Monday, January 28, 2008Helio Shuffles ExecsSanta Monica-based MVNO Helio said Monday afternoon that Sky Dayton, the firm's CEO, has become Chairman of its board of directors, and will no longer serve as CEO of the firm. Dayton will be replaced by Wonhee Sull, who was previously President and COO. In a released statement, Dayton said he would continue to work with Sull in defining Helio's direction and future. Sull has been COO of the firm since its founding, and joined the firm from Helio investor SK Telecom. In conjunction with the anno (More info...)
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Nirvanix Enhances ServicesSan Diego-based, venture-backed online storage firm Nirvanix said today that the firm has enhanced the firm's storage as a service offerings. Nirvanix said it is opening up storage nodes in Europe and Asia, as part of an increase in its network footprint. The firm also said it has added new ability to transcode video, rotate and flip images, search for files in a file system, and provide incremental backup. Nirvanix said that it will also offer virtual domain services so that API calls will be m (More info...)
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Watertower Group Launches Venture FundLos Angeles-based Watertower Group said earlier this month that it has launched a new, venture capital fund focused on investments in the technology and digital media sector. The firm said it will look to invest between $100,000 and $1M in companies. Size of the fund was not disclosed. Watertower Group is a provider of advisory services for entrepreneurs; the firm indicated that it will specifically manage future fund raising efforts of the firms it invests in, and that it is targeting companies (More info...)
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Vuguru In Deal To Develop Robin Cook PrequelBeverly Hills-based Vuguru, the new media studio for Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company, said Monday that it is launching a prequel for Foreign Body, the upcoming novel from author Robin Cook. According to The Tornante Company, it will debut the online series in May, ten weeks before the book become available. The deal was signed with G.P. Putnam, the publisher of the model, and will be co-produced by Cyber Group Animation and directed by Big Fantastic. Big Fantastic is the firm behind Vuguru (More info...)
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mobileStorm Expands In Bay AreaLos Angeles-based email marketing service provider mobileStorm said Monday that it has opened up new offices in San Francisco. According to mobileStorm, the firm will focus on new accounts and will include sales and customer service professionals. mobileStorm provides email and mobile marketing services to American Idol, Qantas, MGM Grand, and others. The firm is venture backed by eonBusiness.
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Integrien Adds Former Veritas CTO To BoardIrvine-based Integrien, the venture backed startup developing systems management software, said today that former Veritas CTO and board member Fred van den Bosch has joined its Strategic Advisory Board. Van den Bosch was EVP of Engineering, CTO, and board member at software giant VERITAS Software, now part of Symantec. According to Integrien, van den Bosch will serve as an advisor, and help the firm with strategic product innovation and accelerating market adoption and expansion. Integrien is ba (More info...)
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Interview with Bernard Chen, FlipClipsWe recently ran into Los Angeles-based FlipClips (www.flipclips.com), a firm which has a fascinating product which takes video clips and turns them into professionally printed "flip books." The firm's service -- which has been available since 2005 -- is unlike any other service we're aware of, and can be used for holiday cards, gifts, and promotional giveaways. We spoke with Bernard Chen, one of the founders of FlipClips, about the company's services and business. Ben Kuo conducted the interview (More info...)
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Rubicon Project Raises $21MSanta Monica-based the Rubicon Project, which develops online advertising optimization systems, is announcing today that it has raised $21M in a Series B funding. The funding came from Mayfield Fund, IDG Ventures Asia, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, and Clearstone Venture Partners, along with LowerMyBills.com founder Matt Coffin. According to Rubicon Project, the funding will be used to fund the firm's international expansion, for strategic acquisition, research and deve (More info...)
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kidthing Raises $3M For Learning SiteLos Angeles-based kidthing said today that it has raised $3M in a venture financing round. The funding came from Alpinesky LLC and angel investors. According to kidthing, David Cooper of Alpinesky has joined the firm's board as part of the funding. kidthing said it is developing a distribution, publishing, and networking platform for providing content to young children. The company asid its digital media player -- which is in beta and will launch in spring--is targeted at providing a safe enviro (More info...)
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Demand Media Signs The Lance Armstrong FoundationSanta Monica-based Demand Media and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the cancer survivor organization founded by cyclist Lance Armstrong, said this morning that they are working together on launching a new web site, Livestrong.com. The Lance Armstrong Foundation will use Demand Media's social media tools and expertise for the site. Demand Media said that the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Lance Armstrong will become shareholders in Demand Media. However, according to a spokesman for Demand Media, (More info...)
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Broadcom Gets Digital TV Converter Win With RCAIrvine-based Broadcom today said that its digital television chips have been designed into a new digital-to-analog converter box from RCA. According to Broadcom, its digital television, systems-on-a-chip solutions for converter boxes will be used in RCA's DTA800B digital-to-analog converter boxes. The new hardware is focused on the move by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to migrate broadcast television signals to an all-digital format in 2009. Financial impa (More info...)
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Phenomix Files For IPOSan Diego-based Phenomix said in a filing with the SEC Friday that it is looking to raise up to $86.25M in an IPO on the NASDAQ Global Market. The firm, which is looking to list as "PHMX" on the exchange, develops biopharmaceuticals focused on treatment of Type 2 diabetes, along with compounds for treatment of hepatitis C infections. The IPO is being underwritten by Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Oppenheimer & Co., and Pacific Growth Equities. Phenomix is venture backed by JP Morgan FUnds, Nomur (More info...)
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