Tuesday, October 27, 2015


Zebit Gets $10M For Financial Services Startup
La Jollla-based Zebit, a new financial startup which is offering up what it says is "no-cost" financing to the underbanked, has raised $10M in a Series A funding, and launched its services. According to ZeBit, the funding came from Crosslink Capital, and also included Wildcat Venture Partners, Leapfrog Ventures and Correlation Ventures. Zebit says it develops a payment system technology which allows Americans underserved by traditional financial services, and who are often living paycheck-to-pay (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2015(Full story)

Open Listings Finds $1M
San Diego-based Open Listings says it has raised $1M in a seed funding round, for the company's home buying service. The funding came from Y Combinator, Soma Capital, ChinaRock Capital, I/O Ventures, Joe Montana & Liquid2 Ventures, Kevin Hale, Josh Guttman, Kevin Moore, along with other angels. According to Open Listings, it will use the new funding to build out its home buying platform. Open Listings operates a technology and software-driven service to help buyers with their home purchase, usin (More info...)
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Petnet Picks Up $4M For Pet Feeding Gadget
Los Angeles-based Petnet has raised $4M in a funding round, to go towards the company's automated pet feeders, according to the company. The funding came from Black River Ventures, Aspiration Growth, iRobot and Amazon Alexa Fund. According to Petnet, the new funds will go towards commercializing its technology, as well as towards efforts in the supply chain area. Petnet is led by Carlos Herrera.
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Smith Micro's Sock Puppets Links Into Facebook Messenger
Aliso Viejo-based Smith Micro said today that it has connected its Sock Puppets app, which lets users create their own, talking sock puppets, with the popular Facebook Messenger app. Smith Micro said the integration allows to create and share sock puppet messages with their friends. Sock Puppets lets users create "sock puppet" shows, with cute, on-screen sock puppets who automatically lip synch to your voice. The software also lets users share those same sock puppet videos on Facebook and YouTub (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2015(Full story)

Edmunds.com Launches Apple TV App
Santa Monica-based Edmunds.com, the provider of automotive buying information and tools, said it has launched a new Apple TV app today. According to Edmunds, the new Edmunds TV app will bring automotive content from the company to car shoppers. The company said it will offer up car reviews, road tests, consumer advice, and behind-the-scenes video through its Apple TV app. Edmunds said its app will be available at the end of the month.
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Blackline Launches Channel Program
Los Angeles-based BlackLine, which develops cloud-based software for the finance and accounting market, said it has launched a new channel partner program. Blackline said the launch of the channel effort will help it expand its global distribution, and help meet what it says is "surging demand" for its products. BlackLine is a developer of cloud-based software used for the financial close process. Blackline serves the midsize and enterprise market with its tools. BlackLine says it has signed up (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2015(Full story)

Broadcom Aims At Automotive Market With New Generation Ethernet Switches
Irvine-based Broadcom is launching a new set of Ethernet switches, to a market you might not think of at first: for embedding in automobiles. According to Broadcom, its new BroadR-Reach automotive Ethernet switches are aimed at use for in-car networking, infotainment, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems(ADAS), and othr applications. Broadcom says it already has prior generations of those Ethernet switches being used on the road in the BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, i3, i8, 6 Series and 7 Series vehicles; th (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2015(Full story)