Revolutionizing Job Hunting: How WeApply Puts You Ahead of the Pack

🔦 Spotlight

If you've been job hunting recently, you've likely experienced the soul crushing challenge of navigating numerous job application platforms, often competing with hundreds of other applicants for a single position. WeApply’s data-driven, user-centric approach is seeking to change that. 😓💼🔍

WeApply, an LA-based job application automation platform, has quickly established itself in the market since its launch in January 2023. With over 200 paying customers each month and achieving profitability within eight months, the company's success can be attributed to CEO David Saxa's strategic emphasis on marketing, rigorous quality control measures, and a user-centric approach that prioritizes job seekers' needs. Unlike a "shotgun" approach that indiscriminately sends out numerous applications, WeApply uses a combination of human data specialists and AI technology to carefully filter and submit applications to positions that are deemed to be good fits for the user. This approach increases the likelihood of positive responses from employers, as it ensures that applicants are genuinely qualified for the roles they apply to.

WeApply caters to a diverse clientele, with around half of its users currently employed, often holding senior or director-level positions, and seeking new opportunities. The platform's algorithm-driven approach streamlines the application process, though some industry experts suggest that higher-level professionals may prefer more control over their job submissions. Looking ahead, the company aspires to serve thousands of paying users monthly by the end of the next year, offering three application packages priced between $115 and $249. What sets WeApply apart is its commitment to relevance over quantity, distinguishing it from competitors in the job application automation market.🔍🎯💰

🎉 Referral Contest Update 🎉

Competition Status:Ben Goldstein, CEO of PageSake has won a coffee and conversation with Zillow, Pacaso, and dot.LA co-founder Spencer Rascoff! Stay tuned for updates from their power-packed meeting! ☕🚀

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Startups

• Charlie, a banking startup for people aged 62 and over, raised a $16M Series A (plus $7m in debt). TTV Capital led, and was joined by FPV Ventures and Better Tomorrow Ventures. - learn more
• Neuros Medical, a 15-year-old company based in Aliso Viejo, CA, that is focused on alleviating chronic post-amputation pain, raised a $25M Funding Round led by Trinity Capital. - learn more
• LighthouseAI, a maker of pharma supply chain tools, raised a $4.6M Seed Round co-led by Healthy Ventures and BluePointe Ventures and joined by Eileses Capital, Bertelsmann Next and the Legal Tech Fund. - learn more
• Ambercycle, a recycled polyester startup, raised $5M from the VC arm of Taiwanese conglomerate Far Eastern Group. -learn more

LA Funds

• Riot Ventures co-led a $200M Funding Round for Shield AI, a San Diego-based developer of drone tech for the military. -learn more
• WndrCo participated in a $5M Seed Round for Yuzu Health, a startup enabling customization of affordable health plans for small businesses based on their employees' needs. -learn more
• Mantis VC participated in a $61M Series B for Chainguard, a cybersecurity startup. -
• March Capital participated in a $20M Series B Extension for Xage Security, a provider of network intrusion security software. -learn more
• Mucker Capital led a $4.6M Seed Round for

• , a car maintenance subscription service. -

Missed the Boat on Ring and Nest? Don't Let RYSE Slip Away!

Where were you when Amazon acquired Ring for $1B? Or when Google bought Nest for a cool $3.2B?

Hopefully, you were invested in those promising startups. But for those that missed out, the next groundbreaking Smart Home innovation has arrived 一 RYSE.

The company’s automated window-shade tech has secured distribution in over 100 Best Buy stores, and it’s poised to dominate the fast-growing smart-shades market.

RYSE pitched on the Canadian version of Shark Tank called Dragon’s Den and received two offers. They have recently just launched a new investment round and their share price has already grown 25% from their last round!

The smart-shades race is on, and RYSE is in pole position due to their:

• Unmatched Features: RYSE has the only retrofit design to motorize existing window shades, and can be seamlessly controlled by voice, smartphone, or schedule.
• Smart Price: Priced at $169 vs. competitors’ pricing of up to $1,000 per window, RYSE is uniquely positioned to bring luxury window shades to every home and business.

Early investors have seen their shares grow over 15X, yet the bulk of their growth may lie ahead, being just weeks away from launching in over 100 Best Buy stores.

Don’t make the same mistake the sharks did, learn how you can invest in RYSE today.

✨Featured Event (11/9)✨

RECURRING REVENUE CONFERENCE on November 9th in Culver City

Southern California's premier SaaS and Subscription conference, this one-day event draws 600+ top founders, executives, investors, and Cloud experts. Experience a dynamic program with 20+ sessions, including leading industry speakers, fireside chats, breakout sessions, and roundtable discussions. This year's insights span AI, metrics that matter, scaling strategies, making a pivot, the changing role of the CFO, what investors are looking for, and more. Keynotes include ChowNow and HackerOne CEOs. Attendees will enjoy plenty of networking time during breakfast, lunch, coffee cart breaks, and cocktails on the patio. Join us on November 9th at the Culver City Hilton to learn from industry leaders.

