Monday, March 21, 2016


Report: IPO Activity In Significant Slowdown
A new report, issued Monday, says that IPO activity has slowed significantly in Q1, with a 39 percent drop in volume and 70 percent decline in total capital raised versus Q1 of last year. The report, from Ernst & Young, said that companies are likely exploring other options or waiting for confidence to return for their IPOs. The report found 167 deals raised only $12.1 billion in Q1 of 2016--the weakest first quarter of the year since 2009. The report noted concerns about a "global economic slow (More info...)
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

Ring In Effort With LAPD On Burglary Prevention
Los Angeles-based connected doorbell developer Ring has apparently been installing its camera-enabled, Wi-Fi connected doorbells as part of a burglary prevention program with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The LAPD and Ring said today that they will be announcing the results of a successful program to prevent burglaries in Wilshire Park, as part of a pilot program where Ring donated its Ring Video Doorbells to residents to reduce overall burglary in neighborhoods. Ring and the LAPD wi (More info...)
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

J2 Global Acquires Callstream
Los Angeles-based J2 Global has reportedly acquired Callstream, a UK-based provider of cloud-based, contact-management and call management software for the UK insurance, travel, and retail market. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. The deal was announced in the UK by YFM Equity Partners (YFM) and Octopus Investments (Octopus), which said they had sold their stakes in Callstream to J2 Global; J2 Global had not yet announced anything on the deal publicly or in any regulatory filings e (More info...)
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

Amgen Reports Positive Results In Ostereoposis Study
Thousand Oaks-based Amgen reports that it saw positive top-line results for a study for its romosozumab compound in men with osteoporosis. Amgen said its Phase 3 study demonstrated a significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, compared with a placebo over 12 months. The study and compound are being develops in a collaboration between Amgen and UCB. Romosozumab is being targeted at both treating women and men with osteoporosis.
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

TrueCar Starts Ranking Pre-Owned Vehicles In Annual Award
Santa Monica-based TrueCar has begun ranking vehicles, based on how well their values hold up in the pre-owned vehicle market, through an annual "TrueCare Pre-Owned Value Awards" program, the company said over the weekend. TrueCar said has identified used vehicles that are an excellent value for consumers, based on future resale retention, in its first annual award program. TrueCar said Toyota and Infiniti are receiving the top brand awards in the awards, and also named brand winners across a wi (More info...)
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

FAA: Drone Nearly Collides With Airliner At LAX
The FAA and said Friday that a drone nearly collided with a commercial jetliner on Friday afternoon, while it was approaching Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). According to officials, the drone came within 200 feet of the airliner, when it was at around 5,000 feet. The LAPD was unable to find the drone or its owner. Legally, drones cannot fly above 500 feet above ground level, and drones are not allowed within 5 miles of the airport. The drone was reported by a pilot for Lufthansa.
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

Yardi Adds Customer In The UK
Santa Barbara-based software developer Yardi, which develops real estate property management software, says it has signed up a customer in Leeds, UK. Yardi said that Moorgarth Property Management Limited will manage its office, industrial, and retail portfolio with Yardi's Genesis2 software. Financial impact of the win was not announced.
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)

Lytx Wins Michigan Trucking Company
San Diego-based Lytx, which develops camera-based driver monitoring systems for the fleet transportation market, reports a win this morning with a Michigan based trucking company, Martin Transportation Systems. Lytx said Martin will use its DriveCam products for its 1,3000 drivers. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. The companies said the adoption of the Lytx DriveCam product will help Martin reduce its costs on a high deductible insurance policy, and also help identify and improve u (More info...)
posted on Monday, March 21, 2016(Full story)