Wednesday, August 6, 2008X PRIZE Foundation Names Lunar Lander TeamsSanta Monica-based X PRIZE Foundation, the nonprofit which was behind the Ansari X PRIZE for suborbital spaceflight, announced Tuesday that ten teams will compete in the group's upcoming Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge. The challenge is a two million dollar prize competition which requires a simulated trip between the moon's surface and lunar orbit. Two of the teams are based in Southern California: BonNova, based in Tarzana, California; and Unreasonable Rocket, based in Solana Beach. Bo (More info...)
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DocStoc Adds Tracking FeaturesLos Angeles-based DocStoc, a Web 2.0 startup which allows users to share and post documents, has added new features to the company's private document support. According to the firm's CEO, Jason Nazar, in a blog post, the new features allow people to mark documents private, and then track who views and downloads the document. Nazar said that the features are particularly helpful to entrepreneurs, who can use it to monitor if investors are actually opening and reading business plans. DocStoc is ve (More info...)
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Semtech Hit By Fire At Mexico FactoryCamarillo-based Semtech, a manufacturer of analog and mixed signal semiconductors, reported Tuesday evening that the firm has been impacted by a fire at the firm's Reynosa, Mexico fabrication facility. According to Semtech, there were not injuries from the fire, but the firm has seen partial damage and loss of equipment at the site. Semtech said it expects to resume operations at the site within eight to nine weeks. According to Semtech, it expects that the fire will have less than a million dol (More info...)
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Internet Brands Buys Twelve Web Sites, Expands Into Shopping, CareersEl Segundo-based Internet Brands announced Wednesday that it has expanded into two new verticals, shopping and careers, with the buy of twelve new web site properties. According to the firm, the expansion into the shopping area covers coupons, deals, and consumer electronics, and includes the acquisition of Bargainist.com, Boddit.com, DealLocker.com, and UltimateCoupons.com. The carrers vertical includes the purchase of AirlinePilotCentral.com, AviationEmployment.com, ClassADrivers.com, Hospital (More info...)
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Intelligent Beauty Takes $43MEl Segundo-based Intelligent Beauty, which is developing Internet marketing and e-commerce services focused on the beauty industry, has raised $43M in a venture round, the firm announced Wednesday. The funding came from Technology Crossover Ventures. According to the firm, the funding will go to assist with the company's rapid growth. Intelligent Beauty now has 185 employees, up significantly from September of last year when it said it had 55 employed at the firm. John Drew of TCV joins the comp (More info...)
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PowerGenix Gets Safety CertificationSan Diego-based PowerGenix announced this morning that the firm's high-performance, rechargeable nickel-zinc batterires have met Undewriters Laboratories' requirements for safety and reliability. The firm, which is developing replacements for Nickel Metal-Hyddrige (NiMH) and Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd rechargeable batteries, uses Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) technology. According to the firm, the UL certification meets requirements for household and commercial battery safety. The testing was performed by Motoro (More info...)
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MySpace Partners On Presidential DebatesLos Angeles-based social networking site MySpace said this morning that it has partnered with the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) to create a new web site focused on the political process. According to MySpace, the new site--MyDebates.org--will offer interactive tools for vieweres to engage in the political process. The site will be tied to three separate Presidential debates and one debate featuring candidates for Vice President. Among the features of the site will be streaming of the (More info...)
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Big Stage Hires ExecutivesPasadena-based Big Stage Entertainment, which develops technology to create life-like 3D avatars, announced today that the firm has appointed two new executives to the firm's management team. Big Stage said that it has hired on James Brennan as the firm's Vice President, Online, and Richard Diephuis as Vice President, Engineering. Brennan joins the firm from digital consultancy Mandalan Media, and has also served at Experiant, USWeb/CKS, and Accenture. Brennan is also a member of the Academy of (More info...)
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DEX Expands In AsiaCamarillo-based DEX, a provider of supply chain and logistics services to the high tech industry, said Tuesday that the firm has furthered its expansion into the Asia Pacific area. The firm said that it has opened new offices in Taiwan and Malaysia. The new offices follow the recent opening of offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China. DEX helps OEMs and others source out of production and hard to find electronics parts.
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