Silicon Valley Wire

San Francisco-Based Terracotta Lands $10 Million in New Funding

San Francisco -- Terracotta, a San Francisco-based developer of infrastructure software, said that it has raised $10 million in a new round of funding, which follows a year in which the company signed more than 30 new clients. New investor DAG Ventures joined previous investors Accel Partners, Benchmark Capital and Goldman Sachs in the round, which the company will use to expand its operations and broaden its reach in new markets. Amit Pandey, CEO of Terracotta, said that the round will allow the company to "respond to rapidly increasing demand." Clients such as PartyGaming and Comcast use Terracotta's software to offload work from databases and application servers and to reduce their development efforts.
http://www.terracotta.org
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080130/20080130005247.html?.v=1

San Francisco-Based Widgetbox Raises $8 Million in Second Round

San Francisco -- Widgetbox, a San Francisco-based provider of web-based widget application development and distribution tools, said on Thursday that it has raised $8 million in its second round of venture capital financing. Investors included Sequoia Capital, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, NCD Investors and private investor Michael Dearing. Widgetbox's service has been used by about 26,000 developers, and hosts 33,000 widgets. The company claims that 15% of Facebook applications and 60% of Bebo applications have been created using its service. The company said that it will use the proceeds to build new products and services, and expand its revenue sharing program with developers.
http://www.widgetbox.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080131/aqth090.html?.v=33

Santa Clara-Based APX Lands Funding, Hires New Chairman and CEO

Santa Clara, Calif. -- APX, a Santa Clara-based provider of technology and services to the environmental and energy markets, said on Thursday that it has raised an undisclosed amount in a new round of funding, and hired Brian Storms as its chairman and CEO. Storms most recently served as the CEO of Marsh Inc., global risk management and insurance brokerage firm. John Melby, who had served as president and CEO on an interim basis, will continue as president. The new funding came in the form of an investment from Goldman, Sachs & Co., which joins Bechtel Enterprises Holdings, Kinetic Ventures, ONSET Ventures, Technology Partners and Woodside Fund as a minority shareholder. APX is a developer of market systems that create, track and transfer emission credits for the environmental, energy and "cap-and-trade" markets.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080131/20080131005283.html?.v=1
http://www.apx.com/

Los Gatos-Based Netflix to Buy Back Up to $100 Million in Stock

Los Gatos, Calif. -- Shares of Los Gatos-based Netflix rose sharply on Thursday after the online DVD rental service said that it would buy back up to $100 million of its stock through the end of 2008. The company plans to repurchase its shares from time to time on the open market and through privately negotiated transactions. The news sent shares of Netflix up nearly 10% in heavy trading on the Nasdaq.
http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=264
http://www.netflix.com

Top Internet Brands Among Biggest Audience Gainers in 2007

Reston, Va. -- Some of the top Internet brands, including Mountain View-based Google, Palo Alto-based Facebook, San Francisco-based Wikipedia and San Francisco-based Craigslist, were among the biggest gainers last year in terms of their Internet audiences, according to a new report from Reston-based comScore. Social networking giant Facebook.com reaped the benefits of opening registration to all users, jumping 81% compared with the previous year to 34.7 million visitors in December. Wikipedia Sites gained 34% to reach nearly 52 million visitors, continuing its reign as the web's most popular reference hub, while classifieds site Craigslist.org jumped 74% (24.5 million). AT&T grew 27% (30.2 million), boosted by its exclusive deal with Apple as carrier for the iPhone, and Yellow Book Network jumped 137% (10.4 million). Several of the top-gaining properties were driven by their acquisitions of other web properties, including Everyday Health, which gained 349% after its acquisition of Drugs.com and other sites, and Glam Media, which grew 213% due in large part to its addition of Quality Health Network, MyYearbook.com and LifeScript.com.
http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2043

S.F.-Based Crosslink Capital Closes New $400 Million "Crossover" Fund

San Francisco -- Crosslink Capital, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on the technology sector, said on Wednesday that it has closed a new $400 million fund for both private and public equity investing, which the firm said is "the largest crossover fund ever raised." The fund, known as Crossover V, will invest in companies at all stages of development in the alternative energy, core technology, communication services and Internet services sectors. Crosslink, which was among the first investment firms in the U.S. to integrate public and private technology investing, now has more than $1.4 billion under management.
http://www.crosslinkcapital.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080130/20080130005334.html?.v=1

