Thursday, November 20, 2008


WebVisible Acquires Adapt Technologies
Irvine-based WebVisible announced today that it has acquired Pasadena-based Adapt Technologies, a developer of search engine marketing tools. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. WebVisible is a provider of local online advertising services, which helps small and midsize businesses place search engine marketing. Adapt Technologies was venture backed by Concept2company, Emergence Capital Partners, and Mohr, Davidow Ventures; the firm had raised $9.8M in 2005. WebVisible is ventu (More info...)
posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008(Full story)

eHarmony To Launch Same-Sex Matching Service
Pasadena-based online dating provider eHarmony said Wednesday afternoon that it will launch a same-sex matching service, called Compatible Partners, as a result of a lawsuit filed against the firm by the state of New Jersey. eHarmony had faced scrutiny and criticism for refusing to accept gay members to its computerized matching site. According to eHarmony and the New Jersey Attorney General, eHarmony has not been found in violation of New Jersy's Law Against Discrimination. The firm had been su (More info...)
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Verve Wireless Powers Mobile Site For Zvents
Encinitas-based Verve Wireless, a provider of software for helping publishers publish their content to mobile devices, has inked a partnership with local event search site Zvents, the firms announced today. According to the firms, Verve Wireless will provide its mobile publishing technology to Zvents, for a mobile site. Zvents provides event listings to promote local business listings. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Verve Wireless is backed by the Associated Press, and has a num (More info...)
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Interview with Jerome Chang, BlankSpaces
One of the recent trends in the technology industry here in Los Angeles is the use of "coworking" spaces--flexible workspaces where companies can rent open office space. BLANKSPACES (www.blankspaces.com) -- which is on Wilshire Blvd.--is the brainchild of architect Jerome Chang. Chang is looking to open up two to three more similar spaces in the next year. The existing space on Wilshire is heavily used by meetups, business networking groups, as well as local startups, and we thought we'd talk wi (More info...)
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Greenwala Launches Green Social Networking Site
Lake Forest-based Greenwala, a new startup, launched its social networking site Wednesday, saying that it is hoping to connect people with brands focused on sustainable lifestyles. The firm said that the site will allow companies to showcase green-based products, through a network of community members who want to help others live a greener lifestyle. Greenwala is headed up by Rajeev Kapur, who was formerly at SmartLabs, Inc., and has previously been General Manager of Dell South Asia; and Carl Z (More info...)
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eFax Adds Search Features
Los Angeles-based j2 Global Communications, which operates the eFax Internet faxing service, announced Thursday that it has added a new fax search feature. According to j2, it has launched a pilot project which indexes all incoming faxes into a database, allowing its customers to search for specific words, phrases, and numbers in those faxes. j2 said the new feature will be offered for free to certain paid eFax subscribers. The faxes will be archived for up to two years for subscribers. Users wi (More info...)
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Staccato Merges With Artimi, Gets $20M
San Diego-based Staccato Communications, a developer of ultra-wideband wireless semiconductors, announced today that it has merged with fellow UWB developer Artimi, Inc., and raised $20M in new funding. According to Staccato, the funding came from Allegis Capital, Amadeus Capital Partners, Bay Partners, Charles River Ventures, Formative Ventures, Intel Capital, Interwest Partners, Khosla Ventures, Noble Venture Finance, Oak Investment Partners and Vision Capital. All of the investors were prior (More info...)
posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008(Full story)