Thursday, November 13, 2008MBAinteract Gets InvestmentNewport Beach-based MBAinteract, a site developing a social and professional networking site for MBA students, said Wednesday that it has added Dr. J. Galen Buckwalter, former Chief Scientist at eHarmony, to its board, as part of an unspecified investment from Buckwalter. Amount of the investment was not disclosed. According to the firm, Dr. Buckwalter will assist the firm by personally directing research operations related to the firm's technology, which is used to match job candidates and empl (More info...)
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Ardea Biosciences Gets $8M LoanSan Diego-based Ardea Biosciences, which is developing small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of HIV, gout, cancer and inflammatory diseases, announced Thursday that the firm has scored an $8M growth capital loan from Oxford Finance Corporation and Silicon Valley Bank. The firm said the financing will go towards funding operations in the second half of 2009.
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Rubicon Project Opens New York OfficeSanta Monica-based Rubicon Project, which provides web advertising optimization software, has expanded into New York, the firm announced Thursday. Rubicon, which is venture backed by Clearstone Venture Partners, IDG Ventures, and Mayfield, said that it has hired on Josh Wexler as Director of Strategic Publisher Acquisition, who will head up its New York offices. Rubicon Project offers helps web publishers optimize their advertising revenue, by monitoring the performance and adjusting which adver (More info...)
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Icanbuy Powers New Homes SiteSanta Ana-based icanbuy, a developer of real estate related software, is powering a new model home site from the Building Industry Association of Southern California. According to the BIA, it is launching a new Web 2.0 consumer site, ModelHomeTour.com, to provide would-be new home buyers with information about home listings, floor plans, community information, and more. The new site is powered by icanbuy, which develops online tools for helping home owners find financing, shop for home loans, an (More info...)
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Channel M Extends Ad ReachLos Angeles-based Channel M, which operates and develops programming for in-store and retail television networks, said Thursday that it has opened up advertising in its network at Ashley Furniture HomeStores and ecko locations. According to Channel M, the two stores--which previously features advertising-free, custom programming created by Channel M--will now allow third party advertising. Channel M said the stores will allow third party advertisers with complementary brands to reach its custome (More info...)
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Buzznet Targets Tweens, Teens With New Celebrity SiteHollywood-based Buzznet, a venture-backed operator of social media websites, said Thursday that it has launched a new site called Just Jared Jr., focused on tweens and teens. The site is being launched in a partnership with Buzznet and celebrity blog Just Jared. According to Buzznet, the new site will provide tweens and teens with up-to-date and high quality pop culture and celebrity content, and is being launched as part of Buzznet's Celebuzz.com entertainment community. Buzznet is venture bac (More info...)
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Transpera Takes $8.25M In Second RoundSanta Monica-based Transpera, a provider of mobile video advertising technology, announced Thursday that it has raised $8.25M in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Flybridge Capital Partners, and included new investor Labrador Ventures. Prior investors Intel Capital and First Round Capital also participated in the funding. According to Transpera, the funding also includes debt from Silicon Valley Bank. The funding will go to expand the company's product line and service customers. Tr (More info...)
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DECA Launches New Show Focused On MothersLos Angeles-based digital entertainment studio DECA announced today that the firm has launched a new show, Momversation, focused on the "mom" demographic. The firm said the new show and site features video conversations between several popular "mommy bloggers". The new show is hosted by mommy bloggers Heather Armostrong of Dooce, Alice Bradley of Finslippy, Daphne Brogdon of Cool Mom, Asha Dornfest of Parent Hacks, Nataly Kogan of Work It, Mom!, Maggie Mason of Might Girl, Mindy Roberts of The M (More info...)
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Epicor Cuts JobsIrvine-based Epicor announced Thursday morning that it is cutting its workforce, as part of a cost reduction initiative at the firm. According to Epicor, it made unspecified cuts--expected to save it $16M to $20M annually--in its staff, as a reaction to the current economic environment. The cuts came along with stricter controls on the firm's discretionary spending and other efforts to reduce operating expenses and improve efficiency at the firm. Epicor, which develops enterprise resource planni (More info...)
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