*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Wednesday, August 26, 2020* Edited by Benjamin F. Kuo ISSN: 1524-6736 http://www.socaltech.com/News <https://www.socaltech.com/News> ------------------------------
*Sponsored By * Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group (http://www.pacwest.com/lending-solutions/venture-lending) 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 * - Acorns Gets Investment From The Rock <#0080275> - RateMyAgent Raises $7M For U.S. Expansion <#0080274> - Movandi Ups Funding To $29.6M, Round Targeted At $35.8M <#0080273> - New Bill Threatens Shared Scooter, Bike Companies Like Bird, Wheels <#0080272> - Napster Brand Lives On, Sold To MelodyVR <#0080271> - Songtradr Snags $30M For Music Rights, Licensing <#0080270> - Wrapbook Finds $3.6M For Film, Production Payroll Management <#0080267> *Marketplace* - From Idea to IPO - KPMG’s Emerging Growth Practice <#ad760> - Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group <#ad749> - Stradling <#ad608> - Early Stage Commercial Insurance - Pacific Unified Insurance Agency <#ad596> - Support Our News Coverage - Become A Member Today! <#ad680> - IP Protection for Technology and Business - SoCal IP Law Group LLP <#ad750> *Wednesday, August 26, 2020* *Technology Management and Operational Outsourcing – PulseOne <https://pulseone.com/sct/>* PulseOne is a business services company specialized in delivering IT-enabled solutions to emerging and high growth companies. Bringing together the world's best technologies, renowned engineering design, and proven implementation, PulseOne is uniquely positioned for Central and South Coast based businesses to plan, build and manage your technology infrastructure - from strategy to ongoing support. Our scalable model allows companies to utilize the services they need as they grow, making high value outsourced IT management cost effective for your growing business. Staffed with technology specialists and lead by business veterans, PulseOne is designed to support your business needs. For more information on what we can do for you, contact us via https://pulseone.com/sct/ or email us at [email protected]. *Acorns Gets Investment From The Rock* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080275.html> Irvine-based financial wellness program operator Acorns, which operates a program that encourages Americans to save and invest, says it has received a strategic investment from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia, the co-founders of Seven Bucks Companies. Size of the investment was not announced. Johnson is best known for his acting roles, but now runs Seven Bucks Companies with his ex-wife, Dany Garcia. Seven Bucks Companies also owns the XFL sports league. (More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080275.html>) *RateMyAgent Raises $7M For U.S. Expansion* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080274.html> RateMyAgent, an online service for rating real estate agents which has its U.S. headquarters in San Diego, said it has raised $7M in funding. Source of the funding was not announced. According to the Australian company, the funding will go towards its growth efforts in the U.S. real estate market. The company said the new funds will go out to build out its U.S. sales and support team. (More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080274.html>) *Movandi Ups Funding To $29.6M, Round Targeted At $35.8M* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080273.html> Irvine-based hardware maker Movandi, a developer of millimeter wave, wireless technology used for 5G networks, has upped its recently announced funding round to a total of $29.6M, according to a regulatory filing from the firm on Monday, and still hopes to raise as much as $35.8M in the round. Movandi had announced its Series C in April, saying it had raised $27M from WRVI Capital, and also included Cota Capital and DNX Ventures. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100861> )(More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080273.html>) *New Bill Threatens Shared Scooter, Bike Companies Like Bird, Wheels* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080272.html> A new California bill is threatening shared, micro-mobility companies like Santa Monica-based Bird and Los Angeles-based Wheels, by threatening to eliminate their ability to force their users to sign away their rights to sue those companies in the case of an injury or accident. According to the proposed law, agreements from those micro-mobility companies "shall not contain a provision by which the user waives, releases, or in any way limits their legal rights or remedies under the agreement. (More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080272.html>) *Napster Brand Lives On, Sold To MelodyVR* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080271.html> The remarkably long lived Napster brand--which was founded during the Dot Com boom as a peer-to-peer music swapping startup in Los Angeles in 1999--continues on, and has been sold to virtual reality experience company MelodyVR, in a deal worth $70M. The acquisition of the brand is not the first for Napster, which was acquired by RealNetworks/Rhapsody Networks in 2011; Rhapsody Networks renamed itself to Napster in 2016. (More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080271.html>) *Songtradr Snags $30M For Music Rights, Licensing* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080270.html> Los Angeles-based Songtradr, a developer of a music rights and licensing marketplace, said on Monday that it has raised $30M in a Series C funding round. The funding was led by the St. Baker Australian family office, as well as other un-named, Australia family offices and existing investors. Songtradr said the new funding round values the company at $165M. Songtradr said the new funding will go towards global expansion plans, product development and to fund acquisitions, among other efforts. