Long Beach-based Rocket Lab said this week that it is planning two, back-to-back missions for NASA, to deploy satellites for NASA. According to the company, it has two back-to-back Electronic launches to deploy the NASA PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission. The company said the first will launch no earlier than May 22, 2024, and the second within three weeks of the first mission. The company said the launches will be its 48th and 49th missions, and the sixth and seventh launches this year. Rocket Lab focuses on launching small satellites (cubesats) into space. Rocket Lab said the NASA satellites will systematically measure the heat, in the form of infrared and far-infrared wavelengths, lost from Earth's polar regions for the first time, explaining that extreme storms, flooding, and coastal erosion are examples of weather outcomes that are influenced by climate conditions in the Arctic and Antarctica.

La Jolla-based Enlaza Therapeutics, which is working on protein drugs, says it has raised $100M in a Series A financing round. The funding was led by Life Sciences Group of J.P. Morgan Private Capital, and also included existing investors Frazier Life Sciences, Avalon Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Samsara BioCapital along with new investorsAmgen Ventures, Regeneron Ventures, Bregua Corporation, Pappas Capital, and Alexandria Venture Investments.

Los Angeles-based school ride provider HopSkipDrive, which provides rides to and from school to kids as a way for school districts to reduce school busing costs, says its "SmartPooling" service has saved 160,000 pounds of CO2 for school districts, as a result of reducing single occupancy rides and matching students together for transportation. The company says it is now providing information to school districts on their "sustainability impact", giving insights into the number, and percentage, of HopSkipDrive rides and miles completed in hybrid or electric vehicles.

Los Angeles-based consumer electronics manufacturer Belkin says it is now aiming to be entirely, 100 percent carbon neutral across its business by 2030. The company said it is on the way to 100 percent carbon neutral in its global offices and operations by 2025. The company did not say how it is meeting those goals, but did cite usage of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) capabilities to more accurately measure its product level emissions, and enforcing accountability in its supply chain.

Santa Barbara-based RentCafe, a provider of digital marketing services, says it is rolling out a new set of AI-powered tools. The company did not detail the new tools, saying it plans to launch them at an upcoming conference in Huntington Beach. The company said the tools include a "new content engine" and "AI-powered marketing tools" which include a "generative content engine" that creates copy for websites, blogs and Google Business Profile posts. RentCafe is part of Santa Barbara-based property management software developer Yardi.

Los Angeles-based Rently said today that it has launched a new, Bluetooth lock, called the Smart Bolt, which it says includes an extended batter life, stronger motor, and easy-to-install design. The company's products are used y property managers to allow for "self-guided touring" of properties. The company said the lock's extended battery life provides "reliable property access" for the duration of "most residential leases". The company said it is providing hardware and software to allow real estate operators a way to "automate every step of the leasing lifecycle."

Monrovia-based LiNova Energy said this morning that it has raised $15.8M in a Series A financing round. The funding was led by Catalus Capital, and also include Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, Chevron Technology Ventures and a syndicate of other, un-named investors. LiNova says it is working on polymer cathode batteries for the energy storage market. Michael Nagus is CEO of LiNova Energy.

Culver City-based Iconic Hearts says that it is shifting how its Noteit social media app works, and rather than being limited to just a romantic partner, will allow you to connect with up to five friends on the app. The company's app originally allowed users to only exchange real-time photos, videos, and drawings with one partner, with an idea to bolster romantic relationships.

Carson, California-based Velotric says it has launched several models of electric bicycles, aimed at the mountain bike market. According to the company, its Summit 1 and Fold 1 bicycles are electric mountain bikes, and start at $999. The company said the bicycles meet either Class 1, 2, or 3 ebike classifications and also include an app with smartphone integration and Apple's Find My integration. Velotric is led by co-founder and CEO Adam Zhang.

Carlsbad-based Rater--which claims to run an "anti-catfishing social app"--says it has expanded its platform beyond California. According to the dating app, it is now officially launching nationwide. The company said its single social app was "created in response to pervasive catfishing and romance scams rampant across all dating apps". The company's founder and CEO is Nicole Drew. The company said it uses "AI powered ID and photo verification" among other techniques to vet its users.

