Silicon Valley Wire

San Jose-Based MediaXstream Secures $10 Million in First Round

San Jose, Calif. -- MediaXstream, a San Jose-based start-up that provides transport and managed network services to the production and broadcast industries, said on Monday that it has raised $10 million in its first round of funding, led by Constellation Ventures. Columbia Venture Corp. also participated in the round. "We're excited to have the opportunity to bring these services to market on a fully managed network platform dedicated to media," said Del Bothof, the company's CEO. MediaXstream specializes in digital and high definition formats.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080331/aqm099.html?.v=40

Sunnyvale-Based Yahoo Launches "Shine" Women's Site

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Sunnyvale-based Yahoo on Monday launched Yahoo Shine, a new web site focused on the daily lives of women. The site offers nine categories ranging from Fashion & Beauty to Parenting, and will feature content from lifestyles publishers such as Conde Nast Publications and Hearst. Additionally, a new editorial team will develop original stories on a daily basis, as well as highlight user blog posts. "We're executing on Yahoo's starting point strategy by ensuring that women who start their day with Yahoo are offered a more relevant experience," said Scott Moore, the senior vice president and head of Yahoo Media.
http://shine.yahoo.com
http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=302111 

Redwood City-Based Ampex Files for Chapter 11

Redwood City, Calif. -- Following nearly a year of speculation, Redwood City-based Ampex, a maker of data storage systems, said on Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and announced plans to reorganize. The company said that it will continue to operate its business, and expects to emerge from bankruptcy no later than this fall. All of its employees will be retained, and its offices and manufacturing facilities will stay open. Once the company emerges, it will receive an unspecified amount of funding from its largest creditor, Hillside Capital. "In recent years, Ampex has been constrained by its highly leveraged capital structure and by the continuing burden of its significant legacy pension liabilities. Quite simply, we have too much debt," said Gordon Strickland, the company's president and CEO. "We intend to use the Chapter 11 process to reduce these obligations significantly and to develop and implement a new capital structure that will allow us to invest in our business."
http://www.ampex.com/
http://www.ampex.com/02inve/03312008.html

San Francisco-Based Reality Digital Lands $6.3 Million in Second Round

San Francisco -- Reality Digital, a San Francisco-based developer of web-based software that allow businesses to add social media and video collaboration tools to their web sites, said on Monday that it has raised $6.3 million in its second round of funding from OpenView Venture Partners. The company said that it will use the funds to expand in the U.S. and Europe. Reality Digital flagship platform allow users to upload, manage and share digital video, audio and images online. Clients include MTV Networks, ITV Local and Lonely Planet.
http://www.realitydigital.com
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080331005693/en

San Mateo-Based Vindicia Raises $5.6 Million in Third Round

San Mateo, Calif. -- Vindicia, a developer of web-based billing and fraud management software for online merchants, said on Monday that it has raised $5.6 million in its third round of funding, co-led by new investor Leader Ventures and previous investor DCM. The company now has raised $8.7 million since its inception. Vindicia is led by Chairman and CEO Gene Hoffman, who previously co-founded eMusic. The company offers a billing system for managing recurring and real-time payments, as well as fraud screening and chargeback management services designed to help online merchants recover lost revenue.
http://www.vindicia.com
http://www.vindicia.com/news/Press.html?release_id=201

Sausalito-Based Glassdoor Raises $3 Million for New Social Network

Sausalito, Calif. -- Glassdoor.com, a Sausalito-based stealth-mode social networking company "focused on employment conditions in the workplace," has raised $3 million in its second round of funding, according to PEHub.com. Benchmark Capital led the round. Glassdoor was co-founded by Robert Hohman, the former president of Hotwire, and current Zillow Chairman and CEO Richard Barton. The company said on its web site that it "expects to have something live in mid 2008."
http://www.pehub.com/article/articledetail.php?articlepostid=11107 
http://www.glassdoor.com 

Redwood City-Based EA Extends Offer for Take-Two

Redwood City, Calif. -- Electronic Arts, the Redwood City-based developer and publisher of video games, on Friday extended its $2 billion takeover offer for smaller New York-based rival Take-Two Interactive by one week. The $26-a-share tender offer, which Take-Two's board has twice rejected, is now scheduled to expire on April. 18. The move comes two days after Take-Two, the publisher of the popular "Grand Theft Auto" series, delayed its annual shareholder meeting until April 17 and took other steps, including a 180-day "poison pill" provision, designed to make a hostile takeover more expensive and time consuming. "The actions of the Take-Two Board may increase the risk for their stockholders by delaying a potential transaction," said Owen Mahoney, EA's senior vice president of corporate development. "We continue to believe that our $26 per share offer price is full and fair, and that a transaction between Take-Two and EA is the most compelling combination financially, strategically and operationally for all parties." EA launched its offer on March 13, but so far has been tendered just 5,000 shares.
http://info.ea.com 
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080328005143/en

