Fi connection. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079256.html>) *Wag Buys Back Stake From SoftBank, Now Seeking Buyer* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079253.html> Los Angeles-based on-demand, dog walking service Wag has bought back its stake from Softbank, and is now seeking a sale, according to CNBC. The sale comes less than two years after SoftBank invested $300M in Wag, via the SoftBank Vision Fund. According to a memo leaked from Wag's new CEO, Garrett Smallwood, the company is also laying of a number of employees as it loks to have a capital base that is "right-sized to the needs of our business and strategy". The company also is now seeking a buyer. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079253.html>) *Report: Ring's Neighbors App Gives Away Far More Info Than Expected* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079252.html> A new report--published by Gizmodo on Monday--says that Ring cameras are giving a lot more information about users' location than users might suspect, with the locations of "tens of thousands" of cameras easily obtainable by researchers. Gizmodo said its ability to gather the potential locations of up to tens of thousands of Ring cameras "casts doubt" on Ring's privacy safeguards. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079252.html>) *Snapchat Set To Release Feature To Insert Faces Into Videos* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079250.html> Venice-based Snapchat is apparently testing a feature that will allow its users to insert their own faces (or those of their friends)--"deepfake"-style--into other people's videos, and has been testing the feature in France, according to French users. Snapchat said today that the new feature will roll out globally on December 18th, allowing iOS and Android users to insert their faces into more than 150 videos. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079250.html>) *Elon Musk Seen Driving Cybertruck Around LA* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079249.html> Elon Musk has been spotted driving Tesla's new Cybertruck around Los Angeles, including at what appears to be Nobu Malibu as well as on the 405 South. The new vehicle--which apparently is not yet street legal--was introduced by Tesla at an event in Los Angeles on November 22nd. According to reports, Tesla's new Cybertruck does not meet several requirements for legal driving on streets, including lack of rear view mirrors. The Cybertruck is also clearly seen running a red light. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079249.html>) *Become a Socaltech Supporter!* Interested in letting Southern California's high tech community know you are here for them? Want to reach Southern California's movers and shakers? Become a SPONSOR or SOCALTECH SUPPORTER! Our sponsors and supporters are featured on our website, and online service provider directory, as well as in our newsletter multiple times per week. It's a great way to both get the word out about your services, as well as support our news coverage of local companies across the tech industry! Contact [email protected] for details. *IP Protection for Technology and Business - SoCal IP Law Group LLP <http://www.socalip.com>* Patents. Trademarks. Copyrights. Trade Secrets. IP Filings. IP Strategy. IP Litigation. IP Transactions. US and Worldwide. Offices in Westlake Village and Santa Barbara. [email protected] www.socalip.com *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 ------------------------------ *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 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 12, Hollywood -- *LAVA Holiday Party and Global LAVA Relaunch* LAVA Holiday Party and Global LAVA Relaunch. LAVA Holiday Party and Global LAVA Relaunch! Join us for a celebration of the season and the success of 2019! A special Holiday Party and relaunch of Global LAVA. Special Venue is Delair Studios in Hollywood. Come visit with LAVA members and Friends. Also featured is the Delair Studio Screening Room and a special screening using a new cinematic projection and audio system. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26599 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. 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