Sunnyvale-Based Yahoo to Cut 1,000 Jobs Following Fall in Profits

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- With quarterly profits dwindling, Sunnyvale-based Yahoo said that it plans to cut 1,000 jobs, or about 7% of its workforce. "Our outlook contemplates a workforce realignment of approximately 1,000 people that we will be implementing in mid-February," said CFO Blake Jorgensen during a conference call. The company, which has about 14,000 employees, will record a related charge of $20-$25 million during the first quarter. Yahoo reported net income of $205.7 million last quarter, down 23% from the previous year, despite n 8% rise in revenue.
http://www.yahoo.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080129/20080129006430.html?.v=1

Sunnyvale-Based Yahoo Names Aristotle Balogh as CTO

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Sunnyvale-based Yahoo has named Aristotle Balogh as its new CTO. The former CTO of VeriSign will lead Yahoo's global engineering organization and manage all of the company’s technology operations. "Bringing a strong technology leader on board to drive engineering and operational excellence across our technology group has been a significant priority for the company," said Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang. Balogh previously spent nearly 10 years in numerous technology leadership positions at VeriSign.
http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=290677
http://www.yahoo.com

Oakland-Based Votigo Raises $1.26 Million for Corporate Social Media Tools

Oakland, Calif. -- Votigo, an Oakland-based provider of social media tools for user-generated promotions, said that it has raised $1.26 million in its first round of funding, from Headwaters Holdings and additional angel investors. The company said that it will use the funds to expand its tstaff and capitalize on growing market opportunities. Votigo's social media platform lets companies communicate with customers through contests, promotions and branded social networks that feature user-generated content. Customers include ConocoPhillips, Gardenburger, Pandora and The Motley Fool.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb653581.htm 
http://www.votigo.com 

Business Objects Founder Bernard Liautaud Resigns Roles

San Jose, Calif. -- Bernard Liautaud, a co-founder of San Jose-based Business Objects, has resigned as chairman and chief strategy officer, following the company's recent $7 billion acquisition by German-rival SAP. He will continue to serve as an advisor to SAP CEO Henning Kagermann, and is expected to join SAP's supervisory board in June. Liautaud co-founded Business Objects in 1990 and served as its CEO until September 2005. "The vision we started out with is now a reality and the need for business intelligence has become pervasive across enterprises large and small," said Liautaud.
http://www.businessobjects.com/news/press_release.asp?id=20080130_005214
http://www.businessobjects.com/

NetApp Promotes Tom Mendoza to Vice Chair, Tom Georgens to President

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- NetApp, a Sunnyvale-based developer of data management technology, said on Wednesday that it has promoted Tom Mendoza, who has served as president since 2001, to the newly created position of vice chairman. The company also promoted Tom Georgens, its executive vice president of product operations for the past year, to president and COO. "Tom Mendoza is an icon and a legend at NetApp and among our customers and partners," said CEO Dan Warmenhoven. "Freeing him from operational responsibilities to focus his energy on our customers and culture will help us become even more responsive to the market."
http://www.netapp.com/news/press/news_rel_20080130
http://www.netapp.com

Report: 27% of U.S. iPhones "Unlocked" for Other Networks

Report: 27% of U.S. iPhones "Unlocked" for Other Networks

Cupertino, Calif. -- An analyst has estimated that more than a quarter of U.S. consumers who purchased Cupertino-based Apple's iPhone last year "unlocked" the device for use on networks other than AT&T's, Reuters reports. Bernstein Research analyst Toni Saccomaghi said that about 1.45 million iPhones were sold in 2007, but not activated on AT&T's network. Some 480,000 of these are thought to be in AT&T's store inventory, while the other one million are believed to have been unlocked for use on other networks -- representing 27% of all U.S. iPhone sales. "Besides the financial implications, we believe the prevalence of unlocked iPhones presents a significant strategic dilemma to Apple," Sacconaghi told Reuters. The percentage of unlocked handsets could prove a burden to Apple in negotiations with carriers to be its exclusive iPhone partner. Currently, the deal requires that those who purchase an iPhone in the U.S. sign up for a two-year contract with AT&T.
http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN2832924620080128 http://www.bernsteinresearch.com 

Burlingame-Based Mig33 Lands $13.5 Million in Second Round

Burlingame, Calif. -- Mig33, the Burlingame-based developer of a mobile social network with 9 million users, announced on Tuesday that it has raised a $13.5 million second round of financing, led by DCM. Previous investors Accel Partners, Redpoint Ventures and Technology Venture Partners also participated. Mig33 said that its more than 9 million users in 200 countries use the service to send more than 45 million messages to one another each day, and share more than a million pictures a month. The company offers a mix of free and fee-based services, including VoIP calls, instant messaging, e-mail, text messaging, picture sharing and social networking. Mig33 said that it will use the new funds to continue expansion, both in the U.S. and abroad.
http://www.mig33.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080129/aqtu102.html?.v=33

