Wednesday, October 7, 2009RightSignature Takes VentureNet PrizeSanta Barbara-based RightSignature, an online, software-as-a-service for collecting electronic signatures, took "Best of Show" at VentureNet Wednesday, after a day of presentations by thirteen Southern California startups. VentureNet, which is put on by the Technology Council of Southern California, included keynotes by Kelly Perdew of Rotohog and Zorik Gordon of ReachLocal, plus capital presentations from Cyber-Rain, FlipGloss Media, Viewdle, Social Approach, Ad.ly, Zadspace, RightSignature, Co (More info...)
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Covario: Paid Search Spending UpSan Diego-based Covario, a provider of paid search and search engine optimization software, reported this week that its analysis has found that major U.S. advertisers have upped their spending on paid search by almost 8 percent in Q3. The firm--which has been running a quarterly analysis of paid search spending--said it is expecting 10 to 15 percent growth in 2010. Covario attributed some of the gain in paid search spending to "back to school" campaigns in the consumer market. Covario has been t (More info...)
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Suddenly Darling Launches Teen Fashion SiteSan Diego-based Suddenly Darling announced today that it has launched a new site focused on online fashion for teen girls and young women. The firm--started by 17-year old Katelyn Rose--features fashion, style, and hair tips, as well as celebrity content from Disney's Katelyn Tarver, Power Ranger Jessica Rey, artist Cassi B, and singer Caitlin Crosby. The site includes shopping for clothes and accessories and a number of social features.
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Gen-Probe Buys Molecular Testing FirmSan Diego-based Gen-Probe said Tuesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Prodesse, a provider of molecular testing for influenza and other infection diseases. The deal is worth $60M in cash, with provision to increase the price to $85M on meeting specific financial and regulatory milestones. Prodesse was based in Waukesha, WI, and was privately funded.
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Interview with Nick Desai, Global Fitness MediaFor this morning's interview, we sat down and talked with Nick Desai, CEO of Global Fitness Media, which runs FitOrbit (www.fitorbit.com), an online site looking to help users put together a fitness and connect with fitness trainers. The firm is co-founded by Jake Steinfeld, of Body by Jake, and ExerciseTV, and has received investment from prolific angel investor Ron Conway and Polar Capital, the investment firm of former Google President Tim Armstrong.
Thanks for talking with us. For those (More info...)
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FLO TV Takes On Handheld TVQualcomm's FLO TV subsidiary said late Tuesday evening that it has entered into the handheld TV market, with the launch of a new device which lets viewers watch programming anywhere they are. According to FLO TV, its new FLO TV Personal Television will be available for purchase during the holiday season at retailers, and will offer news, live sports, children's programming, and entertainment television from the FLO TV network. The new device will requires a subscription service which works out (More info...)
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Cyntellect Expands In EuropeSan Diego-based Cyntellect, a developer of scientific equipment for the life science and stem cell research market, reported today that it has opened up a new European headquarters in the U.K. The firm said the firm now has a team of sales, scientific, and service support staff located across the U.K., France, Germany, and the Netherlands, operating under Cyntellect Europe, Ltd. Cyntellect said the new company will accelerate commercialization of its products.
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Rubicon Project Launches New Technology PlatformLos Angeles-based The Rubicon Project, which operates a service to optimize the selection of ads on web sites, said today that it has debuted a new technology platform is it calling REVV for Publishers. The new software expands Rubicon's product from optimizing remnant ad network impressions, and into the domain of managing direct and in-house advertising. The firm said that the REVV product--targeted at premium Web publishers--now gives publishers control of non-guaranteed inventory, ability to (More info...)
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Breach Security Raises $5M MoreCarlsbad-based Breach Security, a developer of IT security tools, announced this morning that it has raised $5M in additional funding, from existing investor Sid R. Bass Associates. The firm said the expansion financing would go towards product development and further market expansion. The funding brings the company's total raised to somewhere around $37.5M. The firm did not say if prior investors Enterprise Partners, RBA No. 5, or Evergreen Venture Partners participated in this round.
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