Tuesday, February 25, 2014Upfront Re-Ups On DelivLos Angeles-based venture investor Upfront Ventures has re-upped its investment in Palo Alto-based Deliv, which provides same-day delivery services to local mall retailers. According to Deliv, it raised $4.5M in a round of investment from mall operators Simon Property Group, General Growth Properties, Macerich and Westfield, as well as prior backers Upfront Ventures and RPM Ventures. upfront's Greg Bettinelli has been overseeing its investment in Deliv.
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Reports: Fisker To Restart Production This YearFisker Automotive, the Irvine-based electric auto firm which was recently acquired by Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang, may start production of its Karma electric car as early as this year, according to multiple reports in the auto industry. Wanxiang said that it is looking to restart production in Finland of the Fisker Karma, Fisker's flagship vehicle, this year, if possible. It's unclear if Wanxiang intends to keep any of Fisker's operations in Southern California.
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Affinity Networks Takes On Online CommunitiesLos Angeles-based Affinity Networks has launched a new startup focused on connecting mobile users with common interests, saying it is looking to help connect and create communities around common interests. The firm--out of LA's Amplify accelerator--has released a large number of mobile applications, all geared around very specific interests: members of Alcoholics Anonymous, Christians with interests in the Bible; fans of the Hunger Games; and much more. The company said it is developing "highly (More info...)
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Thesan Pharmaceuticals Adds $49MSan Diego-based Thesan Pharmaceuticals, which is developing treatments for acne and atopic dermatitis, said today that it has raised $49M in a Series B financing round. The funding round was led by Novo Ventures, and also included SV Life Sciences, Lundbeckfond Ventures, and Norvartis Venture Fund. Thesan, which is led by Gordon Foulkes, said that Michael Ross of SVLS and Mette Kirstine Agger from Lundbeckfond Ventures both join the company's board with the funding round.
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SecureAuth Debuts Cloud Two Factor Authentication ServiceIrvine-based security software developer SecureAuth has launched a new, cloud-based two-factor authentication service, according to the company. According to SecureAuth, its new service allows companies to implement two-factor access control to their applications, without having to invest in on-premise hardware. The company said its service costs $2 per user plus a $2,500 one time setup fee, and differentiates itself by ensuring that all personally identifiable information is stored in corporate (More info...)
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How Thrively Wants To Help Your Child Reach Their Full PotentialJon Kraft--a serial entrepreneur, who was one of the founders of music service Pandora, and has served at Idealab, UberMedia, Big Stage, and a number of other startups here, has a new mission: helping children find their full potential, by connecting them with activities that match up with their personality and passions, through his new startup, Thrively (www.thrively.com). Kraft, who co-founded Thrively with fellow startup veteran Girish Venkat, sat down to talk to us about Thrively, as it eme (More info...)
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The Trade Desk Adds $20MVentura-based The Trade Desk, the real time, demand-side advertising platform developer led by Jeff Green, has raised $20M in a Series B funding, the company said today. The new round was led by Hermes Growth Partners, and also included prior investor IA Ventures. According to The Trade Desk, Alex Kayyal of Hermes will join the company's board as part of the funding. The Trade Desk develops online advertising technology used to manage display, social, and video advertising campaigns. The company (More info...)
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Quarterly Brings Funding To $3.7MLos Angeles-based Quarterly, the startup led by Zach Frechette which curates gift boxes from influencers and celebrities and delivers them to you on a quarterly basis, has now brought its funding up to $3.7M, according to a regulatory filing from the company. According to the filing, the company is in the midst of raising $4.2M in an extension of its Series A funding. Details on the new funding or funding effort have not been annoucned by the company. Quarterly has previously raised funding from (More info...)
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Disney Debuts Cloud Movie ServiceBurbank-based Walt Disney Studios has launched a new, cloud movie service this morning, called Disney Movies Anywhere. According to Walt Disney, the new service--available via iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and the web--allows users to purchase and watch movies from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. Disney said its new service will feature over 400 digital titles. Disney is launching the new movie service in conjunction with Apple's iTunes, which is powering the technology behind the new service. Financial (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2014(Full story)