Al Gore's Current Media Files for $100 Million IPO

San Francisco - Current Media, the San Francisco-based media TV and web video network founded by former Vice President Al Gore, has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering (IPO). Details such as the number of shares to be offered and their expected pricve range have yet to be determined. The company, which plans to list its stock on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CRTM," said that it will use the proceeds to repay $36.5 million in debt, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. Founded in 2002 by Gore and partner Joel Hyatt, Current Media operates a cable TV network and web site that feature a mix of professionally produced and user-generated content targeted at young adults. The company saw revenue of $63.7 million and a net loss of $17 million last year. The TV network is available in around 51 million households worldwide, including 41 million in the U.S.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1424470/000104746908000572/a2182152zs-1.htm
http://www.current.com 

Menlo Park-Based Pano Logic Secures $12 Million in Second Round

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Pano Logic, a Menlo Park-based developer of virtualization software and hardware used in desktop computing, said on Tuesday that it has raised $12 million in its second round of funding, led by Goldman Sachs. Previous investors ComVentures and Foundation Capital also participated. The company said that it will use the funding to accelerate product development, expand sales and marketing efforts and secure additional partners. Pano Logic launched its desktop virtualization product last August, and has since acquired customers in a variety of industries and opened a second office in Toronto.
http://www.panologic.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080129/20080129005409.html?.v=1

San Francisco-Based ShoZu Raises $12 Million in Third Round

San Francisco -- ShoZu, a San Francisco-based provider of mobile social media services for exchanging content between mobile phones and social media web sites, said on Tuesday that it has raised $12 million in its third round of funding, led by new investor SEB Venture Capital. Previous investors Atlas Venture, Crescendo Ventures and TTP Ventures also participated. ShoZu's software will ship pre-installed on more than 50 million mobile phones in 2008. CEO Mark Bole said that the application is geared toward "simplifying the user experience, exchanging content in the background and providing an open gateway that offers a shortcut to key destinations." The company's Share-It service allows mobile users to maintain contact with their web-based social networks, blogs, photo and video sharing sites and other social media.
http://www.ShoZu.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080129/20080129005332.html?.v=1

Sunnyvale-Based Liquid Engines Signs Funding Deal with Incyte Capital

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Liquid Engines, a Sunnyvale-based developer of corporate tax management software, said on Tuesday that it has completed its financial recapitalization with San Francisco-based private equity firm Incyte Capital. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Liquid Engines said that Incyte will provide it with funding for "continued growth and major corporate initiatives." Founded in 2001, Liquid Engines has developed software that helps clients better analyze the multi-year tax impact of business and regulatory changes. The company raised $5.5 million in a follow-on to its third round of funding in late 2006.
http://www.liquidengines.com
http://www.liquidengines.com/pr_070625_DMI.htm

San Francisco-Based hi5 Lands $15M in Debt Financing from Hercules

San Francisco -- hi5 Networks, the San Francisco-based developer of an online social network most popular in Latin America, Europe and Asia, said that it has received $15 million in debt financing from Hercules Technology Growth Capital, a Palo Alto-based specialty finance firm. The company, which also is backed by venture capital firm Mohr Davidow Ventures, said that it will use the new capital to improve and expand its service. Currently available in more than 12 languages, hi5 is ranked by Alexa as the No. 1 or No. 2 most-trafficked web site in almost a dozen countries. To date, more than 70 million people in nearly 250 countries have registered for the service.
http://www.hi5networks.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080129/20080129005384.html?.v=1

San Mateo-Based SpringSource Acquires Covalent Technologies

San Mateo, Calif. -- SpringSource, a San Mateo-based developer of open source business software formerly known as Interface21, said on Tuesday that it has acquired Walnut Creek-based Covalent Technologies, a provider of support and services for open source projects. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Covalent has more than 400 clients, including SBC, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, British Telecom, NASA, Intel and Bear Stearns. SpringSource said that the acquisition will allow it to offer products and services that allow clients to develop, test and deploy applications using the Spring Portfolio and Apache Software Foundation (ASF) projects. Covalent CEO Mark Brewer will become the vice president and general manager of SpringSource's new Covalent business unit.
http://www.covalent.net/
http://www.springsource.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080129/20080129005443.html?.v=1

