Thursday, June 23, 2016Flipagram Tops 200M UsersLos Angeles-based video-and-music app developer Flipagram says that more than 200 million users have now used its app, and have now created nearly half a billion of its "video stories" through its app, according to the company. The app developer lets users create synchronized, musical videos using popular music tracks, coupled with personal photos and snapshots. The company--unlike others--has managed to ink several major, global music licensing deals with music publishers to use very popular, m (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Disney Launches High School Computer Science Program For GirlsIn what might end up being the most-sought-after summer camp experience ever for girls interested in technology and science, The Walt Disney Company said on Thursday that it is launching an on-campus, computer science immersion program aimed at high school girls. Disney said the program which will combine seven weeks of computer coding, with field trips to parts of The Walt Disney Company. According to Disney, the girls will receive more than 300 hours of computer science curriculum, ranging fro (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Upfront Ventures Names Kobie Fuller As New PartnerLos Angeles-based venture capital investor Upfront Ventures has named a new Partner at the company, luring away Kobie Fuller from Accel Partners. According to Upfront Ventures, Fuller--who has invested in such companies as Oculus VR, UserTesting, Emergent VR, and Invoca--will relocate to Los Angeles with his family. Fuller previously spent time in Los Angeles, serving as Chief Marketing Officer at e-commerce company REVOLVE. Fuller previously helped found OpenView Venture Partners, was an invest (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Stamps.com Buys ShippingEasyEl Segundo-based Stamps.com said this week that it has acquired ShippingEasy, a developer of web-based multi-carrier shipping software product that helps e-commerce providers process, fulfill, and ship their products. Stamps.com said it would pay $55M in cash for ShippingEasy, which was based in Austin, Texas. ShippingEasy had been a direct competitor to Stamps.com, particularly for small e-commerce providers.
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Opoli Dangles $5 Rides To LAX To Break Through Ridesharing NoiseLos Angeles-based ridesharing service Opoli--which faces rather daunting competition from Uber and Lyft--is hoping to break through the ridesharing noise, with an offer of $5 for a trip to LAX. According to Opoli, it is offering up the $5 rides to the airport within a 20 mile radius of the airport, until midnight on June 30th. Opoli offers up iOS and Android apps which let users book both on-demand and reserved rides. Opoli, led by Rattan Joea, competes directly with Uber and Lyft in the ridesha (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Paladin Software, Tipalti Link On Video Content PaymentsTwo, Los Angeles area companies, Paladin Software, and Tipalti, said this week that they have linked up in a strategic partnership, to enable payments to video content creators across different countries. Paladin--which offers up software to manage contracts and payments for multi-channel networks (MCNs)--said it is using Tipalti's technology to streamline payment processing in a creator's local currency. Tipalti's technology is being used to support a variety of payment methods, including Glob (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Yuneec Opens Up Typhoon H PreordersYuneec International, the consumer drone and aerial vehicle maker which recently set up its U.S. headquarters in Ontario, California, says it has started taking pre-orders for its new aerial vehicle, the Typhoon H. The new drone includes an Intel RealSense R200 Camera and Intel Atom processor, which is being used for automated flight navigation and obstacle avoidance. The new device has a suggested retail price of $1,899. Yuneec said the new, camera-based flight control system maps out environme (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)
Amgen Backs Bay Area Life Science IncubatorThousand Oaks-based biotech giant Amgen has put its backing behind a new, life sciences incubator, called QB3@953. According to Amgen, it will provide a five year, platinum sponsorship of the San Francisco life sciences incubator, to accelerate the development of new therapies to improve human health. Financial details of the sponsorship were not detailed. As part of that sponsorship, Amgen said it will be providing two awards each year with a company receiving one year of lab space at QB3@953, (More info...)
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Supplyframe Opens Hardware Design Lab In PasadenaPasadena-based electronic hardware design and manufacturing information service Supplyframe says it is launching a new design lab in Pasadena today, where it will look to bring together investors and entrepreneurs to bring hardware projects to market. According to the company, the Supplyframe Design Lab will include 4,900 square feet of lab space to help with product design, manufacturing, and more. Supplyframe says it has over 6 million people using its online engineering sites, whih include Pa (More info...)
posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016(Full story)