Friday, June 9, 2017SpaceX Engineer, Caltech Researcher Join Astronaut RanksIn an unusual addition to the list of recruits to NASA's astronaut program, NASA said this week that a SpaceX engineer and a Caltech researcher, are both among the list of twelve new candidates at a chance for future space exploration with the agency. According to NASA, Jessica Watkins, 29, has a doctorate in geology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked at NASA's Ames Research Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and is now a fellow at the California Institute of Techn (More info...)
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Loot Crate Adds Maker's Ynon Kreitz As Chairman, Hits ProfitabilityLos Angeles-based subscription e-commerce startup Loot Crate, which offers up monthly deliveries of curated "mystery boxes" to fans, said on Friday that former Maker Studios CEO Ynon Kreitz has joined the company's board as Chairman. The company also said it has become profitable for the first time. Kreitz served as CEO of Maker Studios from 2013 through its acquisition in 2015 by Walt Disney, and was one of its original investors. Kreitz also served as Chairman and CEO of TV production giant E (More info...)
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GNARBOX Gets $8.5M For Ultra Portable Digital Editing DeviceSanta Monica-based GNARBOX, the developer of a portable device which connects to both your smartphone and your GoPro, DSLR, or other camera to enable on-the-spot editing, backing, and sharing, has raised $8.5M in a funding round, according to the company. Source of the Series A funding was not announced. GNARBOX was founded by Tim Feess (CEO) and Will Africano. The company also has raised $500,000 via Kickstarter for its device, which costs $299. The device, which includes 128MB of memory, lets (More info...)
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Insights: Evolve and Thrive or DIE
For today's Insights and Opinions section, where we feature advice, editorials, and more from Southern California's high tech leaders, comes from Sid Mohasseb, a serial entrepreneur, venture investor, adviser, teacher, speaker, and author of The Caterpillar's Edge: Don't Leave Change to Chance! In Business & In Life, Gain the Edge and Beat the Odds. Sid says you must Evolve and Thrive or DIE.
The competitive world is moving faster than ever. Innovation is attacking from every
corner. Exp (More info...)
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FabFitFun Launches Augmented Reality AppLos Angeles-based FabFitFun, the venture-backed, subscription box startup focused on women, has launched a new augmented reality app for its users, the company announced on Thursday afternoon. According to FabFitFun, the new AR app will enhance the unboxing experience for its users, adding animation, music, product information and details, styling tips, and much more when users are opening up their subscription boxes. FabFitFun is venture backed by New Enterprise Associates, Upfront Ventures, Ra (More info...)
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OpenX Partners With Google On Exchange BiddingLos Angles-based programmatic advertising marketplace operator OpenX said on Thursday that it has partnered with Google, as a beta partner for Exchange Bidding (Fromerly EBDA). Google's Exchange Bidding is an effort by Google to counter Facebook's header bidding efforts, where Facebook had enabled buyers place bids on advertising inventory ahead of Google.
posted on Friday, June 9, 2017(Full story)