Learn more and register using DOTLA229 for a discounted ticket rate of $229 (regularly $399): bit.ly/3EitWB5

Early-stage founders get a discounted ticket rate ($59). Apply here today!

Want your event featured? Shoot us an email!

📅 LA Tech Calendar

Wednesday, November 8th

• Startup Cafe - Join entrepreneurs, tech professionals and enthusiasts at The KINN, a membership network, accelerator and collaborative workspace for conscious entrepreneurs. Meet and connect with like-minded people, industry professionals and investors, while enjoying a nice cup of coffee.
• Pitch Purpose - Join Wednesday night in Venice for an evening of investor perspectives and founder pitches.
• FROM SOUND TO SENSATION: How to go public with campus startups - Join CSUN Entrepreneurs and EDGE Sound Research for an insightful discussion on the startup journey from campus to recognition! We'll delve into technical topics, ongoing projects, and offer an open Q&A forum.

Thursday, November 9th

• Recurring Revenue Conference - See our featured event above for details!
• Los Angeles Design & Development Meetup - Join LA Design & Development in DTLA to discuss themes like Web3, Accessibility, UX/Product Design, Engineering, Startups and more.

Saturday, November 11th

• The Multimodal Generative Hack - Join AI LA and the brightest innovators in music, video, gaming, and AI for two days in Playa Del Rey to shape the future of entertainment and interactive design!

Have an awesome event coming up? Reach out to be featured on next week’s Newsletter!

📙 What We’re Reading

• Pix AI, the app to solve your endless searching for a show or movie. -
• Disney to buy full control of Hulu In deal with Comcast. -
• Alethia Venture Partners raises $50M with a beverage focus. -

🏰 Disney's Epic Investment Stands Out Amidst Gaming Industry Layoffs

Jun 06 2024

🔦 Spotlight

In the midst of widespread gaming industry layoffs, a glimmer of positive news emerges as Disney announces a significant move: a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games. 🏰💰🐭

Image Source: Disney

Disney's $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, disclosed late Wednesday, signals a strategic alignment aimed at expanding the success of "Fortnite." The deal enhances Epic's growth prospects after financial setbacks, including layoffs, and strengthens the partnership between the two companies. With Disney gaining a larger equity stake in Epic, the collaboration will broaden the integration of beloved Disney franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Avatar into the game, potentially boosting its appeal and longevity. This significant investment underscores Disney's commitment to interactive entertainment and signifies a shift towards games as a primary revenue stream, aligning with the growing trend of digital engagement among younger demographics. Moreover, the potential for crossover sales of physical Disney products within "Fortnite" and the exploration of new content distribution channels are just some of the opportunities arising from this partnership.

For LA tech, the Disney-Epic Games partnership represents a validation of the region's burgeoning tech and gaming ecosystem. The substantial investment in Epic, who maintains a large Los Angeles office with 1,000+ employees (according to LinkedIn), reflects confidence in the LA’s talent pool and innovation potential. Additionally, this partnership between two industry giants fosters an environment for further collaboration, investment, and growth within LA's tech sector. As Disney and Epic Games deepen their ties and explore new avenues for content integration and distribution, it not only elevates the prominence of LA as a tech hub but also stimulates economic growth and job creation in the region. This partnership highlights LA's unique position as a hub where technology and entertainment converge. With its ability to integrate diverse industries, LA is driving innovation and expansion in digital entertainment. 🚀💸🎮

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

• ProducePay, a financing and marketplace platform for the fresh produce market, raised a $38M Series D led by Syngenta Group Ventures joined by Commonfund, Highgate Private Equity, G2 Venture Partners, Anterra Capital, Astanor Ventures, Endeavor8, Avenue Venture Opportunities, Avenue Sustainable Solutions, and Red Bear Angels. - learn more
• Blush, an invite-only dating app that drives users to local businesses on dates, raised a $7M Seed Round from individuals like Naval Ravikant. - learn more
• Mogul, a startup founded last year that provides an overview of an artist's royalty earnings and identifies areas where money is owed but has not yet been collected, raised a $1.9 million seed round from Wonder Ventures, United Talent Agency, AmplifyLA, and Creator Partners. - learn more
• Avnos, a hybrid direct air capture startup, raised a $36M Series A led by NextEra Energy and joined by Safran Corporate Ventures, Shell Ventures, Envisioning Partners, and Rusheen Capital Management. - learn more
• AI.fashion, startup whose mission is to help retailers enhance the online shopping experience by providing consumers with virtual try-ons and personalized fashion recommendations, raised a $3.6M Seed Round led by Neo. - learn more
• Suma Wealth, startup that aims to demystify financial topics and provide culturally relevant content, virtual experiences, and resources to help Latino users navigate financial challenges and opportunities, raised a $2.2M Seed Round . Radicle Impact led, and was joined by Vamos Ventures, OVO fund and the American Heart Association Impact Fund. - learn more
• 222, a startup that helps users discover their city and meet new people through unique social experiences, raised a $2.5M Seed Round. Investors included 1517 Fund, General Catalyst, Best Nights VC, Scrum Ventures, and Upfront Ventures. - learn more
• LimaCharlie, a security operations cloud platform, raised a $10.2M Series A led by Sands Capital. -
• Polycam, an app that uses a smartphone’s sensors to capture 3D scans of objects, raised an $18M Series A co-led by Left Lane Capital and Adjacent, and joined by Adobe Ventures and individuals like Chad Hurley and Shaun Maguire. -learn more.