WSJ: Sprint Nextel Revives WiMax Talks with Clearwire

Reston, Va. -- More than two months after scrapping its deal to jointly build a nationwide high-speed wireless network with Clearwire, wireless giant Sprint Nextel has revived talks with the Kirkland, Wash.-based startup, The Wall Street Journal reported on its web site Tuesday. The two companies now reportedly are mulling the formation of a joint venture that would build the WiMax network, which would receive outside funding from investors such as Santa Clara-based Intel, Mountain View-based Google and Best Buy. "The plan could dramatically lower the price tag of Sprint's WiMax project and allow newly installed Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse to focus on fixing the company's core cellphone business," The Journal reported. Sprint and Clearwire initially agreed to team on the massive project lastJuly, but failed never could agree on terms. Sprint Nextel launched a test of its network, called  Xohm, with employees in DC, Baltimore and Chicago.
http://www.sprint.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120162984956525859.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news (subscription required) 

San Mateo-Based IMMI Raises $25 Million in Third Round

San Mateo, Calif. - Integrated Media Measurement Inc. (IMMI), the San Mateo-based developer of  an ad and media monitoring service that tracks impressions on consumers' cell phones, said that it has raised $25 million in its third round of venture capital financing. WPP's Kantar Media Research division led the round, which also included participation from previous investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Advanced Technology Ventures. IMMI said that its mobile phone-based digital monitoring system tracks almost all media continuously, helping businesses evaluate the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns. The company will use the funds to develop additional products and services, expand into new markets and grow its panel participant base.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=813914   
http://www.immi.com 

San Francisco-Based imeem Acquires Web Music Firm Anywhere.FM

San Francisco -- imeem, a San Francisco-based social media network, said on Monday that it has acquired Anywhere.FM, the San Francisco-based developer of a web music player and Internet radio service. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. imeem said that the acquisition will allow its users to upload and play music, as well as receive music recommendations. "Anywhere.FM makes it simple for consumers to bring their music to the web and discover new artists through recommendations and social connections," said Dalton Caldwell, the founder and CEO of imeem. "That’s a great fit with what we do." Anywhere.FM was founded last year by Anson Tsai, Lux Chen and Sachin Rekhi, and received funding from Y Combinator. All three co-founders will join imeem.
http://www.imeem.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080128/20080128005365.html?.v=1

Menlo Park-Based Unisfair Raises $10 million in Second Round

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Unisfair, a Menlo Park-based provider of virtual events and business environments used for marketing, recruiting and training purposes. said on Monday that it has raised $10 million in its second round of funding, led by Norwest Venture Partners. Previous  investor Sequoia Capital also participated. Unisfair, which countsCisco, Cognos and IBM among its customers, said that it will use the funds for product development and to further strengthen its sales and marketing operations. "Teaming with Norwest and Sequoia gives us the resources to bring our offering to a larger audience," said Guy Piekarz, the CEO of Unisfair.
http://www.unisfair.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080128/20080128005367.html?.v=1

Mountain View-Based Ooyala Lands $8.5 Million in Funding

Mountain View, Calif. -- Ooyala, a Mountain View-based developer of online video and advertising delivery technology founded by a group of former Google employees, said that it has raised $8.5 million in its second round of venture capital, from Sierra Ventures and private investors. Ooyala said that its platform can cost-efficiently deliver up to HD-quality video over the web, along with non-intrusive advertising. Mark Fernandes, s managing director at Sierra, has joined the company's board of directors.
http://www.ooyala.com/blog?eid=22 
http://www.ooyala.com 

S.F.-Based LookSmart Names Ted West as CEO; CFO Resigns

San Francisco -- LookSmart, the San Francisco-based provider of online search and advertising services, on Monday named Ted West, who has served as its interim president and CEO since August, as its permanent president and CEO. He also will continue to serve as chairman. West took on the interim role after David Hills, the company's president and CEO since 2004, resigned to launch his own online media consulting firm. In addition, LookSmart said that William Bush has resigned as its CFO, and will be replaced on an acting basis by Brian Gibson, its principal accounting officer.
http://www.looksmart.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080128/20080128005323.html?.v=1

eBay's PayPal to Acquire Fraud Technology Firm Fraud Sciences Ltd.