San Diego-based biotechnology company Endeavor BioMedicine said this morning that it has raised $132.5M in the company's Series C financing. The company said the funding was led by AyurMaya, an affiliate of Matrix Capital Management, plus new investors including Fidelity Management & Research Company, Invus, SymBiosis, Velosity Capital, and Woodline Partners along with existing investors including funds managed by abrdn Inc. (formerly Tekla Capital Management LLC), Ally Bridge Group, Avidity Partners, Eckuity Capital, Longitude Capital, Omega Funds, Perceptive Advisors, Piper Heartland Healthcare Capital, Silver Arch Bio, and T. Rowe Price Associates. The company said the funding will go twards clinical development of its lead candidates, ENV-101 for fibrotic lung diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and ENV-501, a next-generation HER3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, for solid tumors.

Troubled Los Angeles-based automotive company Fisker Automotive indicated in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it is in a liquidity crunch, which "raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern", and indicated that it could file for bankruptcy within the next 30 days. The company also indicated in the filing that it intends to "further reduce" its workforce and "streaming its operations", including "reducing its physical footprint" in an effort to control costs.

Burbank-based multi-channel streaming platform Loop Media reports that it has received a warning from the NYSE American. According to the company, it was advised the company is "not in compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards" citing "reported stockholder's deficit and "losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2023." The company said it is required to submit a "plan of compliance" by May 23, 2024.

A new startup, Easel, alucnhed today, saying that it has developed a generative AI app which lets you create images of yourself and friends "doing cool things", from Apple's iMessage. The company's founders are CEO Rajan Vaish and Sven Kratz, both former employees at Los Angeles-based Snap. Both apparently were at Snap until 2022, when they were laid off from the company after working in Snap's research division.

Los Angeles-based Elf Labs said this morning that it has launched a new company, which is combining hundreds of trademarked, iconic fairytale characters with "AI-powered production and distribution technology". According to the company, it has acquired 400 copyrights and over 140 trademarks for "Classic and reimagined renditions of Snow White, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Pinocchio" and more, which it acquired by buying the Junior Elf book catalog, which was originally published by Rand McNally. Elf Labs is led by CEO David Phillips.

Santa Barbara-based High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), which is developing high-temperature superconducting tape says it has received $5M from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), via the DOE's Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). According to the company, the $5M award will go towards the development of "transformational energy technology applications for fusion power reactors, power transmission cables, and electric aircraft." HTSI is led by CEO Ray Karam.

Santa Monica-based Headspace is aiming at the consumer market with a new mental health coaching service, the company said this morning. According to the company, it will start allowing U.S. consumers to access one-to-one support from a Headspace mental health coach. The company said those coaches are aimed at helping consumer "tackle a wide range of life challenges that may not require a therapist." The company said the service will cost $99.99 per month for three, 30-minute mental health coaching sessions per month.

Los Angeles-based MSBAI, which develops artificial intelligence software, said it has successfull completed an AFWERX Phase 2 SBIR contract for the US Air Force. The company said it provided an AI-driven tool, GURU, which autonomously sets up and runs high speed airplane design simulations for the Air Force. The company did not say how much that Phase 2 SBIR contract was worth. MSBAI was part of the Air Force Techstars 2020 class, according to the company.

Los Angeles-based LGBT dating app operator Grindr has been sued, alleging that the company had shared its users' HIV status with advertisers. According to a report from the BBC, the claims alleges that "covert tracking technology" was deployed and that information illegally shared with advertisers. In a statement to the BBC, the company said the claim "appears to be based on a mischaracterization of practices from more than four years ago".

San Diego-based dermatology technology developer DermTech said yesterday afternoon that it is seeking "strategic alternatives" for the company, and has hired an investment banker to advise it in its efforts. According to the company, a special committee of its board of directors has engaged investment bank TD Cowen to "conduct a process exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value." The company said it is also cutting approximately 100 employees, or approximately 56 percent of its workforce, as part of a restructing plan which it says will "significantly reduce expenses" and help it preserve cash.

Los Angeles-based short form video app developer Triller--which competes against TikTok--is merging with a company called AGBA Group Holding Limited, the companies said this week. According to the two, the deal--worth $4 billion--will make AGBA 80 perecent owned by current Triller stockholders and restricted stock unit holders. The companies said that AGBA Group Holdings Limited trades on the NASDAQ as AGBA, and is a "one-stop financial supermarket based in Hong Kong offering the broadest set of financial services and healthcare products in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)".

Los Angeles-based private equity investor Angeles Equity Partners said this week that one of its portfolio companies, Data Clean Corporation, has acquired DC Canada, Inc., a provider of decontamination services for data centers across Canada. Financial details of the buy were not announced. Angeles Equity Partners and Data Clean said the acquisition is the fourth strategic acquisition by Data Clean since its acquisition by Angeles Equity.

