Thursday, December 6, 2012GenieDB Launches Database Technology, Backed By Frost VenturesGenieDB, a developer of technology for distributing database data across the cloud, said this week that it has launched its first product, GenieDB v 1.0. The firm--which is backed by big data investor and incubator Frost Venture Partners--said its MySQL storage engine plug-in helps to simplify and accelerate the distribution of enterprise applications across multiple datacenters and clouds. The company said its solution is an alternative to switching to such technologies as NoSQL. The startup is (More info...)
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Edison Jr.'s Latest Gadget Idea: The DoorBotEdison Jr., the gadget startup headed by Jamie Siminoff, has a new pitch for you: the DoorBot, a wireless, video-enabled doorbell that connects directly to your smartphone or tablet, wherever you are. Edison Jr. said it has started raising $250,000 to bring its product to life, via a crowdfunding effort. The idea behind DoorBot is to allow residents to communicate with whoever is at their door, whether they are home or not, by sending video via Wi-Fi connected to a smartphone app. Siminoff and E (More info...)
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SocialVibe Sharpens Online Ad TargetingSocialVibe, the online advertising firm backed by Norwest Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, Jafco Ventures and Pinnacle Ventures, said today that it has launched a new, rich media targeting product called TrueTargeting. The firm said the new product pull in third party data from BlueKai, information from its network partners, and data from users to allow marketers to better target users. SocialVibe said its targeting solution is derived from user-provided data and survey responses, which it a (More info...)
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Video: ExpertCircle's Small Business Advice Service
What's the idea behind ExpertCircle, the latest business service out of Santa Monica's DocStoc? The firm recently released a handy animated video, showing just how a small business owner might find the service useful. The service is currently in beta (and free), and offers business advice via phone.
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At AngelHack Santa Monica, Teams Battle Sleep Deprivation, Nerves
AngelHack, the self-proclaimed leader in hackathon competitions, completed its Fall 2012 season this past weekend with contests held simultaneously in five cities: Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Toronto and Paris.
In Santa Monica, Hackathon first-timers and veterans all gathered at CrossCampus to hack almost 30 products within 24 hours.
On Sunday, fighting frayed nerves and sleep deprivation, the courageous developers, designers and business folk prepped for their demos. The room b (More info...)
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PaeDae Debuts White-Label, Mobile Game Prize SDKA new, Santa Monica-based startup, PaeDae launched today, saying that it has created a white-label, software prize network which helps developers offer up real world prizes for their online and mobile games. PaeDae said it has launched a software development kit (SDK) which allows developers to easily offer up prizes in their titles. Those prizes are supplied by advertisers and brands, including Omaha Steaks, StyleMint, SoleSociety, P&G, and others. PaeDae is headed by Rob Emrich, who co-founded (More info...)
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Frequency Debuts Video Search Tools On iPhoneFrequency, the developer of online video search services headed by former iFilm CEO Blair Harrison, has released new app for the iPhone, the company said this morning. The app lets users personalize and watch video channels, gathered from thousands of websites, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Frequency said its app builds on an existing app that it released earlier for the iPad. Frequency has been offering up its video discovery and search tools since January, and is looking to help users better (More info...)
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Tribogenics Adds Peter Diamandis To Advisory BoardMarina Del Rey-based Tribogenics, the UCLA spinout which is developing small, low power X-ray sources aimed at enabling X-rays from portable equipment, has added Dr. Peter Diamandis to its advisory board. Diamandis is Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, and author of the recent book Abundance -- The Future Is Better Than You Think. Tribogenics is led by Dale Fox. The addition of Diamandis is a notable addition for the firm, which is backed by the Founders Fund and Flywheel Ventures. Trib (More info...)
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Avelas Biosciences Gains $7.65M For Tumor VisualizationSan Diego-based Avelas Biosciences has raised $7.65M in a Series A funding round, which it says will go towards clinical studies for its technology for real-time tumor visualization. The funding came from Avalon Ventures. Avelas is developing technology for visualizing cancerous lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. The firm's technology is based on technology developed by Nobel Prize winner Roger Tsien, Ph.D. The firm's CEO is currently Jay Lichter, who is also a Managing Director at Avalon Ve (More info...)
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Mandalay Digital Buys Assets From SkyrockitLos Angeles-based Mandalay Digital Group, a provider of mobile data services, said today that it has acquired the music label assets of Skyrockit, a venture-backed mobile entertainment studio providing content to AT&T Mobility, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Financial details of the buy were not disclosed. Skyrockit was venture backed by Intel Capital, Asuka DBJ Partners, and others. Mandalay Digital--which trades OTC--said that as part of the deal, it becomes a portfolio company of In (More info...)
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Biomatrica Raises $5MSan Diego-based Biomatrica, a developer of technology for stabilizing DNA, RNA, and protein samples, has raised $5M in a funding round, the firm said today. Source of the new funding was not announced. Biomatrica develops ambient temperature biostability technology used for customers in the molecular diagnostics, forensics, biomedical research and other areas. Biomatrica is headed by Judy Muller-Cohn. The firm said the funding will go towards research, increasing its manufacturing capabilities, (More info...)
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Emulex Buys EndaceCosta Mesa-based networking equipment provider Emulex said Wednesday that it is acquiring Endace Limited, a provider of network performance management and monitoring appliances. The deal is worth approximately $130M. Endace--which trades on the London AIM--equipment which can record and monitor network traffic at 10Gb speeds and above. The firm has its R&D operations in New Zealand, with marketing headquarters in Sunnyvale.
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Local Corporation Debuts Lead Gen EffortIrvine-based Local Corporation has launched a new, local lead generation site today, called Insurancelow.net, which it says is the first in a series of lead generation websites being launched by the company. The new site offers a car insurance guide and details on choosing car insurance carriers. Local Corporation said it expects the lead generation sites to offer educational articles and opportunity to receive quotes from industry professionals. The firm said it believes the launch of the lead (More info...)
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