The Los Angeles Business Journal brings you a weekly roundup of L.A. launches.
ZipRecruiter: Santa Monica’s ZipRecruiter, an online platform that distributes job advertisements to multiple job boards at once, is expanding further into the human resources department with the launch of ZipHire. The new product will help automate the management of new employee paperwork like offer letters, I-9 and W-4 forms. The product is aimed at taking HR business from companies like Intuit and ADP.
WireCash: Online money transfer marketplace WireCash of Santa Monica launched this week. The website features five offline money transfer companies, which users can use to send cash from their checking accounts to 60 countries. It allows users to compare offline money transactions based on their rates and possible pick-up locations.
Icon Network: Los Angeles’s YouTube fashion and makeup star Michelle Phan teamed up with UK production and distribution company Endemol Shine Group to launch a new online video company named the Icon Network. The network will create and distribute content on a host of social media sites. Programming will focus on beauty, fashion, wellness, DIY, food, human interest stories and travel.
Tinder: A Bud Light video ran as dating app Tinder’s first advertisement. The commercial was shown only to users over 21 years old, after four to five profile swipes. Users could pause and replay the video, as well as click on a link to see more Budweiser promotional material. In a release, West Hollywood’s Tinder touted the new advertising product as a way for brands to reach “connected millennials.”
Gem: Gem’s Bitcoin application program interface (API) launched to the public. The API is designed as a simpler, more secure way for developers to integrate Bitcoin payments into mobile apps. To counter security concerns, Gem said its API requires signatures from multiple users before Bitcoin is transferred to or from an app. The Venice company also raised a $1.3 million investment round, bringing total investment to $3.3 million.
Los Angeles Film School: Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood launched a “Hire a Producer” feature on live video streaming production platform Make.tv. Certified student producers from the school will be listed on an online talent marketplace for Make.tv’s clients. Certification for the marketplace requires courses and ongoing training. Make.tv, based in Germany, is a cloud-based program, allowing live video production crews could be employed from separate locations.
Technology reporter Garrett Reim can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @garrettreim for the latest in L.A. tech news.
