Friday, May 20, 2011PurePhoto Launches GroupsWestlake Village-based PurePhoto, the developer of an online, social commerce site to help photographers sell their photos, said today that it has launched a new, Groups feature to help its users discuss topics in photography with other users. The firm said the Groups are aimed at providing a central forum for for sharing images and engaging in discussions. As part of the launch, the service said it was extending a free, premium account to its users for one year, for new members who sign up and (More info...)
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SolarReserve Scores $737M Loan Guarantee For Solar Power ProjectSanta Monica-based SolarReserve, the solar power projects developer developing solar thermal, utility-scale power plants, has scored a massive, $737M loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy. According to the U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the DOE has offered up the guarantee to support a 110 megawatt, molten salt concentrating solar power tower generating facility being built in Tonopah, Nevada, by SolarReserve. SolarReserve is venture backed by U.S. Renewables Group, Argonaut Priva (More info...)
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Dreamworks Ties With Zynga's CityvilleGlendale-based DreamWorks Animation SKG and social games maker Zynga announced this morning that they are launching the first ever, in-game integration within the CityVille Facebook game. According to the two, the integration comes in conjunction with the opening of Kung Fu Panda 2, debuting next week. The deal includes a new, in-game item and quest for players of the CityVille game, all around promoting Kung Fu Panda 2. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The in-game items and que (More info...)
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Insights and Opinions: Top 5 Reasons Entrepreneurs FailWhy do entrepreneurs fail? That's the topic of today's Insights and Opinions article, from Christopher Grey, co-founder of CapLinked.
Are You Mark Zuckerberg, Colonel Sanders, or John DeLorean?
Nobody likes to talk about failure. It’s not fun or sexy. We live in a culture that worships success, no matter how you get there, and is disgusted by and afraid of failure, no matter what the reason. This is especially true of entrepreneurs. We live in age that believes in overnight success (More info...)
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Brighter.com, Jake Winebaum's Newest Startup, Gets $5M In FundingSanta Monica-based Brighter.com, an online site focused on helping consumers find and compare dentists, has scored $5M in a Series A funding. The new site--the latest from entrepreneur Jake Winebaum--said that the funding was led by Mayfield Fund. Brighter.com is aiming at helping uninsured Americans find discounted pricing on dental procedures, providing upfront, pre-negotiated prices on major dental procedures nationwide. Winebaum has a long history as an entrepreneur in Southern California, (More info...)
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Evolve Media Buys WholesomeBabyFood.comLos Angeles-based Evolve Media, the parent firm of Gorilla Nation and AtomicOnline, said this morning that it has acquired WholesomeBabyFood.com, an online site focused on homemade baby food recipes. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Evolve Media said the site will become part of its Momtastic online community for moms. Evolve said that WholesomeBabyFood.com reaches 510,000 unique visitors per month. WholesomeBabyFood.com was apparently founded by parent Margaret Meade in 20 (More info...)
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Kofax Buys Imaging Software FirmIrvine-based Kofax, the provider of document scanning and automation systems, said Thursday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Atalasoft, a developer of imaging software development toolkits (SDKs). Kofax said it will pay $5.5M in cash for the company. The deal is split into $4.7M on closing of the transaction, and $0.8M paid one year form closing. The deal also includes $4.2M in earnout over the next two and a half years. Atalasoft was based in Easthampton, Mass. and has (More info...)
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RealD's Greer ResignsLos Angeles-based RealD, the developer of 3D movie projection technology, reported Thursday that co-founder Joshua Greer has resigned as President, but will remain on the company's board of directors. Greer and RealD said the move would give Greer "increased flexibility" so he can pursue other "personal and professional interests". As part of the move, RealD said that it has also appointed Chief Technology Officer Gary Sharp as Chief Innovation Officer, with Sharp also assuming day to day respon (More info...)
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SRS Labs Promotes VPSanta Ana-based SRS Labs, which develops surround sound and other audio technology, reported today that it has named Bob Lyle as Vice President, Mobile Solutions Group. Lyle was most recently managing Director of Global Business Development for the company. Lyle has been at the firm since 2009. SRS develops surround sound software, including software being used in Android devices. The firm's Android efforts include a deal with Qualcomm to include SRS audio enhancement technologies with Qualcomm (More info...)
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Aperio Adds To BoardVista-based Aperio, which develops digital pathology equipment, said Thursday that it has named Thomas Bologna to its board of directors. Bologna is President and CEO of Orchid Cellmark, a provider of DNA identity testing services. Bologna has also served at Quorex Pharmaceuticals, GEN-Probe, and Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Systems.
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