San Jose, Calif. -- PayPal, the online payments arm of San Jose-based eBay, said on Monday that it will acquire Israel's Fraud Sciences Ltd., a developer of online risk tools, for about $169 million in cash. PayPal said that the company's technology will help bolster its fraud management system and accelerate the development of new fraud detection tools. Key personnel from Fraud Sciences, including COO Yossi Barak and founders Shvat Shaked and Saar Wilf, will join PayPal's technology and fraud management teams. Gadi Maier, Fraud Sciences' President and CEO, will provide support to the company during the integration period. This acquisition is expected to close within the next 30 days.
https://www.paypal.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080128/20080128005602.html?.v=1

Redwood City-Based ePlanet Ventures Invests in Pakistani Internet Firm

Redwood City, Calif. -- ePlanet Ventures, a Redwood City-based venture capital firm, said on Friday that it has invested in Pakistan consumer Internet company Naseeb Networks. Naseeb provides online recruitment, social networking, classifieds and related services in Pakistan. ePlanet led a funding round which also included participation by Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Ayaz ul Haque, the managing director of ePlanet, will join the company's board of directors. Naseeb, which has been cash flow positive since 2004, said that it will use the funds to expand its sales force and marketing activities, as well as its product portfolio.
http://www.eplanetventures.com
http://au.biz.yahoo.com/080125/43/1kx62.html

Yahoo in Talks with Labels on DRM-Free Music Service

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Sunnyvale-based Yahoo is in early talks with the major record labels on launching an online music service that will offer songs as unprotected MP3s, either for sale or in an ad-supported model, the Associated Press reported. The company reportedly hopes to offer such a service later this year. All four major labels are now offering at least some of their catalogs in the MP3 format. Amazon MP3 is the only online retailer so far to begin selling MP3s from all the majors. Yahoo spokeswoman Carrie Davis told the AP that the company wants to distribute MP3s, but maintained that talks are still ongoing, with no deal imminent.
http://music.yahoo.com
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6N3TFKbJzod1IEq-ywSW2fCgHuwD8UBSIB80

San Bruno-Based YouTube Expands Mobile Access to Videos

San Bruno, Calif. -- San Bruno-based YouTube, the popular video-sharing site owned by Google, said that it has expanded access to the tens of millions of videos on its site to mobile phones on 3G networks that accept streaming video files. Mobile devices also will be able to upload videos to the site. The company's site is partially already accessible from a small number of mobile phones, including Apple's iPhone, the Helio and some devices offered by Verizon Wireless. The beta version of the YouTube for Mobile application is now available as a free download for a limited number of mobile phones, including the Sony Ericsson k800, w880, Nokia e65, n95, n73, 6110 navigator and 6120 classic.
http://www.youtube.com/press_room_entry?entry=PIzBmRgbvdM 
http://m.youtube.com 

Traffic to Newspaper Web Sites Grows 6% in 2007

Arlington, Va. -- Traffic at newspaper web sites grew a record 6% in 2007, averaging 62.8 million unique monthly visitors during the fourth quarter, according to new statistics released conducted by Nielsen Online for the Newspaper Association of America (NAA). About 39% of all active web users visited newspapers sites during the quarter, spending an average of 44 minutes on them each month. Newspaper sites also attracted a record 63.2 million visitors during October. John Sturm, the president and CEO of the NAA, said that the growing numbers are a sign that "newspapers continue to successfully transform themselves into multimedia companies."
http://www.naa.org/PressCenter/SearchPressReleases/2008/Online-Newspaper-Viewership.aspx

Survey: Super Bowl Will Drive Sales of Over 2 Million HDTVs

Arlington, Va. -- Super Bowl XLII is expected to drive sales of approximately 2.4 million high-definition televisions, according to a survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Sports Video Group. The ratings-driver has already generated some $2.2 billion in HDTV sales this year alone. The CEA said that consumers are expected to use other technologies when enjoying the game, as well. "We have long known the Super Bowl influences HDTV unit sales," said Tim Herbert, the organization's senior director of market research. "We are now finding ties to other technologies consumers use to enhance their Super Bowl experience. This year, 18% of consumers watching the game expect to have a laptop PC nearby to check stats, IM with friends or check betting lines.Another 12% plan to use a PC in another room to check statistics during the game and 13% expect to use their mobile phone for the same purpose."
http://www.ce.org
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080125005412&newsLang=en

Redwood City-Based Adchemy Raises $19 Million in Funding

Redwood City, Calif. -- Adchemy, a Redwood City-based developer of customer acquisition software, said on Thursday that it has secured $19 million in a new round of funding, led by Mayfield Fund. Hellman & Friedman and previous investor August Capital also participated. Founded in 2004, Adchemy develops software that combines scientific algorithms with web data to help marketers target and qualify customers. In addition to venture capital, Adchemy also has received investments from private investors in the Internet and marketing technology space. They include Georges Harik, the co-developer of Google AdSense; Josh Kopelman, the co-founder of Half.com; and investor Terry Garnett, as well as Ashish Gupta, Pat House and M.R. Rangaswami.
http://www.adchemy.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080124/20080124005662.html?.v=1

