Monday, April 8, 2013


Incubating LA's Startup Future At the USC Viterbi Startup Garage
A few weeks ago, the University of Southern California announced a new startup incubator, the Viterbi Startup Garage (http://vsi2.usc.edu/vsg-about/), backed by such notable investors as Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and the United Talent Agency. What's the idea behind the incubator--which gives its startups $20,000 in capital, education, mentoring, working space, and more--and how is it tied to USC? We spoke with Ashisih Soni, who heads up the incubator, to learn more, and why the two, very (More info...)
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)

Report: Hulu Gets Bid From Chernin
Peter Chernin, the former head of News Corp., has made a $500M bid for Hulu, according to a report this morning from Reuters. The report said that two sources "with knowledge of Hulu's sale process" leaked the details. Chernin is currently head of The Chernin Group. None of the firms involved in the sale have confirmed any of the details.
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)

Lawsuits Fly In Fisker Automotive Layoff
Fisker Automotive, the once high-flying plug-in hybrid automotive vehicle maker, just laid off 160 of its 210 employees Friday, as it ran up against a wall trying to sell the firm, or find financing to continue its efforts. Now, those employees are striking back at the company, and have filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the firm failed to obey a law requiring workers advanced notice of mass layoffs. According to Automotive News, the lawsuit seeks class action status, and claims the firm did (More info...)
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)

OpenX Launches New Service Around Content Optimization, Ad Monetization
Los Angeles-based digital advertising technology developer OpenX has launched a new service today, which it says will combine content optimization and ad monetization for publishers. The firm said its new Revenue Intelligence service--aimed at online publishers such as newspaper chains and national magazines--helps publishers understand the link between their content, audience, and advertisements. OpenX said the new Revenue Intelligence product uses algorithms to figure out the total value a (More info...)
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)

DriveCam Opens Office In The UK
San Diego-based DriveCam, the developer of monitoring technology for driving fleets, said today that it has opened up a new office in London. The firm said the new office will be headed by Paul Jones, who was previously led Client Services at its San Diego headquarters. DriveCam's products capture in-cab video of fleet drivers plus monitoring of things like speed and fuel consumption. The firm is backed by such companies as JMI Equity, Insight Ventures, Insight Venture Partners, Triangle Peak Pa (More info...)
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)

Cymer, ASML Get US DOJ Acquisition Approval
San Diego-based Cymer, the developer of semiconductor lithography light sources, and Netherlands-based ASML Holding NV said late Friday that the two firms have received U.S. Department of Justice approval for their merger. ASML said it would acquire Cymer in October, for $2.5 billion, and has since been working through regulatory hurdles to complete the deal. ASML and Cymer said the now expect the transaction to close in the first half of the year, pending approvals under competition laws in Sou (More info...)
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)

DTS Launches Audio Streaming Technology
Calabasas-based audio and surround sound technology provider DTS announced a new product today, aimed at the online streaming of audio. According to DTS, its new DTS-HD Layered Autio technology is aimed at online media services, and provides adaptive, bit-rate audio streaming from a single encoding. The company said the new technology will allow onlin emedia service to better accomodate challenging network conditions. Pricing on the new product was not announced.
posted on Monday, April 8, 2013(Full story)