Thursday, March 26, 2015


3D Robotics Rolls Out DroneKit, App API For Drones
Are you looking to easily create app-like software to control your quadcopter? 3D Robotics, the robotic drone developer which has major operations in San Diego, just rolled out a new product called DroneKit, which it says offers up an SDK and web API, which makes it easy to develop apps for your drones. The software--which runs on Android, laptops, embedded computers, and the web--lets develops easily connect their software to various services on all kinds of drones, without having to reinvent t (More info...)
posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015(Full story)

urRadio's New Service Makes You The DJ
Ever wish you could be the DJ of your own radio station? A new, Los Angeles startup, urRadio--created by former Yahoo! Music veterans--launched today, creating a new music streaming service which combines live broadcasting with that music. urRadio, led by Tyler Francois, lets users program their own live, Internet radio stations, where they can talk live with listeners, send instant messages, and much more. For listeners, the service gives them an opportunity to discover new songs, artists, and (More info...)
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ChowNow Chomps Down On $10M For Restaurant Ordering Systems
Los Angeles-based ChowNow, the developer of online ordering and marketing systems for the restaurant market, has raised $10M in a funding round, the company said this morning. ChowNow said the new funding round was led by Upfront Ventures, and also included Steadfast Venture Capital, Daher Capital, and Karlin Ventures. ChowNow was founded by Chris Webb. Along with the new funding, the startup said it has named Nick Kellermeyer as Vp of Sales, and Arpan Jhaveri as VP of Product & Marketing. Kelle (More info...)
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WhipClip, Founded By Richard Rosenblatt, Debuts App
Santa Monica-based WhipClip, the content discovery startup which was co-founded by former Demand Media founder Richard Rosenblatt, debuted its mobile app today, looking to help users create, share, and find music and television video clips. The startup--which raised a funding round back in December--said it has partnered with television networks ABC, CBS, FOX, Comedy Central, VH1, A&E and Lifetime, Bloomberg, truTV and OWN, along with Universal Music Group and Sony Music for its service. WhipCli (More info...)
posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015(Full story)

Qualcomm Backs Smart Lock Maker August
San Diego-based Qualcomm has made an investment in August, a startup developing Bluetooth-powered, "smart" locks for the home, as part of a $38M funding round. August said yesterday that it has raised $38M in a Series B funding, for its home locks, which connect with your smartphone so that you do not need a physical key to open your door. San Francisco-base August said that Qualcomm's involvement came via Qualcomm Ventures. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, and also included Comca (More info...)
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Honk Gets $12M For On-Demand, Roadside Service
Santa Monica-based HONK, the on-demand, roadside assistance app startup led by Corey Brundage, said this morning that it has raised $12M in a Series A funding round. The funding was led by Altpoint Ventures, and also included Structure Capital, Karlin Ventures, Expansion VC, and Venture51. Honk said the new funding brings its total raised to $13.8M. Honk offer ups an online app, for either iOS or Android, where motorists in need of a jump start, tire change, lock out services, or fuel can reques (More info...)
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Soraa Launches PAR20 Lamp
Soraa, the LED lighting company which is using technology developed by UCSB inventor Shuji Nakamura, has rolled out a new LED lamp product in the common PAR20 format. Soraa--which has operations in Goleta, but does its manufacturing in Fremont--said its new LED lamp is 85% more energy efficient than standard, halogen lamps. Soraa's products are based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. Soraa's new product only consume 10.8 watts, versus 75W and 90W halogen lamps. The company also says its tech (More info...)
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MicroPower Technologies Launches New Surveillance Video Product
San Diego-based MicroPower Technologies, which develops wireless video surveillance hardware, has rolled out a new product. The startup--which came out of the EvoNexus incubator and also is backed by Karmel Capital, Motorola, and the Tech Coast Angels--said its new SOLVEIL Surveillance System is a wireless, solar-powered system for high resolution video monitoring in outdoor environments. The new product offers up 720p resolution and frame rates of up to 15 fps, and is aimed at offering up high (More info...)
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TouchCommerce Expands Win In EMEA With Equinix
Agoura Hills-based TouchCommerce, the developer of online live chat products aimed at helping e-commerce and other brands, said it has expanded an effort in the EMEA with Equinix. TouchCommerce said that Equinix, which offers up colocation and data center efforts, has rolled out TouchCommerce's chat tools on its Germany, France, Switzerland, and United Arab Emirates sites. TouchCommerce explained that Equinix is using its TouchChat program to engage with prospects and qualify leads. Financial im (More info...)
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CapLinked Inks African Distribution Deal
Los Angeles-based CapLinked, which develops deal management and virtual data room software, said this morning that it has partnered with a company in South Africa. CapLinked said it has partnered with Johannesburg-based communications agency Ince, in order to make its technology available throughout Africa. Ince will make CapLinked's software-as-a-service available in Africa under the brand name InceLink. Financial details of the deal were not announced. CapLinked's software is used to manage th (More info...)
posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015(Full story)

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Names New Board Member
San Diego-based ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, which is developing biopharmaceuticals for treating central nervous system disorders, aid today that it has named Daniel Soland to its board of directors. Soland was perviously Senior Vice President and COO of ViroPharma, and alsos previously was at Chiron Corporation, Epigensis Pharmaceuticals, and GlaxoSmithKline. Soland currently sits on the boards of Tarsa Therapeutics and DBV Technologies SA.
posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015(Full story)