*socaltech.com <http://socaltech.com> TechNews - Thursday, February 13, 2020* Edited by Benjamin F. Kuo ISSN: 1524-6736 http://www.socaltech.com/News ------------------------------
*Sponsored By * TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments and acquisitions of growing software companies. Pacific Western Bank, Venture Banking Group (http://www.pacwest.com/lending-solutions/venture-lending) Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. KPMG (http://home.kpmg/us/en/home/about/offices/los-angeles-1.html) Level up with KPMG ------------------------------ *Headlines * - Karma Automotive Chops 60 In Irvine <#0079518> - Seqster Gets Investment From Takeda <#0079516> - Smith Micro Buys Business From Circle Media Labs <#0079517> - Mobile World Congress Cancels Barcelona Event, Puts Focus On LA In October <#0079515> - Parchment Acquired By Brentwood Associates <#0079514> - Headspace Raises $93M In Series C For Mindfulness Tools <#0079513> - SpaceX Crew Dragon Undergoes EMI Testing <#0079512> *Marketplace* - Stradling <#ad608> - Support Our News Coverage - Become A Member Today! <#ad680> - Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <#ad694> - BDO - Southern California Technology Industry Team <#ad737> *Thursday, February 13, 2020* *Early Stage Commercial Insurance - Pacific Unified Insurance Agency < [email protected]>* We are a commercial insurance broker working with startup and early stage technology and E-Commerce companies to implement cost effective strategies for their insurance and risk management programs. We provide guidance and strategic planning during various phases and also advise regarding employee benefit structures to assist in employee recruiting and retention. Coverage placements include D&O, Property, Liability, Workers Comp, E&O, Cyber/Network Security and Employee Benefit Programs. Contact: John Huttinger, CIC, CRM Vice President Ph#310-370-5000 Ext 3025 w Fx 310-370-5454 [email protected] *Karma Automotive Chops 60 In Irvine* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079518.html> Irvine-based electric vehicle maker Karma Automotive is laying off 60 more workers in Irvine, as the startup continues to shed workers, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) report issued on Wednesday. The new cuts come on top of an earlier layoff involving 200 workers at the company. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079518.html>) *Seqster Gets Investment From Takeda* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079516.html> San Diego-based Seqster, which develops software used fhttps:// www.socaltech.com/images/logos/seqster20a.pngor health data management, said today that it has received an investment from Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Size of the investment was not announced. According to Seqster, it will use the new funding to accelerate adoption of its technology, which is used for managing clinical trials and patient engagement. Seqster is led by Ardy Arianpour. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/index.php?action=showdeal&id=99719> )(More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079516.html>) *Smith Micro Buys Business From Circle Media Labs* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079517.html> Aliso Viejo-based Smith Micro Software says it has acquired the operator business of Circle Media Labs, a developer of parental control software. Smith Micro said the asset deal was worth approximately $13.5M in cash, and included customer contracts and a perpetual software license. The company says it the operator business is expected to report 2019 revenues of $4M. Circle Media Labs' operator business includes two key customers, T-Mobile USA and Sky, according to Smith Micro. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079517.html>) *Mobile World Congress Cancels Barcelona Event, Puts Focus On LA In October* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079515.html> In an unprecedented move, the GSMA, the organization that represents mobile network operators worldwide, has cancelled its Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2020 event, as a result of the ongoing coronavirus scare. Instead, the GSMA said it will focus its efforts on Mobile World Congress Los Angeles, which is currently scheduled to take place October 28th through the 30th -- as well as MWC Shanghai, which is set for June 30th to July 2nd. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079515.html>) *Parchment Acquired By Brentwood Associates* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079514.html> Parchment, a company which provided records management, transcripts, grades, and other information for the K-12 and other markets--and which has its roots in the LA area--has been acquired by Brentwood Associates. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. Parchment got its start in Los Angeles as Docufide, a startup offering up handling of high school transcripts for colleges and university applications; Docufide was venture backed by the Tech Coast Angels and Pasadena Angels. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079514.html>) *Headspace Raises $93M In Series C For Mindfulness Tools* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079513.html> Santa Monica-based Headspace, which develops mindfulness and meditation software and tools, has raised $93M in a Series C funding, the company said on Wednesday morning. The company said the round was led by blisce/, and also included Waverly Capital, Times Bridge, The Chernin Group, Spectrum Equity and Advancit Capital. The company said the funding was split between $53M in equity, plus $40M in debt capital from Pacific Western Bank. (Funding Details <https://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showco&id=41693>)( More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079513.html>) *SpaceX Crew Dragon Undergoes EMI Testing* <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079512.html> Hawthorne-based SpaceX showed off its Crew Dragon undergoing electromagnetic interference testing on Tuesday, saying that the craft is expected to fly two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnkey and Doug Hurley, to and from the International Space Station. The launch is expected to take place somewhere around May, with an initial launch target of May 7th. The launch would be the first manned lauch of the Crew Dragon to space, although a prior Crew Dragon had already been sent to the ISS with cargo. (More... <http://www.socaltech.com/fullstory/0079512.html>) *Stradling <http://www.sycr.com>* Stradling, Attorneys At Law ( href="http://www.sycr.com";>http://www.sycr.com ) Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (“Stradling”) is a premier business law firm with over 125 attorneys and 10 offices in the western US. The offices are: Newport Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, San Diego, San Francisco - SOMA, San Francisco - Financial District, Sacramento, Reno, Denver, Seattle. The Firm’s corporate, litigation and public law practices are well known for their expertise and depth. Stradling's clients include emerging and high growth public and private companies as well as private equity funds, venture capital groups and their respective portfolio companies. Widely recognized for its expertise, responsiveness