Tuesday, February 18, 2014inLA Looks To Galvanize Los Angeles Entrepreneurs, InvestorsThe Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) said Tuesday that it has launched a new effort to help galvanize and promote the technology and "innovation economy" in Los Angeles, called inLA. According to the LAEDC, the new non-profit organization includes leaders of technology companies, venture capital firms, serial entrepreneurs, major universities and growth-focused professional services firms, aimed at promoting Los Angeles County as a center for innovation and entrepreneu (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014(Full story)
Tinder Goes Viral In AntarticaJust how far and wide is the virality of Los Angeles-based Tinder? According to a report from New York Magazine, Tinder has made it to yet another continent: Antarctica. The app, which lets users vote "yes" or "no" on other users they would or would not like to me--apparently helped connect (but not hook up) two scientists deployed for research there at two different research stations. Antarctica hosts between a thousand to three thousand people, mostly scientists and support personnel conducti (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014(Full story)
Boingo Wins Illinois TownLos Angeles-based Wi-Fi network provider Boingo Wireless reported a win with a small city in Illinois, Rosemont, which is near Chicago. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Boingo said that it has been chosen as the official wireless service provider for the city, and will provide mobile Wi-Fi service for visitors and residents in high traffic areas of the city, along with its convention and entertainment destinations. Those areas include the Allstate Arena, Donald E. Stephens Convent (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014(Full story)
Happily Wants To Give You A Peek At Wedding CostsAre you an engaged couple planning for your big wedding day? Wish you really knew how much things would cost, and what people have to do to make it happen? One, Los Angeles-based startup--Happily, is hoping to provide some real-life information to couples through a new feature showing the real costs, budgets, vendors, timeline, and more of weddings. The startup--founded by Sarah Shewey--said it has begun listing the details of real weddings through a new wedding page. Happily offers up a marketp (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014(Full story)
Lessons Learned From The Accelerator Trenches: MuckerLab's Erik Rannala
Over the last few years, there's been an explosion in startup accelerators in Southern California, and in particular along "Silicon Beach" on the Los Angeles westside. One of the accelerators to emerge out of that boom a few years ago was MuckerLab (www.muckerlab.com), headed by Erik Rannala. MuckerLab is one of a number of accelerators who have managed to scoop up venture funding for its companies, with such portfolio companies Surf Air, Retention Science, Wallaby, Chromatik, and others. We t (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014(Full story)
Metacloud Launches Private Cloud ServicePasadena-based Metacloud, the venture-backed provider of OpenStack-based cloud services has launched its own private cloud service, the company said this morning. According to Metacloud, its new Metacloud Hosted Private Cloud service will provide private cloud services to companies, giving them access to an OpenStack-based cloud platform and expert support. MetaCloud had previously only provided its services via an on-premise offering, helping companies to manage their own OpenStack deployment. (More info...)
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Chideo's New iOS App Helps Celebrities Raise Money For CharityLos Angeles-based charity video site Chideo said this morning that it has launched an iOS application, which lets users access its videos via the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Chideo operates a service which helps celebrities raise money for their causes, by letting fans chip in to get their favorite celebrities to film one-of-a-kind, fan-driven video clips. Chideo also said today that it has added a long list of new celebrities to the site, including Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, chefs Mario Bat (More info...)
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Common Looks To Curate Socially Progressive GoodsWish all the purchases you made could make a difference? Los Angeles-based Common said today that it has launched a new, online, curated marketplace aimed at showcasing products that help the "common good" and help improve the "good of the planet". The startup, led by Dan Burrier, said it is creating a collaborative, online community specifically aimed at showcasing planet-conscious products. The site lists everything from recycled toilet paper to chocolate, clothing to toothbrushes. The company (More info...)
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SOA Software: Profitable, Double Digit GrowthLos Angeles-based SOA Software, the developer of software used by companies to manage the interface between their various enterprise software packages and APIs, said today that it had a profitable 2013 and double digit revenue growth. The privately held company, however, did not disclose any details on those profits or revenues. SOA Software is led by Paul Gigg. The company said in 2013 that it had revenue growth of 52% in 2012. The last time the company actually discussed revenue numbers was ba (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014(Full story)