The Los Angeles Business Journal brings you a weekly roundup of L.A. launches.
Datapop’s OmniAds: The Culver City ad tech firm has released a product that helps transform a retailer’s online product listings as ads for search and shopping engines. OmniAds supports publishers such as Google, Bing, Pinterest, Polyvore, Ebay and Amazon. DataPop’s clients include Pier 1 Imports, Sport Chalet, OpenSky and NewEgg.com.
Hovelstay: The Glendale startup’s cheap lodging options are no longer exclusive to college students. Hovelstay in August raised $1.2 million from private investors in a Series A round. Read more here.
MediaHound: A content discovery platform, MediaHound helps people search, discover and buy entertainment properties such as TV shows, movies, books, video games and music. The El Segundo startup launched its site and mobile app after raising $4.5 million in Series A funding. MediaHound is a USC Viterbi Startup Garage graduate. Read more here.
Nestdrop: What began as an on-demand alcohol delivery service now includes medical marijuana. By partnering with local dispensaries and liquor stores, Nestdrop promises drop-offs within an hour of an order. The iOS and Android in-app marketplace said it is compliant with California’s medical marijuana laws. The Hollywood startup launched in June.
YP’s RidePal service: YP, the techie division of the company behind those Yellow Pages tomes, has partnered with San Francisco commuter bus service RidePal to launch a commuter bus line from Venice, Mar Vista and West Los Angeles to serve its 500 employees working out of its Glendale tech headquarters. Buses for the 80-minute route will have features such as real-time GPS tracking, free Wi-Fi and power outlets. The partnership establishes RidePal’s first route in the Los Angeles metro area.
Zuma Ventures: The Santa Monica venture studio will focus on building out early-stage tech startups. Zuma Ventures was founded by former Amplify.LA Partner David Carter and former MySpace Executive Vice President of Engineering Allen Hurff. The studio’s advisor is Richard Wolpert, an Accel Partners venture partner and managing director of Amplify.LA.
Staff reporter Melissah Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MelissahYang for the latest in L.A. tech news.
