Entrepreneurial Ramblings

A reader recently asked me for advice on getting settled in LA and involved in early stage tech businesses.  He wanted a sort of “quick way” to get involved and network his way into the scene and find out the best opportunities, companies, entrepreneurs, and investors in the LA area.  I’ve prepared a list here for those who are ever seeking similar advice.

You’re going to have to get out there and do the networking yourself, but these resources are a good place to start.  Most of them can be subscribed to via email where you’ll get alerts about news and events worth exploring.  I tried to set the links to that you’ll be taken directly to the email sign up / calendar of events pages for convenience.

So without further adieu, if you’re new to LA and looking to get involved in early stage ventures / startups, here’s a list of good places to start your journey:

1. Amplify.LA
2. Coloft
3. CrossCamp.us
4. Dealmaker Media LA
5. Founders Institute
6. General Assembly LA
7. LA Startup Digest
8. LAUNCH Conference / Jason Calacanis
9. Launchpad.LA
10. LAVA (Los Angeles Venture Association)
11. PandoMonthly LA Events
12. Siemer & Associates Events
13. SocalTECH
14. Southern California Tech Central
15. StartupsUncensored
16. Technology Council of Southern California
17. TechZulu

I know I’m missing quite a few, so please let me know in the comments here and I’ll add them.  Happy Holidays!

I’m pleased to announced our second partnership with Microsoft, this time with the Windows Live Movie Maker product where AudioMicro.com is featured in the newly updated release of the software, which can be downloaded here, free of charge.

Our previous partnership with Microsoft was announced last year, whereby we supply Office.com with music and sound effects.

Full details in the press release below. Cheers!

___________________________________________________

HEADLINE

AudioMicro featured in Windows Live Movie Maker

SUMMARY

AudioMicro’s royalty free music and sound effects featured in the latest release of Windows Live Movie Maker

BODY

LOS ANGELES, August 22, 2012 – AudioMicro announces the inclusion of AudioMicro.com as a featured music partner in the newly updated version of Windows Live Movie Maker.  Users of the latest version of the software can navigate to AudioMicro.com directly from the program’s home tab to license royalty free music and sound effects for video projects.

“We launched AudioMicro in 2008 with a heavy emphasis on the needs of independent video creators.  To strike a second deal with Microsoft® is really a dream come true and a tribute to all the hard work we’ve put into our library over the past four years”, said Ryan Born, founder and CEO of AudioMicro. “Over fifty percent of the entertainment value of a visual presentation comes from the music and sound.  With one click access to our library, Windows Live Movie Maker users are able to create more compelling, attention grabbing videos to better engage their audience.”

Last year, AudioMicro announced a licensing and distribution deal with Microsoft® Office 2010 whereby Microsoft® Office users are able to select from a hand picked collection of over 1,500 royalty free music and sound effects tracks to use with any Microsoft® Office project.

About AudioMicro, Inc.

AudioMicro, Inc. operates a network of digital content licensing brands, each targeted at a specific vertical – stock music, royalty free sound effects, celebrity pictures, and YouTube monetization.  The company is venture-backed by DFJ Frontier and Fotolia LLC.  For more information, visit AudioMicroInc.com.

About Microsoft® Corporation

Founded in 1975, Microsoft® (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft and Windows Live Movie Maker are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

###

If you’re a startup in LA and presently seeking a round of funding, you should check out the LAVA Investment Capital Conference on June 13th (this Wednesday) from 1pm to 8pm at the Skirball Center. Many of LA’s top startups, venture capitalist, angels, incubators, accelerators, and advisors will be there so if you’re looking to get your “pitch on” or otherwise grow your network, it’s a great place to be. More details and registration info here –>  http://icc.lava.org/

Idea Mensch wrote up a nice piece titled “63 Los Angeles Entrepreneurs to be Proud of”.

I’m honored to have made the list. Check out the full post here –>

http://ideamensch.com/62-los-angeles-entrepreneurs-to-be-proud-of/

photo credit: vlastula / flickr