Wpisy z July 25th, 2008
Encinitas-based Verve Wireless has raised $3M in a venture round from the Associated Press, Iron Capital, and other investors, the firm told socalTECH Friday. Verve Wireless develops software that helps publishers make their content wireless-friendly, and which already has a deal with the AP to help takes its content to mobile platforms. Verve Wireless has previously raised $2.5M in a Series A round from angel investors, which closed in July of 2007. The firm’s CEO is Art Howe, former owner of the Village Voice, and a publisher and owner of a large number of local papers; the firm’s President is Tom Kenney, a former VC with BlueRun Ventures.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
RF Surgical Systems, a developer of medical devices for tracking surgical sponges, said Friday morning that it has raised $8.2M in a venture funding round from Menlo Ventures and Stanford University. The firm’s R&D operations are based in San Diego, with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. The company said the funding brings the company’s total raised to $20M. The firm’s products are used to detect sponges in patients prior to surgical closing procedures.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
Carlsbad-based AutoGenomics has filed for an IPO, saying in a filing with the SEC today that the firm is looking to raise up to $86.3M on the NASDAQ. The firm said that it is looking to list on the NASDAQ Global Market as AGMX. AutoGenomics develops molecular diagnostics systems used that automates the processes of genetic testing performed by clinical laboratories. The firm’s IPO is being underwritten by JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank Securities, Pacific Growth Equities, and Robert W. Baird & Co.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
Irvine-based computer manufacturer Gateway said Friday that the firm is moving to a 100 percent, indirect sales model. The firm said it will discontinue phone and online sales of its desktop PCs and notebooks. The move follows the purchase of Gateway by Acer in August of 2007; Gateway attributed the move to “better align” with Acer’s indirect model. Gateway’s products will be available from retailers, channel partners, as well as online retailers. The firm’s products are sold through Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Costco, HSN, Newegg, Tiger Direct, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Wal-Mart and others.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
Carlsbad-based Aptera said late Thursday evening that it has raised $24M in a Series C funding. The funding announcement came shortly after Google disclosed it had provided funding through Google.org to the company. Funding in this round came from Idealab, Google, Esenjay Investments, The Simons Family, and The Beall Family Trust. Aptera said the funding will be used to start production of the firm’s Aptera Typ-1 vehicle, which is a light weight, composite-based hybrid electric and electric vehicle. Aptera said the new funds will be used for a new manufacturing facility located in Vista, California.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
The Tech Coast Angels (www.techcoastangels.com) is the largest, and most active angel group in Southern California, and recently crossed over the $1B mark in terms of attracting third party and venture capital funding for its portfolio companies. To hear a little bit more about its recent investments, and for some color on how angels are reacting to the economy, we spoke with TCA Vice Chairman and database statistician Warren Hanselman.
Tell us a little bit about the $1B mark–is that from day one of the TCA?
Warren Hanselman: The $1B mark is from day one. It’s the total investments in our companies, our money plus outside money…. (more)
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
Los Angeles-based Geni.com, the online genealogy site headed by former PayPal exec David Sacks, said yesterday that it has launched a new video sharing feature and exited its beta. According to Geni, the firm will now offer unlimited, free, and private video sharing for families. Geni also said that it now will allow users to merge their family trees. Geni.com offers a free tools which allow users to create family trees and history, and share those with families. The firm is venture backed by Founders Fund and Charles River Ventures.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008
Camarillo-based analog and mixed signal semiconductor firm Semtech Corp. announced Thursday that it has opened up a new design and application center in China. According to the firm, the new Shenzhen, China center will provide design and applications support for Semtech’s protection, power management, advanced communications, and sensing products. The firm said the center will offer testing capabilities to its customers in the telecom, mobile, set-top box, and other industries. Semtech said the center will system-level application support, system testing, turnkey solution assistance and reference design development to its customers.
Continue Reading Skomentuj July 25th, 2008