Tuesday, September 9, 2014MomentFeed Adds Google+, Bing SupportLos Angeles-based MomentFeed, the developer of tools to help businesses manage their location data in online local search services, says it has added Google+ and Bing management to its tools. According to the company, it now lets brands publish content to local Google+ Pages, aggregates customer reviews from those pages, and also lets brands directly update location data, address, menus, and more in Bing. MomentFeed is venture backed by Signia Venture Partners, Draper Nexus, DFJ Frontier, Double (More info...)
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Snapchat Settles With Reggie Brown Over Idea For StartupVenice, California-based Snapchat said Tuesday that it has settled a dispute with Reggie Brown, the former Stanford University student who had claimed that he came up with the idea for Snapchat. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Brown had sued Snapchat, CEO Evan Spiegel, and CTO Robert Murphy in November, as well as all of the company's investors, saying they had stolen the idea from him. Snapchat said, "we acknowledge Reggie's contribution to the creation of Snapchat and appreciate hi (More info...)
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Demand Media Names New Content Marketing ExecutiveSanta Monica-based Demand Media is building out its executive team today, saying that it has named Scott Lehr as its new Senior Vice President and General Manager of Content Solutions. Lehr was previously at NewsCred, a developer of content marketing and content syndication software. Lehr was that firm's VP of Content & Strategic Partnerships and COO. Lehr also has served at Breakpoint Digital and Muze. Demand Media said Lehr wlil focus on growing its content marketing practice.
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HomeUnion Gets $5.5M For Real Estate ManagementIrvine-based HomeUnion, a startup which provides a way for individuals to invest in real estate--and which handles management of those investment properties for owners--has raised $5.5M in a Series A funding, according to the company. The funding came from Artiman Ventures. HomeUnion identified properties for investment, and lets individuals invest in a portfolio of properties, and manages renters and maintenance of those properties for those investors. HomeUnion is led by Don Ganguly.
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Sonendo Raises $35MLaguna Hills-based Sonendo, which is developing a system for root canal therapy, has raised $35M in an equity financing round, according to the company. The funding was led by Meritech Capital Partners, and also included SEB Private Equity, Fjord Ventures, OrbiMed Advisors, LLC, and NeoMed Management. The company said that Meritech's Paul Madera has joined the company's board with the funding. Sonendo has developed a system used for root canal therapy. Sonendo is led by Bjarne Bergheim. The new (More info...)
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Edufii Scores $1.4M For Athletic Training AppSan Luis Obispo-based Edufii said this morning that it has raised $1.4M in a Series A financing, to go towards its social and mobile platforms for athletic training. The funding was led by DFJ Frontier and the Pasadena Angels, and also included Gideon Hixon Fund, Tech Coast Angels, SLO Seed Ventures, along with Rudy Duran, who was the first coach for Tiger Woods. As part of the funding, DFJ Frontier's Frank Foster joins the company's board of directors. Edufii is led by Spencer Dennis. Edufii's (More info...)
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Tinder Settles With Former Exec Over Sexual Harassment ChargesLos Angeles-based Tinder and parent company IAC have settled a lawsuit brought by former executive Whitney Wolfe, alleging sexual harassment and moves by the company to strip her of the title of "co-founder" of the mobile dating app developer. No details on the settlement were announced by either party. Wolfe had sued Tinder, IAC, and co-founder Justin Mateen over the harassment in July, revealing an ugly trail of emails and texts from Mateen in that lawsuit.
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Innovative Micro Technology Expands In ChinaSanta Barbara-based Innovative MIcro Technology, which develops micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), says it is in a deal to expand in China. IMT said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China R&D Center for Internet of Things (CIT-China), to enable CIT-China's related companies to design and develop advanced MEMS devices. Financial impact of the deal were not disclosed. The deal calls for CIT-China's companies to tap into IMT's production expertise and capacity.
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Aerie Pharmaceuticals Raises $125MNewport Beach-based Aerie Pharmaceuticals said today that it has raised $125M in a convertible note financing. The publicly held pharmaceuticals firm--which is developing treatments for glaucoma--said the funding came from a current shareholder, Deerfield Management Company LP. Aerie said the notes accrue interest at $1.75% per annum, and also provide conversion at a 30 percent premium over its closing stock price as of yesterday. The company said the financing will help provide "adequate financ (More info...)
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Novatel Wireless Gets Strategic InvestmentSan Diego-based Novatel Wireless reported late Monday that it has received a strategic investment from HC2 Holdings. According to publicly traded Novatel, HC2 will invest up to $23.7M in the company, with an initial cash investments of approximately $14.4M. The deal gives HC2 an ownership stake of approximately 17% of the company. As part of the investment, HC2 is expected to add two representatives to NOvatel's board of directors. Novatel is a developer of wireless modules, including the opular (More info...)
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ViaSat Scores $54M Military ContractCarslbad-based satellite and wireless networking developer ViaSat said today that it has scored a big, $54M contract, from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). ViaSat said the contract covers a program for migrating a line-of-sight radio system used for tactical data links used by the military. Specifically, ViaSat said the contract covers co-development and qualification of Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) capabilities for the Multifunctional Information Distributio (More info...)
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uSamp Expands In EuropeLos Angeles-based uSamp, the market research and sampling technology developer, says that it is in an expansion in Europe, and has opened up an office in Frankfurt, Germany. According to the company, the new office--plus the hiring of two people in that office--is to support strong demand in its European business. The company said it has named Susanne Minneker as account director, uSamp Germany, and Catherine Gibbon, senior marketing manager for uSamp Europe. Minneker has served at Forrester Res (More info...)
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