Gift curating app launches in LA
Giftagram, an LA-based startup, launched a new mobile app this week to help users find curated gifts for their friends and family. The app takes all the hassles out of getting gifts by giving the user suggestions and then wrapping and shipping their choices. [Giftagram's New App Helps You Pick Curated Gifts: SoCal Tech]
Greycroft raises $200M for new fund
Marking Greycroft's fourth venture fund since their founding in 2006, the newest fund brings the firm's total capital under management to $800 million. The firm has previously invested in LA companies including Maker Studios, DataScience, and WhipClip. Greycroft will reportedly beginning using the new fund in January. [Greycroft Raises $200 Million Fund: LA Business Journal]
New Disney dating site launches in LA
A former railroad engineer at Disneyland has created the first dating website for Disney fans. Users pay $12.55 a month to contact other Mickey-lovers that meet their Disney-related preferences. "Traditional internet dating sites don't understand the passion people have for all things Disney. But we do," states the website. [Put on Those Ears: Dating Site for Disney Fans Debuts: SoCal Tech]
Car Harmony launches online marketplace
Yet another contender in the used-car marketplace is the new LA site, Car Harmony. The site allows users to test drive the cars for three days for free, under a rental contract, before making a decision. [Car Harmony Debuts New Online Used Car Shopping Service: SoCal Tech]
Former Hulu senior exec joins Fullscreen
Culver City-based
hired Andy Forsell as their COO this week. Forssell was previously the vice president of content and distribution at Santa Monica-based Hulu. [Fullscreen Hires Former Hulu Senior Exec: LA Business Journal]
CoreTech launches ideation challenge worth $20,000
Hoping to find new inspiration to save the world, the CoreTech Foundation launched an ideation challenge for the public to use their platform to create a global problem solving app. The winner will be announced in early 2016 and receive $20,000. [CoreTech's new ideation challenge pays you $20,000 to save the world: Built In]
Toot's Uber for tutors seeing success after launch
LA's new edtech startup,
, reported more than 700 hours of tutoring and signed up upwards of 600 tutors in its first two months. The app provides students and knowledge-hungry users the ability to order a tutor in the area on the spot. [The Uber for tutors has launched in LA: Built In]
Fundings of the week
, $12 million
Investors: Lightspeed Venture Partners, BAM Ventures
Bio: Hollar is an online marketplace that offers various gifts and goods that start at $2.
, $3.25 million
Investors: Roemer Robinson Melville & Co.
Bio: The Young Turks is a Youtube news channel that reports on politics, sports, and pop culture through an unbiased lense.
, $1 million
Investors: Mucker Capital, Social Starts
Bio: Mixcord is the place to discover, create and share content across the social web. The Mixcord meta-network includes six partner apps: Acapella, PicPlayPost, Square Video, PopAgraph, OSnap! and Videohance.
Images courtesy Shutterstock, GreyCroft, Fullscreen, Car Harmony, Giftagram and CoreTech
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