Thursday, January 19, 2012Southern California Firms Raise $738M In Q4 2011The latest numbers from the PricewaterhouseCoopers/National Venture capital Association MoneyTree survey, which is based on data from Thomson Reuters, tallies $738.34M invested in Southern California in Q4 of 2011. The amount is up from $528.0M raised in Q4 of 2010, and up from the $652M invested in the region last quarter. Nationally, $6.6 billion was invested in 844 deals in Q4, which the report said was a 10 percent decrease from Q3. So far for 2011, $28.4 billion was invested nationally, a 2 (More info...)
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)
Fisker Auto Sees Another RecallIrvine-based Fisker Automotive looks to be working out more bugs in its newly introduced Karma electric car, as another recall came to light Thursday. According to site Hybridcars.com, the recall apparently fixes issues with random check-engine lights and problems with the navigation and entertainment system. Fisker was hit by a recall earlier this month around its battery systems. Fisker did not say how many of the Karmas were affected by the new recall.
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)
Invested.in Joins Amplify AcceleratorLos Angeles-based Invested.in, which is headed by Alon Goren, is one of a number of companies that debuted at the startup accelerator Amplify LA this week. Invested.in provides a platform which can be used for crowd funding projects, and can also be white labeled by other companies. Amplify is one of a number of accelerators which have cropped up in Los Angeles in the last six months or so. Amplify is headed by Paul Bricault of Greycroft and Richard Wolpert, formerly of the Mailroom Fund.
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)
Image Metrics Spins Off Product LineSanta Monica-based Image Metrics is announcing today that it is spinning off its FACEWARE product line to a new company, Faceware Technologies Inc.. According to the firm, the spinout will enable each of the firms to focus on separate products and services to different markets. Financial details of the spinout were not disclosed. The companies said that Faceware Technologies will be led by Ron Ryder, currently the CFO and COO of Image Metrics, during the transition.
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)
Mad Catz In License Deal With Sony Computer Entertainment JapanSan Diego-based Mad Catz Interactive, a manufacturer of computer accessories, gaming accessories, and other products, said Wednesday that it has inked an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. Mad Catz said that the deal allows its to manufacture and distribute products designed for use with the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Details of the licensing agreement were not disclosed. Mad Catz said the agreement specifically covers manufacturing and distributing its products in Japan.
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)
Microsemi Buys Product Lines From MaximAliso Viejo-based Microsemi, the supplier of semiconductor products, said today that it has acquired the timing, synchronization, and synthesis business from Maxim Integrated Products. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Microsemi said the acquisition will further provide its customers with critical synchronization components. The components lines that Microsemi are buying are used by electronic designers for clock distribution across electronic systems.
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)
YouMail, LetsTalk.com In PartnershipIrvine-based YouMail, the developer of advanced voicemail services and smartphone apps, and online phone retailer LetsTalk.com, have tied together in a partnership agreement. According to the firms, they will offer their services to each other's customers. The deal calls for YouMail's Visual Voicemail app to be preloaded on Android and Blackberry devices on LetsTalk.com, and YouMail's online store will allow users to purchase mobile devices and services from LetsTalk.com. Financial details of th (More info...)
posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012(Full story)