and outstanding client service, the Firm's size, structure, and culture allow it to provide the highest quality representation while maintaining the responsiveness and relationships commonly associated with smaller firms. *Support Our News Coverage - Become A Member Today! <http://www.socaltech.com/Membership>* We often get asked--how do we pay for our news coverage and our publishing efforts? That's simple -- it's a combination of our sponsors and YOU. How can YOU make sure you continue to get news on Southern California's technology industry? By becoming a member of socaltech! Not only do you get to support our news coverage, but you also get access to our big database of Southern California companies, venture investors, service providers, and deal information, and many other resources. We are relying on YOU! Join today at http://www.socaltech.com/Membership *Stubbs Alderton & Markiles Preccelerator <http://stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator/>* Accelerating Growth for Early Stage Innovation The Preccelerator® Program is a platform offered to select start-up companies out of the Santa Monica office of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP that provides interim office space, sophisticated legal services, mentorship and access to a strategic perks portfolio with the objective of helping you grow your idea from business concept to funded startup. The Preccelerator® Program provides these benefits to as many as 10 promising young startups in separate growth tracks. http://stubbsalderton.com/preccelerator/ *BDO - Southern California Technology Industry Team <http://www.bdo.com>* BDO USA, LLP is a professional services firm providing assurance, tax, and advisory services to publicly traded and privately held companies through more than 60 offices domestically and 160 countries globally. Our Southern California technology industry team professionals have deep experience helping online, software, hardware, and cleantech businesses in the local ecosystem to navigate the many issues affecting their businesses and to help them meet their larger strategic goals. Our team provides a wide range of guidance in the key issues effecting technology companies including, M&A advisory, initial public offerings, tax planning and consulting, intellectual property agreements, financial reporting and regulatory compliance matters. For more information, please contact our LA Technology leaders Anthony Ferguson, Tim Clackett, and Kris Kaufmann at [email protected]. http://www.bdo.com ------------------------------ *Recent Funding <#funding>* 2/13/20 Seqster <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99719> San Diego $0.00 M 2/12/20 HEADSPACE, INC. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99703> Santa Monica $53.00 M 2/10/20 JenaValve Technology Inc <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99680> Irvine $50.00 M 2/05/20 HopSkipDrive <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99606> South Pasadena $22.00 M 2/05/20 Gento <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99607> Los Angeles $5.00 M 2/05/20 NGD Systems <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99605> Irvine $20.00 M 2/04/20 Retina <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99543> Santa Monica $2.50 M 1/27/20 ProGuides <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99517> Los Angeles $5.00 M 1/24/20 Crexi <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99516> Venice $29.00 M 1/21/20 FloQast <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99512> Los Angeles $40.00 M 1/17/20 Homebound <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99505> Malibu $35.00 M 1/16/20 SPINLAUNCH INC. <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99504> Long Beach $35.00 M 1/15/20 Califia Farms <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99434> Los Angeles $225.00 M 1/15/20 H2Scan <http://www.socaltech.com/intelligence/?action=showdeal&id=99432> Unit A Valencia $10.50 M ------------------------------ *Upcoming Events* Submit your events at least two weeks in advance to: http://www.socaltech.com/submitevent.html February 26, Irvine -- *SoCal Startup Day* SoCal Startup Day. We are proud to announce the first annual SoCal Startup Day. We will have a jam packed day of festivities, exhibitors, investors, keynotes, fireside chats, activites, food trucks & cocktails, and the biggest startup event Orange County has ever seen! If you are looking to network and connect with Southern California's top startups, seeking funding, or just curious about the startup community, this is the event for you. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26607 March 4, Santa Monica -- *The Montgomery Summit* Montgomery Summit 2020. The Montgomery Summit is an invitation-only event that gathers leading entrepreneurs, venture and growth investors, institutional investors, and industry executives from around the world. The Montgomery Summit has been held annually since 2004, and it has grown into the country’s largest private company investment conference, annually featuring presentations from the CEOs of 150 exceptional private companies, world-class keynote speakers and engaging panels and discussions. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26613 March 5, Pasadena -- *SCALE 18x* SCALE is North America's leading open source community conference. Held annually in the greater Los Angeles area the conference draws over 3500 attendees from around the globe. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26575 March 5, Santa Monica -- *The Montgomery Summit* Montgomery Summit 2020. The Montgomery Summit is an invitation-only event that gathers leading entrepreneurs, venture and growth investors, institutional investors, and industry executives from around the world. The Montgomery Summit has been held annually since 2004, and it has grown into the country’s largest private company investment conference, annually featuring presentations from the CEOs of 150 exceptional private companies, world-class keynote speakers and engaging panels and discussions. See http://www.socaltech.com/calendar/eventid/26614 ------------------------------ *Recent Job Postings * More jobs at http://www.socaltech.com/Jobs ------------------------------ ------------------------------ *Sponsored By * TVC Capital LLC (www.tvccapital.com) Investments and acquisitions of growing software companies. Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP (http://www.stubbsalderton.com). Business. Technology. Law. Vision. KPMG (http://home.kpmg/us/en/home/about/offices/los-angeles-1.html) Level up with KPMG Email [email protected] for more information about sponsoring this newsletter. ------------------------------ You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the socalTECH.com TechNews from our web site, or otherwise requested a subscription. If you do not want to receive this newsletter go to: http://listserv.socaltech.com/mailman/listinfo/socaltech or email us at [email protected] ------------------------------ Legal Notices ---- While SOCALTECH LLC has used its best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, SOCALTECH LLC does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident or other causes. All contents Copyright (c) 2017 SOCALTECH LLC. 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