Wednesday, May 18, 2011GRP Partners Backs Cloud Database FirmLos Angeles-based venture capital firm GRP Partners has backed a provider of cloud-based databases, MongoLab, in its Series A funding. MongoLab said it has raised $3M in a Series A funding led by The Foundry Group, and including Baseline Ventures, GRP Partners, Freestyle Capital and Bullet Time Ventures. The lead investor on GRP's investment in MongoLab was not disclosed. MongoLab develops a cloud-based version of the MongoDB database software, which runs on Amazon EC2 and Rackspace.
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Zaarly, Started From LA Startup Weekend, Goes LiveA startup which was spawned out of the LA Startup Weekend in February has gone live, according to the founders of LA Startup Weekend. Zaarly, a startup founded by Bo Fishback and Eric Koester at the event, has opened up its mobile marketplace, which helps connects buyers and sellers using mobile phones. The firm is backed by Ashton Kutcher, Aydin Senkut Ron Conway, Naval Ravikant, the fouders of Groupon, and others. The company had launched a test at SXSW, but this is the first time they are goi (More info...)
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Aptera Considering Production Move Out Of StateOceanside-based Aptera, the developer of a three-wheeled electric vehicles, told its supporters this morning that it is considering a move of its production operations out of California, in order to gain access to "multi-million-dollar" incentive proposals from other states. The firm--which has been very quiet since failing to gain DOE incentive funding last year--said it has received some "very generous" incentive proposals from other states to move its production facility outside of California (More info...)
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BetterWorks Adds Videos, MicropaymentsSanta Monica-based BetterWorks, the startup run by Paige Craig, which is developing a service to help companies manage and offer employee benefits and perks, has upgraded its product features. The firm said this morning that it has added new, how-to videos, ability to offer up spending limits and micropayments, as well as a new voucher feature. The firm said it is now offering how-to video tutorials for its platform, has transitioned from pre-paid to a demand-based micropayment setup, and a new (More info...)
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AeroVironment Wins BMW For EV Charging StationsMonrovia-based Aerovironment has scored another electric vehicle charging win, saying today that it has been selected by the BMW Group to provide electric vehicle charging equipment and installation for the new BMW ActiveE as a preferred provider. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. Aerovironment said it will provide home charging stations, installations, and warranty to BMW drivers who purchase BMW's ActiveE electric vehicle. The ActiveE is based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe. Aerovironm (More info...)
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Interview with Artin Nazarian, MySocialNightLifeEarlier this month, Los Angeles-based MySocialNightLife.com (www.mysocialnightlife.com) announced a seed funding round, and its technology platform for the nightclub and bar industry. We caught up with Artin Nazarian, the firm's co-founder, and chatted about what the company is hoping to do.
What is MySocialNightLife all about?
Artin Nazarian: The goal of the project, is to make the life of folks in the nightlife industry better, by providing tools to better market to the exact demographic (More info...)
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TuneWiki Launches Android Social Music PlayerSanta Monica- and Israel-based TuneWiki said today that it has launched a new, Android based social music player. The music player includes such features as displaying the lyrics of music while playing, music discovery, and social features. TuneWiki operates an online database of music lyrics, which are also includes social features and ways to connect with other music fans. TuneWiki's new Android app also includes a number of features around music discovery, including ability to view and sample (More info...)
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Slacker Launches On-Demand Access, iPad SupportSan Diego-based Slacker, the streaming radio and music service, said last night that it has launched a new on-demand access feature, as well as an iPad version of its service. The firm, which allows users to stream personalized Internet radio and music to their PC and portable devices, said that the new on-demand service is called Slacker Premium Radio. The new, subscription service allows users to select individual songs, albums, and playlists for playback on their smartphones and their PCs. Th (More info...)
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Cameron Health Raises $107MSan Clemente-based Cameron Health, which is developing subcutaneous implantable defibrillators, said today that it has raised $107M in an equity financing round. The round was led by Alloy Ventures and Delphi Ventures. the firm said the funding will go towards expanding commercialization of its products. Cameron Health's defibrillator is used to help patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
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Demand Media Names Investor Relations HeadSanta Monica-based Demand Media has hired on an investor relations head, the company announced today. Demand Media said it has appointed Julie MacMedan as its Vice President, Investor Relations, reporting to CFO Charles Hilliard. MacMedan joins the firm from THQ. She has also served at PondelWilkinson Inc, and the NASDAQ OMX. The new executive addition comes five months after Demand's IPO debut on the NYSE as DMD.
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Maxwell Technologies Names New ChairmanSan Diego-based Maxwell Technologies, the developer of energy storage products, said today that it has named Mark S. Rossi as its Chairman of the board. Rossi is a Senior Managing Director at Cornerstone Equity Investors, a private equity firm. Rossi replaces Robert L. Guyett, who continues to serve on the firm's board of directors. Rossi was previously already a board member at the publicly held company.
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