Thursday, June 12, 2008WooMe Raises $12.5Los Angeles-based WooMe, an online speed dating web site, has raised $12.5M in a venture funding round, the firm's CEO, Stephen Stokols, told socalTECH this morning. The round was led Index Ventures, with Atomico and Mangrove Capital Partners also participating. Stokols said that Atomico "upped their stake considerably" in the deal. He also said there has been an additional $500K held aside for 1-2 strategic angels, which the firm expects to close in the next 90 days. Stokols explained that the (More info...)
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Xytech Adds Asian Language SupportBurbank-based software developer Xytech Systems, which develops software used for managing digital workflow and media in film studios, broadcasters, post production, and other similar facilities, said this week that it has rolled out new Asian language support for its software. Xytech said it has added support for simplified Chinese and other double-byte character sets. The firm did not detail other planned language support for its software, but said that the expanded support allows it to add lo (More info...)
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Docstoc Takes On Large Email AttachmentsBeverly Hills-based Docstoc, a venture funded startup which operates an online document sharing site, said this week that it has rolled out a new service which allows people to email large documents without attaching files. The new service, Docstoc OneClick, allows users to send links to large documents to their contacts from the service. The new service is available via a software download, and allows users to email either private or public documents, automatically storing those documents on th (More info...)
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Interview with Rob Witman, RiffWarePasadena-based Riffware (www.riffware.com), a developer of mobile applications, recently launched its first application on Verizon last month. We spoke with Rob Witman, CEO of the firm, to hear about the company's angle on the mobile market, the founder's background from Evolution Robotics--Rob told us he was the first outside employee for Evolution Robotics--and where it's hoping to take the company. We also thought it would be interesting to hear how some technical founders decided to go from (More info...)
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eduFire.com Launches Online Learning SiteLos Angeles-based eduFire said today that it has officially launched its web site, focused on connecting students with language teachers via a real-time, in-browser video platform. The angel backed startup, which received $400K in funding in April, said that its site will allow students to find teachers anywhere in the world, who can tutor students through video and voice connections on the site. eduFire's web site allows students to find tutors, schedule tutoring sessions, access videos, flashc (More info...)
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Invitrogen Merges With Applied Biosystems In $6.7B DealCarlsbad-based Invitrogen Corporation and Foster City-based Applera Corporation announced this morning that the Invitrogen will merge with Applera's Applied Biosystems Group in a $6.7 billion cash and stock transaction. According to the companies, Invitrogen will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Applera's Applied Biosystems Group, for $38.00 per share split between cash and stock. According to the companies, the merger will result in a company with $3.5B in combined sales. The merged com (More info...)
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Ripple Joins Advertising Industry GroupEl Segundo-based Ripple, which operates a network of video screens in retail locations, said yesterday that the company has joined the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB), an industry group of out-of-home video networks. Other members of the group, which is focused on growth and regulation of the out-of-home media market, include Access360 Media, Target, Channel M, Arbitron, and others. Ripple operates a network of screens which show news, weather, and entertainment; the firm has deals w (More info...)
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Emergent Game Technologies Ships Game Development SoftwareCalabasas-based Emergent Game Technologies, a venture-backed developer of technology for the computer gaming industry, said Wednesday that it has released a software product for helping developers bring game titles to market. The firm said its Gamebryo 2.5 includes a redesigned geometry system, upgraded features to increase speed of operations on PLAYSTATION3 and xbox 360 game platforms, and a new terrain system. The company's tools are used for developing video games on the PLAYSTATION3, Xbox 3 (More info...)
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BakBone Scores Win At O'ReillySan Diego-based BakBone Software announced Wednesday that the provider of backup software has scored a win at O'Reilly Media, a publisher of books and magazines. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. BakBone said that O'Reilly Media will use the firm's backup software at three different geographical sites. BakBone develops software for the Linux, Windows, Unix, and Mac OS.
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