Wednesday, October 15, 2014Snapchat: Third Party Apps A Threat To CommunityVenice, California-based instant messaging app developer Snapchat--in light of the massive breach of compromising photos leaked from the service via an unauthorized, third party service---reiterated Tuesday that third party apps are a threat to the community. The company--which says it hasn't provided a public API due to the time and resources to "build an open and trustworthy third-party application ecosystem"--said that giving login credentials to third party applications allows developers--an (More info...)
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Patagonia Boosts Solar Efforts With $27M FundVentura, California-based outdoor clothing company Patagonia is giving a big boost to the solar industry, saying today that it is investing over $13M to help create a new, $27M fund to purchase more than 1,000 rooftop solar power systems in Hawaii. According to Patagonia, it has entered into a deal with Kina'ole Capital Partners, to purchase more than 1,000 rooftop solar power systems in the island state, which is a prime candidate for converting to solar power due to the very high expense of i (More info...)
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Qualcomm Launches Robotics AcceleratorSan Diego-based Qualcomm said this morning that it has launched a new, San Diego startup accelerator, which is being powered by Techstars. Qualcomm said its Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator will focus on helping to accelerate the development of a next generation of robotics and intelligence machines. Qualcomm said it will invest a total of $1M in funding to support program participants, and will initially select 10 companies to participate in the program. The accelerator will be based on Qualcomm's (More info...)
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Ilumina Invests In Three Startups As Part Of AcceleratorIn at least the third piece of accelerator-related news today, San Diego-based life sciences equipment maker Illumina said it has made an investment in three startups, as part of its first, startup accelerator class. Illumina--which has its own startup accelerator called the Illumina Accelerator--said it has selected Encoded Genomics, EpiBiome, and Xcell Biosciences to participate in its startup accelerator, who will gain a seed investment, business guidance, and access to its equipment as part (More info...)
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H3 Financial Services Raises FundingAliso Viejo-based H3 Financial Services, a developer of web-based software for managing consumer finance and billing for the dental and veterinary market, has scored a Series A investment. Size of the investment was not announced. The funding came from Newport Beach-based Connexus Equity Management Partners. H3's software-as-a-service provides credit, billing, and payment options for customers of dental or veterinary practices, who typically do not have insurance coverage for those services. Con (More info...)
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Disney Accelerator Shows Off First Class Of StartupsThe Disney Accelerator, the startup accelerator sponsored by Walt Disney and being run by TechStars, had its demo day Tuesday, showing off the nine companies to emerge out of the accelerator. Among the announcements at the demo day were the funding of smartphone toy company SnowShoe, and an acquisition of Smart Toy, a developer of an interactive toy. The other companies in the class included ChoreMonster, which develops a system for managing kids in their family chores; Codarica, which develops (More info...)
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OneRoof Energy Gets $2M In Debt FundingSan Diego-based OneRof Energy, the provider of solar lease financing and solar installation services for the residential market, has raised $2M in a debt financing. The company said the funding came from New Resource Bank. OneRoof said the financing will go to lower its cost of funds on a pool of existing projects, and will free up additional working capital for the company. Terms of the debt funding were not announced.
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Qualcomm Buys CSR For $2.5 BillionSan Diego-based Qualcomm said late Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to acquire CSR plc, in a deal worth approximately $2.5 billion. CSR is a developer of Bluetooth and audio processing technologies. According to Qualcomm, CSR will be acquired by its subsidiary, Qualcomm Global Trading Pte. Ltd. Qualcomm said the acquisition will help it in the areas of Internet of Everything (IoE) and automotive infotainment. CSR plc is based in the UK.
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