Wednesday, November 30, 2011Sweety High Launches Site for Tween GirlsSweety High, a new startup based in Manhattan Beach, is hoping to reach tween girls with its new social gaming and entertainment site, saying this week that it has launched out of private beta. The site says it is hoping to create a social game platform to allow girls between 8 and 16 to "express themselves fearlessly". The new startup's founders are Frank Simonetti and Veronica Zelle. Simonetti is a writer and producer, and Zelle a pop music video producer for Madonna, Britney Spears and Justin (More info...)
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Harbor MedTech Raises $600K For Wound Healing TechnologyOrange County-based Harbor MedTech, a developer of wound healing technology, has raised $600,000 in a funding round from private investors, the firm disclosed today, to help the firm grow and further develop its products. Harbor MedTech is developing products to restart, support healing of difficult or chronic wound such as diabetic, venous and pressure ulcers as well as for hernia patches and orthopedic soft tissue repair. Harbor MedTech's technology was developed at Edwards Lifesciences, and t (More info...)
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eBioscience Acquired By AffymetrixSan Diego-based eBioscience, a developer of flow cytometry and immunoassay reagents for immunology and oncology research and diagnostics, is being acquired by Affymetrix, Affymetrix said Wednesday. Affymetrix said it is paying $330M in cash to acquire eBioscience, in a deal that is expected to close late in Q4 of 2011. eBioscience was founded in 1999. Affymetrix said that it expects 2011 sales from eBioScience to exceed $70M.
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Burstly Raises $5.5M MoreLos Angeles-based Burstly, the mobile advertising startup headed by Evan Rifkin, has raised $5.5M in a Series B round, according to the company. The round came from GRP Partners, Rincon Venture Partners, and SoftBank. Rifkin is the former founder of Tagworld. Burstly first opened up its service in October of last year; the firm raised $1.8M in March of 2010.
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YouMail In Distribution Deal With Regional Wireless CarrierIrvine-based YouMail, the voicemail application provider headed y Alex Quilici, said today that it has inked a deal to provide its applications to subscribers of Viaero Wireless, a Colorado-based wireless carrier serving Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. YouMail said its Visual Voicemail Plus application will be available for free, and pre-loaded on the carrier's Android smartphones. Users will also be able to download iPhone and BlackBerry versions of the software. Financial details o fthe deal w (More info...)
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Local Angels Back Scripted.comA number of Southern California angel investors, including Jody Mulkey, the CIO of Shopzilla, have backed Scripted.com, a new online marketplace for freelance writers. According to Scripted.com, it raised $700,000 in a seed financing round, which was led by Crosslink Capital, and also included Liveops founder Douglas Feirstein, Jody Mulkey, as well as other angels, including other Los Angeles area investors. Scripted.com allows online publishers to hire writers to develop blog posts and Twitter (More info...)
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Endeka Group Lands $4.2M In Venture DebtSan Diego-based Endeka Group, a provider of wireless Internet services, announced this morning that it has raised $4.2M in a venture debt round. The round came from Agility Ventures and Trinity Capital. According to the firm, the funding will go to support expansion of its wireless Internet services. Endeka Group provides wireless Internet systems for government and corporate customers.
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iStoryTime Launches Arthur Christmas TitleSanta Barbara-based iStoryTime, the mobile children's book line, said this morning that it has launched a new Arthur Christmas Movie Storybook for the iPhone and iPad. The new title--tied into the Aardman/Sony Pictures Animation movie--is the latest in a series of movie linked titles for iStoryTime, which has been producing both brand- and movie-linked children's titles as well as publishing iPhone and iPad children's titles from less well known authors. iStoryTime said the new app, available fo (More info...)
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Sonos Upgrades SoftwareSanta Barbara-based Sonos, the maker of the user-friendly, multi-room wireless music systems, has upgraded its product, saying it now supports Android tablets, Slacker Radio, new features on Spotify, in addition to a number of other improvements. Sonos said that its Sonos Controller for Android now runs on Android tablet, letting users control their music systems via such devices as the Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and others. The firm also said it now can stream Slacker Radio in the United (More info...)
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Verdezyne Opens Pilot PlantCarlsbad-based Verdezyne, a developer of biotechnology used to produce renewable chemicals and fuels, announced today that it has opened its first pilot plant. The company said the plant will produce adipic acid, a key component of nylon. The new facility is also located in Carlsbad. Verdezyne's process is based on yeast fermentation, and uses plant-based feedstocks. The firm is venture backed by BP Alternative Energy Ventures, DSM Venturing B.V., OVP Venture Partners and Monitor Ventures.
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Local Corporation Signs New Hampshire DirectoryIrvine-based Local Corporation, the online local directory publisher, said today that it is powering an online local business director for NH.com, covering the state of New Hampshire. Local.com said it is providing its private label directory platform, Local Connect, to the website. Financial details of the deal were not announced. Local.com's product makes it easier for publishers to add local business listings to their websites.
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Commercial Microwave Technology Acquired By Florida FirmRancho Cordova-based Commercial Microwave Technology, a manufacturer of RF and microwave filters for the satellite and wireless industry, has been acquired by Orlando-based API Technologies Corp., API announced today. The deal was worth $8.2M in cash. Commercial Microwave Technology's products were used in public safety broads, wireless, and broadband communications services. API said that CMT had approximately annual revenues of $8M, and EBITDA of $2.5M.
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Citysearch Names VP, GMWest Hollywood-based Citysearch, the online city guide which is part of IAC, said that it has named Kimberly Salzer as its new Vice President and General Manager. Salzer was previously HEad of Marketing and Product for Linden Labs' Second Life. Szler has also served at Activision Blizzard, heading up brand management for Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and other titles, and also has been at Electronic Arts and The Clorox Company. Citysearch said that Salzer will be responsible for products and market (More info...)
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