Electronic Arts Names Former Exec. Eric Brown as New CFO

Redwood City, Calif. -- Less than a week after announcing the resignation of its CFO, Redwood City-based Electronic Arts (EA) has named a replacement. The developer and publisher of video games said that it has hired Eric Brown, most recently the CFO and COO at McAfee, to take over for Warren Jenson, who has held the role of CFO since 2002. Prior to McAfee, Brown served as the president and CFO of MicroStrategy, and earlier was the COO of EA's Redwood Shores Studio. "I am thrilled to return to EA where I can bring together my professional experience with my passion for the industry," said Brown.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080327/20080327005350.html?.v=1
http://www.ea.com

Comcast Agrees to Stop Hampering BitTorrent File Sharing

San Francisco -- Comcast, currently the subject of an FCC probe and target of a lawsuit related to its practice of throttling online file-sharing, said that it is working with San Francisco-based peer-to-peer software firm BitTorrent to address issues with network traffic management. As a result, the company said that it has agreed to stop singling out BitTorrent by the end of 2008. "This means that we will have to rapidly reconfigure our network management systems, but the outcome will be a traffic management technique that is more appropriate for today's emerging Internet trends," said Tony Werner, Comcast's CTO. The two companies also said they will work with other Internet service providers and technology firms to "explore and develop a new distribution architecture for the efficient delivery of rich media content," and added they believe these issues can be sorted out through private business discussions without the need for government intervention.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080327/neth028.html?.v=45
http://www.comcast.com 
http://www.bittorrent.com

Tano Capital Invests $12.45 Million in Icomm Telecommunications

San Mateo, Calif. -- Tano Capital, a San Mateo-based private equity firm that makes investments in India and China, said on Friday that it has invested $12.45 million in India-based Icomm Telecommunications through the purchase of an equity stake from an existing shareholder. Icomm is one of the largest manufacturers of telecom equipment and telecom infrastructure in India, boasting a client list that includes Airtel, Nokia, PowerGrid of India, Reliance and Vodafone. "We like the management team, the business and the growth prospects for this ancillary business to the telecom and power sectors," said William Knuff, III, a managing director at Tano.
http://www.tanocapital.com
http://eon.businesswire.com/releases/india/icomm/prweb811414.htm

Glam Media Acquires San Francisco-Based StyleMob

San Francisco -- Glam Media, a New York-based advertising and web site network for lifestyle and fashion-related content, has acquired StyleMob, a San Francisco-based social network and "street fashion" destination site, Valleywag reported. CNET confirmed that the acquisition -- financial terms of which were not disclosed -- was completed earlier this year. StyleMob was previously part of Glam's online ad network. Glam raised $80 million in its third round of funding last month.
http://valleywag.com/372816/tipster-glam-media-acquires-stylemob   
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9904849-36.html 
http://www.glammedia.com 
http://www.stylemob.com 

Fremont-Based Breathe Technologies Raises $15M in Second Round

Fremont, Calif. -- Breathe Technologies, a Fremont-based developer of medical devices to treat respiratory problems, said that it has raised $15 million in its second round of funding, led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB). Previous investors Synergy Partners International, Delphi Ventures and Life Science Angels also participated. The three-year-old company is developing a family of compact, ultra-lightweight, ambulatory respiratory ventilator systems for the hospital, homecare and pandemic markets.
http://www.breathetechnologies.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080326/aqw054.html?.v=50

Redwood Shores-Based Oracle Buys Product Line from Empirix

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- Oracle, the Redwood Shores-based business software giant, has acquired the "e-TEST" product line of Empirix, a Massachusetts-based provider of voice- and web-application testing products. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The product line consists of web-application testing tools designed to help users deploy applications more efficiently and at lower cost. The products will be incorporated into Oracle Enterprise Manager and Oracle Real Application Testing, the company said.
http://www.oracle.com/corporate/press/2008_mar/empirix.html

San Francisco-Based CNET Lays Off 120; Nearly 5% of Workforce

San Francisco -- CNET Networks, the San Francisco-based technology media company, said that it will lay off 120 employees, or nearly 5% of its staff, as part of a restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs. The company expects to take a charge of $3.5-$4 million associated with severance pay and other expenses related to the cuts, which will take effect immediately. CNET has of late been under pressure from an activist shareholder group, Jana Partners, which recently won a court ruling authorizing it to nominate several new directors to the company's board.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015577/000119312508065848/d8k.htm http://www.cnet.com 

