Thursday, August 25, 2016


Amazon.com Challenges SoCal's Automotive Sites With Amazon Vehicles
E-commerce giant Amazon has made a move into the automotive research area this morning, challenging such local automotive information providers like Santa Monica-based Edmunds.com, Irvine-based Autobytel, Santa Monica-based TrueCar, Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book, plus El Segundo-based CarDirect. Amazon said it has launched a brand new, online car research site which is called Amazon Vehicles, which lets users search for specifications, reviews, images, videos, and more about both new and "classi (More info...)
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)

Report: Apple Working On Snapchat Clone
A report, published Thursday by Bloomberg, says that Apple is working on a clone of the software from Venice, California-based Snapchat--in a bid to make a renewed push into the social networking area. The report said that Apple is working on video sharing, editing, and "filter" features within its mobile apps, which could be sent to contacts or to existing social networking sites.
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)

Curology Finds $15M For Prescription Skincare Via Subscription
San Diego-based Curology, a startup which provides prescription, skincare medications to treat acne and aging, has raised $15M in a Series B funding round. The funding was led by Advance Vixeid Partners, and also included Sherpa Capital and Forerunner ventures. Curology offers up its medications via a monthly subscription, and sells directly to consumers. The company's founder and CEO is David Lortscher, MD. Curology prescribes medications to patients--without an in-person appointment or any nee (More info...)
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)

Incipio Dumped At Altar By Skullcandy
Irvine-based electronics accessories maker Incipio has been dumped at the altar by Skullcandy, as the companies were about to finalize their acquisition deal, first announced back in June. Incipio--which was about to consummate the deal with Skullcandy, having recently passed antirust review of the acquisition--had offered up approximately $177M for Skullcandy in June. Instead, Skullcandy says it is selling itself to Mill Road Capital, a private equity investor, which says it will pay $6.35 per (More info...)
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)

Viking Therapeutics Raises $12.5M In PIPE
San Diego-based biopharmaceutiacls developer Viking Therapeutics says it has raised $12.5M in a common stock purchase agreement, from Aspire Capital Fund. The company, which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ as VKTX, said the initial purchase came at $1.50 per share, with the remaining $12M to be purchase over the next 30 months at prices based on the market price. Viking Therapeutics is developing treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders.
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)

Twistory Entertainment Being Sold In Asset Sale
Santa Monica-based Twistory Entertainment Studios, which had been a mobile game development and graphic novel design company, is being sold in an asset sale, according to auction company CMA Auctions. CMA said that Twistory's assets--including all of its intellectual property and equipment--is being sold through an assignee for the benefit of creditors (or "ABC") sale on Monday, August 29th. Twistory Entertainment was founded in 2009, and had developed Ouch! Couch and other titles. The public a (More info...)
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)

Qualcomm To Power Sustainability Efforts At Petco Park
San Diego-based Qualcomm is powering a new sustainability management effort at San Diego's Petco Park, the company said yesterday. According to Qualcomm, its subsidiary, Qualcomm Intelligent Solutions, along with OSIsoft LLC, are working with the San Diego Padres to reduce utility and water consumption at the ballpark, using Qualcomm's technology. According to Qualcomm, the San Diego Padres have deployed "edge intelligence gateways" that use its Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, combined with soft (More info...)
posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016(Full story)