Monday, May 20, 2013


uSamp Courts App Developers With SDK
Encino-based uSamp, which develops online survey and sampling technology, is courting mobile app developers with a new software development kit. The firm said it is looking to help app developers to monetize their apps, by integrating the company's mobile survey tools into their software. uSamp said integrating the SDK will help app developers add an additional revenue stream to their apps, and also learn more about their members.
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Kaleio Launches Professional Workforce Networking Service
Over the last few years, the various social networking services out there have started to carve out a better definition of their userbase. For example, Facebook (mostly) being for friends and social acqaintances, and LinkedIn (mostly) for work related contacts. However, on the work side, LinkedIn isn't for everyone, according to a new, Irvine-based startup, Kaleio. According to Kaleio, its service is targeted at users who are not in the "C-Suite" and don't see LinkedIn as a place to network (More info...)
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ChicksStarter Pulls Together Funding For A Lucky Female Startup
There has long been a disparity between the number of startups founded and started by women, and those founded by men. Plus--with a majority of venture investors being men--it's often difficult to break through the invisible curtain between that "old boys" network and women founders. However, a new effort, ChicksStarter, is trying something new, to help one lucky startup--with a female founder--avoid all of that. The crowdfunding effort is pooling together, event-by-event and contribution-b (More info...)
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Prevoty Gets $700K For Cross Site Scripting Security
Los Angeles-based Prevoty, a developer of security tools for preventing cross-site scripting (XSS), a security issue for websites, has raised $700,000 in seed funding, the firm disclosed today. The funding came from Plus Capital, MM Capital, Paige Craig, Eric Hann (Netscape), and other angels. The firm is part of Launchpad LA.
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YouMail Spins New Updates To Android App
Fans of YouMail, the advanced voicemail application and service, will be happy with the latest change in the company's Android app: the firm now supports a "unread count" on its homepage widget. YouMail added the new count as part of a batch of changes, including better notifications, easier contact setup, and a bunch of bug fixes. YouMail--which is based in Irvine--offers up an enhanced voicemail service which includes connections into mobile apps, voice transcription, personalized answering ma (More info...)
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Websense Acquired By Vista Equity Partners For $1 Billion
San Diego-based security software developer Websense announced this morning that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners. The deal is worth approximately $1 billion. Websense said Vista Equity Partners will pay $24.75 per share in cash for the company. Websense said the deal is an approximate premium of 29 percent over the firm's Friday closing price. Websense said it will remain in San Diego, under its current senior management.
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Alteryx Gets $12M For Big Data Analysis Tools
Irvine-based Alteryx, a developer of "big data" analytics software, announced today that it has raised $12M more for its efforts. The new funding came from Toba Capital, the venture capital fund recently founded by Quest Software founder Vinny Smith, plus SAP Ventures, an existing investor in the company. Alteryx develops mapping and analytics software aimed at the big data market, allowing business analysts to create visual reports and analysis of their data. The firm said the new funds will (More info...)
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payvia Buys Mogreet
Los Angeles-based mobile carrier billing service Payvia has acquired fellow Los Angeles firm Mogreet, the two companies said this morning. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced. According to payvia, the deal will allow it to offer a solution which includes mobile payments, user targeting and mobile marketing. Payvia is venture backed by Silver Lake Sumeru, Montgomery & Co., and Trinity Ventures. Mogreet was venture backed by Ascend Venture Group, Black Diamond Ventures, D (More info...)
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eFFECTOR Therapeutics Gets $45M For Cancer Treatments
San Diego-based eFFECTOR Therapeutics said today that it has raised $45M to go towards the development and invention of small molecule drugs, specifically aimed at treating cancer. According to the firm, the Series A investment included U.S. Venture Partners, Abingworth, Novartis Venture Funds, SR One, Astellas Venture Management, Osage University Partners and Mission Bay Capital. eFFECTOR said the new funds will go towards multiple discovery programs, plus acquisition of data on patients for it (More info...)
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QLogic In CEO Shuffle
Aliso Viejo-based storage networking products developer QLogic is in the midst of a CEO shuffle, saying late Friday that President and CEo Simon Biddiscombe has resigned from his position. QLogic said that Biddiscombe has resigned in order to "pursue other opportunities" and that the move was immediate. In the meantime, the company has named CFO Jean Hu as interim CEO. QLogic is now seeking a permanent CEO.
posted on Monday, May 20, 2013(Full story)