San Francisco-Based CMEA Ventures Closes $400 Million Fund

San Francisco -- CMEA Ventures, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on the life sciences, information technology and energy and materials markets, said on Thursday that it has closed a new $400 million fund, its largest to date. CMEA said that the fund, known as CMEA Ventures VII, will focus on deep-technology and multidisciplinary investments. Managing directors of the fund include Jim Watson, the managing director of CMEA; Tom Baruch, the firm's founding partner and head of its energy & materials practice; Faysal Sohail, who focuses on high performance electronics; and David Collier and Karl Handelsman, who work together on life sciences investments. The firm now has more than $1 billion under management.
http://www.cmeaventures.com
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080327005406/en

S.F.-Based Wikimedia Foundation Lands $3 Million Donation

San Francisco -- The San Francisco-based Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that operates the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, said that it has received a $3 million donation from the New York-based Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to continue its efforts. The money, to be doled out in $1 million increments over three years, will support Wikimedia's organizational development and help to increase the quality of its content and the reach of its services. Launched in 2003, the Wikimedia Foundation has a staff of 15, which it plans to grow to 25 by 2010. "Wikipedia and its sister projects have an enormous global impact, but the organization behind them has been operating on a shoestring: unable to pursue partnerships, execute projects, or even to effectively fundraise," said Sue Gardner, executive director of the  Wikimedia Foundation.
http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Press_Releases/Sloan_Foundation_Support http://www.wikimediafoundation.org

Santa Clara-Based OptiMedica Raised $16 Million in Third Round

Santa Clara, Calif. -- OptiMedica, a Santa Clara-based developer of ophthalmic devices,  said on Wednesday that it has raised $16 million in its third round of funding. Previous investors Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers and Alloy Ventures, as well as new investor DAG Ventures participated in the round, which the company will use to expand its commercial presence and develop new technology. Founded in 2004, OptiMedica has exclusive worldwide rights to the PASCAL (PAttern SCAn Laser) Photocoagulator system, which has been used in thousands of patient procedures since 2006.
http://www.optimedica.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080326/20080326005433.html?.v=1

Mountain View-Based Gear6 Lands $10 Million in New Funding

Mountain View, Calif. -- Gear6, a Mountain View-based developer of centralized storage caching appliances designed to improve application performance, said on Wednesday that it has raised $10 million in a new round of funding led by Horizon Ventures. Previous investors U.S. Venture Partners and InterWest Partners also participated in the round, which the company will use to fuel its market expansion. Since launching the CACHEfx line of appliances last year, the company has announced customer wins in the financial analytics, energy and exploration, and computer animation industries. Gear6 now has raised $24.5 million since its inception.
http://www.gear6.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080326/20080326005328.html?.v=1

Mountain View-Based Bubble Motion Raises $14 Million

Mountain View, Calif. -- Bubble Motion, a Mountain View-based developer of a platform for voice messaging and advanced voice content applications, said on Wednesday that it has raised $14 million in a new round of funding. Participants included previous investors Sequoia Capital and Sequoia Capital India, as well as new investors Comcast Interactive Capital and NCD Investors. The company said that more than 135 million consumers currently use its BubbleTALK service, a "click, talk and send" short voice messaging service that works on any mobile phone. "This new capital will enable us to accelerate even more aggressively on our global expansion goals," said Tom Clayton, the CEO of Bubble Motion.
http://www.bubblemotion.com
http://www.bubblemotion.com/news_26032008.htm

Take-Two Rejects $2 Billion Offer from Redwood City-Based EA

Redwood City, Calif. -- The board of New York-based game developer Take-Two Interactive on Wednesday rejected a $2 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Redwood City-based Electronic Arts (EA), calling the $26-a-share offer "inadequate in multiple respects" and "contrary to the best interests" of its stockholders. " The board said that it will continue to explore other alternatives, including a possible combination with another company. "The company has received indications of interest from third parties with respect to possible business combination transactions… but no substantive discussions have yet occurred," Take-Two said in a statement. Take-Two also rejected a similar takeover offer last month, calling it "highly opportunistic," given the company's pending release of "Grand Theft Auto IV."
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080326/20080326005480.html?.v=1
http://www.take2games.com/
http://www.ea.com/