San Mateo-Based Glu Mobile to Buy Superscape for $36 Million

San Mateo, Calif. -- Glu Mobile, the San Mateo-based developer and publisher of mobile games, said that it will acquire San Clemente-based mobile game publisher Superscape Group for about $36 million. Founded in 1993, Superscape, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, was ranked among the top five mobile game publishers in the U.S. during the third quarter of 2007, according to Nielsen Mobile. The company has created games based on licenses from partners including 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios and Sony Pictures Mobile. Glu said the deal will considerably expand its U.S. presence and add significant development and publishing capabilities to its business.
http://www.glu.com
http://www.superscape.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080123/20080123005414.html?.v=1

Teradyne Completes Tender Offer for San Jose-Based Nextest Systems

San Jose, Calif. -- Teradyne, a Massachusetts-based supplier of automatic test equipment used to test complex electronics, announced on Thursday that it has completed its tender offer for San Jose-based Nextest Systems, a maker of automatic test equipment for flash memory and system-on-chip semiconductors. About 17.6 million shares of Nextest have been tendered for $20 each, giving  Teradyne a 90% stake in the company. Teradyne announced on Dec. 12 that it would pay $325 million in cash to acquire Nextest, allowing it to expand into the fast-growing flash memory test segment. Nextest has shipped over 1,900 systems to more than 70 semiconductor companies worldwide.
http://www.teradyne.com/
http://www.nextest.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080124/20080124005501.html?.v=1

San Mateo-Based MixerCast Raises $6 Million for Media-Sharing Service

San Mateo, Calif. -- MixerCast, a San Mateo-based developer  of social media marketing tools and services, said that it has raised $6 million in its second round of funding, led by Intel Capital. ONSET Ventures and previous investor Velocity Interactive Group also participated. "The additional funding will provide us expanded capacity to extend the capabilities of our platform and support our customers and partners, which include Entertainment Tonight/Paramount and CBS among others," said MixerCast co-founder and CEO Jennifer Cooper. MixerCast's service allows users to add images, audio and video to a web-based slide show, and add updates to their slide shows via RSS feeds. The company previously raised $2.6 million in December 2005.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb644311.htm 
http://www.mixercast.com/_commonGallery.jsp 

FCC Receives Initial Bids in Auction for Coveted Wireless Spectrum

Washington, DC -- Companies bid more than $2.4 billion in the opening round of the Federal Communications Commission's wireless spectrum auction on Thursday, which took place as scheduled despite calls by some to delay it in light of the recent credit crunch. Bidders are vying for pieces of coveted 700 megahertz spectrum in the auction, which is expected to last for several weeks. The auction hs been expected to raise about $10 billion for the government, and includes airwaves that TV stations will no longer use as they switch to digital signals. Some of the most prominent potential bidders include AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Mountain View-based Google.
https://auctionbidding.fcc.gov/auction/index.htm?CFID=948400&CFTOKEN=78616381&jsessionid=t1HVHYSLLfNQYB6CnmhxThT8NR3ZhBjBD9X6jn3hp6MCvXJn4dJ2!-605243232!667657453!1201197675844

San Mateo-Based Siperian Raises $25 Million in Fifth Round

San Mateo, Calif. -- Siperian, the San Mateo-based developer of a master data management platform, said that it has raised $25 million in its fifth round of funding,  led by new investor Investor Growth Capital (IGC). All of the company's previous investors also participated in the round, which the company plans to use toward its European expansion, as well as to accelerate its channel and product development. Siperian, which is profitable, said that its volume of business has tripled over the past year. The company's platform helps customers unify their data about customers, products and organizations, then delivers views of that data within existing business processes. 
http://www.siperian.com
http://www.siperian.com/index.cfm?page=body&crid=9&contentid=185

San Francisco-Based Ad Infuse Raises $12 Million in Funding

San Francisco -- Ad Infuse, a San Francisco-based provider of mobile advertising services, said on Wednesday that it has raised $12 million in a new round of funding, led by new investor SoftBank Capital. Previous investors ComVentures and Storm Ventures also participated. The company said that the funds will help it extend its mobile advertising network and platform for mobile operators, content publishers and advertisers, known as adInMotion. As part of its investment, SoftBank Capital's Mike Perlis -- the former president and CEO of both Ziff-Davis Publishing and IDG -- will join its board of directors. Ad Infuse's network inserts targeted ads at the moment that content is delivered to mobile devices. The company new serves more than 500 million monthly ad impressions for clients such as Unilever, Procter & Gamble, EA Mobile, BMW, Microsoft, Dell, Universal Pictures and Mini Cooper.
http://www.adinfuse.com/
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080123005372&newsLang=en

