Inogen shares stumble after $70.5M initial public offering
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, February 21st, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Health Care & Life Science, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Public Companies / 2 Comments
Shares of Goleta-based Inogen settled into the low $15 range as the Business Times went to press Feb. 19 after the company raised $70.5 million in an initial public offering that priced at $16, the low end of its expected range. In addition to selling shares, the company changed some of the disclosures it made to investors, pointing out its steep reliance on government and private insurance programs for 41 percent of its total revenue in 2012.
DenMat acquires portfolio of oral hygiene products
By Staff Report / Thursday, February 20th, 2014 / Central Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on DenMat acquires portfolio of oral hygiene products
DenMat has acquired most of the dental assets of Fort Collins, Co.-based Zila and will move some of that firm’s operations to its Lompoc headquarters, the company said Feb. 20. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Mindbody raises $50M for global push
By Staff Report / Thursday, February 20th, 2014 / Central Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Mindbody raises $50M for global push
San Luis Obispo-based Mindbody has raised $50 million in new capital, its largest amount to date, that will used to fund global expansion and mobile product development. The raise brings its total venture capital raised thus far to more than $110 million and likely marks the largest-ever raise in San Luis Obispo County.
Connexity sold to Shopzilla
By Staff Report / Thursday, February 20th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Connexity sold to Shopzilla
Ventura-based digital advertising firm Connexity has been purchased by Shopzilla, an online comparison shopping website out of Los Angeles, for an undisclosed sum.
The deal marks the first exit for a business that had operated out of the Ventura Ventures Technology Center, the city of Ventura’s startup incubator.
SpaceX’s propulsion chief elevates crowd in Santa Barbara
By Stephen Nellis / Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 / Technology, Top Stories / 3 Comments
SpaceX engine chief Tom Mueller spoke to a crowd of more than 100 in Santa Barbara on Feb. 19 at an event called “Exploring the Next Frontier: The Commercialization of Space is Lifting Off” hosted by the Central Coast MIT Enterprise Forum.
Chinese firm to pump $665M investment into Santa Maria oil field
By Stephen Nellis / Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 / Central Coast, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Chinese firm to pump $665M investment into Santa Maria oil field
One of the most prominent oil field redevelopments in Santa Barbara County is set to be acquired by a Chinese jewelry firm. Houston-based ERG Resources confirmed to the Business Times that it is set to be acquired by Beijing-based Goldleaf Jewelry Co., a jewelry firm that also has gold mining investments.
Vitesse makes play for Internet of things in turnaround tactic
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, February 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Technology, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, Tri-County Public Companies, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Vitesse makes play for Internet of things in turnaround tactic
Vitesse, which had $103.7 million in revenue last year, is hoping that the Internet of things will converge with the turnaround strategy it has been mounting for the past several years that is starting to come to fruition.