Palo Alto-Based Peerflix to Shutter Online DVD Swap Service

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Peerflix, the Palo Alto-based provider of an online DVD trading service, has announced that it will shut down its swapping service, while continuing to maintain its vertical online ad network for movie fans, according to an email sent to users. "While we have made considerable investments in our marketplace platform over the past four years, unfortunately the escalating costs of operating the marketplace do not make that business viable at this juncture," the company wrote in its email. "As we move out of the DVD marketplace business, we are focusing our energy and resources on building the Peerflix Media Network which is now the web's fastest growing vertical movie network." Peerflix has received more than $8 million in funding to date, from backers including 3i, Battery Ventures and BV Capital.
http://www.peerflix.com
http://www.peerflixmedianetwork.com   

WSJ: Comcast, Time Warner Cable Could Fund Sprint WiMax Network

Overland Park, Kansas-- Needing at least $3 billion to roll out its nationwide high speed WiMax network, Sprint Nextel and partner Clearwire are now in talks with cable giant Comcast and Time Warner Cable, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. The paper, citing people familiar with the talks, said that a plan being discussed would have Comcast invest as much as $1 billion and Time Warner Cable $500 million in a new WiMax joint venture, which Sprint Nextel and Clearwire would operate. Another cable operator, Bright House Networks, also could contribute up to $200 million under the plan, with Intel and Google potentially also investing. Sprint Nextel already has launched a test of its network, called Xohm, in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Chicago. The network will provide wireless Internet access at speeds comparable to wireline broadband services.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120648766842863793.html (Subscription required)
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080325/wimax_funding.html?.v=4

Interactive Version of Vietnam War Memorial Site Launched

Washington, DC -- Footnote, a Utah-based web site that features searchable original documents, said that it has released an online interactive photo of the Vietnam War Memorial, in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration. The site allows users to locate any of the more then 58,000 names on the wall by typing them into a search box. The site then zooms in to the area where the individual name can be viewed, and allows visitors to access the soldier's service record and view comments, stories and photos that have been contributed by other visitors. Footnote said that it contracted with National Geographic photographer Peter Krogh on the project. Creating an online version of the wall required almost 1,500 individual photos, which were electronically stitched together to create one single image. The process took more than five months and resulted in an image that is nearly five gigapixels in size. The site is available through the link below.
http://go.footnote.com/thewall?xid=159

Mountain View-Based Become.Com Lands $17.5M from TPG Growth

Mountain View, Calif. -- Become.com, the Mountain View-based comparison shopping site, said on Tuesday that it has received $17.5 million in its third round of funding from TPG Growth. Taek Kwon, an operating partner with TPG Growth, will join the company's board of directors. "TPG’s investment validates our approach," said Michael Yang, Become.com's founder and CEO, who also founded comparison shopping site MySimon. Become.com searches more than 25 million products from 5,000 merchants. The company's search engine provides users with product reviews and guides, helping them find and buy products from brand name retailers.
http://www.become.com
http://www.become.com/press/pr032508.html

Google Asks FCC to Open "White Space" for Broadband

Mountain View, Calif. -- Unable to secure prized wireless spectrum in a recent auction conducted by the Federal Communications Commission, Mountain View-based Google is now urging the FCC to allow unused portions of the TV spectrum -- or "white space" -- to be used to provide wireless Internet access nationwide. "The unique qualities of the TV white space -- unused spectrum, large amounts of bandwidth, and excellent propagation characteristics -- offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans," Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, writes in a letter to the agency. Along with Google, fellow technology firms including Microsoft, Intel and Philips have lobbied the FCC to open white space for broadband. The main opposition to the idea of using white space for broadband comes from TV broadcasters, who fear the use of TV spectrum for such a service would create interference, and hamper the impending transition to digital broadcasting.
http://www.google.com
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/ 

Fremont-Based Zensys Lands Investment from Panasonic

Fremont, Calif. -- Zensys, a Fremont-based developer of mesh networking technology for wireless home control and automation, said on Tuesday that it has received a new investment from consumer electronics giant Panasonic. Specific financial terms were not disclosed. Zensys, which also counts Intel Capital, Cisco, Bessemer Venture Partners, Palamon Capital Partners and Sunstone Capital among its investors, said that it will use the proceeds to further its push into the home automation and control marketplace. Zensys' Z-Wave technology allows a wide array of devices around the home to communicate, including lighting, appliances, HVAC, entertainment centers and security systems. 
http://www.z-wave.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080325/0378012.html

