Monday, January 26, 2015Google Lunar XPrize Awards $6.0M To TeamsMarina Del Ray's XPrize Foundation, the group which is behind a number of large, prize-based competitions to help advance technology, said Monday that it has awarded $6.0M in total to five different teams, for their progress in overcoming key technical risks to land a mission on the moon. The foundation said the awards from the $30M Google Lunar XPrize effort are smaller "Milestone" prizes, and range from $1M to $250,000 in each of three areas, for showing progress on the hardware and software n (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)
Western Digital Backs Memory Semiconductor DeveloperIrvine-based Western Digital has backed the developer of semiconductor memory technology, as part of a strategic funding round. Everspin Technologies, which develops "magnetoresistive RAM"--aimed at use in such things at solid state storage--said this morning that it has raised $29M in a Series B funding round. The new round was led by GLOBALFOUNDRIES and WD's venture arm, Western Digital Capital, along with prior venture backers New Venture Partners, Lux Capital, Sigma Partners, Epic Ventures, (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015 (More)(Full story)
SpaceX, Air Force Settle LawsuitLos Angeles-based space rocket developer SpaceX said Friday that the company has reached an agreement with the U.S. Air Force, to drop its lawsuit against the USAF--giving SpaceX the opportunity to bid for national security space launches. According to SpaceX, the Air Force will work collaboratively with SpaceX to complete the certification process in an efficient and expedient manner. SpaceX had been locked out of the Air Force due to a "block buy" contract which the Air Force has with Boeing a (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)
Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites Part Ways On TestingMojave-based Virgin Galactic has decided to pursue testing of its spacecraft without longtime partner Scaled Composites, the company revealed Friday, as the company looks to recover from a devastating flight test failure in October. Virgin Galactic--which has been looking to deliver tourists to space using its SpaceShipTwo--is in a renewed push to finish certification of its spacecraft for delivery of tourists to space, after Sir Richard Branson has expressed his renewed commitment to finishing (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)
Hulu Reopens Super Bowl Ad SiteLos Angeles-based streaming television service Hulu has re-opened its Super Bowl advertising site, sponsored again this year by Toyota. Hulu's AdZone features all of the Super Bowl ads from prior years, and also will be featuring new ads released on game day. Hulu said it will be adding ads up through Super Bowl Sunday, and will also allow users to vote on their favorite ad spots. The site has been featuring those ads on the dedicated mini-site for several years. Hulu is looking to attract many (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)
JAKKS Pacific, Microsoft Team On Halo Toys, CostumesThinking of dressing up as Master Chief next Halloween? Malibu-based JAKKS Pacific undoubtedly will have a costume featuring the iconic Halo character, after a deal between JAKKS and Microsoft this morning, covering both costumes an "large scale" action figures. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, however, the two said that the grants JAKKS worldwide rights to produce large-scale action figures based on Halo, including the upcoming Halo 5: Guardians title. JAKKS also said its Hallo (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)
Bosch Sets Up eBike Headquarters In IrvineEuropean manufacturer Bosch said today that it has opened up North American headquarters for Bosch eBike Systems, which develops electric bikes, in Irvine. Bosch said the new, 4,000 square foot office will support the growing North American eBike market. Bosch said the new office will handle sales, marketing, advocacy, application and technical support, service, project management, and quality management. Bosch said its e-bikes aimed at urban commuter, trekking, mountain, fat-tire, and cargo lau (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)
Cynvenio, Thermo Fischer Scientific In Distribution DealWestlake Village-based molecular diagnostics equipment developer Cynvenio and Carlsbad-based Thermo Fischer Scientific recently inked a distribution deal, where Thrmo Fischer Scientific has gained rights to distribute Cynvenio's LiquidBiopsy platform. Cynvenio's products are used for the genomic analysis of tumor biomarkers in the bloodstream. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The two said the deal allows for the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTC), cell-free DNA (cfDNA) an (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 26, 2015(Full story)