Monday, October 13, 2008Epicor Turns Down Buyout OfferIrvine-based Epicor Software, a developer of enterprise business software, said Monday afternoon that it has turned down an offer from Elliott Associates, L.P., to acquire the firm. According to Epicor, after thoroughly reviewing the proposal, it determined not to pursue the unsolicited proposal. Elliott Associates had approached Epicor with a buyout offer worth $9.50 per share on October 1st. Elliott is a major shareholder in Epicor, which closed at $6.61 per share on Monday. The offer was wort (More info...)
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KidZui Adds Social Networking, Homework HelpSan Diego-based KidZui, a venture-backed startup which develops a kid-safe Internet browser, said Monday that it has added new social networking features and homework help to the firm's suite of services. KidZui--which is venture backed by Maveron, Emergence Capital Partners and First Round Capital--said that it will let kids aged 3-12 keep up and connect with their friends, express feelings and opinions, and share content. The new social networking feature requires mutual parent approval, and a (More info...)
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Stickam.com Goes MobileLos Angeles-based live video streaming site Stickam.com said Monday that it has launched a new mobile offering called Stickam Mobile. According to Stickam, the new mobile version of the site allows members to stream live video to their Stickam players via their cell phone. The new service also provides information about number of viewers and chat activity about their broadcasts on user cell phones. The new mobile service currently is limited to the Nokia N95 and Nokia S60 phones, and the firm sa (More info...)
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MySpace Launches New Ad PlatformLos Angeles-based MySpace said Monday that it has opened a beta of a new self-serve, advertising platform is it calling MySpace MyAds. According to the social networking site, the new ad platform is targeted at individuals and small businesses, and allows them to target and create banner ads to specific MySpace audiences. The new self-service ad program allows advertisers to target ads specifically by age, sex, and geographical location, along with specific keywords or phrases. MySpace said that (More info...)
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Nirvanix Unveils NAS SolutionSan Diego-based Nirvanix said this morning that the firm's network attached storage (NAS) product, CloudNAS, is now available. The software, which combines cloud storage with a NAS server, was originally announced in June. According to Nirvanix, the software now allows companies to turn a 1U server into a NAS filer, while actually storing its data on the Nirvanix cloud computing service. The new product is targeted for use in backup and archiving. Nirvanix operates a cloud storage service, which (More info...)
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SmartReply In Deal With ExperianIrvine-based SmartReply, a provider of voice and mobile marketing services, is in a deal with Experian Marketing Services, Experian said today. According to Experian, the two are in an alliance where SmartReply's mobile, voice, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) marketing products will be added to Experian's marketing services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Experian said the deal will help its clients add mobile and short message service (SMS) marketing tools to their existi (More info...)
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DECA Finds Talent On YouTubeSanta Monica-based DECA, a venture-backed, digital entertainment studio, said this morning that it has become the exclusive business and production partners for teen brand SMOSH, a leading provider of humorous videos on YouTube. According to DECA, it will provide financing, ad sales, marketing, distribution, and provide other business operations for SMOSH, which was created by Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox. DECA said that SMOSH has over 555,000 subscribers on YouTube, in addition to operating it (More info...)
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Iteris Gets $19.5M In Credit FacilitySanta Ana-based Iteris said Monday that it has secured $19.5M in a credit facility from California Bank & Trust. The firm, which develops systems for managing transportation and traffic congestion, said the new line of funding will be used to fund future growth. $12.0M of the new credit will be a revolving line of credit, the remainder will be used to retire convertible debentures. Iteris sells traffic monitoring cameras, fleet vehicle monitoring systems, and other related products.
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