Wednesday, February 16, 2011Factual Enhances Datasets, Adds iPhone SDKLos Angeles-based Factual, the data startup headed by Gil Elbaz, has just updated the firm's services, saying this evening that it has improved its local data information, expanded its international datasets, rolled out an iPhone SDK, and more. The firm--which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Index Ventures--said that it now has over 15 million business listings for its US points of interest database, which is used by mobile developers. The firm also said it has added 19 additional countries (More info...)
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THQ Revives Korean BBQ TruckAgoura Hills-based videogame maker THQ has revived its North Korean-themed food truck, the Pyongyang Express, as it gears up for the release of its first person shooter game Homefront. THQ said it will be serving up heavily subsidized food in Los Angeles and San Francisco from the truck, including fresh tacos, burritos and rice bowls. The food truck is similar to the Facebook and Twitter-driven Korean BBQ trucks spawned by LA's Kogi BBQ. THQ had originally rolled out the truck last year in Los A (More info...)
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UberMedia Updates TwidroydPasadena-based UberMedia, the Twitter client firm run by Bill Gross, said Wednesday that it has updated its Twidroyd client, which allows users to post and read tweets on the Twitter micro-messaging service. According to UberMedia, it has added new inline previews of YFrog and instagram photos; ability to browse tweets without having a Twitter account or signing in; use of the Goog.le link shortener; plus ability to temporarily mute users or keywords. The firm also said that it has inked a partn (More info...)
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Peregrine Semiconductor Selects NasdaqSan Diego-based Peregrine Semiconductor, one of the Southern California technology firms currently in IPO registration, has selected the Nasdaq for its IPO, according an updated S-1 filing from the company. Peregrine said it has applied to list on the Nasdaq Global Market as PSMI. Peregrine's IPO is being underwritten by Deutsche Bank Securities, J.P. Morgan, Jefferies, Needham & Company, and Oppenheimer & Co. The firm is a developer of high speed, radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits, used (More info...)
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Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Partners With Cedric the EntertainerWhat do Cedric the Entertainer and Los Angeles-based Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., the rapidly growing business credit information firm headed by Jeff Stibel, have to do with each other? Apparently, you should now be able to discern the D&B Credibility employees based on their stylish hats, after the company and Cedric the Entertainer said they had partnered on a new Fedora hat line from the actor and comedian.
D&B said it has placed the first corporate order for hats from Cedric the En (More info...)
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Gores Group Closes $2B Private Equity FundLos Angeles-based private equity firm The Gores Group said Wednesday that it has closed on Gores Capital Partners II, L.P., with commitments of $2 billion. The firm said that the new fund will acquire companies, primarily in the technology, telecommunications, business services, industrial, consumer, and healthcare sectors. The private equity firm said its commitments went beyond its original, $1.5 billion target. Gores Group is headed by Alec Gores, and was founded in 1987. The firm now has mo (More info...)
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Business.com Acquired By Resource Nation, With JMI BackingSan Diego-based Resource Nation, an online business-to-business marketing provider, has acquired the brand name, domain, and assets of Business.com, the firm announced today. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed, however, the firm said that private equity firm JMI Equity has provided it funding in support of the transaction. JMI Equity General Partner Peter Arrowsmith and Vice President David Greenberg have joined Resource Nation's board as part of the acquisition. Resource Nation said (More info...)
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Demand Media Names GM For typeF.comSanta Monica-based Demand Media has named Lisa Kraynak as head of the firm's new fashion web site, typeF.com, which it is launching with Tyra Banks. Kraynak was most recently SVP of Digital Media for NBC Unviersal, and also has served at Viacom, City of New York, Intuit and iVillage.com. According to Demand Media, Kraynak will lead the launch, operation, and ongoing development of the new site. Demand Media said last night that it would be launching typeF in March.
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Specific Media Bolsters Advisory BoardIrvine-based Specific Media, which operates an Internet advertising network, announced today that it has added three new members to its advisory board. The firm said it has added Larry Goodman, Bill Burke, and Ed McCarrick as advisors to its executive team. Goodman was President, CNN Sales and Marketing and President Operations at Turner Broadcasting Sales Inc; Burke is co-author of Ted Turner's autobiography, "Call Me Ted" and was President and CEO of The Weather Channel Companies, in addition (More info...)
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Sonos Ties Into SiriusXMSanta Barbara-based wireless, multi-room music streaming hardware firm Sonos has added a linked to XM's SiriusXM Internet radio service, the company announced this morning. Sonos said that current XM subscribers can now stream SiriusXM to the Sonos multi-room music system. Sirius already was available via Sonos, but the firm's XM service has a slightly different mix of channels available. The streaming support requires users to have a $2.99 a month SiriusXM Internet Radio subscription. SiriusXM (More info...)
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Demand Media, Tyra Banks Announce Fashion Site TypeFLos Angeles-based online publisher Demand Media and celebrity Tyra Banks said Tuesday that they have officially named the new fashion and beauty site the two are working on together, as TypeF. Demand Media said the new site launches on March 15th, and will focus on the world of fashion and beauty by allowing women to "discover their unique personal style". Demand Media and Tyra Banks said in June of last year they would be partnering on a new fashion and beauty site.
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ecoATM Raises $14.4MSan Diego-based ecoATM, a startup which develops automated kiosks for evaluating and buying back consumer electronics, announced today that it has raised $14.4M in funding in a combination of its Series A funding and venture debt. The funding came from Coinstar and Claremont Creek, along with venture debt from Silicon Valley Bank. Randy Hawks of Claremont Creek, and Gary Cohen, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience at Redbox, join the firm's board as part of the funding. Red (More info...)
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SVnetwork Names Marketing HeadLos Angeles-based SVnetwork (SocialVibe) said today that it has named Larry Lieberman as Chief Marketing Officer at the social advertising firm. Lieberman has previously served at firms Aniboom, Virgin Comics, Virgin Animation, Comedy Central, Warner Music Group, and MTV. SocialVibe provides an online advertising platform which encourages users to share and engage with brands. The firm's clients include Microsoft, GE, Amex, Toyota, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Sony, and Disney. SVnetwork is head (More info...)
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Local.com Buys Assets of RovionIrvine-based Local.com said this morning that it has acquired the assets of Rovion, a developer of ad serving tools, from DigitalPost Interactive. Local.com said it will pay $1.5M in cash plus up to $7M in earnout for Rovion. The company also said it has appointed Michael Sawtell as Senior Vice President and General Manager of its Sales and Advertiser Services businesses as part of the acquisition. Local.com said Rovion's customers included CBS Radio, Cisco, and LendingTree, among others. The fi (More info...)
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SMK-Link Buys Computer Accessory FirmCamarillo-based SMK-Link, a developer of remote controls, Bluetooth peripherals, and other consumer electronic accessories, announced last night that it has acquired the assets of Movea's Gyration business unit. Movea is a developer of motion processing chips, software, and firmware; its Gyration unit developed mice, keyboards, and other computer accessories. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to SMK-Link, it has also licensed Movea's SmartMotion, MotionIC, and MotionTools (More info...)
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