Oakland-Based SmartTurn Lands $5 Million in First Round of Funding

Oakland -- SmartTurn, an Oakland-based provider of web-based inventory and warehouse management software, said on Wednesday that it has secured $5 million in its first round of funding, co-led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Emergence Capital Partners. The company said that it will use the funding to accelerate its development and customer acquisition programs. SmartTurn's system is designed for small and midsize companies, who can access the company's software starting at $500 a month. The system integrates ordering, receiving and shipping functions.
http://www.smartturn.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080123/20080123005371.html?.v=1

San Jose-Based Fat Spaniel Raises $18 Million in Second Round

San Jose, Calif. -- Fat Spaniel Technologies (FST),  a provider of monitoring and reporting services for renewable energy systems, said on Wednesday that it has raised $18 million in its second round of funding, led by Ignition Partners. Previous investors Element Partners and Chrysalix Energy, as well as new investors Pacific Corporate Group and Applied Ventures, also participated. The company said that it will use the proceeds to expand its sales and marketing efforts to European and other international markets. Fat Spaniel's information services are designed to help clients monitor and verify their renewable energy system performance from remote locations. The company, which has more than 1,000 installations, specializes in the monitoring and management of solar electric, wind, fuel cell and other renewable energy systems. The company initially raised $7 million in its first round of funding, which closed in October 2006.
http://www.fatspaniel.com
http://www.fatspaniel.com/news/press-SeriesBFunding-20080123.html

S.F.-Based Quantcast Raises $20M for Internet Ratings Service

San Francisco -- Quantcast, a San Francisco-based provider of open Internet ratings for web sites, widgets and videos, said that it has raised $20 million in its second round of funding, led by Founders Fund and Polaris Venture Partners. The company said that it will use the proceeds to enhance its services. Quantcast's program uses tags to assess audiences, combining directly measured traffic statistics with multiple panel data sources to generate audience profiles. Some of the company's 20,000 publishing partners include Fox, CBS, Belo and Slide.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/Quantcast/Series_B/prweb643401.htm
http://www.quantcast.com

San Francisco-Based Desi Hits Lands $5 Million in Second Round

San Francisco -- Desi Hits, a San Francisco-based multimedia entertainment portal focused on South Asian pop culture, said that it has raised $5 million in its second round of financing, with investments from Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Trident Capital and D.E. Shaw Group.The site targets the world's South Asian (India) or "Desi" youth culture, featuring celebrity interviews, music videos, podcasts and blogs, and claims more than 10 million hits a month. "In one short year we've also seen the West's interest in South Asia skyrocket," said Desi Hits CEO Anjula Acharia-Bath. The company raised $1 million in its first round, which closed nearly a year ago.
http://www.desihits.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080122/nytu042a.html?.v=1

San Mateo-Based Smaato Gets $3.5 Million in First Round

San Mateo, Calif. -- Smaato, a San Mateo-based developer of mobile advertising technology, has raised $3.5 million in its first round of venture capital financing, from angel investors including Aeris Capital CEO Uwe Feuersenger. Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised on the funding, and also participated with an investment. Smaato's technology delivers ads across mobile operating systems including JAVA, Symbian, Windows Mobile and Palm OS, as well as on mobile web pages. The company has partnered with ad sales networks such as Adconion Media Group and AOL-owned Advertising.com's Third Screen Media.
http://www.smaato.com
http://www.smaato.com/download/pressarea/Smaato_Series_A_Funding_Final_presskit_20080118.pdf (PDF)

Sunnyvale-Based GoldSpot Media Raises $3 Million in First Round

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- GoldSpot Media, a Sunnyvale-based developer of mobile ad insertion technology for mobile broadcast TV, said that it has raised $3 million in its first round of funding, led by Exa Ventures. GoldSpot said that its miSpot mobile ad insertion platform adapts the inventory-sharing business model of cable operations and broadcast affiliates for the mobile TV medium. The company conducted technical trials of its technology in the U.S. and Europe last summer. "This funding allows us to execute on the company vision to make mobile broadcast a profitable business case for the entire value-chain," said Srini Dharmaji, GoldSpot Media's president and CEO.
http://www.goldspotmedia.com
http://sev.prnewswire.com/advertising/20080122/AQTU069A22012008-1.html