Samsung Electronics Acquires Assets of Cupertino's Clairvoyante

Cupertino, Calif. -- Korea's Samsung Electronics said on Tuesday that it has acquired the assets of Cupertino-based Clairvoyante, a developer of subpixel rendering display technology. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Samsung, which makes LCDs for mobile, notebook, monitor and TV applications, said that Clairvoyante's PenTile technology offers a significant reduction in power consumption for high-resolution mobile LCDs. "The acquisition… ensures the long term development of PenTile technology to support growing demand for high resolution devices," said Joel Pollack, the CEO of Clairvoyante. Samsung said that it plans to dissolve Clairvoyante and form a new entity, called Nouvoyance. It will be led by Candice Brown Elliott, a founder of Clairvoyante, and staffed with Clairvoyante's engineers.
http://www.clairvoyante.com/
http://www.samsung.com
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080325005245/en

Palo Alto-Based Mytopia Debuts Online Social Gaming Community

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Mytopia, the year-old Palo Alto-based developer of an online social gaming community, said that it has launched a public beta test of its service, which allows users to play casual online games with one another through their social network accounts on Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and other sites. The service also is available through Mytopia's site and through widget directories including Apple Dashboard Widgets, iGoogle Gadgets, Microsoft Vista Toolbar Widgets and Yahoo Widgets. "Games have been connecting people around the world for centuries, but until now, people who play games on the web have been sandboxed into their respective networks," said Guy Ben-Artzi, the company's founder and CEO. "Mytopia unleashes the true social potential of games by creating a seamless gaming community that everyone can enjoy."
http://www.mytopia.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080324/20080324005415.html?.v=1

Yahoo Announces Support for Google's OpenSocial Network

Mountain View, Calif. -- Mountain View-based Google said on Tuesday that Sunnyvale-based Yahoo has joined its OpenSocial network, which will allow developers to create applications that work across many different social media sites. Google also announced that it has formed a new non-profit foundation with Yahoo and News Corp.'s MySpace, which will work to advance the initiative while "ensuring all stakeholders share influence over its future direction."
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/20080325_opensocial.html

Justice Department Clears $5 Billion Merger of XM and Sirius

New York -- The $5 billion merger between New York-based Sirius Satellite Radio and Washington, DC-based XM Satellite Radio is one giant step closer to fruition after the Department of Justice late on Monday cleared the deal following a months-long investigation. "The evidence does not demonstrate that the proposed merger of XM and Sirius is likely to substantially lessen competition, and that the transaction therefore is not likely to harm consumers," the DOJ's Antitrust Division said in a statement. The division went on to say that the merger most likely wouldn't result in higher prices for consumers, citing among other factors alternatives such as traditional AM/FM radio, HD Radio, MP3 players and audio offerings delivered through wireless telephones, as well as "technological change that is expected to make those alternatives increasingly attractive over time." The deal still requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). MarketWatch on Tuesday reported that the FCC is likely to approve the deal, as well, based on the opinions of several analysts.
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/March/08_at_226.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080324/nym103.html?.v=101
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fcc-likely-approve-sirius-xm-deal/story.aspx?guid=%7B7FCE1FAE%2D6186%2D4E76%2DB193%2D57F4ADF6420E%7D&siteid=yhoof

Santa Clara-Based Ciranova Raises $5.25 Million in Funding

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Ciranova, a Santa Clara-based start-up developing layout technology used in chip design, said on Monday that it has raised $5.25 million in a new round of funding, led by Alloy Ventures. Synopsys, Mentor Graphics and previous investors US Venture Partners, Asiatech Management and Jim Solomon, the founder of Cadence, also participated. The company said that it will use the proceeds to further develop its interoperable analog and custom physical design technology. "We have been working very closely with Synopsys and Mentor Graphics to ensure interoperability of their tools," said Eric Filseth, the CEO of Ciranova. "We're excited to have them as investors."
http://www.ciranova.com/
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080324005464/en

San Jose-Based Avenda Systems Lands $5 Million in Second Round

San Jose, Calif. -- Avenda Systems, a San Jose-based developer of identity and policy management systems, said that it has secured $5 million in its second round of funding from OVP Venture Partners. The company said that it will use the proceeds to expand its product development and grow its sales and marketing organization. Founded in 2006, Avenda is led by Krishna Prabhakar, who has over 18 years of experience in the systems and networking industry, and previously founded a pair of start-ups.
http://www.avendasys.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080320/0377516.html