LA Venture Funds

• M13 co-led a $6.5M Seed Round for Code, a micropayments startup building upon the kin (KIN) cryptocurrency. - learn more
• Wonder Ventures has garnered $102 million in fresh capital commitments. -

Actively Raising

• ReelCall, Inc., an entertainment technology company focused on powerful apps and platforms that help build and maintain the professional network of connections vital to career growth, is raising a $850K Pre-Seed Round. - learn more
• CZero, a startup building software to decarbonize logistics for logistics businesses and goods business through a vetted marketplace and optimization software. - learn more
• Couri, a technology startup addressing last-mile delivery issues, is raising a $450K Pre-Seed Round at a $2.2M post money valuation. - learn more
• Sweetie, a marketplace to help people plan date nights, is raising a $1.5M Pre Seed Round. -
• StartupStarter, an investment platform that provides real-time data and analytics on startups, is raising an $850K Angel Round. - learn more

If you’re a founder raising money in Los Angeles, give us a shout, and we’d love to include you in the newsletter!

Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.

Venture Waves, Climate Tech Wins, and Silicon Beach's Ongoing Evolution

Jun 06 2024

Anduril Seeks $1.5B in VC Funds

Defense company Anduril Industries Inc., based in Costa Mesa and founded by Palmer Luckey, is seeking to raise $1.5 billion in fresh funds to boost its valuation to $12.5 billion or more, according to sources quoted by The Information. This fundraising effort, if successful, would mark one of the largest venture capital rounds of the year.

Image Source: Anduril

Anduril recently secured a contract to develop and test small unmanned fighter jet prototypes under the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, beating out major defense companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. Alongside General Atomics, Anduril will design, manufacture, and test these aircraft, with a final multibillion-dollar production decision expected in fiscal year 2026. This program aims to deliver at least 1,000 combat aircraft to fly in concert with manned platforms and is part of the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance initiative. Central to Anduril’s success in this contract is the Fury autonomous air vehicle, acquired through the purchase of Blue Force Technologies. This victory underscores Anduril's rapid advancement in the defense sector, aligning with Luckey's vision of building faster and more cost-effective defense assets. - learn more

Los Angeles Ranks Number 1 in Emerging Climate Tech Hub

The 2024 Emerging Climate Tech Hubs Report by Revolution highlights Los Angeles as a burgeoning center for climate tech innovation. LA's growth in this sector is driven by its diverse talent pool, strong research institutions, and a culture of environmental consciousness. The city's unique mix of legacy industries, such as entertainment and aerospace, alongside emerging tech companies, positions it as a pivotal player in the climate tech landscape. This shift reflects a broader trend of decentralized climate tech funding across the U.S., reducing the historical dominance of California's traditional hubs. - learn more

Silicon Beach: Looking Back, Moving Forward

Assessing the overall health of the startup market is challenging, especially as venture capital funding has decreased by an average of 61% from 2021 to 2023 across the top VC markets in the US. Markets with robust ecosystems in AI, SaaS, Biotech, Healthtech, and Fintech appear to be weathering the downturn better than those focused on Consumer and Gaming industries, areas where Los Angeles traditionally excels.

Percent Change In VC Funding By Region

LA Times paints a rather bleak outlook on the Los Angeles tech scene noting venture capital funding in Greater Los Angeles plummeted 73% from 2021 to 2022. Silicon Beach, once a vibrant tech corridor, currently faces high vacancy rates and lacks late-stage financiers, especially in the AI sector. However, there are positive signs, including growth in aerospace startups and increased venture capital investment in early 2024, suggesting a potential rebound for LA's tech ecosystem.

While LA may not be exceeding expectations during this period, its tech ecosystem warrants a nuanced evaluation, given the broader market dynamics and its strong performance in specific sectors. Reach out to us with your thoughts.

Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.

🚀 SpaceX gears up for another stellar year, active raises, and more

Jun 06 2024

Happy Friday Los Angeles! You made it through the first week of 2024!

🔦 Spotlight

Elon Musk may be a divisive (albeit entertaining) figure, but the continued success of SpaceX is pivotal for the aerospace industry in Los Angeles and more broadly around the world.

Image Source: SpaceX webcast

What happened with SpaceX in 2023?

• Elon Musk challenged Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight.
• SpaceX launched 96 successful missions with its Falcon series of rockets, a 57% increase over its previous annual record.
• SpaceX conducted two test flights of the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, Starship.
• Roughly two-thirds of SpaceX's launches in 2023 were devoted to building out Starlink, the company's satellite-internet megaconstellation.
• Isaacson’s Elon Musk biography was published in September including everything from Musk’s tumultuous relationship with his father to his work ethic and “demon mode”.

Moving forward what can we expect from SpaceX and its controversial founder? Continued innovation pushing the aerospace industry to new limits? Yes. More drama? Without a doubt.

Here is some of what is to come in 2024:

• SpaceX has already deployed direct-to-smartphone satellites in its first launch of 2024.
• Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX's vice president of build and flight reliability, announced that they are looking to increase flight rate to 144 flights during 2024.
• SpaceX will launch 5 astronaut missions in 2024 if everything goes to plan.
• Starlink will continue to build out the company’s satellite-internet megaconstellation in 2024 as they have permission to deploy double the current number of satellites in orbit.
• SpaceX is working to get other Starship vehicles ready, in keeping with the company's development philosophy, which prioritizes frequent test flights and rapid iteration.
• SpaceX is facing a complaint issued by a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board, for illegally firing employees in 2022 for circulating a letter critical of the company’s founder and chief executive, Elon Musk.

🤝 Venture Deals

Just Announced

Check back next week!

LA Exits

• CG Oncology, an Irvine, CA-based developer of immunotherapies for bladder cancer, filed for a $100M IPO. It plans to list on the Nasdaq (CGON) with Morgan Stanley as left lead underwriter, and has raised around $317m in VC funding. - learn more
• McNally Capital agreed to sell Advanced Micro Instruments, a Costa Mesa, CA-based maker of gas analyzers and sensing technologies, to Enpro (NYSE: NPO). - learn more

Actively Raising

• ReelCall, Inc., an entertainment technology company focused on powerful apps and platforms that help build and maintain the professional network of connections vital to career growth, is raising a $850K Pre-Seed Round. - learn more
• CZero, a hard-tech startup that is developing a technology for decarbonizing natural gas, is raising a $1.5M Seed Round. - learn more
• Couri, a technology startup addressing last-mile delivery issues, is raising a $450K Pre-Seed Round at a $2.2M post money valuation. - learn more
• Sweetie, a marketplace to help people plan date nights, is raising a $250K Angel Round. -
• StartupStarter, an investment platform that provides real-time data and analytics on startups, is raising an $850K Angel Round. - learn more

If you’re a founder raising money in Los Angeles, give us a shout, and we’d love to include you in the newsletter!

📅 LA Tech Calendar

Sunday, January 7th

• LA Coffee Club x Popl - "Networking Gone Wild" Mansion Party & Panel - Join 310 Coffee Club for a panel discussion and networking in Beverly Hills. The panel will be discussing "Networking Tactics to 2x your Potential" with founders & CEOs including Jason Alvarez-Cohen of Popl, Nathan Green of Kin, Rory Garton-Smith of Checkmate, Christina Galbato of Create Her Empire, and Casey Adams ofListener.com!

Wednesday, January 10th

• Startup Cafe: Networking with a Kick - Entrepreneurs, Startups, and Tech Enthusiasts join together to meet and connect with like-minded people, industry professionals and investors, while enjoying a nice cup of coffee in Venice at The KINN. This week’s interactive discussion about AI’s evolution in entertainment will feature Dr. Sam Khoze and Rachel Joy Victor.
• Venice Tech Happy Hour- Join Startup Coil and FoundrHaus Wednesday evening and enjoy the sunset from the rooftop, grab a bite overlooking Abbot Kinney, and mingle with other tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs by the bar on the patio.

Have an awesome event coming up? Reach out to be featured on next week’s Newsletter!

📙 What We’re Reading

• Tune in to TenOneTen Partner Minnie Ingersoll’s conversation with Josh Porter, co-founder of FirstLook Partners. Josh explains why he thinks smaller funds make the best investment opportunities. He has seen hundreds of decks and digs in on how to evaluate funds and his unique approach to co-investments. - listen here
• Fisker will add dealerships to EV sales model. -
• 4 Predictions for AI in 2024. -

Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.