*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Thursday, January 2, 2020* 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 ------------------------------ **** Happy New Year! We're back to our normal email and story posting schedule. Ben Kuo, Editor* *Headlines * - Sonos Under Fire For "Recycle Mode" <#0079331> - Amgen Expands Oncology Efforts In China With BeiGene <#0079328> - Yardi Wins Customer In Singapore <#0079329> - Arena Pharmaceuticals, Beacon Discovery In Partnership <#0079330> - Reflections On 2019: Mike Jones, Science Inc. <#0079324> - Reflections on 2019: Michele Ruiz, BiasSync <#0079327> - Reflections On 2019: Andy Wilson, Alliance for SoCal Innovation <#0079323> - Amazon, Ring Sued Over Security Camera Hacking <#0079325> - Snapchat Plans Bitmoji Cartoon Feature <#0079326> - Reflections on 2019: Scott Alderton, Preccelerator <#0079321> - Reflections on 2019: Greg Monterrosa, Startup Community Leader <#0079322> - Reflections on 2019: Brett Brewer, Crosscut Ventures <#0079320> - Reflections on 2019: Anthony Citrano, Acquicient <#0079319> - Reflections on 2019: Kelly Perdew, Moonshots Capital <#0079318> - Rivian, With Offices In SoCal, Finds $1.3 Billion <#0079317> - Reflections on 2019: Aaron Fyke, Thin Line Capital <#0079316> - Video Interview: Brad Rice, Homepie <#0079312> *Marketplace* - UK Government's Department for International Trade (DIT) <#ad756> - IP Protection for Technology and Business - SoCal IP Law Group LLP <#ad750> - BDO - Southern California Technology Industry Team <#ad737> - Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group – Brian Weber <#ad749> - Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <#ad694> - Early Stage Commercial Insurance - Pacific Unified Insurance Agency <#ad596> *Thursday, January 2, 2020* *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 *Sonos Under Fire For "Recycle Mode"* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079331.html> Santa Barbara-based smart speaker manufacturer Sonos is being panned for its new "Recycle Mode" and trade-up program, which deliberately bricks its older devices. Sonos is selling its trade up program as a way to be "environmentally friendly"; however, according to electronics recycling facilities, those older devices still have a lot of value on the used market, and are forcing useful equipment to be scrapped instead. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079331.html>) *Amgen Expands Oncology Efforts In China With BeiGene* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079328.html> Thousand Oaks-based Amgen announced Thursday that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with BeiGene the expand its oncology research efforts in China. According to Amgen, it paid $2.8 billion in cash to acquire a 20.5 percent stake in BeiGene. Amgen said the move will "significantly accelerate" its plans to expand its oncology efforts in China. BeiGene has approximately 900 people in its commercial organization and 600 people in clinical development, according to Amgen. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079328.html>) *Yardi Wins Customer In Singapore* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079329.html> Santa Barbara-based *Yardi <http://www.yardi.com>*, which develops real estate management software, reported over the holidays that it has been selected by a customer in Singapore. According to Yardi, JMD Group of Companies will manage its real estate assets with Yardi Voyager, Yardi's cloud-based propert management and accounting software. Financial impacts of the deal were not announced.(More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079329.html>) *Arena Pharmaceuticals, Beacon Discovery In Partnership* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079330.html> San Diego-based companies Arena Pharmaceuticals and Beacon Discovery said this morning that they are in a new, strategic partnership, focused on commercializing treatments for a variety of immune and inflammatory diseases. According to the two, the multi-year partnership focuses on building novel medicines across a range of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets. Financial details of the agreement were not announced. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079330.html>) *Reflections On 2019: Mike Jones, Science Inc.* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079324.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Mike Jones, Co-founder and CEO of Science, Inc. (www.science-inc.com), which has been behind such companies as Dollar Shave Club, August Home, DogVacay, Hello Society, Playhaven, and many others. We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079324.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Michele Ruiz, BiasSync* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079327.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Michele Ruiz, the Co-Founder and CEO of BiasSync (www.biassync.com), a startup which develops products that helps help organizations more effectively assess and manage unconscious bias in the work environment. We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079327.html>) *Reflections On 2019: Andy Wilson, Alliance for SoCal Innovation* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079323.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Andy Wilson, Managing Director of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation ( www.alliancesocal.org). We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079323.html>) *Amazon, Ring Sued Over Security Camera Hacking* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079325.html> Amazon and Ring, the Santa Monica company now owned by Amazon, are the targets of a new class action lawsuit filed in Alabama by a man who claims Amazon and Ring have filed to do enough to secure their systems against hacking. The lawsuit still needs to be approved for class action status. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079325.html>) *Snapchat Plans Bitmoji Cartoon Feature* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079326.html> Venice-based Snapchat is planning to launch a new feature in February, which will feature users' Bitmoji avatars as the main characters in a custom cartoon. The new feature--called Bitmoji TV, is expected to include users' Bitmoji avatars included in "secret agent missions", piloting a spaceship, and much more. A number of users have posted the teaser for Bitmoji TV that Snapchat apparently sent out over the last couple of days. ( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079326.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Scott Alderton, Preccelerator* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079321.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Scott Alderton, Managing Partner of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles LLP ( www.stubbsalderton.com), which also runs the Preccelerator ( www.preccelerator.com) startup incubator. Stubbs Aldertson & Markiles LLP also has been a longtime sponsor of this publication. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079321.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Greg Monterrosa, Startup Community Leader* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079322.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Greg Monterrosa,a startup community leader who is currently Startup Weekend organizer, facilitator, and mentor and was a former Founder of MyLLC.com and Hub101. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079322.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Brett Brewer, Crosscut Ventures* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079320.