Tuesday, January 12, 2010Central Desktop Sees Growth, Boosts Hires In 2009Pasadena-based software-as-a-service developer Central Desktop reported today that the firm had 44 percent, year-over-year growth, and boosted its staff by 50 percent in 2009, as a result of demand for the firm's online project collaboration tools. The firm, which is privately held, did not disclose actual financials, but said it has been seeing "strong momentum" and continuous quarter-over-quarter growth. The firm said its customers now include such companies as Netflix, U.S. Department of Hea (More info...)
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Break.com Rolls iPhone AppLos Angeles-based video site Break.com said today that the firm has launched a new, iPhone application, which allows its users to view its various video channels. According to Break, the app was launched December 31st on the App Store, and is available for free for iPhone and iPod touch users. The new app includes access to its homepage videos, comments, ability to share videos, and browse and watch videos by channel.
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SEDLine Gets Investment, Acquires Hospira UnitIrvine-based SEDLine said today that it has acquired Hospira's brain function monitoring business, and scored an equity investment from Masimo. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed by the firm. According to SEDline, the firm was formed to advanced neuromonitoring technologies, used for monitoring patients under anesthesia or sedation. The new firm is headed by David E. Goodman, and the company said that Hospira's original Brain Function Monitoring team has joined the firm as p (More info...)
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Cereplast Shifts Production To IndianaHawthorne-based Cereplast, a developer of bio-plastics, said today that it is moving all of its R&D and production lines to Indiana, as it looks to reduce its footprint in Southern California. The firm said it will continue to maintain its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, and will be moving those offices to a new facility in El Segundo. Cereplast said the move is part of an effort to streamline its operations, and will "drastically reduce" its costs compared to operating in California. Cer (More info...)
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Biddees Launches Gift Card Auction SiteSanta Monica-based Biddees, a new startup founded by a number of veterans from Shoes.com, has launched a new web site today focused on decreasing reverse auctions of gift cards. The site allows consumers to buy gifts cards from such companies as Amazon.com, Walmart, and other brand name retailers using a reverse auction, combined with donations to nonprofits. The site sells gifts cards at a discount, with the twist that it does not allow users to see the current price of cards until they use a b (More info...)
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VentiRx Gets $25M In Series A ExtensionSan Diego-based biopharmaceuticals firm VentiRx Pharmaceuticals said today that the firm has raised $25M in a Series A extension round. The firm, which is developing treatments for cancer, respiratory, and inflammatory disease, said the round was led by MedImmune Ventures, and also included prior investors ARCH Venture Partners, Domain Associates, and Frazier Healthcare Ventures. The firm said the new funding, including its initial $26.6M, Series A funding in March of 2007, brings its total rais (More info...)
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Rubicon Launches Security OfferingLos Angeles-based Rubicon Project, a provider of Internet advertising optimization tools, said today that it has launched a new security offering called Rubicon Security. The firm said the new software fights "malvertising" and identifies malware within advertising networks, and stops those attacks before they reach consumers. Recently, a number of malware writers have used ad networks to install malware via publisher websites. Rubicon Project said it is integrated automated ad tag monitoring te (More info...)
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Xavient Acquires Vision360Simi Valley-based Xavient Information Systems, a provider of IT outsourcing services, and Virginia-based Vision360, a provider of custom software development, testing, and other services for the telecommunications industry, said today that they are in a definitive merger agreement, where Xavient will acquired Vision360. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Xavient has operations split between the U.S. and India, and said it employs over 1800; Vision360 has operations in Hernd (More info...)
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Covario Buys NetconceptsSan Diego-based Covario, a developer of search advertising and web site optimization software and services, said today that it has acquired Netconcepts, LLC, a website search engine optimization firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Covario said the buy will strengthen the firm's position providing SEO solutions to large advertisers. Netconcepts was founded in 1995, and serves such clients as Cabela's, Northern Tool, Ann Taylor, Deckers, Woolrich, and B (More info...)
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