Dodgers Accelerator names second cohort
Following a wildly successful first year, the Dodgers Accelerator is finally ready for round two. Building off of successes like FocusMotion and Appetize, the National League West's hottest team introduced its second cohort this week. The group includes a customer relationship management-based content solution, a sports detergent startup and a company that helps sports teams stream their games. [Dodgers Accelerator]
Kobe Bryant announces $100 venture capital fund, makes new investment
Former NBA superstar Kobe Bean Bryant revealed this week that he had partnered with veteran investor and polymath Jeff Stibel to create Bryant Stibel, a $100 million venture capital fund focusing on technology, media and data companies. It was revealed later in the week that the fund had made an investment in China-based VIPKID, a leading online education platform for children in China to learn English from teachers in North America. [Built In LA]
STX Entertainment expands to VR realm with acquisition
Burbank-based STX Entertainment announced this week it had acquired Surreal, a producer and distributor of immersive content experiences. The move was made as STX continues to ramp up its VR efforts as the industry continues its aggressive upward swing. [Press Release]
RealtyMogul names CTO, VP of marketing
RealtyMogul made a splash this week by announcing the additions of two veteran executives to the team's growing roster. Sameer Shamsuddin, previously of GSI Commerce/eBay Enterprise, was named Chief Technology Officer, while Niall Weintraub, formerly of
DogVacay, joins the team as Vice President of Marketing. [
inVia Robotics]
LA FinTech startups named to fourth Plug and Play cohort
24 startups were named to Fintech accelerator Plug and Play's fourth cohort this week, with two hailing from LA County. Lenny, an app aimed at promoting financial health among millennials, continued its hot summer, while Woodland Hills-based Netki, which allows developers to build blockchain-based applications, also punched its ticket. [Press Release]
Fundings of the Week
Investors: Acacia Research Corporation
Newport Beach-based Veritone announced 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. 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. [Built In LA]
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