Mountain View-Based Synopsis to Acquire Sunnyvale-based Synplicity

Mountain View, Calif. -- Synopsis, a Mountain View-based developer of electronic Design automation software to chip design companies, said on Monday that it will acquire Sunnyvale-based Synplicity, a supplier of tools for the design and verification of semiconductors, I a deal worth $227 million. Synopsys will pay $8 cash a share in the deal, which is expected to close by mid-year. Synplicity will become a unit of Synopsis and its stock will cease trading. "The combination will expand our presence in the systems and mid-tier market segments," said Aart deGeus, the chairman and CEO of Synopsys. Gary Meyers, the president and CEO of Synplicity, will join Synopsys as a general manager.
http://www.synplicity.com
http://www.synopsys.com
http://www.synplicity.com/corporate/pressreleases/2008/synopsys_acq.html

Mountain View-Based Mill River Lands Seed Funding for TradeVibes Service

Mountain View, Calif. -- Mill River Labs, a Mountain View-based start-up founded last year by four early employees of PayPal, said on Monday that it has landed $900,000 in seed funding and launched a beta test of TradeVibes, its wiki-style service for finding, researching and discussing information about startup companies. Investors included Ron Conway, Aydin Senkut, Dave McClure and the Kinsey Hills Group. "Our mission is to democratize company information," said David Li, the company's CEO and co-founder. "We plan on using the funding to grow our team, to be able to quickly iterate on our beta site now that it is available to the public." Mill River said that its free service aggregates information already available on the Internet and fills in gaps through contributions from its user community. It hopes to draw users of established services such as VentureSource and Hoovers, which can charge large fees to access company information.
http://www.tradevibes.com/
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb794414.htm

CFO to Leave Redwood City-Based Electronic Arts

Redwood City, Calif. -- Electronic Arts (EA), the Redwood City-based developer and publisher of video games, said on Monday that Warren Jenson is stepping down as its CFO. The company did not disclosed a reason for the move. "It’s time for me to write the next chapter in my career," said Jenson, who has served as EA's CFO since 2002 and will stay with the company to help his replacement transition into the role. The company said that it will name a successor "shortly."
http://info.ea.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080324/20080324005357.html?.v=1

Verizon Wireless, AT&T Are Big Winners in FCC Spectrum Auction

Washington, DC -- Verizon Wireless and AT&T, the nation's two largest wireless carriers, were the big winners in an auction for wireless spectrum that closed last week, according to information released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Verizon Wireless bid $9.4 billion and AT&T $6.6 billion, together accounting for $16 billion of the $19.6 billion raised. Despite the dominance of major carriers in the auction, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin remained upbeat about the promise of future competition in the industry. "A bidder other than a nationwide incumbent won a license in every market," said Martin in a statement. "As a result of the 700 MHz auction, there is the potential for an additional wireless `third-pipe' in every market across the nation." Mountain View-based Google, which had elicited speculation that it was planning to enter the wireless business, was not among the winning bidders. The FCC received its initial bids in January for the 700 megahertz spectrum, which includes airwaves that TV stations will no longer use as they switch to digital signals.
http://www.fcc.gov/

Sunnyvale-Based Retrevo Raises $8 Million in Second Round

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Retrevo, the Sunnyvale-based developer of a service designed to help users find, buy and use electronic products, said on Thursday that it has secured $8 million in its second round of funding, co-led by Alloy Ventures and Norwest Venture Partners (NVP). The company said that it will use the proceeds for product development, partnership expansion and consumer marketing. Vipin Jain, the CEO of Retrevo, said that his site "aims to become the site that consumers can trust to get all their electronics products information in the simplest and visually intuitive forms." The company's technology helps consumers find products with the best community sentiment, then shop for them by value. It also helps consumers decide when it may not be the best time to buy, such as with high definition DVD players.
http://www.retrevo.com
http://www.retrevo.com/content/retrevo-funding-march-2008

FBR Capital Markets Acquires Greenbrae-Based East Peak Advisors

Greenbrae, Calif. -- FBR Capital Markets, a Virginia-based unit of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group that provides investment banking, merger and acquisition and institutional brokerage services, said on Thursday that it has acquired East Peak Advisors, a Greenbrae-based investment bank focused on information technology companies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 2002, East Peak Advisors specializes in the wireless, Internet and technology infrastructure sectors. Eric Billings, the chairman and CEO of FBR Capital Markets, said that the acquisition will help his firm develop its "technology, media and telecom investment banking platform." East Peak founder David DeRuff will join the firm as its senior managing director and head of technology, media and telecom investment banking.
http://www.fbrcapitalmarkets.com
http://www.eastpeakadvisors.com
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=204322&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1120592&highlight=