Los Angeles-based CommentSold announced this week that it has launched a new, AI-powered software product which automatically pulls video from livestreams, aimed at helping to provide e-commerce sales. According to the company, the new product--AI ClipHero, uses AI to "sift through livestream content, pinpointing moments that are most likely to captivate audiences." The company said the tool is specifically aimed at helping its customer create "engaging, interactive explainer videos if they are already doing live sales."

A former executive of SpaceX appears to have set up a new venture capital firm in El Segundo, according to a regulatory filing. The new venture firm is apparently named Interlagos Capital. According to reports, the new company is led by former SpaceX exec Tom Ochinero, who was most recently SpaceX's Senior Vice President of Commercial Business.

Los Angeles-based accounting and finance software developer BlackLine announced this morning that it has named Jeremy Ung as the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The company said Ung was most recently CTO at Apptio, and also had served at Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and MDA.

Santa Barbara-based MixMode, which develops AI-powered cybersecurity software, says it has launched new enhancements to its platform. According to the company, the additions include AI-powered threat prioritization, which it says helps "surface the most severe and time-sensitive threats" to organizations. The company said the features are included to all of its customers as part of its latest release of its platform. MixMode is backed by PSG and Entrada Ventures.

Irvine-based Ecotrak, the developer of software used for facility management, has raised $30M in a funding round, the company said this morning. The funding was led by Respida Capital, and also included Carver Road Capital, plus Gala Capital Partners, an existing investor. The company said it will use the funding for product development and go-to-market. The company says its facility management software is being used by such customers as Inspire Brands, Flynn Group, Dutch Bros Coffee and Dave & Buster's. Matt Singer is CEO of Ecotrak.

Santa Barbara-based Yardi said this morning that it has added new support for state and local agencies who are helping to implement programs under the Inflation Reducation Act (IRA) of 2021. According to the company, its new tool--Energy Relief from Yardi--helps state agencies administering programs such as Solar for All, Home Energy Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates. The tool includes an online interface for homeowners and contractors to submit applications for assistance and make energy-efficient equipment purchases. Pricing on the new software was not announced.

Los Angeles-based accounting software developer BlackLine announced a new, AI-powered feature, joining the trend of companies adopting AI in their software. According to BlackLine, its new product, Journals Risk Analyser, uses generative AI to "provide key trends, insights, and anomaly detection associated with journal entries". The company said the feature is part of a strategy to "embed AI across its entire platform of financial close, intercompany accounting, invoice-to-cash, and consolidation solutions."

A European developer of a system for generating power from waves, Eco Wave Power Global AB, says it has signed a contract to demonstrate its wave energy systems at the Port of Los Angeles. The company said the demonstration project--run with a "major energy company"--will be its first project in the United States. The company said its efforts in LA as a result of California's Senate Bill 605, a law which directs the state's Energy Commission to study wave and tidal energy along the California coast.

Los Angeles-based finance and accounting software developer FloQast said on Wednesday that it has raised $100M in a Series E funding round, which valued the company at $1.6 billion. The funding was led by ICONIQ Growth, and also included BDT & MSD Partners, WiL (World Innovation Lab), along with Meritech Capital and Sapphire Ventures. ICONIQ Growth's Roy Luo joins the company's board of directors as part of the funding. White Whitmire is CEO and co-founder of FloQast.

Los Angeles-based FaceCake said it is rolling out a new, AI shopping product called AVA. According to the company, the new AI-powered product stands for AVA (Acquire, Validate, Adapt), and will help provide personalized shopping in augmented reality, running in Google Cloud. FaceCake is led by CEO Linda Smith. The company said that AVA is a "cutting-edge AI personal shopper and stylist".

USC Games, the game design program at the University of Southern California, is re-launching its annual showcase of student created games, the US Games Expo, according to the school. The showcase features 60 games created by students, along with a live esports tournament.

San Diego-based Platform Science says it has raised $125M in new funding in a growth capital round, for the company's fleet and transportation software. The company said the funding came from C.R. England, Cummins, Daimler Truck, PACCAR, RyderVentures, and Schneider, along with new financial advisors Activant Capital, BDT & MSD Partners, and Manhattan Venture Partners, plus existing investors 8VC, NewRoad Capital Partners, and Prologis Ventures. Platform Science's co-founder and CEO is Jack Kennedy. The company's product is used in the connected vehicle market, used for tracking shipping and logistics.