Monday, January 11, 2016Snapchat's Latest User: The White HouseIn a demonstration of the extensive adoption of Venice-based social messaging service Snapchat, the White House said that it has launched its own "Official Story" on Snapchat. The White House said that Adminstration will provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of the current Administration, and is part of an effort to provide the American people with a multitude of ways to engage with their government via social media. The White House cited Snapchat's 100 million daily active users and the use of ove (More info...)
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WaiveCar Launches Ad Supported Car Sharing In Santa Monica, VeniceIn an unusual twist for the car sharing market, a new, Los Angeles startup--WaiveCar--said today that it has launched a new, mobile phone-driven car sharing program in Santa Monica and Venice, which lets drivers drive cars for free. The startup said the free car usage comes thanks to sponsors, who have plastered their advertising on the startup's automobiles. The company said users can book a car, including free insurance, and drive them around town, with extra rewards for leaving those cars in (More info...)
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United Online Shuffles CEO, AgainWoodland Hills-based United Online announced this morning that it has named Jeff Goldtsein as a new, interim CEO for the company, replacing Howard Phansteil. Phansteil--who had only been CEO since November 18th--has resigned, although he will continue as a director and Chairman of the Board for the company.
Goldstein was the former President of PriceGrabber, which he had led from April 2013 until its sale to Connexity last June. He also served at strategic advisory service BGT Capital Advisors (More info...)
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StartEngine Raises $5M For New Crowdfunding EffortLos Angeles-based StartEngine has raised $5M in funding, according to the company, from SE Agoura Investment LLC (Aubrey Chernick). StartEngine, the onetime startup accelerator, has remade itself as an online, equity crowdfunding site, helping companies to raise money via crowdfunding. Chernick is the former founder of software company Candle Corporation, which he sold to IBM back in 2004. StartEngine is led by Ron Miller and Howard Marks, and got its start as a startup accelerator.
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Illumina Launches New Company For Early Cancer Detection With $100MSan Diego-based life sciences equipment maker Illumina said over the weekend that it has launched a new company, GRAIL, to focus on early cancer detection via blood-based screening. As part of the effort, GRAIL has raised $100M in a Series A financing, led by Illumina and ARCH Venture Partners, and also including Bezos Expeditions, Bill Gates and Sutter Hill Ventures. . According to Illumina, GRAIL will focus on a pan-cancer screening test, by measuring circulating nucleic acids in the blood. GR (More info...)
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Semtech Invests In MultiPhy For 100G Optical Module TechnologyCamarill-based analog and mixed signal semiconductor company Semtech, and optical networking technology developer MultiPhy Ltd. said this morning that the two are partnering to deliver a chipset for 100G, single wavelength optical modules. Financial details fot he strategic partnership were not announced, however, Semtech said it has invested in MultiPhy, andis now one of the largest shareholders of the company. Semtech said the strategic partnership will drive "significant cost reductions" in 1 (More info...)
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BioAtla Raises $45M For Antibody TherapeuticsSan Diego- and Beijing-based BioAtla, a biotech startup focused on Conditionally Active Biologic (CAB) antibody therapeutics, announced over the weekend that it has raised $45M in funding. The funding came from the Global BIO Impact Fund (Global BIO). The funding is split between $15M in equity and an additional $30M in debt. BioAtla is led by Jay M. Short, Ph.D. BioAtla is focusing its research on cancer treatment.
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