FCC Raises $19.6 Billion in Spectrum Auction; Winners to be Announced

Washington, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has raised a record $19.6 billion in its wireless spectrum auction, which closed on Tuesday, though winners of the prized airwaves aren't expected to be revealed for at least three weeks, the Associated Press reported. All told, the eight-week auction featured 261 rounds of bidding, with 1,090 licenses up for grabs. The FCC received its initial bids in January for the 700 megahertz spectrum, which includes airwaves that TV stations will no longer use as they switch to digital signals. Citing analysts, Reuters reported that Verizon Wireless most likely will emerge as winner of the highly coveted "C block." Another portion of the spectrum set aside for a proposed emergency communications network, however, failed to receive the minimum $1.3 billion bid. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said that his agency plans to reevaluate its plans for the spectrum, known as the "D block."
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iyVJ1qW6rZpN-bPn8lQ-8uEWYpawD8VG4TOG1
http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1823350720080320

Report: iPhone Mobile Web, Video Usage Tops Mobile Market

Cupertino, Calif. -- Cupertino-based Apple's iPhone is handily beating competitors in the smartphone category and blowing away the entire cell phone market when it comes to accessing video, social networks and music, according to a report from market research firm M:Metrics. "While the demographics of iPhone users are very similar to all smartphone owners, the iPhone is outpacing other smartphones in driving mobile content consumption by a significant margin," said Mark Donovan, a senior analyst with the firm.  In January, 85% of iPhone users accessed news or information, 31% watched mobile TV or video and 74% listened to music from their devices. "Beyond a doubt, this device is compelling consumers to interact with the mobile web," said Donovan.
http://www.mmetrics.com/press/PressRelease.aspx?article=20080318-iphonehype

Facebook Debuts New Privacy Options, Confirms Plans for Chat

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Facebook, the Palo Alto-based online social network, is implementing changes to its network that will allow users to control what their friends, and friends of friends, see on their profiles, Reuters reported. Members will be able to create up to 100 "friends lists," with each allowed different levels of access to profile information. The company also confirmed that it will introduce a new web-based chat feature in a couple of weeks.
http://www.facebook.com
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080318/tc_nm/facebook_privacy_dc_1

Reports: Apple in Talks with Labels on Unlimited Music Services

Cupertino, Calif. -- Cupertino-based Apple is in talks with the major record labels on possible new models that would see music come pre-loaded or be available through unlimited subscription plans on its iPod and iPhone devices, the Financial Times reported. While Nokia, which signed a deal with Universal Music for an unlimited "Comes With Music" service, will reportedly pay nearly $80 per handset to music companies, Apple is offering only about $20 per device, two executives familiar with the negotiations told FT.com. According to CNET News.com, Apple began talks with Universal Music six months ago on offering devices with pre-loaded music, and has since opened similar discussions with the other major labels. Under the proposal, Apple devices would come with a certain amount of pre-loaded music that, after six months or a year, would shift to a subscription model, a source told News.com. FT.com reports that subscription models under discussion would let consumers keep 40 or 50 tracks per year, which would be retained even if they change devices or their subscription lapses.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/b55a0d64-f523-11dc-a21b-000077b07658,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fb55a0d64-f523-11dc-a21b-000077b07658.html%3Fnclick_check%3D1&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dmwmedia.com%2Fnews%2F2008%2F03%2F19%2Freports%253A-apple-talks-labels-unlimited-music-services&nclick_check=1
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9897871-7.html 

Hayward-Based Kosan Biosciences to Cut 37% of Staff

Hayward, Calif. -- Kosan Biosciences, a Hayward-based biotechnology firm developing two new classes of anticancer drugs, said that it will reduce its workforce by 37% -- about 31 jobs -- in an effort to refocus its resources on its two lead clinical programs. The company said that the restructuring will primarily affect its research and administrative functions, with the majority of its research programs placed on hold. "This represents an important step in Kosan's evolution to a product-oriented company," said Helen Kim, Kosan's CEO. "We believe that this restructuring will strengthen our ability to effectively manage our resources, execute on our development goals and advance our high-value, near-term commercial opportunities."
http://www.kosan.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080318/aqtu150.html?.v=38

San Mateo-Based FixYa Raises $6 Million in Second Round

San Mateo, Calif. -- FixYa, the San Mateo-based developer of a site that gives users free advice for troubleshooting problems with gadgets, home appliances and consumer products, said on Wednesday that it has raised $6 million in its second round of funding, led by Mayfield Fund. Pitango Venture Capital also participated in the round, which the company plans to use to expand its business operations in the U.S. and Israel, as well as to offer new products and services. FixYa was launched in 2005 by Yaniv Ben-Saadon, a veteran of several consumer Internet ventures and former spokesperson for the Consul General of Israel in Miami. The company raised $2 million in its first round in early 2007. Its site currently received more than 6 million monthly unique visitors and covers more than 800,000 consumer products.
http://www.fixya.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080319/20080319005319.html?.v=1

