Investors: Petco
Bio: PetNet produces a line of smartphone-controlled devices that allows owners to control their pets' eating habits more efficiently.
News: DTLA-based PetNet announced $10 million in funding earlier this week, in addition to a partnership with the round's largest contributor, Petco, that will see the pet supply retailer stock PetNet products in stores and online across the country.
4. Firefly Games, $10 million, August 12
Investors: China Credit Limited Holdings, China Construction Bank.
Bio: Firefly was founded by Michael Zhang, a graduate of CSUN, and Justin K.J. Lin, who graduated from USC in early-2015. The studio has partnered with Asian mobile game developers to distribute Asian-developed titles to Western markets, in addition to developing games of its own.
News: Hollywood-based Firefly Games, one of LA's booming mobile game startups, announced a $10 million round of funding earlier this month on the heels of the company valued at $100 million.
3. Oblong Industries, $14.3 million, August 5
Investors: Foundry Group, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners and Energy Technology Ventures.
Bio: Oblong Industries is a design-driven software and hardware company that creates innovative interfaces based on decades of research at the MIT Media Lab.
News: Oblong Industries revealed $45 million in additional financing earlier this month, adding to the $15 million reported earlier in the year. The round will help the company further its innovative productivity platform.
2. Veritone, $50 million, August 23
Investors: Acacia Research Corporation
Bio: Veritone develops a search and predictive platform for media firms, corporate enterprise and political campaigns that renders every second and frame of audio and video content.
News: Newport Beach-based Veritone announced early this month the company had signed a funding agreement with patent investment group Acacia Research Corporation for up to $50 million. The agreement is structured so the company receives an initial $20 million convertible investment, with an additional investment of $30 million contingent on the software developer's achievement of set milestones.
1. NextVR, $80 million, August 9
Investors: Asia-based investors in the Series B round include CITIC Group, NetEase, CMC Holdings, Softbank Corp, VMS Investments Group, Founder H Fund, China Assets (Holdings) Limited and Spectrum 28.
Bio: NextVR partners with companies and organizations to stream sporting events and concerts in VR.
News: Laguna Beach-based NextVR finished with the highest funding in August, taking home a whopping $80 million in Series B. The financing comes at an important time for the live virtual reality broadcast company, putting it in a place where it can accelerate the development of its technologies and expand operations internationally.
Images via Facebook
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