Thursday, March 19, 2015


b Spot, Founded By Former YouBet Founders, Gets $17M
The two, Los Angeles entrepreneurs behind online horse racing site YouBet.com--David Marshall and Russell Fine--have launched a new startup, called b Spot, which is looking to bring legal, online wagering to a wider audience--and have so far raised $17M in funding to bring the startup to life. According to the company, it has so far raised $17M in funding from high net worth investors, assisted by Roth Capital. The company is now in the middle of a $15M, secure convertible note fundraising, of w (More info...)
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)

Media Temple Parent GoDaddy Sets IPO Range
GoDaddy, the domain name and web services firm which is a parent of LA's Media Temple, has moved one step closer to an IPO, saying this morning that it now expects to sell 22,000,000 shares of its common stock at between $17.00 and $19.00 per share. Arizona-based GoDaddy purchased Media Temple in October of 2013. GoDaddy has been approved to list on the New York Stock Exchange as GDDY. Media Temple is led by longtime LA technology vet Russ Reeder.
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)

Will.i.am, Gucci Tie On New Smartwatches
Los Angeles-based i.am+, the smartwatch startup founded by will.i.am, said Thursday that it has tied with Gucci to develop a co-branded smartwatch. According to a report from Vogue, the two have tied together to create a new "smartband", which will let you make and receive calls, send text messages, provide you with a personal assistant, and more.
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)

ParkMe Expands In Brazil
Santa Monica-based ParkMe, the provider of real time parking data and related apps led by Sam Friedman, said Wednesday that it has opened up an office in Brazil, and hired a South American GM. ParkMe said it has hired Mario COutinho as General Manager of South American Operations, and will lauch parking reservation services in Brazil. The new office is in Sao Paulo. ParkMe is venture backed by Fontinalis Partners, IDG Ventures and Angeleno Group.
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)

Guidance Software Names Product VP
Pasadena-based digital forensics software maker Guidance Software announced this morning that it has named Linda Souza as Vice President, Product Marketing and Operations. Souza comes from Central Desktop, where she was Vice President, Marketing. She also served at Everbridge, Ariba, and UBICS. Guidance said Souza will lead the company's product marketing, program marketing, marketing operations, and content development teams.
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)

Xencor Names New Board Member
Monrovia-based biopharmaceuticals firm Xencor announced this morning that it has added A. Bruce Montgomery, M.D., to its board of directors. Montgomery is currently the CEO of Cardeas Pharma, and was a SVP at Gilead Sciences; he also was CEO of Corus Pharma, and served at PathoGenesis Corporation. Xencor is developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergic diseases, and cancer.
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)

OSI Systems Gets $11M Order
Hawthorne-based OSI Systems, which develops explosives detection systems, said it has received an $11M order from an un-named, international customer. The order came through its security division, Rapiscan Systems. OSI's products are used for inspection of baggage and air cargo.
posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015(Full story)