Makers of Chip Equipment See Orders Dip from '07 Levels

San Jose, Calif. -- North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.23 billion in orders in February, up 8% from January, though still down 12% from the year before, according to a new report from San Jose-based industry association SEMI. The group also reported a book-to-bill ratio of 0.93, meaning that $93 worth of orders were received for every $100 of products billed for the month. "The three month average for North American bookings and billings improved slightly in February, however they remain at levels below those reported last year," said Stanley Myers, the president and CEO of SEMI. "Though current inventory and utilization rates are at healthy levels, device manufacturers are being conservative in their [spending]."
http://www.semi.org
http://wps2a.semi.org/wps/portal/_pagr/103/_pa.103/248?dFormat=application/msword&docName=P043568

Study: More Fans Watching Sporting Events on the Internet

Arlington, Va. -- With the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament set to officially tip off on Thursday, a new study has found that sports fans are using the Internet at greater rates than ever before to watch games and follow their favorite teams. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Sports Video Group, nearly four in 10 (38%) sports fans said that they will download and watch a game at no cost over the next two years, an increase of 10% from 2007. In response, networks are offering fans the ability to watch games online -- including the NCAA Tournament. "As both broadband and cell phone penetration steadily increase… consumers continue to migrate their entertainment viewing to new platforms," said Jason Oxman, the CEA's senior vice president of industry affairs. The study also found that sports fans are going online for information, statistics and highlights when they are geographically separated from their favorite teams.
http://www.CE.org
http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=11478

San Francisco-Based SendMe Mobile Raises $15 Million

San Francisco -- SendMe Mobile, a San Francisco-based developer of a mobile media platform and operator of three destination sites, said on Tuesday that it has landed $15 million in its third round of funding, led by new investor GrandBanks Capital. Previous investors True Ventures and Spark Capital also participated in the round, which the company will use to continue promoting its three core web sites -- SendMeMobile.com, SoLow.com and mBuzzy.com. The company said that it also plans to add new premium and community-generated content, services and applications. Over the past year, two-year-old SendMe has signed major content deals with Corbis, EMI Music, Glu, Telcogames, Gameloft, IODA, Sony Pictures Television and The Orchard.
http://www.SendMeMobile.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080318/netu019.html?.v=46

S.F.-Based Gizmoz Secures $6.5 Million for Social Media Avatars

San Francisco -- Gizmoz, a San Francisco-based provider of customized, user-generated avatars for use with social media services, said that it has raised $6.5 million in its second round of financing, led by DoCoMo Capital. NGI Capital and previous investors Benchmark Capital and Columbia Capital also participated. Founded in 2003, Gizmoz offers an online service that lets users create, customize, animate and share photorealistic 3D talking characters and videos, which can then be used to communicate on various social media services. The company has secured partnerships that allow its tools to work on services including Facebook and AOL's AIM service. The company said that it will use the funds for an expansion into Asia, beginning with Japan.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080317/aqm047.html?.v=42
http://www.gizmoz.com

Mountain View-Based VoloMedia Raises $3.5 Million in Funding

Mountain View, Calif. -- VoloMedia, a Mountain View-based developer of advertising, metrics and reporting tools for downloadable media, said on Tuesday that it has raised $3.5 million in venture capital from Leader Ventures. "This additional funding will enable us to accelerate our growth and take advantage of the wide array of opportunities before us," said Brian Steel, the CEO of VoloMedia. The three-year-old company's online portal allows publishers to instantly manage their media and advertising campaigns, and receive updated reports.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080318/aqtu093.html?.v=43
http://www.volomedia.com

San Francisco-Based WeGame Raises $3 Million in Second Round

San Francisco - WeGame, a San Francisco-based service that allows gamers to capture video while playing and upload and share the results, has raised $3 million in its second round of financing, led by True Ventures, TechCrunch reported. HitForge, SoftTechVC and several individual investors also participated. WeGame was launched last month by 19-year-old UC Berkeley dropout Jared Kim. Kim told TechCrunch that some 7,000 videos so far have been uploaded, with 13% of users adding videos.
http://www.wegame.com
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/12/wegames-19-year-old-founder-raises-3-million-financing/