Monday, January 5, 2009uPlay Acquired By Callaway GolfCarlsbad-based uPlay, which develops consumer electronics devices for the golf market, has been acquired by golf products manufacturer Callaway Golf, Callaway said Monday afternoon. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. uPlay is a manufacturer of a device which helps golfers measure their shots, using aerial and satellite photography and GPS technology. Callaway is also based in Carlsbad.
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We've joined Microsoft BizSparksocalTECH.com has just signed on as a Network Partner in an exciting new program called Microsoft® BizSpark™. It's specifically designed to help us put promising technology startups like yours on an even faster track to success.
Through BizSpark, we can now offer you fast, easy access to current, full-featured Microsoft development tools and platform technologies, as well as production licenses to develop and bring innovative and interoperable solutions to market. The program can also prov (More info...)
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CaseStack Taps Kline For BoardSanta Monica-based CaseStack, which provide supply chain and logistics services for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, announced today that it has added Frank R. Kline, of Kline Hawkes & Co., to its board. Kline is founder of the venture capital firm, and also sites on the baords of NewBridge College, Rayne Corporation, and Cyalume Technologies. CaseStack helps manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to outsource and manage their supply chain and logistics operations. Kline Hawkes is (More info...)
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Tickets.com Extends NHL DealCosta Mesa-based Tickets.com, which provides online ticketing services, said Monday that it has signed a long term contract extension with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. The firm said the deal includes use of the firm's StubHub site for secondary ticket marketing, and will make StubHub "the Official Fan to Fan Ticket Marketplace of the Buffalo Sabres." Financial impact of the contract was not disclosed. Tickets.com is a subsidiary of MLB Advanced Media.
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Interview with Mike Starkenburg, Image MetricsLos Angeles-based Image Metrics (www.image-metrics.com) recently landed a $6.5M, Series B funding round for the firm's facial animation products. We spoke with CEO Mike Starkenburg -- a former venture capitalist at the Sprout Group and longtime reader of our newsletter -- about the firm and its technology and how it's revolutionizing facial animation in both computer games and the movies.
Tell us about your facial animation technology and how it's used?
Mike Starkenburg: The company was fo (More info...)
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SmartDrive Names Product ChiefSan Diego-based SmartDrive Systems, which develops technology and associate services for managing vehicle fleet safety, announced today that it has hired Jason Palmer as its Chief Product Officer. Palmer has previously served at 800.com, Qualcomm, Now Software, Clientele Software, and Tut Systems. SmartDrive is venture backed by Clarium
Edelson Ventures, Founders Fund, New Enterprise Associates, Oak Investment Partners, Revolution Ventures, and Western Technology Investment.
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Illumina Hires Operations VPSan Diego-based Illumina has hired on a new Senior Vice President of Operations, Bill Bonnar, the firm disclosed this morning. The firm, which develops life science products and services for the genomics market, said that Bonnar joins the company from KLA-Tencor, the semiconductor equipment provider, where he was Vice President of operations for KLA-Tencor's Reticle and Photomask Inspection and Ebeam Divisions. Bonnar has also served at Pacific Press Technology and Procter and Gamble.
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Smith Micro Snags ClearwireAliso Viejo-based Smith Micro Software has scored a win with WiMax provider Clearwire, the company announced this morning. Smith Micro said that the firm has been selected by Clearwire to deliver connection management software for Clearwire's mobile WiMax customers. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. Clearwire is deploying a nationwide wireless network based on the WiMax wireless standard. Smith Micro is a developer of mobile communications and other retail software.
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Brickfish Bolsters Social Media EffortsSan Diego-based Brickfish, an online advertising network focused on social media, announced this monring that it has hired Becky Carroll as the firm's Director of Social Media. The firm said that Carroll joins the company from Petra Consulting Group, where she was President and Founder. Carroll has also served at Peppers and Rogers Group, Hewlett Packard, and NASA/Ames Research Center. Carroll will head up the firm's social media marketing. Brickfish operates a service which allows consumers to (More info...)
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