Thursday, October 27, 2011Ortiva Wireless Adds $2.0MLa Jolla-based Ortiva Wireless has added another $2.0M in what looks like an inside, convertible debt round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm this week. The firm--which is backed by Artiman Ventures, Mission Ventures, and Comcast Interactive Capital, among others--indicated it had raised $2.0M out of a $2.15M funding effort, in a combination of debt and warrants. No details on the new funding have been announced by the company. Ortiva develops wireless video optimization and streamin (More info...)
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Fastpoint Games Seeks Buyer, Winds Down SiteLos Angeles-baaed Fastpoint Games, the online fantasy game development shop headed by Kelly Perdew, is winding down its website, according to a notice on the firm's site, and is now looking for a buyer. According to the notice on the site, the firm is "winding down" all of its Fastpoint Games branded fantasy sports games over the next 45 days. Fastpoint CEO Kelly Perdew says the company still has 7 employees, who are working on supporting its major clients, Major League Soccer and FireLeague, bo (More info...)
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Jessica Simpson's BeautyMint Set To Launch Next WeekBeautyMint, the online commerce-and-celebrity site that was announced by BeachMint and celebrity Jessica Simpson, is getting set to launch Monday, according to emails to potential users of the site. The site--which is focusing on skincare products endorsed and developed by Simpson--is the latest in a string of celebrity-focused e-commerce businesses being launched by BeachMint, the latest startup of MySpace vet Josh Berman and Diego Berdakin. In the promotion for the launch, BeautyMint is giving (More info...)
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Websense Takes Aim At Time Wasting Viral VideosSan Diego-based Websense is taking aim at all of those time-wasting, viral videos your employees have been forwarding around, with its security software. The company said Thursday that it has released technology which help employers cut down on employees watching time-wasting viral videos and entertainment--while still allowing those employees to access other, useful content on sites like YouTube, Facebook, and other social sites.
The company said that its new software allows access to social (More info...)
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Swagbucks Rewards $15M in Prizes, Sees $25M In Revenues This YearTorrance-based Swagbucks.com, an online site which allows users to earn virtual currency or other rewards from taking actions online, has now given away $15M in prizes since its launch in 2008. The site--which is headed by Scott Dudelson--also said it is on track to have $25M in revenues this year. Swagbucks site allows users to register and then play games, shop online, search the web, and conduct other activities on the web in exchange for loyalty points "Swag Bucks" -- which can be redeemed f (More info...)
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Active.com's Schwaggle Hits Google OffersSan Diego-based Active.com, the sports registration and activities site run by the Active Network, is one of the launch partners for an expansion of Google Offers, the daily deals service run by Google. According to Google today, it has partnered with Dealfind, DoodleDeals, Gilt City, GolfNow, HomeRun, Juice in the City, kgbdeals, Mamapedia, Plum District, PopSugar Shop, ReachDeals, Active.com Schwaggle, TIPPR and zozi, to feature offers from those various daily deals provider alongside its own (More info...)
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Bizzy Updates Apps, Turns To GuidesBizzy, the social recommendations website and mobile apps owned by Woodland Hills-based ReachLocal, has updated its iPhone app this week. The new iOS 5 compatible app adds "Guides", users who are specifically being features for their use of the service and knowledge of food, as well as new sharing features. Bizzy looks to be turning towards a network of knowledgeable users--rather than just the overall crowd--in the move to anoint Guides for specific local areas; the company also indicated that (More info...)
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Interview with Amir Banifatemi and Kai Tao, K5LaunchLast week, a group of four angel investors here announced their plans to create a new, accelerator program to spur the creation of an entrepreneurial community in the area around new startups. K5Launch (www.k5launch.com) is modeled after the successful Y-Combinator and TechStars acceleration programs, and invests equity, provides mentors, and runs a three month program to get very early stage startups off the ground. We spoke with two of the founder of K5Launch, Amir Banifatemi and Kai Tao, to l (More info...)
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Semtech Funds $20K In Annual ScholarshipsLooking to give back to the community, Camarillo-based Semtech, a manufacturer of analog and mixed signal semiconductors, said today that it is establishing a $20,000 a year scholarship fund, for college bound students in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Semtech said it will fund the scholarship every year via the California Community Foundation (CCF) in Los Angeles, and the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). The scholarship will go to assist low-income, graduating high school seniors (More info...)
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Arrowhead Research Names COOPasadena-based Arrowhead Research, which develops biotherapeutics and other technology, announced today that it has named Bruce Given, M.D., as its Chief Operating Officer. Given was previously CEO of Leonardo Biosystems, and also has been on the board of Calando Pharmaceuticals, one of Arrowhead's subsidiaries, as well as ICON plc. Given has laos previously served as CEO of Encysive Pharmaceuticals, and had roles at Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz Pharma Ltd. Sandoz Research (More info...)
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