Monday, September 17, 2012Evolution Robotics Acquired By iRobotPasadena-based Evolution Robotics, the Idealab robotics technology firm headed by Paolo Pirjanian, has been acquired by iRobot. iRobot said that it will pay $74M for Evolution Robotics, which is best known for its Mint automatic floor cleaning robots. Evolution Robotics said the purchase will be in cash, and will provide it with intellectual property, engineering talent and new products. Evolution Robotics was backed by Idealab, and also had raised funding from CMEA Ventures, The Quercus Trust o (More info...)
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JetBlue Sets Rollout Plans For ViaSat-Powered In-Flight WiFiA report today says that airline JetBlue is expected to announce the details of its new, in-flight wireless service which taps the service of Carlsbad-based satellite communications provider Viasat. The service announcement--first disclosed via an internal, JetBlue employee email announcement, apparently will provide much higher speeds and throughput than existing in-flight Wi-Fi providers. The wireless service is expected to debut in the first quarter of 2013. Viasat and JetBlue have previously (More info...)
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JMI Equity Re-Ups On BigMachinesBigMachines, a developer of cloud-based software for product configuration, pricing, quoting, and proposals, has scored funding from San Diego private quity investor JMI Equity. Financial details of the new funding were not disclosed. The funding round came from Vista Equity Partners, JMI Equity, as well as new investors Salesforce.com. Bigmachines said its software can be used for everything from semiconductors to potato chips.
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Nik Software Acquired By GoogleSan Diego-based Nik Software, the developer of a popular set of photo filters and plug-ins for photo editing, has been acquired by Google. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Nik Software has its corporate headquarters in San Diego, and also has operations in Germany. The firm's photo filters connect into Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture, and includes such products as Dfine, Viveza, HDR Efex, and more.
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Modesat Acquired By XilinxModesat, a developer of wireless backhaul communications chips and products, which has its North American operations headquartered in San Diego, has been acquired by Xilinx, the two said today. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. Modesat was founded in 2005 in Estonia, and develops backhaul modem solutions for microwave, E-band and NLOS (non-line of sight) markets. The companies said that Modesat had fifteen employees, who will be joining the Xilinx Communications Business unit. Xilin (More info...)
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Two Bit Circus Takes On Hardware, Software CreationsA new, Los Angeles-based company, Two Bit Circus--headed by Brent Bushnell--has emerged, and announced it has finished its first few projects, including a series of videos created for Best Buy. Bushnell was previously founder of mobile games firm Doppelgames, and has also been involved with Anti-Aging Games, Syyn Laabs, and other startups. Bushnell announced on his blog that the company has created a five episode mini-series for Best BUy featuring the company, which is described in the videos as (More info...)
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Ze Frank Games Acquired By BuzzfeedZe Frank Games, the Los Angeles startup led by web video's Ze Frank, has been acquired by BuzzFeed, a social news publisher, the firm said Friday. Financial terms of the buy were not disclosed. According to BuzzFeed, Ze Frank has joined the company to build a team of video producers in Los Angeles, setting up a studio to create content native to the social web. Ze Frank is known for his video blogging. Ze Frank Games was a stealth mode startup in the social gaming space, which was venture backed (More info...)
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Life Technologies In Deal With Bristol-Myers SquibbCarlsbad-based Life Technologies, which develops genetic analysis and other scientific instruments, said today that it has entered into a partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb. According to the company, the two will work on companion diagnostics development on an initial project for oncology. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Life Technologies said the deal is the second between the two companies.
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Guidance Software Ties With RSAPasadena-based Guidance Software, the developer of digital forensics software, said today that it has linked with RSA in an interoperability partnership. Guidance said the move would interconnect its Encase Cybersecurity product with RSA's enVision security information and event management (SIEM) platform. Encase's software is used for incident response and data auditing software used in responding to cyber attacks.
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Local Drops Dot Com From NameIrvine-based Local Corporation has officially dropped the dot com in its name, saying it has legally changed its corporate name from Local.com Corporation to Local Corporation. The firm said the name change reflects the grwoth in the company's operation beyond its Local.com website. The company has been operating without the dot com for some time in its communications. The company operates a number of online marketing properties.
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