Comcast Begins Offering TiVo Service to Subscribers

Alviso, Calif. -- Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider, this week will begin offering Alviso-based TiVo's digital video recorder interface to subscribers, initially in the Boston area, USA Today reported. The deployment is the first to utilize a new technology that allows greater interoperability between consumer electronics and cable systems, and will feature TiVo's interface on Motorola-made set-top boxes. The offering will not include TiVo features like access to media on home computers, or transfer of recorded shows to laptops or mobile devices. Comcast told USA Today that it plans to roll out the feature to additional markets later this year. The company's  partnership with TiVo runs through 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-01-21-comcast-tivo_N.htm
http://www.comcast.com 
http://www.tivo.com

Fremont-Based Nanochip Lands $14 Million in New Funding

Fremont, Calif. -- Nanochip, a Fremont-based developer of MEMS (microelectro-mechanical systems) silicon data storage chips, said on Tuesday that it has raised $14 million in a new round of funding, which the company will use to complete the development of its first prototypes later this year. Previous investors Intel Capital and JK&B Capital, along with another unnamed investor, co-led the round. Nanochip is developing a new class of ultra-high-capacity storage chips enabling the storage of tens of gigabytes of data -- the equivalent of many high-definition feature-length videos -- per chip. The company said that its chips are designed to serve as removable and rewritable data storage in a wide range of computing, server and consumer electronics products.
http://www.nanochipinc.com
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20080122005656&ndmHsc=v2*A1201006800000*B1201067704000*DgroupByRegion*E1000441*J1*N1000001&newsLang=en&beanID=1802668732&viewID=news_view_popup

Palo Alto-Based Hewlett-Packard to Acquire Exstream Software

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard (HP) on Tuesday said that it will acquire Kentucky-based Exstream Software, a developer of software designed to streamline the creation and delivery of personalized documents and other communications materials, from owner American Capital Strategies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. HP said that Exstream’s technology, when combined with its own, will help business customers design, manage and publish content, both in print and online. "We expect that the acquisition of Exstream will allow HP to address a broader set of customers and be a strong leader in the fast-growing document automation market," said David Murphy, a senior vice president at HP. The deal is expected to close by the end of April, when Exstream will be integrated into the Web Services and Software business unit of HP's Imaging and Printing Group.
http://www.exstream.com/
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080122xa.html

S.F.-Based Slide Lands $50 Million for Online Photo Slideshow Service

San Francisco -- Slide, the San Francisco-based provider of an online photo slideshow service, has raised $50 million in a new financing round that values the company at more than $500 million, BusinessWeek reported. Investors in the round included Fidelity Investments and T. Rowe Price. Founded in 2005 by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, Slide offers web-based tools that let users create photo and video slideshows from their photo collections, then embed them on web pages and social networks like Facebook and MySpace. The company claims 144 million monthly unique viewers for its slideshows, and 84 million installations of its various applications on Facebook.
http://www.slide.com
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2008/tc20080118_811726.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories

WSJ: Meg Whitman to Retire as CEO of San Jose-Based eBay

San Jose, Calif. -- Meg Whitman, the CEO of San Jose-based online auction giant eBay since 1998, is preparing to retire, according to a report in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal. Citing "people familiar with the matter," the paper reported that Whitman, 51, could make a final decision apart her departure in the next few weeks. The frontrunner to replace her, said the Journal, would be  John Donahoe, who heads the company's auction business unit. Whitman, one of the Silicon Valley's most high-profile CEOs, said earlier in her career that no CEO should stay in the same job for more than a decade. She will celebrate her 10-year anniversary with eBay in March. eBay declined to comment on the report.
http://www.ebay.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120097256037505741.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news (subscription required)

Sunnyvale-Based Yahoo Reportedly to Cut Several Hundred Jobs

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Searching for ways to improve its slowing revenue growth and dwindling stock price, Sunnyvale-based Yahoo could announce several hundred jobs by month's end, according to published reports. The layoffs, originally reported in the Silicon Alley Insider blog and later confirmed and updated by The New York Times, could be announced when the company releases its fourth quarter results on Jan. 29.  Yahoo currently has about 14,000 employees. The Times reported that the company is planning to substantially narrow the focus of its Internet portal to "a smaller number of crucial areas."
http://www.yahoo.com
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/01/tip-yahoo-layoff-list-created-15002500-cuts-possible.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/technology/22yahoo.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Yahoo&st=nyt&oref=slogin