Wednesday, September 7, 2011STEC Opens Development Center In IndiaSanta Ana-based STEC, the developer of solid state disk drives and technology, said this week that it has opened up a new storage innovation center in Pune, India. According to STEC, the new design center will provide software development resources for its products. STEC did not say how many developers it is looking to hire in the location, but did say it has appointed Anurag Agrawal as General Manager of the new location.
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BackAtYou.com Takes On Social Media MarketingLos Angeles-based BackAtYou.com, a new startup headed by former SodaHead.com founder Michael Glazer, launched itself Wednesday, saying it is providing a self-service platform to help business owners and marketers to create, launch, and analyze social media marketing campaigns and promotions. The startup said its technology at engaging and growing a customer base for companies, after an initial "Like" or "Follow". Glazer was most recently co-founder of SodaHead.com. BackAtYou said that its techno (More info...)
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BetterWorks Adds Discovery, Advanced OrderingSanta Monica-based BetterWorks, the employee perks and benefits startup headed by Paige Craig, said Wednesday that it has updated its product, adding new perk discovery features, and advanced ordering of perks. The firm--which has been in a big growth push in recent months--said it has added features which let members sort for perks based on name, distance, saving, popularity, and other factors, making it easier to find employee perks. In addition, the company said it will now allow employees to (More info...)
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US Renewables Group Invests $344M In Residential SolarLos Angeles-based US Renewables Group, the private equity firm focused on renewable energy, said Wednesday that it is investing $344M in what it says is the largest residential solar project in U.S. history. The firm said it is financing a project, led by SolarCity, to install solar panels on military housing across the United States. The funding comes in the form of debt, via USRG Renewable Finance. The overall project is worth more than $1 billion, and is being operated by SolarCity across 160 (More info...)
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Cie Games Signs Deal With Car and DriverLong Beach-based Cie Games, the developer of the branded, social automotive game Car Town for Facebook, said today that it has partnered with Car and Driver, the automotive magazine published by Hearst Magazines. According to Cie Games, they are in an integrated partnership which extends into 2012, which will feature Car and Driver's experts review and content into the social game. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The deal integrates awards, monthly contests, and more along with (More info...)
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Near Networks Tackles Online Video For Local BusinessesSanta Monica-based Near Networks, a new startup, said today that it has launched a production studio aimed at the online video channel. The firm, which is headed by Sam Rogoway, said it is looking to help local businesses communicate their brands through online video. Rogoway was the founder of TripUp, which was acquired by SideStep (now Kayak). Rogoway also runs Brave New Ventures, a seed stage venture capital investor focused on the media industry. According to Near Networks, it will help conn (More info...)
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CitizenHawk Names Channel Sales HeadAliso Viejo-based CitizenHawk, a provider of online brand protection and reputation management services, said today that it has hired on a channel sales head. The firm said it has named Edward F. Schandlbauer as Director of Channels at the company. Schandlbauer joins from MarkMonitor, and also has been at VeriSign, Teleglobe International, and Booz Allen & Hamilton.
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Citrix Launches GotoMeeting For AndroidSanta Barbara-based Citrix Systems said today that it has launched a new, Android version of its GoToMeeting online meeting software. Citrix said the new Android app will allow users to join online meetings from their smart phone anywhere, and will be available for free. As part of the launch, Citrix Systems said that it has scored a pre-load deal with the DROID BIONIC by Motorola, where both Citrix GoToMeeting and its document sharing app, Citrix Receiver, will both be pre-loaded on the new Mot (More info...)
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TrueCar Raises $200M, Acquires FirmSanta Monica-based TrueCar, the automotive pricing website headed by Scott Painter, said this morning that it has raised $200M in new debt and equity financing, plus acquired a company. TrueCar said the financing round included USAA, Capricorn Investment Group and GRP Partners, all existing investors in the firm. TrueCar said the funding was structured as a one-for-one conversion from preferred stock to common stock. Other investors in the round include GR Match, LLC (affiliated with Guthy-Renke (More info...)
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Qualcomm Buys Video Processing Lines From IDTSan Diego-based Qualcomm said this morning that it has acquired several video processing related product lines from IDT. According to Qualcomm, it has acquired the design team of IDT's Hollywood QUality Video (HQV) and Frame Rate Conversion (FRC) video processing products, as well as other related assets. Financial terms of the cash deal were not announced. Qualcomm said the deal also calls for the two firms to "explore opportunities" to use IDT's mixed signal products as part of its reference d (More info...)
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Chill Gets $1.5MLos Angeles-based Chill, the online video discussion website headed by Brian Norgard, has raised $1.5M in angel funding, according to the firm's angel investment backers. The site--which was originally a project of Namesake--gained funding from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Redpoint Ventures, Atlas Venture, Paul Kedrosky, and Michael Arrington of TechCrunch. The funding was reported first by TechCrunch, due to Michael Arrington's investment involvement in the company. Namesake is a real time (More info...)
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ProfitLine Names Sales VPSan Diego-based ProfitLine, which provides outsourced telecom expense management services, said today that it has bolstered its sales execs, hiring Kip Quackenbush as Executive Vice President of Global Sales. Quackenbush joins from Red Condor, and also has served at Akonix, CommerceOne, Oracle, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Pacific Bell. Profitline's services are used by enterprises to manage their telecom spend, mobile devices, and carrier relationships.
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YouMail Updates iPhone AppIrvine-based YouMail has updated its iPhone application, adding new features which allow users to see who is calling, with a new image and city/state information. According to YouMail, it is using data from its network of users, connections to Facebook, and other data to provide logos, Facebook photos, and other information to help users identify who is calling, even if the caller is not listed in a user's address book. YouMail is the free, voicemail service run by Alex Quilici, which offers up (More info...)
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