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showco&id=40416>)(More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080270.html>) *Wrapbook Finds $3.6M For Film, Production Payroll Management* <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080267.html> Los Angeles-based Wrapbook, a startup developing payroll, compliance, and insurance software for the entertainment industry, said it has raised $3.6M in a seed funding round. The funding came from Equal Ventures, Uncork Capital, Steve Sarowitz (founder of Paylocity), and 4S Bay Partners. According to Wrapbook, its software platform handles the labor-intensive process of onboarding, paying and insuring film and production crews. ( More... <https://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0080267.html>) *From Idea to IPO - KPMG’s Emerging Growth Practice < [email protected]>* KPMG provides Bookkeeping, Audit, Tax, and Advisory services to assist you at any stage of your life cycle. Whether you are starting your business, strengthening your business, expanding into new markets, or pursuing an exit, we have a global network of experienced resources that can take you to the next level. For more information, please contact Ryan Youhan at [email protected]. *Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group <http://www.pacwest.com/lending-solutions/venture-lending>* Pacific Western Bank is a commercial bank with over $26 billion in assets and 76 branches primarily located in California, with one in Denver, Colorado and another 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 about the Venture Banking Group, visit www.pacwest.com/lending-solutions/venture-lending, or send an email to Brian Weber at [email protected] *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. *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] *Support Our News Coverage - Become A Member Today! <https://www.socaltech.com/Membership>* 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 *IP Protection for Technology and Business - SoCal IP Law Group LLP <http://www.socalip.com>* Patents. 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[email protected] www.socalip.com ------------------------------ *Recent Funding <#funding>* 8/25/20 Songtradr, Inc. <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100821> West Hollywood $30.00 M 8/24/20 Connect Biopharma <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100820> San Diego $115.00 M 7/30/20 MomentFeed <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100700> Santa Monica $10.00 M 7/29/20 Heal <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100699> Pacific Palisades $100.00 M 7/22/20 TrackStreet, Inc. <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100695> Santa Barbara $5.10 M 7/20/20 Gemist <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100579> Los Angeles $0.00 M 7/20/20 Carbonated Games <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100581> El Segundo $8.50 M 7/20/20 Ready, Set, Food! <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100582> Encino $3.00 M 7/09/20 Kernel <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100542> Los Angeles $53.00 M 7/08/20 VelosBio Inc. <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100084> San Diego $137.00 M 6/25/20 Treehouse Games <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100533> Los Angeles $2.60 M 6/25/20 Clickup <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100534> San Diego $35.00 M 6/24/20 Pipe <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100532> Los Angeles $60.00 M 6/23/20 Scalefast <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=100510> Manhattan Beach $21.58 M ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html August 27, Los Angeles -- *11th Annual Women In Green Forum* 11th Annual Women In Green Forum. The Women In Green Forum has emerged as the premier conference series highlighting women’s impact on the environmental industry. The Women In Green Forum (WIGF) is the largest conference of its kind and attracts an international audience of environmental professionals. Each year, we convene sustainability trailblazers who share insights about the newest and most cutting-edge environmental innovations. . See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26649 September 6, Los Angeles -- *National Business Plan Competition Deadline/Pismo Ventures* National Business Plan Competition Deadline/Pismo Ventures. Pismo Ventures presents the National Venture Plan Competition (NVPC). The NVPC is a business plan competition offering startups and entrepreneurs, across the United State, a unique opportunity to present their plans to experienced investors, screen in front of multiple investor groups nationwide, win cash and in-kind prizes, and participate in an array of invaluable webinars. Most of all, the competition provides participants one of the biggest opportunities to raise capital by being fast-tracked to present to many investor groups, angels, VCs and family offices across the US. Seee https://bit.ly/2ZRkWPP. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26636 September 9, Los Angeles -- *Digital Summit LA* Out of concern for the health and safety of our attendees and staff, Digital Summit Los Angeles will reschedule our 2020 to September 9-11. Thanks!. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26647 September 15, Los Angeles -- *Urban Tech Connect 2020 // Forward* We believe that diverse ideas from all walks of life can help expand the realm of possibility for the entire world. The Urban Tech Connect // Forward Conference is helping bridge the gap of diverse ideation in technology. You can expect: Fine tune your fundraising and marketing strategies Target angels and VCs to raise money Overcome your fears and insecurities as a founder of color Develop tactics for product growth Tap into Job Opportunities in Tech Learn more about the speakers and conference at https://utc.pluginsouthla.com/. Organizer: Plug In South Los Angeles Venue: Virtual Conference (Agenda and login instructions provided up registration). See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26664 ------------------------------ *Recent Job Postings * More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs ------------------------------ ------------------------------ *Sponsored By * Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. 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