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Brett Brewer, co-founder and Managing Director of Crosscut Ventures ( www.crosscut.vc). We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079320.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Anthony Citrano, Acquicient* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079319.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Anthony Citrano, the founder and CEO of Acquicient (www.acquicient.com). We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079319.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Kelly Perdew, Moonshots Capital* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079318.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Kelly Perdew, the founder and Managing Director of Moonshots Capital ( www.moonshotscapital.com). We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079318.html>) *Rivian, With Offices In SoCal, Finds $1.3 Billion* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079317.html> Rivian, the electric truck maker which has offices in both Irvine and Carson, California, has raised a huge, $1.3 billion funding round, the company said on Monday. The funding was a fourth round for the company, which has now raised a total of more than $2.85 billion in funding. The new funding was led by T. Rowe Price, and also included Amazon, Ford Motor Company, and BlackRock. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079317.html>) *Reflections on 2019: Aaron Fyke, Thin Line Capital* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079316.html> Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. Today, we share the thoughts of Aaron Fyke, the founder and Managing Director of Thin Line Capital ( www.thinlinecapital.com), a venture capital firm in the energy and sustainability space. We'll be featuring contributions all through the holiday season. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079316.html>) *Video Interview: Brad Rice, Homepie* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079312.html> Our video interview today is with *Brad Rice*, the CEO and founder of *Homepie* (www.homepie.com), a very early stage startup working on a marketplace to buy and sell homes, without an agent. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079312.html>) *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 *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 *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 *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] *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/ *Early Stage Commercial Insurance - Pacific Unified Insurance Agency < [email protected]>* We are a commercial insurance broker working with startup and early stage technology and E-Commerce companies to implement cost effective strategies for their insurance and risk management programs. We provide guidance and strategic planning during various phases and also advise regarding employee benefit structures to assist in employee recruiting and retention. Coverage placements include D&O, Property, Liability, Workers Comp, E&O, Cyber/Network Security and Employee Benefit Programs. Contact: John Huttinger, CIC, CRM Vice President Ph#310-370-5000 Ext 3025 w Fx 310-370-5454 [email protected] ------------------------------ *Recent Funding <#funding>* 12/17/19 Trust & Will <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99145> San Diego $6.00 M 12/17/19 ChromaCode, Inc. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99144> Carlsbad $28.00 M 12/11/19 XOKind <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99036> San Diego $1.60 M 12/11/19 Camino Financial <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99037> Los Angeles $8.00 M 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 Valence <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98693> Los Angeles $2.50 M 11/06/19 HMBradley <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=98692> Santa Monica $3.50 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 ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html January 16, Santa Monica -- *LA CEOs: Sales - Close More Business and Scale* LA CEOs: Sales - Close More Business and Scale. Start off your year with LA's top tech CEOs and our special guest Carrie Lauby, an LA-based sales expert with over 25 years growing B2B2C SaaS companies. This sponsor supported FREE event is restricted to qualified CEOs & CFOs only. Confirmed RSVP required.. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26603 January 21, Santa Monica -- *AppSec California 2020 - by OWASP* Join your Information Security and Developer peers on the beach! Training classes start Jan 21, with the keynotes, talks and CTFs starting Jan 23. There will be 4 concurrent break-out sessions throughout both speaker days. The best speakers from around the world have been gathering at AppSec California now for six years. We guarantee you will leave the conference with lots of new knowledge and curiosity. An outdoor reception will allow conference goers to enjoy the ocean breezes as they sip on drinks and munch on appetizers on Jan 23. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26601 January 25, Pasadena -- *Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum - Entrepreneur Lessons Learned * Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum - Entrepreneur Lessons Learned. The innovation arena is blessed with founders, investors and others ready to share insights. What’s not so often clear is which of the many admonishments was key to a particular venture’s journey. We’ve asked our speakers to include in their presentations examples highlighting oft-overlooked elements of success (or failure). See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26602 January 28, Malibu -- *Startup World Cup - SoCal Regional hosted by LAVA and Pepperdine* Startup World Cup - SoCal Regional hosted by LAVA and Pepperdine. Startup World Cup ("SWC") offers innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities for the startup ecosystem around the world via a global series of startup conferences and competitions that bring together phenomenal startups, VCs, and world-class tech CEOs. Startups worldwide first compete at regional events, and the regional finalists will showcase themselves at the Grand Finale event in San Francisco and compete for a $1m investment prize. Application deadline January 10th. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26595 January 30, Los Angeles Westside -- *Growth Capital Conference* Growth Capital Conference. Pitch to & Network with Investors: Angels, VCs, High Net Worths, Strategic Partners and 100 entrepreneurs seeking capital & counsel. DEAL DISPLAYtm showcases growing firms needing capital. View products, videos, online demos. Hot Networking Breakfast at 7:00am sharp. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26594 January 30, Newport Beach -- *Pitch and Learn With Investors* Pitch and Learn With Investors. Pitch and Learn engages and educates entrepreneurs on the art of pitching to investors. Pitch and Learn is meant to engage and educate entrepreneurs on the art of pitching to investors. Every pitching entrepreneur will have the opportunity to pitch their business, receive feedback from seasoned investors and then pitch again using investors’ input. The event is open to anyone to attend however, there are only 20 1-minute pitch tickets and only 4 3-minute pitch tickets available for entrepreneurs to pitch. 1 presenter per company. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26606 ------------------------------ *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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