Google acquires Orbitera as battle with Amazon Web Services looms
West Hollywood-based Orbitera was acquired by Google earlier this week for a reported $100 million. The move comes as Google continues to ramp up its enterprise services capabilities to compete with the likes of Amazon Web Services (AWS). Orbitera, founded by AWS alumnus Marcin Kurc, is the creator of a platform to help sales of cloud-based enterprise software and services. [Orbitera]
Loot Crate names CTO
Loot Crate continued its big summer this week by announcing the LA-based startup had hired industry veteran John Williams as Chief Technology Officer. Williams, a veteran of True Car, will be tasked with expanding Loot Crate's global technology platform with the goal of improving consumer experience. [Press Release]
VNTANA launches interactive hologram display for advertisers
Speaking of companies experiencing big summers, VNTANA, the Van Nuys-based augmented reality company changing the way that businesses advertise, announced the release of its new interactive hologram display. The device blends gamification to a consumer-advertiser experience, allowing the user to interact with a hologram and getting the advertiser the consumer information they need. [VNTANA]
Civilized.life names executives in the wake of a successful launch
High-brow cannabis culture site
Civilized.life, which launched in late-2015, announced the addition of three executives to the team as the LA-based startup (with offices in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada) expands its roster. The startup brands itself as a site that creates content for individuals who enjoy cannabis, but don't feel represented in mainstream cannabis culture. [
Civilized]
UCLA named one of the world's best business schools
College resource website College Choice released its list of the world's top 50 business programs in the world today, and UCLA was named to the prestigious list. The school was also named to College Choice's list of top MBA programs, joining crosstown rival USC on the prestigious list. [College Choice]
Fundings of the Week
Investors: Time Warner Investments, The Madison Square Garden Company, RSE Ventures, Peter Guber, Dick Clark Productions, Comcast Ventures, Formation 8, CITIC Group Corporation
Laguna Beach-based NextVR announced earlier this week that the virtual reality broadcasting company had raised $80 million in Series B funding this week. The financing comes at an important time for the company, putting it in a place where it can accelerate the development of its technologies and expand operations internationally. [Built In LA]
Photos via Facebook and Shutterstock
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