A weekly roundup of must-read L.A. tech investments and acquisitions.
HopSkipDrive
$10.2 Million
Type: Equity
Location: Downtown
Investors: Series A round was led by FirstMark Capital with participation from Greycroft Partners, Pritzker Group, Upfront Ventures, BBG Ventures and 1776.
Description: HopSkipDrive was founded in 2014 and provides transportation to unsupervised children for about $20 a ride, with discounts for purchasing a package of rides. Drivers are background checked, finger printed and must have experience working with children. The company has sought to differentiate itself from ridesharing app companies such as Uber and Lyft by emphasizing it focus on child safety and caregiving. The company has raised $14.1 million in total.
Related: HopSkipDrive Raises $10.2 Million
SnapMD
$5.3 Million
Type: Equity
Location: Glendale
Investors: Series A from Shea Ventures, TYLT Labs and Whittier Ventures
Description: Telemedicine company SnapMd has developed a HIPAA compliant and encrypted live video, audio and messaging platform for patients to consult with their doctors. SnapMD can be accessed via smart phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers or other Internet enabled devices. The platform also stores personal health record, medical history and consultation histories.
Hollywood Software
Undisclosed
Type: Purchased
Acquirer: Rentrak Corp.
Description: Rentrak Corp. of Portland acquired Hollywood Software, a developer of movie distribution management software. Rentrak measures television and movie performance and plans to integrate with Hollywood Software’s movie distribution management software to give movie studios a better understanding of a film’s different revenue streams.
Technology reporter Garrett Reim can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @garrettreim for the latest in L.A. tech news.